The Mysteries of the 12th House

The astrological 12th house is the repository of the unconscious, the subconscious and the superconscious.

In an astrology chart the 12th house is the slice of the pie directly above the horizontal line that divides the wheel on the left side. The sign which rules this house and any planets in it, have a large, but mostly hidden influence on our psyche.

The natural ruler of the 12th house is the planet Neptune. Neptune is a watery planet, fluidic and foggy. When we are feeling foggy or confused, frequently this is the activity of Neptune and/or the 12th house. What happens when you try to see through fog or water? Images are distorted, if they can be viewed at all. An apparent end to the view can simply be another layer of fog and it can seem endless.

For those of us with a strong Neptune or 12th house, these images are very familiar. Without knowing something about the person, it can be very difficult for an astrologer to make a decent interpretation of the condition because it can vary wildly. The same configuration can mean an enlightened guru or an inmate of a mental institution.

In my opinion, this occurs because the power of this area is more than some can take. Essentially, the person's own mind overwhelms them. For those who are capable of maintaining some balance, they have a rich inner life, with things going on which are utterly unrevealed to the world.

The 12th house is a repository of secrets. Those which we keep from others and those we keep from ourselves. Denial and illusion are characteristic of this area and I have never worked with a client, no matter how evolved who didn't have their share of these.

How does this happen? Primarily during childhood, some aspect of the person's psyche was severely repressed. Since the Self doesn't respond well to this, it finds another outlet, ie., the unconscious, the subconscious or the superconscious. The individual may "act out" certain behavior patterns, creating isolation or confinement for themselves, completely helpless to control the outcome. Or, they may resolve to rise above these patterns and find solace in spirituality.

Depending on the planet(s) involved they may have extraordinary powers of perception such as ESP. Almost always, they will find relief in selflessly serving others. This creates a positive outlet of expression

As an astrologer I pay very close attention to the conditions surrounding the 12th house or Neptune. In my experience, a client with strong aspects here always has more to offer or more to gain from life than they'd previously believed. Unleashing the power of the 12th house can lead to unimaginable beauty, insights and deep inner wholeness.

By Kat 2007-02-05 15:14:28

Hello, Just wanted to let you know what an excellent article this is. For years I have been trying to understand my 12th House persona, with very little success. Everyone seems to have a differing opinion on just what it does, how it affects us. I've also wanted to get an astrologer's opinion on the effects of the 12th House in a chart such as mine. My birth date is 8/16/1955; 0632 (am) in San Diego, California. This gives me 6 planets in the 12th house: the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus. Further, Uranus in Cancer is on the cusp and the ruler of the 12th. Additionally, I have a stellium of Leo planets, with 5 of my 12th House planets in Leo and my Ascendant in Leo, as well. Fortunately, my Pluto is in the 1st House (or maybe NOT so fortunately), my Saturn is square to the majority of those planets in the 12th, and my Chiron is opposite 5 of the 12th House planets as well as my Pluto. I could go on, but I think you get the picture. Have you ever seen a chart like this? Of course, I know I'm not the only one with a chart such as this, but many astrologers have indicated surprise (one even expressed horror!) at so much 12th House influence. In your opinion, what does the influence of so much 12th House activity indicate? Thank you for your time, Kat.

By Zulma 2007-06-16 19:35:05

Hello, thank you very much for the insight of this article. House nr. 12 is really a mystery for astrology student like me. I had the wrong belief that this house was to search only for imprisonment, reclusion, unknown enemies, and isolation. There must have been something positive to compensate this meaning as everything is expressed with double nature in astrology as well as in life. Thank you, again. I really enjoy your site. Zulma from Devon, UK

By Marie 2007-06-25 08:47:55

Wow! That post by Kat is very similar to mine. Sun at the end cusp of my 11th House. Uranus, Mercury, Mars, Venus & Pluto in my 12th House all in the sign of Leo Ascendant Leo. What does it all mean?

By Suzanne 2007-08-10 13:52:31

Hi, The upcoming Solar eclipse of Sept 11th falls into my 12th house, 11-15-1959 3:22am Tarrytown NY(westchester co). Scorpio. My North Node is conjunct my Venus, conjunct my Ascendant in the 12th. I have had dreams for the last 3-5 years referring to death-re-birth, being offered a job-career involving work I have done in the "past" and then imprisonment. All I understand are a part of the 12th house and very many references to "having to choose the spiritual". I also understand the 12th is the house of undoing, which I did the last 2 years to myself. But I have found much inner strength as a result of my "fall." Am I correct that this Lunar eclipse, which falls in my 5th house of creativity will bring endings and the solar eclipse ushers in the beginnings of spiritual growth through the imprisonment of the 12th? Thanks and Namaste.

By chimera 2007-10-12 15:30:05

I think I could read a bible about the 12th house and still I wouldn't quite understand what it is all about. I hardly cope with two planets Mercury conjunct Pluto in it, so I would congratulate those who struggle through life with an even more crowded 12th house. Blurred regards

By be 2007-10-20 08:43:04

Thank you for this excellent, concise writing. Yes, this is truly illuminating. I can't refrain from sending warm thanks to the brilliant author. This is one of the few best articles about the 12th house. I am most happy when I am on retreat with my 12th house, my 12th house is my sacred temple. Best regard.

By LESLIE 2007-11-25 06:39:00

Wow, that is helpful. I've been through many sites and many books, and had many reports done tring to figure out just what my Stellium is saying to me. I understand what it means to be separated, and have had it interpreted many times, but I'm never quite satisfied with the conceptual idea of what my Stellium means. I talked an astrologer into doing a Stellium report for me, but it was not very clear. I've kind of been able to come up with some speculations, but I am not an astrologer, just someone who seems to keep getting drawn deeper and deeper into astrology. Do you know of someone or would you yourself be able to offer a Stellium report? I understand that it is a very important thing to understand if you have a feature such as this in your chart. I am impressed with your explanation, and love that you focus on the 12th house of your clients charts. My Stellium is in Leo through the 11th and 12th houses. It includes my Sun, Moon, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury. In addition almost all of those planets in Stellium, are also linked to my Neptune by Trine. My Neptune is in my 4th house Sagittarius. My date of birth is July 27, 1976, at 09:05 AM PDT San Bernardino, CA. I would love it if you could help me understand this puzzle that is screaming volumes to me if I could only figure out how it is operating as a whole. Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

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