As the title suggests, the 12 houses of astrology represent the 12 divisions of life. Each house stands for the different aspects that are important in the material and spiritual realms of human life. Understanding what the houses mean will make reading a chart less intimidating.
The houses were created by the Ancients by dividing the ecliptic plane. The ecliptic plane is the observed path, or “orbit” of the Sun from Earth and the plane itself passes through the constellations where the zodiac signs are found. Knowing the exact time of birth or any event is important for finding the ascendant. The ascendant is the constellation that was rising on the East during that time. With the ascendant, you are able to know and set the order of the houses of a chart.
There are several different ways the houses are aligned. These are the two most commonly used systems:
In all systems, the sign of the ascendant sets the order of the houses in descending, counter-clockwise fashion down the zodiac signs. Using the Leo ascendant example, the 2nd house will be Virgo, 3rd house will be Libra, and so on.
The houses are divided into three sections:
Here are some general terms used to paint the picture of each astrological house:
1st house: This is the house of soul and personality expression. How you choose to express yourself is a reflection of how you view life in general.
2nd house: What we value in life is found in this house: material values such as money and possessions, and spiritual values such as morals and ethics.
3rd house: This house is your immediate surroundings and what is in close proximity and have access to. The kind of skills you possess will be found in this house.
4th house: This house represents home and family but not just the home you grew up in or biological family, it is anyplace you call or feel at home and the people you call family. What brings you comfort and the privacy you desire will be defined by this house.
5th house: This is the house of creativity. Things you have the ability to create and curate such as children, the future, and happiness are found here. The kind of talent you have will also be found in this house.
6th house: This house indicates your health in general. Work ethic, work environment, and what you are willing to work for is defined by this house.
7th house: This house is the house of relationships both romantic and platonic. It is the house opposite to the 1sthouse and thus creates the dynamic of self (1st house) versus others (7th house).
8th house: This is the house of legacy and inheritance: what you inherit and what others will inherit from your legacy. This house is also the house of death, metaphorical and very rarely literal. It is the opposite house of the 2nd house indicating your values (2nd house)shaping your legacy (8th house).
9th house: This house rules over mental explorations including but not limited to higher education, religion, and foreign travel. This house is opposite the 3rd house, encouraging us to grow and expand our knowledge.
10th house: This is the house that you are bound to receive recognition for including career and public status. This house is opposite the 4th house calling for boundaries on what you want to be kept private (4th house) and what you are okay with others knowing about you (10th house).
11th house: This house is our aspirations and the kind of friendships and community we attract and desire. The ideal people we want to surround ourselves with are found in this house. This is the opposite house to the 5th house indicating our ability to create the life we desire.
12th house: This is the house of alone time and isolation. When alone, we are left with just ourselves which can be good forgetting work done for some and terrifying to others. This is the opposite house to the 6th house prioritizing physical (6th house) and mental health (12th house).
If you’re a night owl, then the skin underneath your eyes may need some extra love. A few extra Zzz’s or a dab of your favorite face cream may help, but more often than not, they’re just a temporary fix. Well, my trademark formula for LOOK OLÉOACTIF® uses the goodness of the following ingredients, to help you say goodbye to your dark circles!
1. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice or aloe vera as it’s more commonly known has wide applications in skin care for its cell-regenerative and soothing properties. It also contains campesterol and bradykinin, which impart anti-inflammatory properties and improve microcirculation, respectively. One of the best properties of Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice that makes it a key active ingredient in my product is that it can penetrate deep into the skin. It, therefore, provides deep hydration that keeps your skin radiant and healthy! This star ingredient facilitates the removal of dead skin cells from your skin’s epidermal layer and promotes skin rejuvenation. This is all thanks to proteolytic enzymes that give it an astringent power, which in turn activates cell renewal.
2. Terminalia Arjuna ExtractThis ingredient is extracted from the Terminalia Arjuna or Arjuna tree which is recognized in Ayurvedic Science for its medical properties. Native to the Indian subcontinent, the extract has four active mechanisms. Terminalia Arjuna extract is used to improve the skin’s suppleness and combat the red- blue pigmentation of dark circles underneath the eyes. Another benefit is that it helps reduce visible blood vessels and puffiness in your eye contour area, making it the perfect ingredient in an under-eye mask.
3. Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum in skin care is utilized as an emulsifier, binder, texture enhancer, or thickening agent. This ingredient is a polysaccharide carbohydrate that consists of several bonded sugar molecules. It is created when simple sugars ferment, due to the Xanthomonas Campestris bacteria, from which it gets its name. Since it has binding properties, xanthan gum in skin care is used to prevent the splitting or separating of other ingredients in the formulation. Another common role of xanthan gum in skin care is as a thickening agent.In products like an under-eye mask, the thickness is a sensory aspect and makes it feel great against your skin. Even in small concentrations of less than a percent, this ingredient can make formulations thicker and improve their texture significantly.
4. Oleic Acid
The term “acid” must’ve put you on high alert - a potent chemical that may burn your skin? No thanks! But in the right amounts, they have some great benefits! Oleic acid belongs to the category of omega-3 fatty acids, and the human body produces it too! Plant-based oils like grapeseed and olive oil are excellent sources of this colorless, odorless acid.The benefits of oleic acid for skin are several! While in its pure form, it disrupts the skin’s barrier. But, when used with other fats or lipids, oleic acid can reduce dryness and sensitivity, while keeping skin nourished from deep within. Oleic acid for skin care products improves their texture. It also shields some other delicate ingredients like antioxidants from getting spoilt due to excessive sun or air exposure. It, therefore, improves the product’s durability.
5. Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
You may have already got a hint from its name! This ingredient is extracted from the German Chamomile or Chamomilla Recutita plant which has several favorable applications in skin care. It contains a significant amount of α-bisabolol, which imparts anti-inflammatory properties to it, and therefore, reduces redness or inflammation. It is also believed to be a natural moisturizer, nourishing the skin from deep within.
6. Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium hyaluronate is derived from hyaluronic acid or HA, a natural acid that is found in our bodies. While both HA and sodium hyaluronate can be used in skin care products, the latter has smaller molecules and is water-soluble. This enables it to reach the deepest layers of the skin, and improve its water retention.Sodium hyaluronate in skin care has several benefits. When it’s applied, it moisturizes the skin cells, which minimizes dry and flaky skin. Fine lines or wrinkles are more noticeable when your skin is dry. Since sodium hyaluronate nourishes the skin and hydrates it, it slowly fades away fine lines and wrinkles. Other benefits of sodium hyaluronate in skin care products are that it naturally plumps up the skin, leaving it soft and supple. It also aids in fighting the signs of aging and gives the skin a healthy glow.
7. Citric Acid
Citric acid may sound like something to enhance the flavor of food, but it has some great properties that are beneficial in skin care. It belongs to a class of acids called AHAs or alpha-hydroxy acids. Utilizing citric acid in skin care has several benefits, mainly because it is an excellent antioxidant and exfoliant. Its antioxidant properties help fight against external aggressors in the skin’s hydrating matrix, therefore, fading fine lines and wrinkles. The exfoliating properties of citric acid in skin care remove the dead skin cells, and this leaves your skin smoother, softer, and more radiant than ever before. It can also be used as a pH adjuster, to ensure that the skin care product is mild and non-irritating for sensitive skin.
Final Words
In addition to these amazing organic ingredients like Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, xanthan gum, citric acid, sodium hyaluronate, Terminalia Arjuna, and Matricaria flower extract, I can also say that my skin care product is free from sulfates and parabens! The ingredients of my skin care product keep the skin under your eyes soft, radiant, and youthful while reducing fine lines, wrinkles, redness, and puffiness. So, bid adieu to those pesky dark circles and embrace the new you!
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As the title suggests, the 12 houses of astrology represent the 12 divisions of life. Each house stands for the different aspects that are important in the material and spiritual realms of human life. Understanding what the houses mean will make reading a chart less intimidating.
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