The Sun in the Birth Chart

In astrology, the Sun in the birth chart tells us about to the nature of one's mind, conscious awareness, and how we move our life-force energy forward throughout this lifetime. Often, the symbolism of the Sun gets reduced down to one particular zodiac sign without the important additional modifying factors such as: house placement, planetary aspects, and the lunar phase.

We can gain more insight into what the Sun represents in the birth chart when we consider how the Sun is being colored by these additional factors. Cultural historian and astrologer Richard Tarnas (2006) said, "the more accurately one understands the archetypal forces that inform and affect one's life, the more flexibly and intelligently responsive one can be in dealing with them" (p. 78).

From a depth psychological perspective, the Sun is a symbol of the qualities we connect with consciously and how we relate to being visible or having an impact in the world. It is "the capacity for initiative and purposeful assertion, the drive for individual autonomy and independence; directed and focused consciousness and self-awareness" (Tarnas, 2006, p. 89).

Tarnas (2006) further said the Sun symbolizes "the central principle of vital creative energy, the will to exist; the impulse and capacity to be, to manifest, to be active, to be central, to radiate, to 'shine'; to rise above, achieve, illuminate, and integrate; the individual will and personal identity (p. 89)

The Sun is also a symbol of:

• ego

• conscious identity

• leadership roles

• willpower

• paternal figures, fathers, and/or what we associate with those roles (personally & collectively)

• being seen and appreciated or admired for what you have to offer

• prosperity

• social and professional prestige

• power

• influence

• public announcements

• ambition

• leadership roles

• generosity

• working with a boss or manager

• asking for favors from someone who has authority

• career advancement

The Sun in the birth chart may speak to our experiences of any of the above situations. And at a core level, the Sun points to the archetypal qualities that we find life enhancing, vitalizing, and inspiring. The Sun also symbolizes possible challenges or rites of initiation necessary to connect with our inner vibrance.

We can better understand these themes by looking at the house placement of the Sun and planets aspecting the Sun in the birth chart.

The house where the Sun is placed in your birth chart may illustrate an area of life that's central to cultivating your vitality, confidence, and feelings of fulfillment.

• 1st House: your individuality, physical body, identity

• 2nd House: income & assets, skills, resources

• 3rd House: communication, writing speaking, local community, siblings

• 4th House: home, family, inner world

• 5th House: children, creativity, pleasure & recreation

• 6th House: health, routines, being of service to others

• 7th House: relationships, partnerships, relational dynamics

• 8th House: psychological health, shared finances, intense experiences

• 9th House: spiritual/religious beliefs, travel, education

• 10th House: career, vocation, reputation

• 11th House: groups, alliances, hopes, wishes

• 12th House: the unseen or hidden, solitary activities, the mystical or unknown

Planets aspecting the Sun in your birth chart may speak to the situations that are supportive to your life-force, as well as situations that require transformation in order to connect with a more life-giving way of embodying your energy:

• Mercury: communication, thoughts, learning, teaching

• Venus: relationships, money, sexuality

• Mars: physicality, assertiveness, action, protecting

• Jupiter: spirituality, abundance, opportunity

• Saturn: foundations, boundaries, accomplishment

• Uranus: unconventionality, freedom, spontenaity

• Neptune: intuition, flow states or altered states of consciousness, the arts

• Pluto: cycles of transformation, intense experiences, finding one's inner power

At a foundational level, the Sun is a symbol of our inner spark. When you are delighted and feel fully alive, this is the feeling-toned quality of the Sun. That sense of alive-ness will be different for each of us depending on our unique nature and experiences. My hope is for you to find what helps you feel more alive. Even when things are hard, scary, or overwhelming, what can you connect with that helps you feel a self-directed sense of purpose? That is the Sun.

References:

Tarnas, R. (2006). Cosmos and psyche: intimations of a new world view. Penguin Group, Inc. New York NY.