The first House is called the "East Angle" and as you will already know there are four Angles in any chart (those being the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th Houses). It is termed the East Angle because the placement of this House is found in the Eastern part of Heaven. Everything rises from this point clockwise around the chart. It is also called the Ascendant being as this is the location of the rising or ascending Sun and therefore the most beneficial spot in the chart. Since the Sun rises from this point this House it is considered the House of new life, life that springs from the Earth and rises towards the Heavens. Therefore this House has been associated with the body of the Native and his inclinations which lead him to his rising path (to the M.C. or his apex).
This House has signification specifically over the life of the Native, his shape, complexion, state of his mind and stature. Each House includes a cusp (or beginning) that hits a certain degree of the Zodiacal Sphere. Since the Ascendant rules over the body of the Native, naturally, the body is influenced by whatever sign that this cusp is placed in. The Zodiacal sign will describe the state of the Native generally. The Ascendant has rulership as well over the head and face specifically.
Planets placed in the Ascendant can alter the look of the Native dictated by the sign rising. For example, it is made very clear by the Traditional authors that one who has Mars placed in the Ascendant, especially in a fiery Sign will have a scar or some blow to the face. We can clearly see that Mars, representing violence, and the Ascendant being specific ruler of the face, that the blow from Mars would end up in that specific location. Someone who has Mars in a fiery sign, or Essentially Dignified will also be of red hair or have a red face.
When Saturn or the South Node is found in this placement, especially if it be ill dignified it represents a deformity of some kind, specifically to the face but generally to the body. Mentally the Native is inclined towards Melancholy. Any Planets found hindered or debilitated in this House influence the physical characteristics of the Native and therefore the contrary is true if any Planets found are benevolent and well placed.
The Lord of the Ascendant shows the Natives path through the certain Houses. When the Lord of the Ascendant is placed in a certain House it shows the greatest benefit to the Native if well dignified and aspected. If it is debilitated its placement shows the greatest malevolence to the Native is found by the people or places represented by that House.
General
The first House is usually represented by the color white. Mercury has joy in this House, most likely due its connection with the brain and the expression that follows from the personality.
Mundane
This House represents the common people or the state of the Kingdom. Any infliction to the Ascendant or his Lord indicates infliction towards the common people. For instance if this infliction was coming from the Lord of the tenth, it is clear that the Ruler of the Kingdom or Country will in some way afflict his people. This is reversely true if the Lord of the Ascendant is a benevolent Planet and well aspected.
Horary
The Ascendant always rules over the Querent or the person in which the question is for. In order to verify if the Horary chart is Radical and useful, the Ascendant should describe the Querent physically or the question in which is being asked about. For the other Houses they are very clear by the Nativity rulerships so it will not be stated in the further treatise.
