By Patricia Darrow, Astrologer

The first house of a person’s birth chart indicates essentially the type of experience through which he will best discover who he is as a unique individual. This house is like a name-tag - the characteristic face shown to the world. It is also a house of health, not describing disease, but the type of vitality and constitution that a person has. In addition, it is called the house of self - the field of action and personal initiative. It rules the personality, character type, outlook on life, physique, aura, early childhood and destiny in the making. The cusp of this house is known as the Ascendant in astrology which is the "mask" that we wear.

Paint this house bright red and sprinkle it with diamonds. It’s flashy and easily noticed. The first house is tied to the sign of Aries and the planet of Mars. It also rules the face.

The first house relates to the number 9 in numerology and corresponds to the following tarot cards: Emperor, Tower, King of Wands and 5 of Wands and all of the four Aces as well. I cannot think of any books that were exclusively written on just the first house, but perhaps some books on Mars could help you glean the flavor for it. Try reading:

                 "Mars" by Alan Leo

                 "The Mars Book" by Donna Van Toen

Some key words for planets in the first house:

Sun in 1st      wants to be a leader

                          seeks power and authority
                          a bit self-centered
                          will always attract attention whether they want to or not!

Moon in 1st       self-protective
                          changeable personality
                          psychic & intuitive
                          may have tendency to retain water

Mercury in 1st   keen intellect
                         witty communicator
                         mentally quick & has quick movements
                         likes to gossip

Venus in 1st      preoccupied with the mirror
                         usually attractive and graceful
                         charming and self-confident
                         may have dimple or cleft on face

Mars in  1st       a self-starter   
                         extroverted personality
                         impatient
                         full of pep and energy
                         may have a scar on the face

Jupiter in 1st     gregarious and outgoing
                         tendency to put on weight 
                        good luck in putting their best foot forward  in things

Saturn in 1st     wise and practical
                         can lack vitality 
                         usually a lean appearance 
                         tendency towards a pessimistic personality

Uranus in 1st    definitely dances to the beat of a different drummer!
                         an individualist
                         can be downright bizarre at times
                         can attract lightning

Neptune in 1st   confusion with their own identity
                         extremely sensitive 
                         could possess psychic abilities 
                         could be musically or artistically inclined
                         they usually have a mystique’ about them

Pluto in 1st       personality and/or appearance will undergo a radical transformation
                         given the opportunity to either self-destruct or re-birth and heal
                         themselves
                         could have a dark outlook on things
                         could have experienced a near-death experience
                         sexy appearance
                         projects an image of power

It is easy to find the first house. Just look in the mirror (smile) and say hello!