We've had a look at the first three houses
and how they can be interpreted both individually and as
part of a developmental cycle.
If the First House represents the beginning
of the individual: the Second House as becoming aware of
'separateness', and the Third House as trying to 'connect'
to what is around in a mental sense, then the Fourth House
can represent the need to consolidate all that has been
collected through the previous houses and to begin the process
of forming the identity.
The symbolism seen in the Fourth House describes
whether the individual felt supported or not in developing
their basic personality structure. Since this process occurs
during the early, preliterate years of life many people
do not consciously remember important milestones that affected
them during this time - that's one of the reasons why the
themes represented by this house are often unconscious.
Contributing factors in the process of developing
the individual naturally include the home life, parents
(there is an on-going debate as to whether it represents
the father or mother), heredity and family traditions, all
that protects and helps the 'self' to grow, and the past
(including past lives).
I find that this is one of the most significant
houses in describing a person's early home life and certain
themes/years that are important in regards to current issues
being faced, particularly through psychotherapy where you
are trying to reprogram your subconscious thoughts and feelings.
The Fourth House is extremely important because
symbolically it is the foundation (this house is found at
the lowest point of the birth chart) on which our lives
are built, so the better you know it the more likely that
your structure will be viable enough to withstand the earthquakes
and twisters of life!
If we look at an example you will see how
this house can be used.
The Moon in the Fourth suggests an emotionally
nurturing start in the process of developing the individual.
A person with this placement usually finds a sense of security
and belonging within the family structure as well as a comforting
flow of emotions between family members.
As an adult the individual should be able
to turn to family for support through challenging life stages,
as well as being able to trust their feelings and intuition
in dealing with life.
Saturn in the Fourth House suggests that there
was a repressive environment or lack of opportunity to be
in a situation that encouraged the development of the individual.
There may have been hardship experienced within the family
or even a missing family member that made it difficult for
the person to bond on an emotional level so that their developing
personality had difficulty in finding a role model.
Once adulthood has been reached the person
may have a sense of being 'disconnected' at some level or
perhaps be a bit of a loner because of this. I get the feeling
with this placement that the individual is searching for
a 'connection' so that they can develop a part of themselves
that had been left behind during the developmental process.
Because of this sense of feeling incomplete the individual
may find it difficult to put down roots of their own through
starting their own family or they may overcompensate for
feeling alone through spending and unhealthy amount of time
and energy trying to 'connect' to their own family: when
in fact they have to connect with themselves!
As an adult the Fourth House represents your
domestic life, family, heritage, psychological roots, property,
father/mother, and your unconscious personality. The more
conscious you become of your own Fourth House symbolism,
the better able to utilise the potential of it's energies
you will be.
If you would like to share your experiences
of your own FourthHouse you can share them at my discussion
board at Suite101.
If you have any more questions... please
contact me!
