Whenever I think of what the second house rules in astrology, I, like many other human beings in modernity and the throes of capitalism, tend to think only of monetary security. Whenever I read that the second house governs so much more than our money, I was confused. Although the concept made sense—humans haven’t always had money, but we have been studying the planets and the way they affect us and the world around us for thousands of years.

So, what things would we include in the commonly named, “House of Concrete Possessions”? I think if I were to give this house a different name, it would be the “House of Security”. Security can mean many different things for many different people. It could be having food and knowing that you are capable of making and obtaining food whenever you need it. It could be skills that allow you to gain the security you seek, whether hunting, fishing, or more modern skills like being a writer or working in IT. These things all produce a type of security and add value to our lives in different ways, and this wider view in terms of the second house has allowed me to move past the surface of the house and dive deeper into what it means to me and what it could mean for my life when looking at annual profections.

If you are unfamiliar with annual profections, it’s a technique from the Hellenistic Tradition of astrology that kind of allows for a preview of the year ahead. It’s a really fun practice and has helped me tap into a greater sense of where I’m at and what I’m going to be working on or experiencing more of that year. Currently, I’m in my second house profection, and when I was studying and learning about my potential year ahead, I was only thinking about money—how much money I will have, will I switch careers, will I gain money from some other unforeseen event?

Now, looking back with more knowledge and my hindsight perspective, I can see the things I’ve been doing that allow me to gain security that don’t have anything to do with money or monetary value, but do have something to do with value. This year, I’ve decided that I will be planting a vegetable garden for the first time in my life. I will start in early May. I’ve also been learning and perfecting how to make homemade bread, I started doing archery as a hobby, and have plans to try my hand at making jams and pickling.

I think that we can easily see how all of these things relate *insert laughing emoji*. They are all things that I’m creating a basis of knowledge on and thus, securing a future for myself where I know how to do all of these things. A future where I have all of these skills is one where I’m self-sufficient in such a way that I don’t have to depend on someone else to do any one of them for me. A future where I control where my food comes from, how it’s prepared, and understand the value of these things on a more intricate level than if I were to go all of my life without pursuing any of them.

The funny thing though, is that I didn’t have a singular goal whenever I started any of these hobbies… I just thought they would be fun. I’ve been asked jokingly if I’m preparing for the collapse of society, and the answer is no, but I guess if it happens, you can come over and eat. Am I preparing for homesteading? Also, no. I guess my idea of fun this year, and maybe forever now that I’ve began this journey is being the iconic wise woman of times past. I imagine a long burgundy dress, a messy updo hairstyle from long hours of hard work tending the garden, making the bread, pickling the cabbages, and making the jam.

Definitely not how I thought my second house profection year would be going, but I am more than okay with it. 25 years old and feeling like I’m living the life of a hedge witch has brought me nothing but contentment, but… I’m only 4 months into my second house profection, so maybe the universe will still send along that money. This is my formal statement to said universe, that I am more than open to receiving. *insert wink face emoji*

With all of my love,

-Elena