The Angular Houses: 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th are “homes” for our primary concerns – identity, family, relationships, and prosperity. The Sign ruling the 1st House is also known as the Ascendant and Rising Sign, and you can read about the sign meanings when they rule this house, in full detail, in the askAstrology Ascendant section of the website. In most House systems, and there are over ten different ones, the cusp of each of the Angular houses is designated by the angles of the Sun’s movement on the day of birth.
The exceptions among the systems are the Whole Sign and Equal House systems. They place the angles of the Sun’s movement inside the house instead of on the cusp. In every system, the first angle, the Ascendant, marks the 1st House, making the Descendant the cusp of the 7th House or a point in the 7th House. The Medium Coeli (Midheaven) can range from the 9th to the 11th House. This means the Imum Coeli can range from the 3rd to the 5th House, instead of being limited to the 10th and 4th Houses.
The Cardinal Signs and the Angles of the Sun’s Movement Each Day
Based on four key positions of the Sun on a given day, the Cardinal signs rule the four angles of the Zodiac. When the Sun rises and crosses the horizon, the point where it does so is called the Ascendant (ASC), which is ruled by Aries. Once the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky on any given day, that location is known as the Medium Coeli (MC or Midheaven), ruled by Capricorn. When the Sun sets for the day, that moment is defined as the Descendant (DSC), ruled by Libra. And when the Sun is at its lowest point in relation to the horizon, in the middle of the night, that location is known as the Imum Coeli (IC), ruled by Cancer.
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Below are two charts, cast on the same day, but at different times, to help understand how the signs change the rulership of the houses throughout any given day.
The 1st House represents our Quest for Identity. The sign for this house in each individual chart is determined by the time of birth. For example, if someone was born on April 4, 1968, at 9:15 am, they would have a Gemini Ascendant or Gemini as the ruler of the 1st House. However, if another person was born on the same day at 3:45 pm, they would have a Virgo Ascendant or Virgo as the ruler of the 1st House.
The first person would seek identity in a Gemini way. They would engage in conversations with everyone they meet, take personality tests, read fiction and non-fiction, study psychology, and seek constant mental stimulation through games, TV, or the internet. The second person would seek identity in a Virgo way. They would use critical thinking, focus on health, serve others, solve problems, and find practical solutions to everyday situations.
4th House – Family
The 4th House represents our Quest for Family. The sign for this house in each individual chart is determined by the time of birth. If someone was born on April 4, 1968, at 9:15 am, they would have Leo ruling the 4th House. If another person was born on the same day at 3:45 pm, they would have Sagittarius ruling the 4th House.
The first person would seek family in a Leo way. They would learn about family through play, creativity, and performance. The second person would seek family in a Sagittarius way. They would explore family through travel, exploration, beliefs (religion/spirituality), and lessons in authority.
7th House – Relationships
The 7th House represents our Quest for Partnerships. The sign for this house in each individual chart is determined by the time of birth. If someone was born on April 4, 1968, at 9:15 am, they would have Sagittarius ruling the 7th House. If another person was born on the same day at 3:45 pm, they would have Pisces ruling the 7th House.
The first person would seek partners in a Sagittarius way. They would need to connect with people who have strong beliefs, wisdom from experience, and worldly knowledge. The second person would seek partners in a Pisces way. They would look for a shared sense of purpose, concern for humanity, and experiences of sacrifice or suffering.
10th House – Prosperity (Career)
The 10th House represents our Quest for Prosperity, usually achieved through a career. The sign for this house in each individual chart is determined by the time of birth. If someone was born on April 4, 1968, at 9:15 am, they would have Aquarius ruling the 10th House. If another person was born on the same day at 3:45 pm, they would have Gemini ruling the 10th House.
The first person would seek prosperity in an Aquarius way. They would find roles where others pay for their unique talent and unusual skill, likely in a cutting-edge industry. The second person would seek prosperity in a Gemini way. They would find success in roles that rely on communication, information gathering, or information sharing.
