The fourth house takes our early childhood experiences and relates them back to our emotional foundation and subconscious self-image, representing to us the way we feel about ourselves. It is through this that our sense of belonging is established and our emotional capacity is defined.
The house is associated with unconditional love, nurturing, intuition and instincts, family, childhood roots and the desire to create a strong foundation of security within our lives.
Planets in the Fourth House
Sun in 4th House. It is difficult for one who has this position of the Sun to feel at home and comfortable anywhere. Inner restlessness and doubt often spoil things which otherwise might have been beautiful; especially in youth when the greatest demands are made. In the course of years however many difficulties with parents will find a solution through a more comprehending sympathy. Old age is apt to be quiet and “sunny”; the fruits of seed sown in a difficult youth will be gathered which will in a great measure compensate the native for all the old unhappiness and anxiety in his ‘own home”.
If the Sun makes strong harmonious aspects it indicates the obtaining of a fixed source of income usually out of the inheritance of one of the parents.
When afflicted the native has not enough energy to increase his own capital, but merely passively awaits the coming of his inheritance.
Moon in 4th House points to changing circumstances in life and changes of abode; further to a lively imagination, a sensitive nature and great attachment to parents and relatives.
When afflicted the position is not favorable to relations with the parents or their mutual relation.
The native’s education will suffer because of this and all through later life the lack of pleasant recollections of one’s youth will be felt and manifest in a certain despondency, a premature ripeness which even in youth takes away much that is childlike. Later on this results in lack of compassion, and excessive interest in his own affairs and circumstances.
Financial loss through theft and deceit, probably by most unlikely people, may occur with this Moon-position.
Mercury in 4th House. Well aspected this position gives a certain commercial spirit; the superintendence of the native’s own property, usually large inherited estates, will be profitable.
Commercial relations in other continents will also bring advantage; a new area of sale and new commercial goods will be found where others do not expect anything. Here the proverb holds true “the eye of the master makes the horse thrive”.
When afflicted no peace can be found anywhere, the person concerned moves hither and thither without being able to find what he seeks; and all kinds of difficulties in the domestic circle may be expected to arise from this cause.
Venus in 4th House is favorable to domestic affairs, childhood is upon the whole agreeable and fortunate, and the relations between the parents and the native are very pleasant. This course influences the whole life favorably; “old age” will be characteristically full of many precious memories.
When afflicted difficulties and disappointments in love affairs will occur; but though comparatively little return of affection is received, the native’s feelings regarding his object remain constant.
Mars in 4th House. Mars the planet of action in the house of “home” and parental surroundings, indicates that quite early the desire arises to leave the parental roof and go out into the wide world.
When afflicted it is probable that the home will be the scene of many “rows” due mostly to the passionate and rather masterful manner which Mars engenders. In this way the wish to escape originates, which may manifest as an impulsive running away from. This does not prevent that much store is set on intimate domesticity and when abroad the attractions of the same home which once was so willingly left will often be a favorite topic of conversation.
If however, as well as an affliction, a good aspect of Mars prevails, there is some hope that in the end good results may be reached – probably one of the parents (most likely the mother) will be favorably disposed towards the native’s ideas, and at the end of life he will be able to look back with satisfaction upon the work accomplished.
Jupiter in 4th House presupposes that the parents were well-to-do, even wealthy and that education began in a grand style. This position makes the relation to parents, and atmosphere in the domestic circle especially hearty and benevolent. It gives a deep, inner support, a spiritual prop which again and again helps the native to overcome all difficulties. Such a person will meet with much cooperation and respect in his native place.
When afflicted it will be better for him to settle somewhere else where one is less known, in order that he may at least feel more free. But it will be difficult for him to find lasting prosperity, because he takes things too lightly and cannot cut his coat according to his cloth. This leads to thoughtless and frivolous expenditure, which may result in danger of bankruptcy.
Saturn in 4th House makes the native careful, economical; anxious about his old age and therefore always endeavoring to increase the likelihood of lasting prosperity. Especially when afflicted the native is probably too much concentrated upon his own gain and advantage; he would do well to consider whether in the end the individual does not really benefit more virtually by the progress of the community than by augmenting his own means – may be to the detriment of that community – in order that in his old age he may become a miser or a hermit.
Here the management of money is in good hands, the native is also suited to being at the head of some institution or family. In his own parental home however, less pleasant things will occur to which probably is due the circumstance that to a great extent this character has to develop by itself. The father will probably be the “master of the house” in the fullest sense of the word and exact obedience not easy to fulfil. This will be especially evident in the choice of a calling and also in discussions about religion, etc. Yet time will prove that much might be learned from the father and that inwardly there is possibly greater agreement than was supposed in youth.
At the age of adolescence there will often be a gradual alienation from the parents. No wonder that the native seeks from others what could not be found at home. Difficulties will arise through over-sensitiveness, but yet one individual will probably be found to brighten his solitude by understanding and a cheerful attitude. And such a friend will be loved, made much of, adored in a way seldom seen.
It is also possible that illness or early death of one of the parents darkens his childhood.
He will probably harmonize particularly well with’ the mother which – in a man – is conducive to reverence for the entire sex. The parents will possibly often have differences of opinion about the education of their child. The tie with the mother will be particularly intimate and peaceful though an inner strength emanates from the father which arouses respect.
It is possible that the greatest progress, both spiritually and socially, may be expected in a foreign country and his native place will play but a small part in his development.
Uranus in 4th House presupposes no agreeable childhood. The native’s character is not well understood by the parents, his tastes and tendencies and shyness wrongly interpreted. A definite feeling for domesticity is lacking though he desires to mix with many and all kinds of people. Quite earl in life parents and the whole of the near environment will be in despair about the queer child and doubt his ever getting right. Owing to his many sudden crazes and whims the native is very rarely fit to found an establishment or home of his own. He is much more inclined and fit to live in a larger community of like-minded people than in a small family circle.
Neptune in 4th House gives great taste and liking for somewhat mystical art. The native will venerate old religious art treasures and precious articles, knowledge of which he likes to collect. At the same time he has a great inclination to imitate old customs as much as possible and to maintain them. A person with this position likes to dream in harmonious surroundings. Finally years are spent with imaginary friends. The passing to the beyond will be in a trance.
When afflicted narcotics will be taken and there is a possibility of poisoning.