Star School Lesson 23: The Sun in the Houses

In the next part of our Star School series, we will examine the planets through the houses.

In this lesson, we’re beginning to look at the planets through the houses in the natal chart, starting with the Sun.

We’ve already covered the basics around the planets and the signs. In this next part of the Star School series, we’re going to start examining each planet through the houses in the natal chart.

Remember: the planets show what’s happening; the houses show where it’s happening. In other words, wherever the planet lands in your natal chart shows what department of your life is being affected.

This month, we’ll kick off with the Sun through the houses in the natal chart.

Wherever the Sun lands in your natal chart reveals where your individual power potential lies. This is where you derive your identity and where you need to “shine” brightly. The energy of the Sun is creative, joyful, purposeful, vital, and masculine. It’s the “life force” and where your willpower lies.

Keeping that in mind, let’s go through each house:

Sun in the 1st house: The first house is your self image. First house Suns have a strong presence. That person who you can feel as they walk into the room? Probably a Sun in the first houser. The Sun lends warmth to the personality and gives courage as well as positivity. This creates magnetism and leadership capabilities. The downside to this placement is ego, especially if the Sun is afflicted. First house Sun people must keep that in check and watch out for “me me me” tendencies. If these dynamos find a way to keep that ego from getting out of control, they are the innovators that awe us with their bright personalities and spines of steel. Famous people with this placement: Brad Pitt, Freddie Mercury, Maria Callas, John Mayer.

Sun in the 2nd house: Money is very important to second house Sun folk. They take great pride in their belongings and are fond of making money. In fact, they are usually good at it too. They are money magnets. That doesn’t mean they don’t have to work for it – they do. But they possess a powerful desire for material success and the moxie to make it happen. If second house Sun people use this energy properly, they can acquire security in their lives. An afflicted Sun in the 2nd creates the opposite vibe: they may get all the money in the world but derive little joy from it. That old miser who makes everyone else miserable on Christmas eve? Probably a not-very-happy second house Sun. Famous people with this placement: Lana DelRey, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, Robert De Niro.

Sun in the 3rd house: Third house Suns possess intellectual power and curiosity. Individuals with this placement are mentally nimble and darn proud of it too. They like to be the brightest bulb in the room (and usually are). They excel in early education and may even go on to become teachers themselves. Because this is the house of communication they love to talk and have a gift for gab. Everyone of them is a perpetual student. The downside to the Sun here: it can produce excessive intellectual pride or a superficial but broad knowledge. In worst case scenarios, or severely afflicted chart, it can produce a glib tongue without thought for other people’s feelings, a con-artist, or a person who likes to force their opinions on others. Famous people with this placement: JayZ, Mick Jagger, Emma Stone, Ben Affleck.

Sun in the 4th house: For fourth house Sun people, family is everything. Establishing a secure home and family is of utmost importance. Which means: much energy will be devoted to taking care of loved ones and creating a home that feels like a showpiece. The ties to the mother are especially strong. Many fourth house Sun folks have a hard time cutting that cord, especially if the Sun is afflicted. People with this placement also like to be the center of the family – which could mean a tendency to dominate loved ones. It’s been said that the early part of life is hard for these sensitive souls but life gets easier as they age. Famous people with this placement: Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, Paul McCartney, Ted Bundy.

Sun in the 5th house: The fifth house is the natural placement for the Sun so you can be sure it’s happy here. This gives incredible power to self-expression and often produces artists, actors, athletes, and anyone who enjoys being “on stage.” These peeps have creativity in spades. They’re also great with kids. It’s because they remember what it’s like to be one. Blessed with a sunny personality, it’s no wonder so many of these guys end up attracting a certain level of fame. Everyone wants to be around them…or be them. The ardor is strong in fifth house Suns. They love with all their heart. When the Sun is afflicted here, there can be trouble with children or financial speculation. Famous people with this placement: Amy Winehouse, Marilyn Manson, Jon Bon Jovi, Lenny Kravitz.

Sun in the 6th house: Because this house relates to work, the Sun here indicates pride in work and service. People with this placement want recognition for what they do. That’s because their identity is tied to their work. Which also means: they need meaningful work or a place where they can express themselves fully. It doesn’t matter the nature of the job as long as they feel appreciated and enjoy what they are doing. If you are working with a sixth house Sun person, praise their efforts. It motivates them. This placement of the Sun can also lend to a strong constitution or a focus on health routines. Famous people with this placement: Steve Jobs, Michael Jackson, J. K. Rowling, James Franco.

Sun in the 7th house: Individuals with seventh house Suns put a lot of energy into relationships. That doesn’t always mean that they are good at relationships though. The Sun here can be dominant and more “me” focused when it comes to the needs of others, especially if it’s afflicted. Therefore, seventh house Sun peeps need to learn how to negotiate and compromise – and find the balance between getting their needs met while respecting the wishes and needs of their partners. Although the Sun is where our identity lies, here the person would do better to allow the partner to shine as brightly as they do. Famous people with this placement: Adolf Hitler, Princess Diana, Miley Cyrus, Gwyneth Paltrow.

Sun in the 8th house: People with the Sun in the eighth house are deep. They want to get to the bottom of things, and more importantly, they crave transformation and regeneration. Every one of these folks has psychic power – they can penetrate the surface and see what’s happening underneath. They are amazing detectives and do well in any career that involves intuition or death. In traditional astrology books, this is often a placement that indicates an inheritance especially from the father’s side. In some cases, if well aspected, they can also be good stewards for the goods of the dead or in situations where they manage other people’s finances. An afflicted chart could indicate trouble with inheritances or alimony. Interestingly, this placement can also indicate recognition after death. Famous people with this placement: Prince, Edgar Cayce, Sylvia Plath, Jeffrey Dahmer.

Sun in the 9th house: This is a lovely placement for the Sun and often indicates a curious and restless soul who wants to understand the world at large. Travel and higher education are good for these types and in some cases, they may enter careers that involve a fair amount of travel or learning. Or they may become philosophers, educators, or involved in publishing. Because of the connection to Sagittarius and Jupiter, the individuals with this placement tend to be optimistic and philosophical in their outlook. If you have the Sun here, the possibilities exist for an adventurous life. If, however, the planet is afflicted, dogmatic tendencies and self-righteousness are the flip side of this otherwise good placement. Famous people with this placement: Tom Cruise, Uma Thurman, Jennifer Lawrence, Ashton Kutcher.

Sun in the 10th house: Success and recognition are important for tenth house Suns. This position amplifies ambition and the will to succeed. Power and prestige motivate them – which makes them natural leaders. You may find politicians and other types of leaders with this placement. Also, anyone who derives their identity from the way they are perceived by the public (ex: actors). Tenth house Suns are better at giving orders than taking them – they want to be the authority. When this Sun is afflicted, the attitude may become dictatorial or they may use unethical means to move up the company ladder. Big personalities, everyone of them, but not too hot at handling public scrutiny or criticism. They want power and adoration, and nothing less will do. Famous people with this placement: Donald Trump, Napoleon I, Osama Bin Laden, Bernie Sanders.

Sun in the 11th house: If you’re friends with someone who has the Sun in the eleventh house, count yourself lucky. That’s because friendship is extremely important to them.These individuals are humanitarian types, tolerant and compassionate – with friends from every walk of life. They make friends easily and can be quite popular. Because they know how to shine the light on their friends, it’s no surprise that they often receive help from their pals both to further their goals and support them in times of need. They make fine leaders in any sort of group situation. If afflicted, the wrong choice of buddies can lead them into hot water. That popular gang leader who talks you into joining you on a drive by? THAT. Famous people with this placement: Beyoncé, Eminem, Winona Ryder, Cher.

Sun in the 12th house: People with twelfth house Suns don’t need the glory of the public. They are introspective in nature and prefer working behind the scenes. The spotlight isn’t their jam. Instead, peace and solitude are what drive these sensitive types. They make fine researchers, healers, and doctors. Any career that allows them to put the good of others before themselves is a natural fit (ex: psychologist, working with disadvantaged, etc.). If the Sun is afflicted, they can be loners and may even have a talent for self-sabotaging. Early issues with the father may dampen the enthusiasm for life and lead to a destructive misuse of their energy. Because this is the house of secret enemies, an afflicted Sun here could indicate powerful secret enemies. Famous people with this placement: Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Kanye West, George W. Bush.

Let’s look at a few charts!

What does Kim Kardashian’s Sun tell you about her? Where is she powerful?