12b. Vesta in the Houses.
Representing as it does the sacred inner-fire of spirit, Vesta's house shows an area in life that needs to be made more sacred or spiritual. This is because something is amiss in that area - spiritual faith or trust has been lost and needs to be recovered.
Vesta in 1. Dedication to a path of self-awareness and to making one's own way through life is required. This is important to help counter-balance a past-life tendency to lose one's identity when in the presence of other people and giving up important personal goals. A clear and positive self-identity will enhance important unions. Periods of self-imposed isolation to help restore faith in oneself should be undertaken.
Vesta in 2. Cultivating the sacred inner flame of spiritual values to live by, of generosity and sharing with those who are in need, is the goal - then expressing these higher principles in the way money is earned and spent. Use periods when resources are scarce, to reinforce the importance of founding one's life upon a bedrock of integrity and honesty. All is given to those who ask nothing for the separated self.
Vesta in 3. The sacred principle to be fostered is that of being harmless in thought and speech, or as our wise grand-mothers used to say - “speak only when you have something kind to say”. To this, the life should be dedicated. It is important to get into the habit of keeping silent about contentious issues that are none of one's business and contemplate the wisest thing to say when one is involved.
Vesta in 4. Vesta is very comfortable in the 4th and gives a natural inclination to foster a happy home-hearth, to honour and look after family traditions and parents. This may require sacrificing any career goals. If so and the lesson is learnt, new opportunities will arise - either later in the current life or in the next. Nothing is random in the chart and sometimes we are required to focus on the personal life to round out development.
Vesta in 5. Fostering the flame of personal creativity is required. Time should be dedicated to the development of our God-given talents so they can be used to inspire and uplift - children especially, but also others who come into our care. This will require the sacrificing of normal pleasure-seeking activities that others enjoy. Periodic withdrawal to fan the flame of unconditional love and kindness is a sacred duty.
Vesta in 6. Dedication is required, to develop work skills and talents that will enable a living to be made in a career that is fulfilling and nurturing to the soul. Such a career should benefit the health and wellness of people being treated and also those contacted at work. Personal sacrifices may have to made to achieve this but there will be spiritual rewards. For some, a health crisis will require a reset of the career to one that is more in line with one's heart or soul duty.
Vesta in 7. Creating beautiful relationships that are uncontaminated by lies or deceit is the sacred task. The sacrifice of personal goals so that there is more time to devote to the partner and to the well-being of the union will help keep the flame of joy and love alive. This will also help to balance any karma due to past-life selfishness. Being able to create such unions will come naturally when right-balance has been established with the soul - the source of love and wisdom.
Vesta in 8. The sacred task is to transform any aspects of the emotional life, any unhealthy sexual habits or material attachments because they are hindering spiritual progression. Healing the cause of such trouble is a prerequisite if one is ever to find inner balance and serenity. Periodic withdrawal to study psychology and csoteric subjects is required, so that the knowledges and skills necessary to do such profound work can be learnt and then applied.
Vesta in 9. Spiritual development is the sacred duty. Sacrifices should be made each day so there is time to devote to the study of spirituality, philosophy and esotericism and to pray or practice meditation - steps required to achieve an expansion of consciousness (soul and consciousness are synonyms). Travel to foreign lands and connecting with foreign cultures and religions will also broaden understanding.
Vesta in 10. The sacred task is to be successful in a profession that is aligned with one's highest life or spiritual goal, whatever that is. For some, the duty may be to make things better in the world as a whole, requiring the sacrifice of personal and family life so that more time is available to devote to the responsibilities that come with such a mission. This is a karmic duty, having sacrificed one's professional life for family in a previous life, one can now pursue what was previously denied.
Vesta in 11. The flame of true and unconditional friendship is to be cultivated, the fostering of brotherliness and respect for people we feel allied with because they share higher aspirations - this is the task. On a larger scale, our dedicated efforts could be poured into supporting and working within a group or organization that works to bring about social and humanitarian improvements in the world.
Vesta in 12. Something unresolved in the unconscious, from the past, needs healing and this is the sacred task. The acceptance of life and of whatever has happened is essential for trauma to be healed. A period each day should be dedicated to spiritual discovery, such as - prayer, meditation, the pondering of life's greater mysteries, retreating into nature to wonder at the beauty of creation, or in physical-spiritual practices such as yoga or tai chi.