THE FOURTH HOUSE
General Prosperity:
Mother, Property, Vehicles,
Intelligence and Travel
The
personal welfare of any individual depends upon beneficent forces
arising from the depths which link his past and ultimate future. Any
understanding of these influences is inherently limited, though the
immediate environment in which the individual dwells is an indicator.
His early childhood, the love and affection bestowed on him by his
family, the clothes he puts on, the food he eats, the house in which he
lives, the education he receives and the religious instruction he gets
all contribute to his sense of well-being. The Fourth house hi a natal
horoscope signifies all these factors and something more. When an
individual's Divine Essence immerses itself in that Great Depth known as
Hiranyagarbha, then rises again to the surface of external existence,
one is confronted with many helpful and adverse forces which guide him
towards his destiny, which in any given incarnation is reflected by the
opposite house, the Tenth. In order to comprehend the complex forces
which impinge upon an individual and condition the psycho-spiritual
entity to receive such influences, it is necessary to examine the Fourth
house. The nature of this house determines one's general welfare,
happiness, emotional stability, and the degree of affluence operative in
his life.
The
Moon and Venus have special importance in this house. The Moon provides
emotional stability, nurtures the individual, and helps to toake him
amiable. Such an influence attracts people to him and his sociability is
therefore intensified. Venus enhances his sensitivity and makes his
life comfortable. Luxurious surroundings and friendly people make him
happy. Jupiter in the Fourth house enables the individual to earn
tespect and favor from the state. Some of the significations of this
house Me "celestial food," "an ant-hill," "the development of Vedic and
other sacred texts," "celestial drinks," and "the elephant in rut."
These are appellations alluding to the occult and spiritual forces
radiating from this house. Jupiter, Saturn, and Ketu have a special
importance in respect to these features of the house. As emotional
storms, physical well-being, and Divine grace are all connected with
this house, the benefics are especially auspicious here and the malefics
especially adverse.
A
special combination which gives exceptional results in this context
arises when Saturn and the Sun are posited in the Fourth house, the Moon
in the Ninth, and Mars in the Eleventh, in which situation the
individual is said to possess "a large number of cattle and other useful
animals." This implies that the above combination enables the
individual to possess productive assets and luxurious possessions by
concretizing the meritorious influences of the past.
The
SUN occupying the Fourth house symbolizes the divine nature in man
expressing itself in the external or physical realm. This influence has
the quality of making the individual very regal, viewing his problems
from such a pedestal of detachment that all difficulties seem
insignificant and inconsequential. It also detaches the person from the
masses. His nature becomes very selective, and no one can establish an
equal partnership with him without offering something very special.
Ordinary people and relatives are often alienated from him in
consequence. People become antagonistic towards him, and though he
himself is a person of courteous behavior, measured speech, and
dignified dealings, he is often faced with those who are vindictive,
jealous, and undignified. But though he may be constantly surrounded by
congenial people, he will never be defeated by any enemy or competitor.
He will earn money, property, and power through his own efforts, and
many persons will seek assistance from him. His mother may suffer from
ill health, but he himself will receive honor and respect from the
state.
The
MOON is a soothing planet which replaces the Sun's radiance with an
attractive coolness. The Moon in the Fourth house makes the individual
approachable by everyone, high and low, rich and poor. A sympathetic
chord resounds when we meet someone with the Moon hi the Fourth house.
The depth of the ocean is in his eyes and the tranquility of his
disposition can quiet the most turbulent emotions in others. Motherly
affection, nice cars, pleasant travel and universal respect give a sense
of contentment which makes him non-competitive with others. He is
popular among his relations and loved by the opposite sex. He is
affluent, but often afflicted by physical problems.
MERCURY
bestows physical comforts, a large number of friends and relations, and
a very sharp intelligence. Inasmuch as Mercury ranges from the highest
spiritual level to the grossest physicality, a person with this planet
in the Fourth house can comprehend the abstruse problems of the
universe. Often he knows the secrets of nature and dabbles in black
magic.
He
is popular, a very absorbing conversationalist, an extensive traveler,
and very considerate to others, but he may be found guilty of
misappropriating the wealth and property of his siblings, indulging in
clandestine sexual affairs, and of living a double life in general. He
may suffer from serious affliction in his childhood.
VENUS
is the planet most desirable for both worldly and spiritual blessings.
An attractive spouse, fine cars, intelligent children, a palatial
mansion and respectable society are among the auspicious results of
Venus in the Fourth house. Young people, especially women, are attracted
to such an individual. He has an artistic temperament, is highly
intuitive, and can easily pick up on the feelings and thoughts of
others. His company is always joyous and he is skilled in the erotic
arts.
MARS
precipitates the impact of past karmic deeds, especially those of an
adverse nature. Ordinarily, Mars is a planet of selfishness, greed, and
rash action, which, in the long run, catch up with the individual in the
form of physical or psychological problems. Occupying the Fourth house,
Mars creates impatience, impulsiveness, and self-centeredness, unless
it receives auspicious aspects or is in exaltation or its own sign. As a
result, the individual is considered cruel, inflexible, and covetous by
nature. Under such circumstances, Mars may produce affliction for the
mother, loss of property, dependence on manual labor to earn one's
livelihood, and constant movement from one place to another. Generally,
such a person is not born into a respectable family, is abandoned by his
siblings, favors bad company, and involves himself in tawdry sexual
affairs. He earns his living by serving bad people.
With
JUPITER in this house, very evolved souls are bora. Such individuals
have generally learned good lessons hi a previous life and have thereby
earned meritorious rewards. Thus the individual is born into a very
respectable family, receives much recognition from the state, and is
placed in happy surroundings with a luxurious house, an excellent car,
abundant family and friends, and a respectable means of livelihood. He
is spiritually inclined, respecting the saints and seers, is himself
well-versed in sacred scriptures, and is capable of overcoming his
personal difficulties by ethical means. He is happy in disposition and
earns wealth and property as a result of government support.
Unless
SATURN is exalted in the Fourth, the native may be disturbed, suffering
from karmic retribution. Such a person may be humiliated by "te common
people, dishonored in his profession, and afflicted by many physical
ailments. He is a pessimist, keeping bad company and indulging in
relationships with undesirable characters. He may become indigent, and
lose his wealth and position. Even his mother may abandon him. His mind
is always in conflict, unhappy and lacking spirituality. He will not
listen to rational or helpful advice and may thus be humiliated by his
spouse, his children, or even his employees.
When
RAHU is in this house, the individual is not quite so unlucky. Almost
everything hi his immediate environment is the result of past karmic
forces which nothing can stave off, and such forces may bring conditions
that test his mettle. He suffers separation from his mother, his
siblings may turn against him even when he is helpful to them, and he
may not receive his due in his profession. Nevertheless his affluence,
penchant for spiritual study and general persistence, along with his
insight into the workings of nature, may in time produce wealth, and he
may win an enviable status in life and a reputation which outlasts him.
In adverse circumstances, however, he may sometimes show suicidal
tendencies. In the end, he will certainly achieve the object of his
desire.
KETU
hi the Fourth house has the potential to make the individual psychic,
provided it is in favorable association with the Moon and aspected by
spiritual planets. But this is the exception rather than the general
rule. Keru often renders the mind unbalanced, disturbing the
individual's social relationships and making his personal life
miserable. Ketu makes itself felt in the psychology of an individual
rather than on the material conditions of his life. Ketu is not
especially detrimental to the acquisition of wealth if it receives
aspects or is in association with powerful planets. In Scorpio or Leo it
produces favorable conditions for material happiness as well as
friendly relationships with one's associates. Whatever happens as a
result of Rahu or Ketu in the Fourth house is of very deep significance;
they often cast their influence on all the other planets.
The
placement of the planets in different signs affects the nature of their
influence. Any sign in the Fourth house is a force in the birth chart,
linking the physical and psychological atmosphere around the person with
various planets, which become either ineffective or very important
depending on their conditions. The main effect of Fourth house planets
is to bring forth karmic potential from the past for the purpose of
achieving present goals, while the sign involved shows the psychic
atmosphere in which the planets must operate. What is expressed in an
external form is the combined final effect of these interactions. This
point should be kept in view while examining planetary influences and
signs affecting the Fourth house, though of course this principle
applies to all houses.
Akshit Kapoor
