Interpreting by Sign or House | Isthmus Nekoi
Quite frequently, novice astrologers will come across "cookbook" websites or books which conflate signs with houses where interpretations for a planet, node or angle in a sign are exactly the same as the interpretations for the corresponding house. While the symbolic meanings of the signs and their associated houses do overlap, it is very important to remember that signs and houses do not represent the same thing.
Signs will colour and influence the planet (or node or angle) with its own symbolism. Houses denote the area where the planet's energy is concentrated and directed towards. Consider the following example:
Sun in Cancer
As a cardinal water sign Cancer is primarily concerned with the feeling function
and mothering in particular. The Cancer sun at its best is very caring, warm
and thoughtful to others. They can create an inner sanctuary - a place of comfort
and nurturing, especially in the home. They are steadfast and loyal friends
and lovers. When Cancer suns cannot express themselves, or are forced out of
their comfort zone, they can make a fortress of their shell and become incredibly
selfish in that they will shut everyone else out. They can become overly defensive
and protective (or s/mothering). They can also be moody to a fault, and their
emotions wound easily. A Cancer sun when superficial, is also prone to maudlin
sentimentality.
Sun in the 4th house
As an angular water house, the 4th house is concerned not simply concerned with
early home life, but origins that stretch beyond the lifetime of an individual
for all water houses are associated with the cycles of karma. A 4th house sun
is primarily concerned with matters of the land, tradition and, like the Cancer
sun, with memories. A 4th house sun will always be steeped in an existence of
what is native and familial. As the 4th house also represents the father, the
4th house sun may identify strongly with the father or have a strong "sunny"
father figure. If aspected well, the 4th house sun finds strength given its
placement in an angular house. If poorly aspected, karmic lessons are indicated
for the native.
Both 4th house and Cancer are concerned with home and family, but as you can see, the sun's placement in either warrants a distinct interpretation for each. Thus, one can still give a general psychological portrait without knowledge of birthtime (given that the moon is not near the cusp of a sign) by analyzing the sign placements of planets alone.