The First House

The four angles of the horoscope correspond to the 4 elements, the four triplicities, and the four cardinal points; or epochs in the souls involution from pure spirit to the crystallising, inert, mineral state. The Zodiac is reverse of the external to that of its spiritual application. The first angle is the Ascendant, or house of life. It is the eastern horizon and symbolised by Aries. Upon the interior, this first angle stands for the birth, or differentiation of the Divine Ego, as a result of the creative action or impulse of the deific mind. The Ego rises upon the Eastern horizon of celestial state, a glowing, scintillating atom of pure intelligence, an absolute, eternal Ego, rising out of the ocean of Infinite love. Although the order of the Zodiac is reversed upon the external human plane, Aries always symbolises of the 1st angle, because now the mission of the soul is to evolve the positive external attributes. Aries rules the brain and the fiery, imperial will. 

It signifies courage, daring etc. the qualities necessary for the battle of life. Ruling the head, this sign and house show us the ability of man to view the field of action, to mark his chart and arm for war, responsible for his acts, a creature of unfolding consciousness, an individual, whose measure of free will enable him to wander so far north or south of his celestial equator, with his orbit or Zodiac. As the house of life, it’s the place where we take our first breath. It’s the placement in the chart where we can quantify a natives general vitality and health. It’s association with the head reflects the intelligence, the way the mind works and speech. The first house will give a description of the physical appearance, the personality and expression, with the strength of the ruler indicating towards ones level of strength and vitality; including the potential for accidents or ills befalling a person. We see in it the face, the eyes, ears, mouth, hair, nose, tongue, and teeth. Culpeper notes; “whatsoever is above the first vertebrae of the heck.” The house is associated with pale colours, whites and greys due to the Suns movement as it rises bringing with it the Light. Lily says; “if you enquire after the colour of the clothes of any man. If his significator be in the first house and in a sign corresponding, the party’s apparel is white or grey, or close, and the same goes for cattle.” Mercury finds its joys in the first house because it represents the head, and Mercury is the tongue, fancy and memory; when he is dignified and well posited in this house he produces good orators. Aries and Saturn are cosignificators, Lily says “for as this house is the first house, so is Aries the first sign and Saturn the first planet”, when Saturn is present in the first and in aspect with Jupiter, Venus, Sun or Moon it promises a good, sober constitution of body and usually suggest a long life. Saturn, Mars or the North node in this house denote a blemish on the face, or in the part of the body represented by the sign on the cusp. Lily notes; “If Aries be in the Ascendant, the blemish (mark, mole or scar) is without fail on the head or face; and if the ascendant be in the middle of the sign, the blemish is in the middle of the face; if the later degrees of the ascendant, the blemish is near the chin or towards the neck.” When seeking advice by divination the first house can have varied associations. I

t generally signifies who ever is making the first move, a person who is making a proposal, the person who makes a first offence, the person asking a question and any self promotion. If the question is that of legalities and conflicts the first house will represent the person that initiates the action for the commencement of any trial or the prosecution. If a question is asked that does not involve the querent personally, but has strong interest and inclination, use the first house to represent the party the querent favours and supports. It will represent the common people, or general state of a nation, the country and its inhabitants, showing the condition of their prosperity and health or the reverse. The same is indicated if one is enquiring about wars. We can see in the first, vehicles and ships at sea that are under inquiry, and anything in relation to the present or current circumstances. If one seeks an answer regarding medical affairs, the 1st house will show the patient and their current state of vitality, where as the 6th will show the disease. If the first house ruler is stronger than the 6th, the patient will overcome the illness.