Lilith in the 1st House: Twist and Shout

1^st House Lilith is the opposite of the self-assured, socially popular 12^th House Lilith.  In the 1st House, Lilith has a way of wiping out self-image and identity, very similar to the way in which the South Node operates when it conjuncts the natal Ascendant.  There is something overlooked and under-valued about people with this position.

A Lilith very close to the Ascendant sheds the socially awkward image, as charm and magnetism increase.  The energy range changes dramatically close to the Ascendant and Descendant – these people are often exuberant and disarming – think of Ronald Reagan, with his True Lilith only 2 degrees from his Ascendant in late Sagittarius.  


FEATURES

• Tightly conjunct the Ascendant - warm, dynamic, natural leaders, with a good sense of verbal timing.  Popular even if not entirely trusted.
• Tightly conjunct the Ascendant - signature for gastric bypass in females (also true when tightly conjunct the Descendant)
• Tightly conjunct the Ascendant - repudiated or cut-off by adult child, who feels betrayed by the parent with this Lilith position.
• Tightly conjunct the Ascendant (or Descendant) - learn new skills effortlessly, multi-talented in many different areas of life, but unless Lilith has a strong aspect from Saturn, this is often a "too cool for school" position. Native may breeze through college, and even manage enough discipline for a master's degree, but rarely completes a PhD.
• Further down in the 1st House - insecure about physical appearance, but often does a lot to compensate for inadequacies.
• Further down in the 1st House - social awkwardness, or feelings of "invisibility", but also an exceptional drive to "fake it until you make it".
• Entire 1st House - often a source of memorable quotes.  Wisdom is expressed in a catchy way, and people remember it.

Ronald Reagan
 
Reagan was known as the “Teflon” President who could not be pinned down, and his legacy was significantly reshaped in his favor after his death.  Reagan “talked the talk” with the conservative, reactionary elements of his party, while pursuing a more moderate course of action on public policy, and did not endure much criticism for it.  He was also known for memorable quotes that revealed a charming sense of irony.  Even President Obama said he admired Reagan more than any other President in recent memory.

The downside to Lilith on the Ascendant is that while these people are often natural leaders, and well-liked, or at least admired, they are not always trusted.  Often, they are acknowledged as leaders even though they aren't entirely trusted.

Another signature of Lilith on the Ascendant is trouble with one's adult children.  This position sees the adult child repudiate the parent entirely.  Reagan had this happen with two of his children - his adopted son, Michael Reagan, from his first marriage, and Patti Davis, his daughter with Nancy Reagan, who gave up her father's surname in college, and became an outspoken, liberal activist.
(Son Ron Reagan, who became a talented ballet dancer, remembers with his father with affection, and the now deceased Maureen Reagan did as well.)

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Shape-shifting is a part of the repertoire of 1^st House Lilith.  In the house of the body, Lilith is often revealed in the body of the native as well. Here’s a quick look at some other well-known 1^st House Lilith folks:

“Octomom” Nadya Suleiman

Churned out babies, 14 in all, calling to mind the mythical Lilith.  Others have said that she pursued plastic surgery in order to look more like Angelina Jolie.

Johnny Cash

Nothing overt – Cash was known for being real in his music, and came across as gritty and down-to-earth.  But he was also known as “The Man in Black”.

Michael Jackson

His twisting, gyrating, signature dance moves were pure Lilith.  He also had the social awkwardness that 1^st House Lilith is known for.

Christina Ricci

Lilith is known for having red hair, but a number of 1^st House Lilith actresses are rather small-built and dark. Ricci is known for quirky roles where her natural sense of timing makes her lines seem funny – this was particularly true in her most well-known film, "The Addams Family".  At 5 feet, 1 inch, she has also said she is too short to ever be considered an A-list Hollywood actress.  Other remarks suggest the struggle with self-esteem that 1^st House Lilith is known for – she admits to cutting herself frequently as a teen-ager, and has stated that she does not have as much control over her career as she would like, since she still has to audition for film roles. 

 

Other 1^st House Lilith actresses who fit the small and dark description include Shannon Doherty, Natalie Portman, and Tina Fey.  Fey also has an innate sense of timing that makes her a natural comedian.  Some 1^st House Lilith actresses are of average height, but remarkably small-boned and thin.  One thinks of Calista Flockhart and Edie Sedgwick.

Chelsea Handler

Handler was a cheerleader and a high-school beauty who does not appear to fit the socially awkward mold.  Her comic sense of timing is combined with a wonderful story-telling ability – she is one of very few comedians who is more well-known for her books than her stand-up performances, and some of her short essays are humorous masterpieces.

Courtney Cox

Dark beauty Courtney Cox channeled Lilith in her role as Rachel on “Friends”.  She was the obvious counterpart to Eve, played by Jennifer Aniston.  Rachel’s character was strongly defined by her memories of being overweight when young, but somehow managing to starve all the weight off as an adult.  Total body transformation was a very important theme for Rachel.

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OBSERVATIONS

DG Jay has this to say about 1^st House Lilith.  He writes that this Lilith placement, “creates an inexhaustible drive for personal identity and recognition that one feels strangely denied of” and that from early on, these folks feel overshadowed by the personalities of others.  The stereotype is of an introvert who looks for an outlet of self-expression through something they do rather than who they are personally.  Sometimes, however, the young person is driven to arrive at center-stage despite feeling overlooked, and finds all kinds of ways to draw attention – a girl with this natal position may act like Eve until others finally associate her with anyone but Lilith.

Another observation is that this house placement can sometimes “project” Eve, even when deep-down inside, they still very much identify with and feel like Lilith.  The native may justifiably feel under-appreciated or passed-over, but some of these folks can “fake it ‘till they make it” better than any other natal Lilith position.

Another thing I have noticed is that 1st House Lilith will put energy and effort into their appearance - they won't simply settle for an unattractive appearance the way say, an 11th House Lilith might.  1st House Lilith will spend the $300.00 on hair extensions, or bust their butt to lose the last ten pounds, or pony up for gastric bypass.  1st House Lilith knows how important it is to manipulate one's appearance, whereas an 11th House Lilith might see this effort as "phony" - he or she seeks group approval without it.

Of the people whose charts I follow personally, I have only one whose True and Mean Lilith are tightly conjunct the Ascendant.  She is a dynamic religious leader in her mid-40's who is preparing for gastric bypass surgery after having been grossly overweight for many years.  Her adult daughter, who is a different race from her mom, has cut her off, and she does not get to see her grandchildren very often.  She has a decent relationship with her young adult son.

GREAT QUOTE FROM TINA FEY

1st House Lilith is known for its preoccupation with how the body looks or functions, and many natives also have a knack for timely or catchy quotes.  Here Tina Fey captures the insecurity that 1st House Lilith feels perfectly.

“Every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a 9-y.o.-boy, the arms of Michelle Obama and doll tits. This is why everyone is struggling.” - Tina Fey

What Did I Miss? 

PART TWO Lilith In The Second House:  Genius, Sinner, Twisted Psycho, Saint