Ascendant ruler in the first house

[holly]

Hi everyone, I want to ask a simple beginner question that hopefully won't take up too much of your time...

How do you interpret the ruler of the Ascendant being in the first house?

I imagine it would make the person's image strong, but such a strong ascendant may hide the sun, and so although you think you know this person well, you would never see their true self, their sun? Am I on the right track with this interpretation??

I ask because I'm looking at my brother's chart. He has Taurus rising, with Venus in Gemini in the first house. He doesn't strike me as having Venus (or Gemini) like qualities at all, but then I noticed Venus is Quincunx Saturn in Capricorn.

He's also an Aries Sun, which couldn't be further from the truth when it comes to his personality, and I know my brother extremely well. I definately see him as a Taurus.

[wilsontc]

holly,

It is very difficult for us to guess at another's energies. Things we don't see in the person they could consider as a very important part of who they are. I am a holistic astrologer and suggest interpreting the chart as a whole...and then working out the details later. For more about this approach see:
http://www.geocities.com/wilsontctc

Looking at the big picture in astrology,

Tim

[Frisiangal]

Hi,

The Ascending sign conveys 'Who I am'; how I look to others, and the glasses through which I look at the world around me. It says nothing about the sun sign unless in the same sign as the sun sign. The Sun is what motivates your life.
With Taurus on the Ascendant, your brother may have an 11th or 12th house Sun in Aries. Venus in Gemini is very friendly, full of frivilolity and enjoys associating with, and being around, all types of people. It's as easy-going with grandma as with a President. Good fun for an 11th house groupie Sun but more difficult for a 12th house Sun who does not seek the limelight and either has to find or lose himself. Through the quincunx Saturn (authority) is restraining this effervescence. Taurus will be inclined to choose with whom it allies itself through its personal practical value system (including money signs!!). It may not see the practical reasoning of relating to people (or spending money) in frivolous, non-committal ways, when nothing substantial or personal gain can come from it. It may prefer to keep this side of itself in check in favour of a more business-like or frugal attitude (Saturn in Capricorn). It may have to learn lessons of the personal value in relating to people, which could prove more difficult for a 12th house Sun than for an 11th house Sun, for instance.
As long as the money question doesn't lead into lonely street

However, as is repeatedly said, the whole chart reveals more than a singular theme.

F.

[Arian Maverick]

Holly,

If you were to post your brother's natal data here, or send me a personal message with the details, I would be glad to upload his chart

Arian Maverick

[holly]

Thanks for the replies.



I've read heaps of books but I still find it hard to look at a chart and come up with an accurate interpretation of how the planets interact with each other.

[Arian Maverick]

That's exactly a year before my birthday!

Here is your brother's natal chart:



Arian Maverick

[wilsontc]

holly,

Using a holistic, big picture approach:

Since your brother has more planets on the top of his chart than on the bottom, he focuses more on his outer world than his inner world.

Since he has more planets on the right side of his chart than on the left, he focuses more on others than on himself.

Since he has the most planets in the top right of his chart, he uses what he knows about others to do things for others in the outer world.

About chart interaction and interpretation,

Tim

[holly]

I'm feeling a little bit discouraged right now because I just can't seem to make any of this "click."

I followed wilsontc's lessons and used three charts to practice. I've formed the sentences but I'm struggling with what they mean. Seriously, maybe I'm just not cut out for astrology.

Using my Sun (in Aquarius in the 7th House), I came up with this sentence:

Friends (Aquarius) modifying self-expression (Sun), focused on relationships (7th).

How do I translate that into something that makes sense? When I try, all I can come up with is "my friends dictate how I express myself in relationships." or "I express myself as more of friend than a lover in relationships." Am I even close to being right? :-/

Also, using my fiance's Sun (in Libra in the 4th) and Moon (in Sagittarius in the 7th) I came up with these sentences:

Relationships modifying self-expression and focused on the home.
Expansion modifying home and focused on relationships.

Do those two sentences basically mean the same thing because of the keywords they have in common?

I'd really appreciate some help with all of this!

[wilsontc]

holly,

I think you are closer to understanding this than you think!

You said:

...my Sun (in Aquarius in the 7th House)...
Friends (Aquarius) modifying self-expression (Sun), focused on relationships (7th)...
"my friends dictate how I express myself in relationships." or "I express myself as more of friend than a lover in relationships."

The first example is a possiblity...you could look to the opinions of your friends in considering your relationships. The second is a stronger possibility, you may want to be more "friends" in a relationship...close but not TOO close. As you have seen, you have to interpret the keywords in your chart with an understanding of how you have chosen to use your own energy.

You said:

...my fiance's Sun (in Libra in the 4th) and Moon (in Sagittarius in the 7th) I came up with these sentences:
Relationships modifying self-expression and focused on the home.
Expansion modifying home and focused on relationships.
Do those two sentences basically mean the same thing because of the keywords they have in common?

Both "home" and "relationships" are VERY important to your fiance. As you have seen, by using keywords the connections between two different LOOKING astrology descriptions (i.e., "Sun (in Libra in the 4th) and Moon (in Sagittarius in the 7th)" ) become immediately obvious: home and relationships, that's what this is all about!

Great job and if you have any other questions, let me know. I am continually revising and improving the astrological website so if you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate hearing them as well.

Giving the astro-basics,

Tim

[holly]

Thank you Tim for the encouragement, it's good to see that I am on the right track! What a relief!

Your website is a great help. It's easy to get lost in all the information out there on astrology, when all I needed was the most simple explanation possible to have it all make sense - and that's what you have given me with your website.

"As you have seen, by using keywords the connections between two different LOOKING astrology descriptions (i.e., "Sun (in Libra in the 4th) and Moon (in Sagittarius in the 7th)" ) become immediately obvious:"

How very true! I never would have come to the conclusion about home and relationships by looking at those planet placements individually.

[Shining Ray]

Here is an explanation by Alan Oken for ruler of the first in 1st house:

First house - as a strong embodiment of the planet in question. A person with Gemini rising with Mercury in that sign in the 1st house, for example, will be much more vibrantly communicative than a person who has Mercury in Gemini in any other position in the horoscope. The individual will be Mercury in Gemini: constantly thinking, speaking and moving. He or she will often look and act like Mercury in Gemini: slender, restless, nervous, actively intelligent, hands always waving about the air. This position describes a man or woman who acts the part of Mercury in Gemini, taking the role of the messenger in all social situations, and functioning most comfortably as a go between or liaison.

A man who has Libra rising, and Venus in that sign in the first house will not only be charming, he will be the personification of charm. A woman with Capricorn rising and Saturn in that sign in the 1st house will not just be authoritative and masterful, she will be the embodiment of the urge to master her environment, and a symbol of Authority unto herself (unless Saturn is strongly afflicted - especially by Neptune or the Moon - in which case she may feel overwhelmed by the environment and seek to withdraw). On the other hand a person with Leo Rising and the Sun in Leo in the 1st, definitely considers him or herself centre of the universe. When interpreting this position of the ruler in the 1st house, the Astrologer should use his or her knowledge of the meanings of the planets when in their own signs, and give this interpretation very strong emphasis. In any event, always remember the rule which states: Wherever or however the ruler is placed, that is where and how you are.

[Spin]

Holly, don't give up. Even though I had a mentor, I remember throwing down my astrology book in frustration because I just couldn't synthesize all the information. It was overwhelming--planets, signs, houses , aspects, transits...

What helped me a lot in the beginning was focusing on small bits of information at a time and then building from there. I would ignore the specific time of birth and set up an archetypal chart with Aries on the Asc, Taurus on the 2nd, Gemini 3rd, etc and then insert the planets. This way I could get a deep understanding of the planets in signs. For example Sun in Aquarius would in the 11th house so conscious aim (Sun) is group identity/association. Then I would set up the chart using the specific birth time and see what area that energy is manifesting.

Actually I do many charts for people who don't know their time of birth and the archetypal charts give a surprising amount of accurate information.

Regarding your brother's chart, a factor that adds to his earthy temperament is his Sun's dispositor Mars in Capricorn. I've found the sign and house placement of the Sun's ruler to be very influential.

[holly]

Sorry for the late reply, I just found this now! Thanks for the information Shining Ray and Spin, it is very useful.

[gaer]

Originally Posted by holly

I ask because I'm looking at my brother's chart. He has Taurus rising, with Venus in Gemini in the first house. He doesn't strike me as having Venus (or Gemini) like qualities at all, but then I noticed Venus is Quincunx Saturn in Capricorn.

Holly,

For years now I've rejected the idea that you can guess someone's Sun sign.

The exception is when you find something like Sun/Moon conjunct in the same sign, and the rising sign or ascendant is also the same sign or in the same element.

For example, if you meet someone who is a double Leo with sag rising, unless there are aspects that show that this person will be inhibited (very difficult aspects to Saturn might do it), then you may say, "Yes. This person fits the Leo stereotype."

The husband of a very good friend of mine is a triple Sag, Sun/Moon/Asc. Everyone calls him "Party Arty", and he fits the sign perfectly.

However, even though I'm a double Libra (Sun/Moon), most people pick up on my Asc. first, Virgo. And I'm extremely intense. Everything I study, I study to the max. I go deep. Mercury and Mars in Scorpio.

So it's always a mixture. People are complex!

In the case of your brother, with Taurus rising and Scorpio Moon, that will quiet down the Aries a great bit. I think it's probably there, but it could be very hard to see. You may find that it develops more as he gets older.

One of my closest friends is Aries Sun, Taurus rising, Cancer Moon. Her Sun is in the 12th, which makes it even more hidden. She claims she has spent her whole life trying to LEARN to be more like an Aries. Past age 60, she's still trying to break out of the mold of being a follower.

You might say that she never became what she was meant to be. And she's not a happy person. Someone threw water on her Sun!!!

In my experience, by the way, when the ruler of the sign of the AC, in this case Venus, is in the 1st, you don't experience the maximum effect unless the planet is very close to the AC. (AC=Asc., my lazy typing.) In addition, Venus is not in Taurus, which colors things a bit differently.

His Sun and Moon are subtly out of sync, almost dead-on inconjunct (or quincunx), and that suggests that an adjustment needs to be made as he grows older to bring the energy of those two luminaries into sync.

Traditionally the Sun is considered strong (exalted) in Aries, but although the Moon may be a bit uncomfortable in Scorpio, I think it's quite powerful there. It's also conjunct Pluto, very intense. And the Moon is angular, in the 7th, so strong in that way, and almost directly opposite the Asc., which is similar in some ways to having a planet right on the Asc.

Note also that he has 5 planets in earth, only two in fire. Earth dominates.

Does he have an explosive temper?

Moon is sextile Neptune, which is a softening aspect, good for creativity/imagination, possibly idealistic. Neptune is also trine Jupiter. Generous, probably not obvious. He's young, so sometimes it takes a bit of time for these things to play out in the personality.

But Saturn square Mercury, also in Aries, is going to be an inhibiting factor. Saturn puts a damper on anything it aspects, and a square is more likely to cause mood swings, discouragement and down periods. At the same time, Uranus is right there. So think of a fight going on between the two planets, Saturn saying be responsible, be conservative, obey the rules, and Uranus saying, FREEDOM. That conjunction, although it affected a lot of people when he was born, is very close to dead-on, and the square of the two planets to Mercury is a bit of a pressure-cooker and quite personal because of its aspects to Venus and Mercury. (Inconjunct Venus from the same area.)

There's been quite a discussion of the 8th house elsewhere, but the 8th house planets, at the very least, are in an area that I associate with things that are intense and hidden, and it makes me think that the feeling of Scorpio, from the Moon, is heightened.

With Taurus as the Asc., there is the possibility that you don't see all of that emotion going on until you get to know him, so he may appear much more laid-back, calm, reasonable, charming to people outside the family. But I suspect at his age, especially, he's quite moody.

Any connection to music, art, other "artistic" interests?

The Venus—Mars—Mercury configuration (trine and sextiles) is very nice.

As with most charts, there are some very difficult aspects and some very fortunate ones.

How do you get along with your brother? What are his strengths? If you knew nothing about his chart, what sign would you guess for him?

It's VERY late, after 4 AM, so I may find mistakes tomorrow.

Gaer

[wayne penner]

Originally Posted by holly

I'm feeling a little bit discouraged right now because I just can't seem to make any of this "click."

I followed wilsontc's lessons and used three charts to practice. I've formed the sentences but I'm struggling with what they mean. Seriously, maybe I'm just not cut out for astrology.

Using my Sun (in Aquarius in the 7th House), I came up with this sentence:

Friends (Aquarius) modifying self-expression (Sun), focused on relationships (7th).

How do I translate that into something that makes sense? When I try, all I can come up with is "my friends dictate how I express myself in relationships." or "I express myself as more of friend than a lover in relationships." Am I even close to being right? :-/

Also, using my fiance's Sun (in Libra in the 4th) and Moon (in Sagittarius in the 7th) I came up with these sentences:

Relationships modifying self-expression and focused on the home.
Expansion modifying home and focused on relationships.

Do those two sentences basically mean the same thing because of the keywords they have in common?

I'd really appreciate some help with all of this!

First I would recommend Jeff Mayo's "Teach yourself Astrology", which may now be out of print but you can certainly pick it up on eBay. Mayo is an expert in combining Planet/Sign/House.

Most astrologers do not combine quite as methodically. For example, the 7th usually acts through others so that the Sun being placed in the 7th is generally favorable for friendships and relationships of all kinds, especially marriage, but much would depend on Venus and Sun Saturn aspects, if any. It gives powerful friends and enemies.

Generally, it would indicate an idealistic (Aquarius) view of all relationships and humanity in general, a desire to establish social structures that benefit larger humanity, and help from powerful friends in realizing these ideals. It might bring famous or prominent people into your life. Sun in 7th is accidentially debilitated and weak by sign, but it is generally a positive influence as the 7th is a benefic house. It will certainly give a strong interest in marriage, but again the idealism of Aquarius will rise so that the marriage will be enterered into will be unique and idyllic in some way, perhaps due to actual living conditions or.

You will tend to always live for others in some way, either by performing some service for them, or by giving them some expert or unique guidance.

[holly]

Thanks Wayne, the clear way you explained the Sun's placement is very refreshing and useful. You make it easy to understand.

As for the book recommendation, I saw Jeff Mayo's "Teach yourself Astrology" on ebay recently for a very small price - I'm kicking myself that I didn't bid!

[Ebenia]

I have one friend, who is Sun Aries, Moon Leo and AS Capricorn, but she is maybe the least arian person I have ever met. Of course she has those bits when you get to know her, but mainly she is very capricornian.

She has Uranus, Saturn and Neptune near her ascendant (Uranus closest, then saturn, then Neptune). She also has very afflicted Sun, squares from all of these planet I mentioned above. I read from one book, that if there is much "weight" on others Ascendant, it maybe that the person is very caught up with the way others see her and she finds it very hard to really truly know her self. I think that would be very correct with her.

The reason why you aren't seeing your brothers arian side, is not because he does not have one - it's because he himself does not know he has one.

I don't really know how to help you with this, I also have very hard time with this very good friend of mine, she has many problems with her self, but she does not knowledge them at all - cause she does not want to. She is hiding behind that capricornian nature so much that her inner self is torturing inside her and I can feel it. I don't know how to help her, cause I do not have problems like that at all...

But I hope she finds happiness someday...