Developing greater self-awareness creates an opportunity to more fully engage in every aspect of our lives. An understanding of Astrology, and how the signs, planets and houses relate to us, begins to offer a means for navigating the complexities of our personal journey. Each month, Jayne will highlight the current sign of the zodiac, offering practical information on what it represents, its ruling planet, and how it comes alive in the horoscope. Relatable anecdotes illustrating how these factors may be present in our lives will enliven the key concepts allowing you to develop and enhance your knowledge of Astrology.
Astrology Basics
Mindful Heart Astrology: Fifth House
The Fifth House of the horoscope is most often identified as the house of Children and Creativity. Within this realm we also find Sports, Leisure, and Romance. So, what do each of these areas of life have in common? This is the natural house of Leo, so those things that make one shine have front and center stage. They each represent our creative self-expression, what we want to offer up, and how we want to be recognized. These are things we feel proud of and want to shout out to the world, “this is mine”, “it’s my baby”, “I did it”!
Mindful Heart Astrology: The Fourth House
Home and Family, along with psychological roots and ancestry, are the areas of life represented in the Fourth House. Naturally ruled by the sign of Cancer and the Moon, matters of inner security, comfort, nurturing and mother is found here. This is a “water house” and so one can naturally assume there is a great deal of emotion reflected with many of the undercurrents present in family, representative of our ancestral roots and flavoring our individual experiences. The cusp of the Fourth House is at the base of the chart, where our past and our roots are anchored. It is from this location that everything in one’s life tends to flow, or at least begin.
Third House: Who is in My Neighborhood and How do I Connect?
The Third House of the Horoscope is naturally ruled by Gemini and, as such, the planet Mercury. Known as the house of communication this part of the horoscope shows how we express ourselves and with whom. As with the first two in the chart, this is a personal house, very much about one’s self-expression and the connection with those in their immediate environment. Here, intellect also comes into play since our thinking processes are reflected by our communication style. The sign on the cusp, as well as any planets that reside here, suggests one’s style and preferences for communication as well as the thinking processes that underlies our actions.
Second House: My Values and Self Worth
The Second House of the Horoscope is naturally ruled by Taurus and, as such, the planet Venus. This house is associated with our values, self-worth, personal resources and finances, earned income, personal possessions and real estate holdings. Known as the House of possessions and values one often relates it to tangible things, in keeping with its earthy nature, and is closely linked to what we manifest. The material goods that we own are often a reflection of what we value in life, things that provide us with a sense of well-being and make our lives more enjoyable.
The Planet Venus – Ruler of Taurus
We have entered the Taurus part of this year’s zodiac cycle so it’s a good time to take a look at this sign’s ruling planet. Venus is one of the planets that rules two signs and, in this case, she rules both Taurus and Libra. For the purpose of this post though we will be focusing on elements that relate mainly to Taurus. The second planet from the Sun, Venus’ cycle through the zodiac takes place over approximately 224 days, less than a year.
Mindful Heart Astrology – First House and Ascendent
The sign on the Ascendant is considered the ‘rising sign’ and the planet that rules that sign is considered the chart ruler, having a pivotal role in the entire horoscope. Therefore, as we begin to read a chart we must consider the actual sign appearing on the Ascendant, but also take into account the nature of the house.