The Second House represents a person’s wealth, possessions, livelihood, and all the material things necessary for life. It governs movable goods and also rules the neck in the human body. Astrologically, it’s a succedent house, meaning it follows the rising sign or Ascendant (the First House). The Greeks called it Anaphora, because planets here move steadily upward toward the eastern horizon due to the daily motion of the heavens.
Planetary Effects in the Second House
Saturn (♄)
When Saturn is placed in the Second House and is poorly dignified (weak by essential or accidental dignity), it obstructs wealth and financial growth. Even if the person has all the advantages—natural ability, social connections, or good opportunities—money slips away mysteriously.
I once knew a respected physician in London, highly educated and regularly consulted by influential patients. Despite consistent income and support from wealthy friends, he never built lasting wealth. He had Saturn in Sagittarius in the Second House—an example of this very condition. Even though he was frugal, wealth eluded him. As the proverb says, “The race is not always to the swift, nor riches to the men of understanding.” However, if Saturn is well dignified (strong and well-placed), it can bring lasting and stable wealth.
Jupiter (♃)
Jupiter here indicates great fortune and wealth, often gained through religious or ecclesiastical channels, or through the person’s own honest efforts and intelligence. It’s one of the most beneficial placements for financial success.
Mars (♂)
Mars in the Second House brings financial trouble, losses, and instability. The person may suffer monetary damage through violence, theft, injuries, or travel. If Mars is well dignified, he can still give wealth, but the person may be careless or impulsive with money—spending it without planning or even knowing where it goes.
Sun (☉)
The Sun in the Second House—when well dignified—suggests the native will earn substantial wealth and enjoy a prosperous, even prestigious, financial life. But because of their generous and noble character, they may also spend heavily, especially in pursuit of honor and recognition. If the Sun is poorly dignified, even someone born into wealth may lose their fortune quickly and foolishly.
Venus (♀)
Venus in this house brings wealth through women or religious institutions. The native is usually well-provided with money but tends to spend lavishly on pleasures, lovers, and luxuries. They may also gain financially through marriage or inheritance from spouses.
Mercury (☿)
Mercury in the Second House brings gain through writing, communication, commerce, science, or intellectual work. The person may find success as a merchant, secretary, ambassador, or scholar. If Mercury is in a favorable aspect or conjunction with Jupiter or Venus, it especially indicates favor and support from powerful people.
Moon (☽)
The Moon here makes a person very concerned with money, but their financial situation tends to be unstable. One moment they are wealthy, the next they’re in debt. Their fortunes rise and fall. They may benefit at times from support or patronage, but it’s never lasting or secure.
North Node (☊ / Dragon’s Head)
The North Node in the Second House removes poverty and brings abundance, property, and financial good fortune. This wealth often comes through spiritual or religious matters.
South Node (☋ / Dragon’s Tail)
The South Node brings financial hardship, anxiety, and a tendency to lose money or property. Even if the native begins with a solid income or estate, they may constantly struggle to maintain it. I know someone with this placement who owns property worth £200 per year—a decent income—but frequently has to borrow money just to cover everyday expenses. This example supports the reliability of ancient astrological teachings and addresses critics who doubt the truth of our art.
Lot of Fortune
When the Lot of Fortune falls in the Second House, it promises a successful and prosperous life. The person earns well from their profession and gains the loyalty and help of friends. These allies often protect them from financial harm and loss.
Rulers of Other Houses in the Second House
Lord of the First in the Second House
If the ruler of the Ascendant is placed in the Second House, the native shall acquire great wealth through his own labor and personal effort, especially if the planet is well dignified or in mutual reception with the ruler of the Second House. But if afflicted, it shows loss of fortune and hardship in securing wealth.
Lord of the Second in the Second House
This always signifies riches and financial stability, more so if it is joined to the ruler of the Ascendant or receives its beneficial rays. The person is naturally disposed toward accumulating substance and improving his estate.
Lord of the Third in the Second House
This placement indicates that the native will travel, often on account of official duties or honors received. Yet it also warns of quarrels and disputes with siblings over money or inheritance, stirring contention within the family over possessions.
Lord of the Fourth in the Second House
If the fourth house ruler is found in the Second, it shows the native has wealthy and honorable parents who will favor him more than his siblings. It also brings success in merchandising, especially dealing in land and property, and blessings through ancestral goods.
Lord of the Fifth in the Second House
This signifies that the native may gain wealth through his children. They will be dutiful and loving, becoming a great joy and comfort to him. Their success may enhance the father’s estate.
Lord of the Sixth in the Second House
This portends loss of money through illness or servants. Though the native will work hard and live industriously, he may still struggle financially and fail to accumulate lasting wealth.
Lord of the Seventh in the Second House
If this lord is well dignified, the native is enriched by marriage. If afflicted, the spouse will waste or deplete his wealth. Because this house is the eighth from the seventh, it also shows that the native may witness the death of a spouse or enemies, yet may suffer losses from lawsuits, public enemies, thieves, or conflicts involving money.
Lord of the Eighth in the Second House
When well placed, this signifies inheritance, legacies, or financial gain through the affairs of the dead, such as executorships or administration of wills. But if afflicted, it shows loss and damage through such dealings, and misfortunes related to death and division of estates.
Lord of the Ninth in the Second House
“In secunda longa dat itinera causa divitiarum.” That is: The Ninth Lord in the Second brings long journeys for the sake of wealth. The native may travel abroad to increase his substance and may prove a successful merchant or trader through foreign dealings.
Lord of the Tenth in the Second House
This indicates that the native shall receive honor on account of his wealth, or else become wealthy due to his profession or public recognition. It is often seen in those esteemed for their riches, and it shows gain through one’s vocation or honorable duties.
Lord of the Eleventh in the Second House
This is a strong signifier of gaining wealth, particularly through friends, associates, or one’s children. The native will receive much benefit and support in financial matters through alliances and well-wishers.
Lord of the Twelfth in the Second House
This brings many afflictions concerning wealth. Enemies—often secret or hidden—will act against the native and bring financial harm, so much so that his estate may be greatly diminished due to treachery, slander, or quiet opposition.
From the The Doctrine of Nativites and Horary Questions, JOHN GADBURY