THE 12TH HOUSE

12th House 

• Hidden matters

• Isolation

• Your blindspot

• Transcendence, spirituality

• Sacrifice

• Endings

This is the "behind the scenes" house so any natal planets, asteroids or Nodes will operate indirectly but no less profoundly. Often, you can be unaware of the energies in this house. For example, a natal 12th House Venus suggests you may not know exactly what you want, how you attract or what kind of relationships are best for you. 

This is sometimes known as the house of "self-undoing" because it takes a tremendous amount of work and self-awareness to deal with the undermining habits that exist here. 12th House Venus natives often find themselves repeatedly attracted to those who aren't fully available (affairs) or those who victimize them. 12th House Suns can have difficulties with loss of pride and ego. 12th House Mars may deny their anger or act in self-destructive ways. 

This has also been called the house of "hidden enemies" but in my experience becoming involved with people who deceive you or wish you ill can be prevented by paying attention to initial red flags. Practice makes perfect - if you have 12th House planets, don't simply close your eyes and hope for the best. You must pay attention if you keep getting involved with the same type of people. Remember that as the last house in your chart, this is also the place of endings and dissolution. Many relationships that begin in this house (by transit) are not meant to last. But in some cases, a truly healthy, healing connection can begin during a 12th House transit or progression.  

Due to this house's lack of boundaries, people with 12th House energies are always extremely sensitive, psychic or intuitive. The connection to all things spiritual and creative is strong, which means there can also be a connection to the masses. Via art, healing or leadership (yes, leadership) 12th House people have the ability to impact the public, even if they work behind the scenes (there is often a strong desire for alone time in order to recharge). 

The key is that any work you do must not be primarily for personal gain- the people/art/higher calling comes first. Success can follow only if the initial purpose is selfless. And this is where the sacrifice comes in- 12th House energies demand a sacrifice of the ego and self, which does not mean becoming a victim. 

This can also be the house of escape and care must be taken that addictions (of any kind) are not mistaken as a  healthy relationship or spiritual experience. A true connection with the Divine, or with a soul mate (which is not always romantic) will not weaken you. How do you know if you're using 12th House energies correctly? You feel uplifted, proud, calm or happy rather than drained,  anxious, worthless or weak.  

While the 10th is the house of career, any 12th House energies will, ideally, factor into the career path. The primary theme is reaching many, many people and putting a higher goal first.

If you want to:

Explore spiritual or psychic practices, transits of Jupiter and Neptune can open certain doors. They will certainly trigger enhanced awareness, but they can also expand the desire to avoid reality completely. A healthy practice does not deny reality - it is grounded in reality to keep you safe and balance the mind and soul with the body. 

End something permanently, transiting Saturn into the 12th almost always brings a major ending. The karmic line is drawn and anything or anyone that no longer belongs in your life will fade. Saturn can increase your awareness of what has to go and can help you release if you're having trouble letting go.

Heal/recharge, transiting Neptune can bring peace and the progressed Moon through the 12th is often a time of comfort with isolation and an increased need for alone time. 

Meet your soulmate...this is such a loaded topic (with so many myths around it) that I think I'll write a separate post on this. Let me just say that a 12th House connection (their planets activate your 12th or you meet them during a 12th House transit) does not mean the relationship is necessarily healthy. 

Photo by Fer Morales