Part One: “The
Technique of Linking Houses, Signs and Planets”
This technique
is a powerful and easy to remember method of learning the core structure of
astrology. By using the correlations of the “natural zodiac” by starting with
Aries Rising, you’ll not only see the core meanings of the houses, signs, and
planets, but we’ll go beyond that to see their intentional, positive
expression. Because houses, signs and planets are all related, this is a great
way to learn their meanings, and then to resolve to get the best out of each,
and to avoid the pull of their negative seductions. This is what is called the
natural zodiac, and once you understand this you can put the pieces together in
your own chart. (Only people with Aries Rising on the ascendant have the
natural zodiac, the rest of us do not. We each have different rising signs
based on our birth time, however the meanings of each house, sign and ruler are
still correct.)
The clue
here is to see how putting the highest expression of each planet and sign can
be activated, while being aware of the pitfalls of the lower expression, the
shadow.
Here’s where
the magic begins; when you know what the range of possibilities are, you can
make the intention to ‘give to the gods’ what they want, thereby setting yourself
up to be in the best alignment with your chart. You’ll be in the Tao of your
life.
So here are the relationships between the houses, planets, and signs:
***
First
House: Describes you
and how others see you. It starts at the ascendant (at 9:00 o’clock on your
chart) and planets placed here influence your style and way of being in the
world. Keyword: I am.
Ruled by: Planet Mars. Mars is the active,
Yang, assertive quality we all have…it wants expression in the world! It wants
to be your inner warrior and to rightfully defend or claim what is yours. It’s highest
expression is having the Courage to act despite fears, and the lowest
is whining or raging about what is wrong in your life, and ultimately being
like the Lion in the Wizard of Oz; a coward.
Sign: Aries. This firey sign always has
similar qualities to its ruler, and the key word for Aries is courage; it’s
about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. In the Tarot deck, Aries would be
the very first card, where we see the young man starting off on his journey. Aries
is an enthusiastic starter of projects and needs to learn to keep up its
strength and persistence. Brilliant and naïve at times, Aries doesn’t like to
back down from a challenge of wits or strength. When the noble knight of Aries
doesn’t tackle the project or challenge, it can become bitter, sad, or
occasionally vengeful. Aries needs to push up against all obstacles and define
themselves in the world, and most of all, in their own eyes.
***
Second
House: Describes how
you feel about your resources, your values, and your money. It starts at 8:00
o’clock on your chart. This house reflects our feelings about our self-worth.
Keyword: “I have”.
Ruled by Planet: Venus. Venus is our
relationship style, the inner feminine, and relates to our ability to receive and
connect. Venus desires security, serenity and beauty, and therefore is also
related to money and our style of gaining money and serenity. Venus is earthy
and is nurtured by nature and music, and loves the loyalty of friends. Its highest
expression is to make real and tangible all that it loves. Its lowest
expression is to lose serenity through drama and complexity, and to retreat
into mind-numbing activities.
Sign: Taurus. This earth sign can bore
itself to death unless it chooses to imaginatively change its persistent
stubbornness and allow in the new. Taurus wants ‘to have’ in that it wants to
know what it likes, what it stands for, and who it is. It wants a stable
environment where it feels at home; and who doesn’t? But Taurus deeply needs to
be grounded, and from that position it can come out of its self-made cocoon and
emerge into it’s pure nature and nurture others with its many resources.
***
Third
House: Describes
your communication style, your mind, and siblings. It starts at 7:00 o’clock on
your chart. This house reflects your feelings about going into the world and
connecting with others, and sharing that information. Here’s where you are a
bridge maker and connector.
Ruled by
Planet: Mercury. This
is the planet of communication, and can be the part of us that is the teacher,
the story-teller, or the journalist. Mercury can be a trickster as well, and in
mythology it’s sometimes seen as flighty, curious and unpredictable. Its high
expression is to connect and help the rest of us share who our knowledge
and wisdom with others. Its lower expression is a superficial knowledge
of many things, and a narrow viewpoint on life.
Sign: Gemini. This air sign likes to
penetrate mystery and hates to be bored. Gemini is curious, and is born to
perceive all that is happening and to hold the paradoxes of life without a
judgmental attitude. Gemini is born to master the art of speaking…and
listening. The minds of Gemini’s are so active that they need physical release
so that the psychic tension doesn’t overflow into its nervous system.
Commitment to one person or activity can be hard for Gemini unless there is
enough action and variety to keep the curious Gemini vibrant.
(To be continued....)
