Alignment of our unconscious and conscious minds is one of the most powerful states we can attain. When there is no internal conflict, we are able to perform miracles of intention, creating without contradiction or unintended consequences. Though it’s difficult to remain in such an unadulterated state for prolonged periods of time (and we really shouldn’t expect to, as that would make inhuman demands on one’s ability to absorb and process information entirely at the conscious level), we should encourage the complementarity of conscious and subconscious attitudes; one way to address this is through examination of the 12th house of the natal chart.
The natural house of Pisces and Neptune supports both our connection to the Universe and to the Collective, but also encourages the sublimation of those things 1) that we have chosen not to apply our conscious attention to directly, even though this was available to us, 2) that our mind may have noticed or absorbed at a subconscious level (not directly available to the conscious mind), and 3) those messages we are receiving, whether consciously or unconsciously, and whether from the Universe, the Collective, or other individuals, that we might for some reason find unacceptable, or decide (entirely below the conscious level) would be destructive in some sense to something within our world. As the repository of all that we are not mulling consciously, the contents of the 12th can have an enormous effect, not just on our thoughts and actions, but on the very fabric of events that we set in motion by our assumptions, judgments, and choices.
Assessing the state of the ruler of the 12th will tell us a great deal about the kinds of attitudes we carry toward ourselves. If the ruler is under a lot of stress natally, with many squares, quincunxes, or oppositions, we may be especially hard on ourselves, carrying in our 12th a large number of negative pronouncements about ourselves and our abilities. For example, Capricorn on the 12th and ruler Saturn square Venus and Mercury might suggest that we are especially vulnerable to storing less than positive feedback on characteristic Venus and Mercury subjects in the subconscious. We may perpetually feel we are not attractive, are unable to earn, are poor communicators, lack artistic ability, or are unable to sustain relationships, even with siblings.
Planets posited in the 12th will place those energies almost ‘out of reach’ to the conscious mind. Neptune there, for instance, indicates a strong affinity for the spiritual , the Collective, and a fertile imagination that may only be accessed during dreams, either night forays or actual daydreaming; we may, with this placement, enjoy a complex and rich fantasy life that remains separate from our daily life, only because it retains an aura of inaccessibility. We may look at others’ creations and recognize our own creative urges and yet know of no way to translate these into the life. Look to both the aspects a planet in the 12th makes, and to the house it rules, for access to and outlets for the energy.
Sometimes the 12th house gives clues as to what energies we are choosing to disown within ourselves and project (at least the negative facets of) onto others or the Collective. Mars here can show someone who is unaware of their own aggressive urges and may see others as unduly Self-oriented, or someone who sees the Universe as a hostile place with everyone out for him- or herself. With successful integration it could indicate a ‘Warrior’ for the Collective welfare; if Mars rules the 5th, 11th, or 7th it could indicate an artist whose work champions Collective causes, needs, or themes, or ruling the 9th or 12th could suggest a lawyer or advocate for group entities.
Of all the houses, it’s most important that what we carry in the 12th be consciously understood and given an active role in the life; if we don’t, we suffer its repercussions in ways that seem ‘out of the blue’ and that are sure to cause disruption to the way we’d like to see our life events play out.
Excellent article, Julie! The 12th house is the most fascinating house in a chart imho but perhaps that’s only my out-of-touch Saturn in 12th talking! jude
Thank you, Jude! I agree that the 12th is a compelling chart area–I think because the Universe and the subconsious are both so BIG! Sadly, though, my 12th is empty : (
Empty! Gosh I’d consider that a plus even with ruler/s, dynamic aspects, etc. How bad could life be without a 12th house ‘denizen’? ;p
It could suck! Seriously, I noticed as a child that January (the time when the Sun moves through my 12th) was always a tough time, internally and externally. And having an empty 12th made it that much harder to track down the influences–though maybe I should be blaming Saturn, its ruler. I definitely find it the most interesting House, probably because it seems to hold all the stuff people are trying to hide!
Thanks, I love this! I have Moon in 12th (ruler of 1st). Ruler of 12th is Venus in 4th, square Neptune. Moon is also widely opposite Neptune. I have a lot of 12th-house/Neptunian issues and I welcome all further 12th house discussion!
Thank you, Jessica! Having Venus as ruler of the 12th would, I think, make things especially hard, as Venus needs attention! And having the Moon there would automatically make access to emotions a bit difficult–with Moon as 1st ruler, emotions may channel through the personality, a ‘heart on your sleeve’ position. I’ve just started a series on Moon in the Houses, so watch for Moon in the 12th!
Hi Julie, I’ve been reading your pages for a few weeks now and I just wanted to say thank you for all of the hard work you have put into this site, and for all of your sensible and frank knowledge. I am interested in 12th house issues because, although mine too is empty, its ruler Saturn in the 8th (conjunct Pluto and Mars!) is “afflicted” by an opposition to my moon in the 2nd, a square to Mercury in the 5th, and a square to my Sun in the 6th. I certainly am very hard on myself, especially when it comes to my ability to communicate effectively, the way I deal with my emotions, and my search for a fulfilling career. Also, my partner has his Mars in the 12th, and up until now I had been struggling to understand how this plays out, although now I see how Aries ruling the 11th can help (I also think the supporting trines to Sun, Moon, and Uranus help him deal with potential difficulties here). Thanks again!
Hi Courtenay,
Thank you, and welcome to the forum!
Please don’t think of these aspects as afflicted; you may have a special ability to help control or otherwise shape the demons (or assets!) of others (8th House Saturn/ Mars/ Pluto opposed the Moon), and communicating this in a creative way (Mercury square in 5th) could be key to successful intergration of these energies expressed through talents (2nd) and through the identity (Sun). Best of luck with your journey!
PS Catch the latest post, “Natal Moon in the 2nd House”
So I have 5 planets in my 12th house. Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, my Sun and Mercury, though mercury is only 0.01 degree off of my ascendent. As such, I do have a good communicative ability but it had to develop over time. It helps that its trine my Moon, in my 8th house, and Jupiter in my 4th.
I think my only problem is laziness. I have a lot of artistic impulses that come alive and develop constantly in my head but I just get drained the second I try to write them down. It comes up in school, too. I just get drained by studying outside of class and struggle to do it. I’m typically told I can could achieve A work if I just put in the time after class.
Hi Kip, and welcome!
I’m guessing that your problem isn’t laziness, but difficulty focusing for long in any one area. With so many energies in the subconsciously-oriented 12th, the sensation of being drained probably reflects your attempt to train conscious energies onto impulses that are largely unconscious, leaving you feeling like you’re grabbing at air! The planets placed in the 12th can be like icebergs, with very little of their material showing, and accessing them can be a lifelong chore. There are a couple of things you can try to both bring these energies to consciousness and to give them a kind of ‘funnel’ through which to express: meditation, paying attention to dreams, and putting strong conscious effort into developing the matters of the Houses that the 12th House placements rule; this latter will result in the energies finding a natural outlet, without the draining sensation that comes when you try to access them directly. Good luck, Kip!
Hello, I have been reading your articles for a couple of months & now have your rss feed. Your insights are very helpful and CLEAR (which I particularly appreciate). I don’t know whether this is the kind of thing you would comment on, but perhaps someone else with this position of Pluto has the same effect from it.
My Pluto is in the 12th, and is very confusing; I’ve never been able to consciously exert any power in my life (due to very restrictive health problems), powerful events often happen AROUND me, in strange ways. I have no idea how to get in touch with much less USE my Pluto consciously, or what this position really means. I’ve read interpretations, many along the lines of (it’s hard to word this clearly):
Anyone who hurts/harms (or even tries to) someone having Pluto in the 12th house (natally) usually ends up having something bad happen to THEM - though nothing directly caused by or even having anything to do with the 12th house Pluto person they’ve harmed.
It sounds crazy, but it’s always happened just like this in my case - throughout my life, even my friends, husband, mother, etc. have noticed & commented on it! In my “real” (conscious?) life, I’m one of the least powerful persons you’d ever meet. It’s as though whatever power I might posess works without my intention or knowledge. Yet I have no way to consciously exert power in my life; if I can do it, and in a positive way, I’d love to know how!
- Just by the way: my Pluto’s in Virgo in the 12th (12th ruled by the sun, which is in Pisces, in the 6th). Pluto is also closely square my Sagittarius Jupiter in the 3rd (3rd ruled by Pluto!).
Hello, Laudes,
I’m very glad you find the articles helpful and clear–to my way of thinking, high praise indeed!
I would suggest you make a conscious and very deliberate effort to exercise personal power (via decision-making, activities, or in public expressions) in the matters of the House with Scorpio on the cusp. This is where you can naturally channel your power and bring Pluto under your conscious control. As well, examine your dreams, and your experiences with large entities that deal in the welfare of the masses (such as hospitals, charities, and government agencies) for information as to the ways in which you may actually be exerting a great deal of power; the way these entities treat you, as well as your dream experiences, will also say much about your ‘true’ relationship to Pluto. Also examine Chiron and Juno; their House and sign placements will give clues as to where and how you might be subliminally influenced by beliefs about woundedness (which may make you hand power, or the perception of power, to others)(Chiron) and where you need to accept and express personal empowerment (Juno).
Good luck, and welcome to the discussion!
Hey Julie,
So planets in the 12th find outlets through aspects to other planets and also the houses in which they rule.
If the ruler of the 1st in the 12th but conjunct the ascendant (sun in cancer conjunct leo ascendant) does it make the energies of the planet easier to express within the 1st house as opposed to if the planet wasn’t conjunct the ascendant?
No, simply because the important link is the planet/ sign, not proximity to the ASC. Being close to the ASC does identify the Sun consciousness with the personality–there may not be any real distinction there.
This is fun!
Another question: Would aspects to planets in the 12th (or any house for that matter) also filter through to the houses those planets rule?
I read that if houses are empty you look to the sign/house/aspects of the ruler but i havent come across the distinction as to whether those energies also play out through the empty houses or only the houses where the aspects are made.
Hi Amari,
Yes, the effects would come through, mostly in the way the ruler itself will be affected in expression.
Thanks again Julie! Where do you learn all these things?