Life, vitality and health. Stature, colour, complexion, form and shape of body. Older sources note its influence upon the intellect, the way the mind works, and speech.
In general, the first house represents the focal point for the personality and manner of expression. As well as describing the physical appearance, the condition of this house and that of its planetary ruler indicates the level of personal vitality and strength.
The querent in any question. If a question is asked regarding a mundane situation in which the querent is not personally involved but has a strong sympathy and inclination, then use the 1st house to represent the party the querent favours and supports. In questions regarding war, for example, the 1st house signifies the querent’s own country, since they identify with the concerns of their country when the question is expressed.
The common people or general state of the nation. The country and its inhabitants as a whole; its general condition of prosperity and health or the reverse.
Whoever initiates the action. For the commencement of a trial, the prosecution.
Generally it signifies whoever makes the first move; in business, who makes the proposal; in war, who makes the first offence; in games, the home team.
The head and face: eyes, ears, mouth, hair, nose, tongue, teeth; Culpeper notes: “whatsoever is above the first vertebra of the neck”.
Saturn, Mars or the north node in this house denote a blemish in the face, or in the part of the body represented by the sign on the cusp; Lilly notes:
In decumbiture charts the 1st house represents the patient and the condition of its ruler shows the strength of their vitality, as opposed to the 6th house ruler which represents the disease. If the 1st house ruler is stronger than the 6th, the patient will overcome the illness.
The buyer.
White and pale colours. Lilly notes:
The symbolism of ‘white colour’ relates to the Sun’s movement over the ascendant bringing light.
East.
Mercury has its joy in the 1st; Lilly notes:
The Eastern angle, Ascendant (‘what is rising’), Horoscope (‘hour watcher’), Anatole (‘east/sunrise’); House of Life.
DIRECTIONS BY HOUSES |
|||||||||
| 12 | ESE | 3 | NNE | 6 | WNW | 9 | SSW | ||
| 1 | EAST | 4 | NORTH | 7 | WEST | 10 | SOUTH | ||
| 2 | ENE | 5 | NNW | 8 | WSW | 11 | SSE | ||