The second house represents material resources individuals require to sustain themselves . It indicates the ability to earn money and to acquire the material possessions the individual needs . The second house, regardless of the sign found on the cusp, corresponds to Taurus, which is the sign that belongs on the second house of the Natural Zodiac; therefore it is colored by the sign Taurus and the ruling planet, which is Venus . The second house deals with the earning and spending capacity of individuals . It indicates the manner in which they meet their obligations and how they acquire and utilize material resources . The second house deals with values and especially what is of value to individuals . It represents their contact with their means of emotional and martial security which they feel will bring them peace . This house deals with what individuals own, possess, or acquire . It has a lot to do with business activities and dealing with banks or other financial institutions . It has also to do with the pursuit of destiny, because Venus, which rules the Natural second house, is exalted in Pisces, and this colors the sign on the second house which indicates how the individual goes about pursuing destiny .
When the planets in the heavens travel through this area of the horoscope or when they make aspects to this house, the activities of the house are intensified . This is true when planets contact any house .
If the sign on the second-house cusp is a Cardinal sign, individuals will be decisive, active, and sometimes impulsive in handling the affairs of the house . Individuals feel a need for action, and the present circumstances of these affairs are of primary concern to them . Individuals are likely to be opportunistic regarding these affairs .
If the sign on the second-house cusp is a Fixed sign, individuals will be determined and goal-oriented and the future development of these second-house affairs will be of primary concern to them .
If the sign on the second-house cusp is a Mutable sign, individuals’ approach to their second-house affairs will be mental and adaptable . They will use past skills and experience in handling these affairs and will not be overly concerned with their present or future ramifications . However, past misfortunes could interfere with present or future success if they allow themselves to become trapped in their memories .
If the sign on the second-house cusp is a Fire sign, individuals will go about their second-house affairs in an energetic and enthusiastic manner, and they will display creativity, initiative, and leadership ability in the affairs of this house.
If the sign on the second-house cusp is an Earth sign, the affairs of the house will be handled in a practical way . Individuals’ money-making activities are geared to comfort and security, and material possessions will e of consequence .
If the sign on the second house is an Air sign, individuals will handle the affairs of this house in an intellectual manner . The ideas and mental deliberations concerning these matters will be of primary concern . Individuals will study and communicate about them in an intellectual framework with a detached and dispassionate attitude .
If the sign on the second house is a Water sign, individuals will handle the affairs of this house in an emotional way . Decisions on matters involved in that house will be based on feelings, emotional considerations, and intuitive perceptions .
If the sign on the second house cusp is a positive, masculine sign, individuals will initiate activities in these second-house matters, and if they are unhappy with the circumstances of the second house, they will initiate action to improve the conditions of the affairs of the second home .
If the planetary ruler of the positive second-house sign is found in a positive, masculine sign, individuals will display leadership and aggressive tendencies in the acquisition of their material and emotional needs .
If the planetary ruler of the positive second-house sign is found in a receptive, feminine sign, individuals will initiate activities in regard to second-house matters; however, once they have initiated these activities, they will wait to attract the people and circumstances that will further their desired ends in pursuit of their emotional and material security .
If the sign on the second-house cusp is a receptive, feminine sign, individuals will accept the status quo of the affairs of this house; however, they will wait until the opportune tie to change these circumstances that will improve these conditions or will attract someone who will prod them or help them to change the conditions .
If the planetary ruler of the receptive sign is in a positive, masculine sign, individuals will take the stimuli provided by others or the circumstances involving these affairs and initiate action in an aggressive way that will supply them with the emotional and material security that they feel they need . Any aspects to the planetary ruler or rulers of the house must be taken into consideration also .
If the planetary ruler of the receptive second-house sign is found in a receptive, feminine sign, individuals will accept the status quo, wait for opportunities to present themselves and interact with what comes their way . In this manner they attract to themselves the emotional and material security they feel they need . Any aspects to the planetary ruler or rulers of the house must be taken into consideration also .
These patterns are not to be judged as favorable or unfavorable . They merely represent the modus operandi of individuals and the way individuals deal with the affairs of the second house .
In dealing with the second house, the next step to be considered is to ascertain whether there are any planets in the second house . The principles of these planets must be studied . The next step is to determine whether the planets are making any aspects to other planets . These aspects must be interpreted, the houses that are interrelated by the planets forming the aspects; the houses that carry the signs that these planets rule and the houses where the exalted rulers of the planets involved in the aspect are Cardinal, Fixed, or Mutable signs; whether they are in Fire, Earth, Air, or Water signs; and finally whether they are in positive or receptive signs . All these factors must be integrated, indicating how the action of one department affects other departments of life .
