By Margaret Maka
Astrology has long fascinated and inspired many of us, offering insight into our personalities, life paths, and relationships. But have you ever considered how the study of the cosmos can also provide a deeper understanding of our spiritual journey?
Sidereal astrology can offer a fresh and insightful approach to exploring the connection between our inner and outer worlds. By using the position of the stars in relation to the fixed point of the vernal equinox, sidereal astrology provides a unique interpretation of the zodiac that can offer new insights into our lives.
But let’s not stop there. Today, I’d like to delve deeper into the concept of “house rulership” within sidereal astrology and explore how this can offer a powerful tool for self-discovery and spiritual growth.
In traditional astrology, each planet is assigned a sign of the zodiac, and each sign has a ruling planet. But in sidereal astrology, the placement of the planets is considered within the framework of the 12 houses of the zodiac, each of which represents a different area of our lives. The ruling planet of a house is the planet that rules the sign that begins the house.
For example, if Aries is the first sign of your 1st House, then Mars, the ruling planet of Aries, is the ruler of your 1st House. This means that the qualities of Mars – action, energy, passion – are particularly important in the areas of your life represented by the 1st House, such as your physical body, self-expression, and personal identity.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Like how each planet has a ruling sign and house, each sign also has a ruling planet. So, for example, if you have Scorpio on your 7th House cusp, then your 7th House ruler is Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio.
Let’s say you have Leo on the cusp of your 10th House, which represents your career and public image. This means that the ruler of your 10th House is the Sun, associated with creativity, self-expression, and leadership. You may find yourself drawn to careers that allow you to express your individuality and shine in the spotlight, such as acting, writing, or entrepreneurship. However, if the Sun is afflicted in your birth chart, you may struggle with issues around confidence and self-esteem and need to work on developing a stronger sense of self-worth.
Now let’s consider the ruler of your 4th House, which represents your home and family life. If you have Taurus on the cusp of your 4th House, then the ruling planet of your 4th House is Venus, the planet associated with love, beauty, and material possessions. You may find that creating a comfortable and beautiful home environment is important to you and that you enjoy spending time with your family and loved ones. But with Venus afflicted in your birth chart, you could possibly deal with issues around codependency or materialism and need to work on cultivating more authentic connections with those closest to you.
Finally, let’s consider the ruler of your 11th House, which represents your friendships and social networks. If you have Aquarius on the cusp of your 11th House, then the ruling planet of your 11th House is Uranus, the planet associated with innovation, originality, and unconventional thinking. You may find yourself drawn to social groups or causes that are outside of the mainstream, and you value friendships that allow you to express your unique perspective on the world. But if Uranus is afflicted in your birth chart, you may feel like an outsider or be rebellious and need to work on finding a balance between your need for individuality and your desire for connection with others.
By exploring the connections between these ruling planets and houses, we can better understand how different areas of our lives are interconnected, and what energies we can draw upon to support our personal growth and transformation.
For example, if your 9th House ruler is Jupiter, the planet of expansion, and your 3rd House ruler is Mercury, the planet of communication, you may find that pursuing higher education or engaging in philosophical discussions brings you a sense of purpose and fulfillment. But if your 8th House ruler is Saturn, the planet of restriction, and your 2nd House ruler is Venus, the planet of pleasure, you may struggle with issues around money or self-worth and need to work on developing a more disciplined approach to your finances.
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to interpreting house rulership in sidereal astrology. Each birth chart is unique, and the placement of the planets and houses can have a wide range of meanings and influences.
But what I find most exciting about this approach to astrology is the way it can open new avenues of exploration and self-discovery. By looking beyond the surface-level interpretations of our sun signs, and diving deeper into the complex web of connections between the planets, signs, and houses, we can gain a greater appreciation for the intricate tapestry of our lives.
So, if you’re curious to explore the world of sidereal astrology further, I invite you to check out the sidereal birth chart calculator. By entering your birth details and generating your birth chart, you can start to explore the fascinating world of sidereal astrology.