First house — Astrology glossary

The first house is the segment beginning at the Ascendant, the chart's eastern horizon, and it governs the self: appearance, temperament, and the way a person approaches the world. It is one of the four angular houses, considered especially strong. Astrologers read planets here as traits worn openly, colouring first impressions and physical presence. It matters because anything in the first house tends to be obvious to others quickly, sometimes more obvious than the Sun sign. For example, a person with Mars in the first house often strikes others as direct, energetic, or quick to act, and may have a noticeably assertive physical manner, because the planet of drive sits right at the point that shapes how they come across before they have said a word.