Houses of the Sun
Since it is the key to vitality and zest, we naturally pour energy into the activities represented by our Sun's house and sign. Just as the Sun is the centre of our solar system, so is it the centre of the horoscope. Our sun in the solar system provides light and makes life possible. The Sun in the horoscope is a key to vitality, life force, and our central, creative urge. The Sun represents our need to shine, our desire for recognition, our self-esteem, and pride or shame issues. Wherever our Sun is, we want to be admired, noticed, loved, or applauded by the world. We feel most vital and alive when expressing the themes of our Sun's house and sign.
SUN IN THE 1ST HOUSE — A good place for the Sun. As this house represents the outward reach for experience, and Sun represents drive for significance, this individual has a keen sense of who they are, and is happiest when in a position of dominance. They look for their own enterprises and conquests, allowing no one to pidgeon hole them. They want the freedom of being on their own. If the sun is not heavily afflicted, there is courage, enthusiasm, dignity and nobility. If afflicted, especially by Mars or Saturn, then arrogance and ego have to be overcome in order for success. They have to learn to steer clear of controversy. Too much Martian force in their magnetic field will drive people away from them rather than draw them to them. If out of sect, the focus is less on personal achievement and more on becoming aware of others' insights, with less arrogance. Let the person with the 1st house Sun learn to use it wisely and well.SUN IN THE 2ND HOUSE — The 2nd House Sun is interested in material values. Desire for power is concerned with resources, values, and material success; desire is so potent that this individual has trouble hiding their resources from others- in fact they may not want to. Generosity is likely, with strong stubbornness, a strong stability and persistence. If they want something, they will never give up until it is attained. And because energy, backed by action, is extremely powerful, they often attain what they want. If the sun is afflicted there is the ability to attract money, but often there is no happiness with it; there may be those who seek to take advantage of this individual's generosity and they also have a hard time calling their posessions their own. If the self esteem suffers, then it is likely there will be a showcasing of what one owns as a way of lifting one's status in the eyes of others. The problem is that often this creates opportunities for others to take advantage of this person's resources. The basic lesson is that this individual must learn not to identify one's ego or sense of self worth with what or how much one has.
SUN IN THE 3RD HOUSE — The Sun shines in the early years within the house of communication. If not afflicted, the environment is a happy, carefree one. This place regards taken for granted skills, and the extension of self into relationships, especially those near at hand (siblings). Emphasis is on the conscious mind and the mind is usually scientifically oriented- if the Sun is dignified or received, the power of nous is unimpeded. This individual makes a good teacher who is able to teach by example. These are facile talkers who are able to communicate ideas to others; however, it may tend to the more dramatic or forceful side, as they really want to impress their point of view. It is hard for them to move around unnoticed. If the Sun is debilitated or afflicted then they struggle to express their point of view and are often in conflict with other opinions. In some cases they become a maverick for a cause or proponent of an idea that is not popular due to the "heretical" nature of this place.
SUN IN THE 4TH HOUSE — There is an emotional undertone that colors the Sun in the fourth house. Here the self-protection urge is strong. Self-sustainment principle is also very strong; gathering in more and more to save them from the fear of not "having." This is the house that shows the roots of the person's being— the midnight side of themself, that which is hidden in the depths. To truly know what a person is like in the depths of their being, look to what is operating in the 4th House. These forces and energies will tell you. The person with the 4th House Sun is quiet and mild, but if the Sun is afflicted, do not let that mildness fool you. At the heart of this individual is a very strong self, and that self is "me first." It is so quiet in performance you may not perceive it, for it acts subtly. With the Sun being afflicted, they may struggle with finding a place to belong, particularly if the individual's birth was nocturnal. If out of sect, then they prefer to keep their life private and tend to shy away from the limelight. If the Sun is in sect while lord of the 4th, then they will prefer the public life, sometimes feeling like their personal life is a little too exposed.
SUN IN THE 5TH HOUSE — Leo, the Lion of the Sun, is the natural ruler of the 5th House- the Sun is well placed here. If the 5th House is in a Fire sign, this person often becomes the center of attention at social occasions. This position greatly stimulates the power of self-expression: the ability to do anything that marks it as yours; any effort put forth to distinguish you from others. This may be the children created, books written, affections displayed, pictures painted or what you will. The concept of nous brings heightened conscious awareness as to the ways their creations affect others; they are creatively inspired and have a natural ability to command respect. There is a high level of integrity in the way they express themself. Tests may arise from too much self-projection and too much desire for power. Will and desire (as attributes of self-expression) are the qualities that tie us to creation. Act and create we must, but not for self-glorification. If the Sun is afflicted, love affairs need wise handling. If the Sun is out of sect, the forcefulness of self expression is diminished and they will tend to be more modest at social occasions and in romantic settings. If the Sun is in sect (can only happen as lord of the 5th) but afflicted by Saturn and debilitated, it can indicate having to overcome obstacles for love (as in Romeo and Juliet). If; however, the Sun is out of sect and in a bad figure with Saturn, then they lack confidence in themself or they suffer because of unrequited love. This is because the darkness of Saturn overcomes the light of the Sun at night, and the native does not see what their self expression produces.
SUN IN THE 6TH HOUSE — The person with the Sun in this house has chosen to come into this life with their individuality and drive for significance set aside in order to help others. This is not a good match for the Sun, for it lacks vital force and the individual has to learn to take care of their body in order to compensate for the lack of energy. It can be said, "The best work will be done in cooperation with others." This is the placement of someone who works tirelessly, and is practically indefatigueable. If the Sun is lord of this place and in sect and not debilitated, it shows greater awareness of self and internal flaws and an ability to overcome shortcomings. In fact they often have to, because their flaws easily come to light. If the Sun is out of sect (or as lord of the 6th), then self awareness, or feedback from others is lacking and if inclined to self improvement, they may not know when to stop or when they are ready to showcase their talents. They then become workaholics, constantly studying and working.
SUN IN THE 7TH HOUSE — In this house the accent is on "we," not "me." These individuals must learn to adjust to the demands of others to be successfully oriented, where basic drives are concerned. They must consider the needs and wishes of others. A set, or pattern of lessons comes with this placement, and we can't run out on any lessons we need. If we do, we meet the same lesson around the corner. Power lies in relationships with the Sun here, and they must adjust to the demands of others if they wish others to adjust to them. The Sun acts as enlightenment for a deeper understanding of those who they are involved with on a one to one basis.
SUN IN THE 8TH HOUSE — There must be the reorientation of the ego, and in this house the ego (the separated self) must die. In sharing, much that belongs to the personal self must die. The personal drive must be transformed and the resources of others are the important factor. Because the Sun represents Nous, sometimes there is the ability to expose secrets and to see clearly into hidden matters. The idea here is that the concept of the "father" (the Sun) is in aversion to the individual (1st house) and may be hard to reach. The Sun represents life, but is caught in a place that is in aversion to life (the 1st house).
SUN IN THE 9TH HOUSE — In this house, understanding is born. The basic sustainment is not in the material world but in the abstract levels of spiritual experience. Especially if also of the sect, then this individual tends to stick with their established faith, avoiding controversy and does not often feel separated from the divine. This is because the Sun is not impeded by darkness which might generate confusion. This is the house of long journeys, but if the Sun is in a Fixed sign, often these journeys have to do with the spiritual realms rather than physical travel (though this placement is still favorable for foreign travel). If it is in a Cardinal or Mutable sign the person with the Sun in the 9th often settles a long way from their place of birth. Regardless of the cosmic condition of the Sun here, this person's opinions will be heard by many. The main danger here comes if they assume they know it all, because the light can blind them to the truth as easily as darkness. It may also be difficult to go unnoticed while traveling. If debilitated, afflicted or out of sect then travels abroad may be more dangerous than average. They may find themself in the center of controversy more often than most because the ego gets tied up in the expression of beliefs.
SUN IN THE 10TH HOUSE — The material plane is the one that is important to individuals with the Sun in this house. Here is the material ambition and the basic drive is toward success that brings prestige and power. This shows the person who thinks in terms of his own importance. Often there is an immense drive to succeed and to become the best at whatever one does, not being willing to be second to anyone. There is often a flair and a talent for promotion and popularity. Naturally authoritative and dictatorial, these individuals need to aim for activity above the self if they want to feel secure. The drive for significance must be publicly useful in some way to bring security. This is Saturn's stronghold, and Saturn is strict and undeviating in justice. Any planet in the 10th is tested by Saturn, but none so strongly as the basic drive for significance which is the Sun. But if the Sun is afflicted, or in debility, it can be an indication of failure, or after success there is disgrace, downfall and infamy. Frequently, the ego can be seen to have gotten in the way of admitting to mistakes making the situation worse. Sometimes it is an indication that creativity is blocked particularly if it is Saturn that is involved in the affliction. If the Sun is also out of sect it may show rebels or those who desire to bring down authority.
SUN IN THE 11TH HOUSE — This is the house of goals and objectives, hopes and wishes, achieved or not achieved. This is also the house of friendship, and when the Sun is found here, goals are realized through friends. There are those who think friendships are not important. Those who are much wiser know no man is an island. The basic drive for significance is tied up with a strong desire to achieve certain goals and recognitions. Without friends this will not be possible. Here the individual may seek alliances that produce power. There is also frequently the indication that this individual seeks attention. It is a placing of those who are successful at acquiring many friends, or their friends may put the individual in the spotlight, for better or worse. With afflictions to the Sun, or if the Sun is in debility, the wrong kind of friends can play havoc in the life. A contest of alliances may be indicated, with one being forced to choose sides, and where loyalties may be questioned. If afflicted by Mars, then there is a contest of egos to overcome, if by Saturn, then someone may not want this individual to share their views, or others tend to refuse to give this individual good advice. In the ancient sense, according to Paulus Alexandrinus: "...[this placement] shows one who has sprung from an esteemed and wealthy father, and as time goes by it will make him blessed and able to acquire property quite easily."
SUN IN THE 12TH HOUSE — The 12th House shows what we are in the depths of ourselves; it is the place of the subconscious, revealing what lies hidden in the submerged and unknown parts of ourselves. The signature here is "serve or suffer," and we can choose which we will do. But the choice is limited to "either — or." These individuals work behind the scenes rather than out front. They work well with those who are limited or afflicted in some way. One defining trait is the ability to get beyond one's ego and act as a channel for others- they are able to set their ego aside. It is also possible that one may waver, not being conscious of their true purpose in life. They may also lack expressiveness, unless Leo or Aries is rising. If the Sun is dignified, in sect, or received, then expect the more positive side of this placement- and vice versa. If the Sun is heavily afflicted, the individual is their own worst enemy. But they can change the pattern if they so will. Limitations in the life are due to conditions that are directly tied to the misuse of energy.
