I like to find similarities between things. With my Instagram account, that’s probably obvious.

So, I wanted to start writing about patterns that exist throughout astrology, not just in people’s faces. In this blog series, I’m going to explore the linkages between different things ruled by the 12 houses of the Zodiac. This series hopes to answer questions like: “Why are both siblings and local trips ruled by the 3rd house? What do those two things have in common?”

We’re going to start, though, at the very beginning: the 1st house. Not only is it numerically natural to start with this house, but it also matches up so well with my Instagram content due to its association with physical appearances.

With that, let’s exploring the link between two things ruled by the 1st house: physical appearance and instincts.

What are the houses?
Before we get into the 1st house, let’s define what the houses are.

The Zodiac is broken up into 12 different houses, each of which correspond to different areas of one’s life. There are many (perhaps millions) of resources exploring the houses out there, but if you’d like my personal favorite overview, head to this website’s breakdown.

What is the 1st house, and why does it rule physical appearance and initial instincts?
The 1st house of the Zodiac wheel contains the angle known as the ascendant, or, the rising. This house rules over one’s physical appearance and one’s initial instincts when interacting with the world. What in the heck do those things have to do with each other, though?

Well, as I think I’ve shown in my Instagram content, our birth chart shows on our faces. For instance, I have noticed in my work that Virgo risings tend to have resting-bitch-face, or RBF for short. See below:

(As a Virgo rising who has been told to “fix my face” more than once, I can confirm this correlation.)

If Virgo is on the ascendant, and the 1st house rules instincts, then it would stand to reason that Virgos are instinctually analytical, critical and judgmental. These gut reactions show up on our faces. Even if we Virgo risings aren’t aware of it, our inner critical, judgmental thoughts show up outwardly in the form of nose wrinkles, eyebrow knitting, and scowls. These instincts, then, become etched into our very physical appearance. 

There study of astrology’s manifestation in outward appearance feels new, but it actually has roots in an ancient practice called “astrological physiognomy.” There are written and sketched analyses exploring the ways the stars show up on our faces. Fascinating, right?

On top of all that, it’s said that humans mirror each other. So, our physical appearances create cycles: A Virgo rising (unknowingly, perhaps) might scowl at her barista, so her barista scowls back, and then the Virgo rising keeps her scowl. On the other hand, a Leo rising might beam at his barista, so his barista beams back, and then the Leo rising keeps his beaming smile. It’s cyclical, and it could relate back to the first reactions we received from the world as a baby. But that’s speculation for another day.