theforensicastrologer

In this post, I want to make an example of a real forensic chart and then analyze it from the vantage point of the first house ruler. Here is the chart for the time when the subject was last seen; this person has never been found.

The first house is Capricorn, which makes Saturn the first house ruler. In the chart, Saturn is in the seventh house at 5 degrees of the sign Leo. Looking for the aspects first, I note that the north node is trine to Saturn from the second house. There are no planets in sinister aspect to Saturn so I will have to look at the dispositor for more clues. The dispositor is the Sun and it is in the fourth house, at 26 degrees of the sign Taurus. The ruler in the seventh house tells me that the subject is with someone else; who that person is will be told by the seventh house and it’s ruler. The dispositor in the fourth house tells me that the subject is also at a place of residence, either her own or someone elses’. Of course this is the time at which she was last seen so reports will tell you which home this is.

Mercury is closing in on a conjunction with the Sun from the fourth. What is told by this aspect? First of all, it may be saying that the subject is a child; Mercury is the traditional ruler of all children. It may also be telling you that the subject is in the company of a child or someone their own age, if they themselves are young. Because Saturn is in the seventh house, showing the subject in the company of someone else, then I am going to guess that Mercury represents that other person. However, if the subject is very young, a child or toddler, for instance, then I would say that the Sun represents the other person and the child is in the home because of this person, a parent or babysitter. Why do I say that? Well, because the dispositor can also be the purpose of the subjects current situation and often is. In some charts, you will see the subject moving along, doing things, and when you look at the dispositor you will see the reason they are doing these things. In this case, I am going to say this is a child in a home with a parent or babysitter.

In this actual case, in fact, the child was last seen at home by her mother before going to bed. After she went to bed she was never seen again.

In considering the first house ruler, not only do you look at the actual cusp ruler, but also at any planets in the first house. In this case, the Moon is conjunct the Ascendant, giving it tremendous power. This is especially true in the case of the Moon because she is always co ruler of any forensic chart. So here she is, as a secondary ruler of the first house as well. And I note that she is in the sign Capricorn, also disposed of by Saturn (of course). The Moon is exactly square to Venus, which is in the second house in the sign Aries. The Moon also opposes Mars in the sign Cancer at the seventh house cusp. These are big red flags in this chart and must be looked at closely. Whenever you have these sorts of aspects involving planets in the first house, you are getting your first glimpse at the overall dynamics of the chart.

Saturn rules the fourth house and Mars co rules the tenth. Consider this: this is a child at home with a babysitter or other adult. The first and fourth houses no doubt describe her parents. There is a dynamic T square involving the first house Moon with Mars and Venus, the tenth and fourth house rulers. What does this tell you? Venus in the second sends out signals about money. Venus in Aries is in fall and so is Mars in Cancer. Actually, so is the Moon in Capricorn. This colors the nature of the energy greatly; these planets are weaker than they normally would be and possibly creating conditions different than they might ordinarily. The square describes action being taken; the Moon moves from one to the other, squaring Venus immediately and then opposing Mars later, translating the light from these two planets in another square formation. This is where the story in this chart lies. Saturn has little to say, but the Moon is telling the tale. And it’s a long one!

Moving forward from here, you would take a look at Venus and then Mars and then all the other planets around the dial. But I don’t want to keep going on this. I want you to understand the nature of the first house, it’s rulers and planets and how they influence the outcome of the event. Here, we are starting with a child in the company of someone else in her home, perhaps a babysitter or parent. We also see that there is conflict represented by the planets in question; what kind of conflict does this look like to you? What do these planets represent to you? How do they affect the planets that rule the first house and, as such, affect the subject in what way? Do you see how this works? You always start with the first house and first house ruler and planets. The story starts there.

Draw up a chart from a case. And then practice reading the first house ruler and it’s aspects. Or use the one I’ve given you and just pick up where I left off. Have fun!