The Subjective Houses

Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World. 1.13

The lower hemisphere of a chart, Houses 1 through 6, are the subjective Houses. They represent matters that are personally oriented. Using Robert Jansky’s methodology, they represent what we have to offer (export) to trade for what we want or seek or need. The more planets in a house, the greater the emphasis—and thus the greater the need—perceived by the individual.

The 2nd and 8th houses are the pair of houses that reveal an individual’s need for possessions and the physical sharing of herself with another person. Money is often the commodity that is being exchanged. The bargain? I’ll offer you some asset I possess in exchange for some asset you possess.

These houses also relate to sex. We all have a physical body. This physical asset can be given, bartered, or withheld to get what we need from others. This does not mean that we all prostitute ourselves, but you probably have heard of someone who used sex to get a promotion (more income). People engage in sexual acts hoping their partner will value them, and come to love and support them.

We are attracted to partners whom we believe are capable of providing us with (or helping us get) what we think we need or want.

The 2nd house describes your values, your attitude toward money and possessions, your capacity to earn money—and what you do when you have (or don’t have) it. The sign ruling the 2nd house cusp, and planets in the 2nd house, explain how you give and receive.

The 8th house describes your 7th house partners’ resources. It describes how you handle these resources, and what you are willing or able to do to get them. It reveals if you are likely to receive an inheritance, which brings in the subject of wills, which stem from the matter of death.

Aries ruling the 2nd house indicates you go and get the possessions you want. Single Aries’ 2nd people should pay cash, for they may not naturally have the patience to pay off a credit card or loan. But bring in a Libra partner, and this partner will have to agree to back up the spur-of-the-moment, I-need-this-right-now purchases that Aries makes—in exchange for a partner who makes a decision, rather than endlessly debating the options of couch colors.

Taurus ruling the 2nd House describes an individual who clings to his or her possessions. He is a stable, stick-to-the-job person. Scorpio on the 2nd house cusp means the native prefers to be secretive about his or her income. He manages finances and budgets, and will probably put every penny he inherits towards joint finances; he handles the details internally and may resent a partner’s need to discuss matters.

Gemini ruling the 2nd also means Sagittarius rules the 8th. This person talks about money, writes the checks, and delivers payments. His Sagittarian partner is happy to have these day-to-day necessities done so he can work behind the scenes, focus on deeper issues, and think long-term. Reverse significance for a Sagittarius on the 2nd chart.

Cancer ruling the 2nd House describes a person who values emotional security over material needs. She embraces her partner’s emotional needs, and trades this for the structural security offered by a Capricorn (her 8th house). A Capricorn on the 2nd person would trade his or her organizational skills in finances, possessions and self-worth for an emotionally focused Cancer. Now, the partner could be an emotional dependent, which could lead to an unhealthy relationship. Or the Cancer could be emotionally supportive and aid the strong, tough Capricorn to be in touch with his feelings.

Leo on the 2nd values his possessions and money. He attracts partners who have strong Aquarian natures, for these people are not threatened by Leo’s ego. They can be equally strong minded. Aquarius on the 2nd House indicates a person who shares what he has—as long as those he shares with defer to his vision.

Virgo ruling the 2nd House signifies a person who knows how to shop. He discerns value and hype, and manages his assets to care for those he loves. Pisces in the 8th may be needy and vulnerable, or bring home those who are needy and vulnerable—stray animals or foster children, for example. Pisces on the 2nd can be swayed by circumstance, and seeks a partner who can attend to the details of daily living.

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Astrology by Anne Morgan

Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World 1.12

The lower hemisphere of a chart, Houses 1 through 6, are the subjective Houses. They represent matters that are personally oriented. Using Robert Jansky’s methodology, they represent what we have to offer (export) to trade for what we want or seek or need. The more planets in a house, the greater the emphasis—and thus the greater the need—perceived by the individual.

The Law of Polarity matches houses with their polar opposites. Think of this like the North and South Pole. If one pole is in the 1st House, the opposite pole lies in the 7th.

The 1st House represents you. Your identity and your awareness of your identity. It describes your primary physical features. How you like to dress. How you project yourself into the world. What others get from you as their first impression of you. The 1st House describes your temperament, your personality, your character, your individuality—all terms people use when trying to ‘sum you up’ as a person. We all need to have your identity recognized and validated by other people.

We all want to be accepted and told we are okay. By the time we are in our teens, we are looking for partner(s) who validate us in the most personal ways. We look for a mate, husband or wife, as well as business partners, who will accept us full time.

The 7th House also describes doctors, lawyers, agents and other professionals, including astrologers. We seek advice and receive personally supporting services from these people. (I suspect society evolved privacy protections for professional services because legal confidentiality facilitates specifically intimate relationships.)

The 1st/7th Polarity can be defined as Identity—Recognition.

Libra rising (ruling the 1st House) in a chart indicates that the native, from an early age, tries to be a peace-maker. He or she wants everyone to get along and play fair. They are in awe of, and eventually look for, partners who are strongly Aries: independent, assertive, make-their-own rules, shoot first and ask questions after. Libra rising seeks an Aries partner who teaches offense. In return, Libra offers companionship to one who tends to be a loner.

Conversely, Aries rising is independent and assertive. Definitely not a team player. Aries looks for Libra partners because two Aries personalities would clash. Libra is the perfect agreeable partner—content to let Aries lead, able to point Aries in a direction and say, “Go get that for me.”

Taurus rising is stable and patient, persistent and stubborn, artistic yet practical. Taurus is balanced by a Scorpio partner. Scorpio can be Taurus’ muse, the inspiration and depth behind Taurus’ artistry. Scorpio loves to break up routine, and so shakes Taurus up from becoming too rigid. Taurus gives Scorpio an outlet to release trapped, inner fears or secrets. Sex and transformational energies become domesticated.

Gemini and Sagittarius are both mutable signs. Gemini rising is curious, talkative, always in motion. It becomes balanced by Sagittarius’ scholarly broad-mindedness and love of nature. Sagittarius rising’s idealism could fall in love with Gemini’s day-to-day realism. Publishing meets wordsmithing.

Cancer 1st House is emotional, protective in a possessive manner. Capricorn opposing on the 7th suggests that Cancer would willingly provide a home base for Capricorn’s worldly-wise skills.

The natural polarity between Leo and Aquarius says one-to-one relationships are based on mutual respect and friendship. Leo is self-absorbed and generous. Aquarius is independent and personally resourceful. Neither dominates. Both give.

Virgo and Pisces could seem like a mismatch. Virgo is analytical, precise, meticulous, incisive, studious and methodical. Pisces is dreamy, imaginative, melancholy and impractical. Pisces is drawn to causes. Virgo is concerned with health and problem-solving. Teamed together, they formidably tackle the world’s injustices.

After you are born (your chart is set), the world keeps spinning. So does your chart. It moves, and over time, subsequent signs progress in turn to your Ascendant. The progressed Ascendant sign add new colors and qualities to your character. You (and your life) become more complex.

The focus of your life, and the nature of events that happen to you, can be described by the new progressed sign. A detailed study of the progressed Ascendant (1st house cusp) and Descendant (7th house cusp) can predict events or be used to rectify a birth chart when the exact time of birth is unknown.

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What the Planets “Mean” by Anne Morgan

Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World 1.9 by Anne mOrgan

Robert Jansky described human life as a balancing act between ‘Import and Export.” We look outside of ourselves for what we do not have within us. We ‘import’ what we need from other people or groups while ‘exporting’ what those people need in return.

We do this from the moment we are born. As babies, we cried when we were hungry, cold or wet. As we grew, we learned to do things in return for getting what we want. We bartered. We made deals. Naturally, we tried to get the greatest return for the least amount of sacrifice.

Under the best circumstances, people around us cared about what we needed, and supplied it freely, out of love. At some stage, we resented our dependence; we proclaimed our autonomy. We distanced ourselves from parents, and looked to friends, partners, teachers, leaders to supply what we lacked.

Success depends on knowing what our strengths and weaknesses are, for whatever we attempt to import, we must be willing to export something in return. A good chart reading can spell this out with clarity.

The Sun represents the core of our individuality and the space we occupy. The more we take in, or import, the more space we require to hold the imported material. (Think of the size of a fertilized human egg, then think of the space an adult occupies. As we grow, we need more space.)

The Moon shows, by sign, degree and house location, how we decide to occupy more space. Its decision-making process is conditioned by past experiences and events, habit patterns, cultural and family traditions, feelings, emotions, memories, etc.

Venus symbolizes our ability to enjoy the space we occupy. It shows how we appreciate what we already have.

Mars describes the actual struggle to hold what we occupy, how we defend it from attack, and how we expand our space.

Mercury is our awareness of this human struggle for more space. It describe how we plan (reason) to acquire more personal space, and defines the pleasure each increase in our holdings will bring us. It is how we bargain, barter, or trade for what we need and want.

Jupiter shows where and how we reach out into our environment to find what we feel we lack. This process results in expansion and growth.

Saturn represents the price we must pay for this expansion and growth—what we must give in order to get.

Uranus symbolizes the voluntary relinquishment of elements of our space. We give up in order to gain.

Neptune represents the dream we have for ourselves, the ideal in the achievement of all of the space we could need or want and its ideal usage once occupied.

Pluto represents the elimination of all the junk presently occupying our space that prevents us from fully enjoying it and developing it.

Now look at your horoscope. Houses 1 through 6 (the bottom hemisphere) are your exports—what you are offering. Houses 7 through 12 (the upper hemisphere) represent your exports—what you are seeking.

Think about this this week. We will continue this topic next time.

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Back to Back New Moons in Cancer & Solar Eclipses

by Anne Morgan

As you know, I welcome questions from readers. This week’s query is:
“What is my take on the back to back new Moons in Cancer and the upcoming solar eclipse?”

June’s New Moon (Lunation) was at Cancer 1 degree 30 minutes on June 22. On July 22, the New Moon falls at Cancer 29.27. This New Moon is conjunct and parallel the Sun. thus creating a solar eclipse.

Solar eclipses occur twice a year. They affect the Earth’s electromagnetic (near cosmic) field. During total eclipses, birds fly about excitedly, night creatures come out of their dens, predators howl, roosters crow, diurnal animals go to sleep, flowers close their blossoms.

Eclipses mark emphasis and crisis—in world astrology and personal horoscopes. The most important factor in personal delineations is in which of the twelve houses the eclipse falls. The eclipse emphasizes matters ruled by that house, and tends to bring them to a crisis stage.

What house(s) in your chart contain Cancer 1.30 and Cancer 29.27? Crisis does not necessarily mean bad. Crisis means simply that you will be required by events in your life to devote more time, attention and energy to some matter(s) than usual.

The January 2009 solar eclipse was at Aquarius 6.38. A meditation for that eclipse is: ‘The emergence of a new type of human being according to the great rhythms of the cosmos.’

The impulse of the January eclipse offered each of us the opportunity to become new. We can evolve, transform. We can be fresh projections of the creative spirit, free from patterns of local culture or racial tradition.

Rolling that information into the current Jupiter-Neptune retrograde transit, stressful events occurring now are showing us what, where, and how we need to change our personal natures to become transformed Spirits, in alignment with the Planetary Whole. What an opportunity! Not to be feared, but celebrated.

Now, wisdom cycles a new Solar eclipse in the final degree of Cancer. A meditation for this eclipse is: ‘Choosing a path that embodies and glorifies a new structure that is built on the struggles of the past.”

What have you been struggling with? What encounters have taxed your composure? Stressed your wallet? Threatened your security? What bombs have you lobbed—ostensibly in self-defense?

Think on this. Starting his week, and lasting until the next solar eclipse in early 2010, is the cosmic time to set up a new system of personal rules, to codify things in a fresh, new way. Be reborn.

Look to the houses that are hosting the eclipses, and Aquarius 23 to 26 degrees. Refer back to my description of matters governed by the houses.

Everyone is responding to the planetary energy. To what degree of consciousness is up to you.

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More on the Signs by Anne Morgan

Practical Astrology for an Imperfect World 1.7

Fire Signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. The fiery element brings self-assertion and active manifestation. People with predominate fire signs (Sun sign, Moon sign, rising sign) tend to be positive, forceful, self-confident, and aggressive. They are inclined to faith and optimism; fond of good living, sport, exercise, company or adventure. They are generally ready for what is new. They are willing to take chances and accept changes.

Overly fiery people are ceaselessly energetic and exuberant. They can be extravagant and flashy. They can be reckless gamblers; they can be thoughtless or careless; they can be arrogant or coarse in nature. They feel little sympathy for those who are weak.

Lack of fire in a chart brings a lack of enthusiasm. The native seldom feels a joy for living. He is overly serious, hum-drum-ly tedious, or boring. He does not know how to play.

Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Water is the opposite element of Fire. Fire snaps into action; water flows and seeks level. Fire consumes itself with frenetic activity; water holds back and protects itself. Fire acts without deliberation; water embodies prudence and forethought.

Water nature people are sympathetic and protective—of self and others. They desire to shield and protect, to soothe and nurture. They tend to be the last to leap, and are perfectly content to let everyone else go first. They’d rather let others break down the doors and test a new environment. They are the pools of water that extinguish fiery people.

Individuals with an excess of planets in water signs can be too timid, very suspicious, overly distrustful of self and others. All water signs are sensitive, and tend to keep their feelings and thoughts to themselves.

Fire and water are largely primitive and instinctive. They deal on the level of spontaneous emotion and impulses, rather than with deliberately planned ideas.

Earth and air are mental and purposeful. Air designs, Earth builds.

Earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These signs represent the mind applied to material ends. They are the craftspeople, the builders, the practical scientists. These are the people who built the structures of our civilization. These are stable personalities, lovers of order and rules. They dot the ‘I’s’ and cross the “T’s.” They value practicality over idealism, tradition over change, concrete over abstractions.

Overly earthy individuals tend to be materialistic. Sordid, commonplace, utilitarian in a narrow sense. They are slaves to routine, law, and order. Earth can be a limiting element, and makes the personality dry, the approach to live mere matter-of-fact, the general outlook circumscribed.
Lack of planets in earth signs means the individual will have difficulty bringing forth tangible or useful results.

Air signs are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. People with many planets in air signs are intellectual, refined, thoughtful. They think in abstract terms and quote theory. They seek truth and ideal. They tend to be co-operative, unitive, and harmonious in action.

A preponderance of air planets tends to make the individual be divorced from what is real and practical. She spends her time day dreaming, prefers to work with ideas, rather than concrete objects. The artist or musician appreciates art and music, but does not have the inner stick-to-it-ness to create works of art or musical composition.

When the elements of a chart are in balance, there is considerable power for both planning and carrying out great/good works. There is the will force to get started—and to finish; there is the intellect to design around the sensitive appreciation of the needs of others.

Look again at your chart. Tally the number of planets in fire, earth, air, and water signs. Add one point for the element of the Ascendant (rising) sign and one point for the Midheaven sign. What element has the greatest number? Which is the lowest?

There is no bad ranking. Understanding is what we’re after—the ability to look honestly at yourself—to ‘Know Thyself.’ Your horoscope describes you as you came (willingly) back to earth, into your body and your life. You are a fine and worthy human being.

Since you were born, you have learned to compensate for weaknesses and capitalize on your strengths. Is there something you could consciously do (or not do) to bring more balance to your elements? You have the knowledge now to do that.

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