Subconscious
The twelfth house represents the subconscious mind – the accumulation of unconscious memories and experiences. It governs karma – issues left over from another life that you must atone for, or spiritual debts to be paid. It describes sorrow, suffering, limitations, seclusion, restraint, exile, places of confinement (jails, mental institutions, hospitals).
It governs clandestine affairs, things that you hide from others, hidden dangers, as well as hidden strengths and weaknesses. There is often a need for dedication and to lead a meaningful life. Thus it also deals with charity, sympathy, and public welfare.
The Twelfth House is ruled by Pisces and Jupiter and Neptune.
The 12th house is a cadent one and ruled by the sign Pisces and its ruler planet Neptune. Before Neptune was discovered, Jupiter was considered the ruling planet of Pisces and thus he is still considered as the co-ruler of this mystical house. It is also called the house of the unconscious, self-undoing, and imprisonment.
Even if it is considered one of the most dangerous houses, we should not forget that its basis lies directly in the depths of our mind. So, by changing the way our brain functions, and healing our souls, we can even extinguish the difficulties this house might bring in our reality.
The Significance of the 12th House
The 12th House is the realm of introspection, the subconscious, and the spiritual journey. It represents the experiences and feelings that occur behind the scenes, hidden from the surface of everyday life. When planets are placed in the 12th House, they impact an individual’s relationship with their inner self, their dreams, and their connection to the spiritual or collective unconscious.
The placement of planets in the 12th House of the natal birth chart significantly influences an individual’s spiritual journey, inner life, and the hidden aspects of their personality. Understanding the impact of these planets can provide valuable insights into one’s connection to the subconscious, their dreams, and their potential for spiritual and artistic growth. Astrology, in this context, serves as a tool for self-awareness and embracing the depths of the hidden realms, helping individuals explore their innermost selves and connect with the spiritual and collective unconscious.
Planets in the 12th House
Each planet, when positioned in the 12th House of the natal birth chart, brings its unique attributes to an individual’s inner world, spiritual exploration, and the hidden aspects of their personality. Here’s an exploration of how different planets in the 12th House can influence an individual:
Sun in the 12th House: The Sun represents the core of one’s identity. When found in the 12th House, it signifies a strong connection to the subconscious and a need for introspection. These individuals often have a deep inner life and may feel a strong call to spiritual or artistic pursuits.
Moon in the 12th House: The Moon signifies emotions and instincts. When placed in the 12th House, a person’s emotional life is often marked by deep sensitivity and a strong connection to the collective unconscious. They may have vivid dreams and an intuitive understanding of others’ emotions.
Mercury in the 12th House: Mercury governs communication and intellect. Individuals with Mercury in the 12th House often have a rich inner world of thoughts and ideas. They may excel in creative or spiritual writing and may have a deep connection to the mystical or esoteric.
Venus in the 12th House: Venus represents love, beauty, and aesthetics. When placed in the 12th House, it suggests a deep appreciation for the hidden beauty in life. These individuals often have a love for artistic or spiritual pursuits and may form deep, soulful connections.
Mars in the 12th House: Mars symbolizes action and energy. Those with Mars in the 12th House often have a passionate, albeit sometimes hidden, approach to their desires. They may be driven by subconscious motivations and can be powerful advocates for social causes.
Jupiter in the 12th House: Jupiter represents expansion and growth. When found in the 12th House, it indicates a love for spiritual or philosophical exploration. These individuals often seek personal and spiritual growth through introspection and may have a deep understanding of the mysteries of life.
Saturn in the 12th House: Saturn is associated with discipline and responsibility. Individuals with Saturn in the 12th House often approach their inner world and spiritual journey with a sense of duty and structure. They may be diligent in their practices of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Uranus in the 12th House: Uranus represents innovation and individuality. When placed in the 12th House, it suggests a unique and unconventional approach to the hidden aspects of life. These individuals often have revolutionary ideas about spirituality or the collective unconscious.
Neptune in the 12th House: Neptune signifies creativity and spirituality. Those with Neptune in the 12th House often have a deep connection to the mystical and spiritual realms. They may be drawn to artistic, healing, or spiritual practices and often have vivid dreams and intuitive abilities.
Pluto in the 12th House: Pluto represents transformation and power. When found in the 12th House, it indicates profound and transformative experiences related to the inner world and spirituality. These individuals often undergo deep, soul-altering changes and may be drawn to the hidden mysteries of life.
In this house are located the deeper levels of our mind. The mechanisms behind our thoughts and actions, our subconscious, and unconscious, things we have inside us but do not know (or prefer to not concentrate on). In this house, one can find his hidden psychological problems and work on them, the weaknesses that he tries to keep out of public view. These weaknesses are frequently patterns of self-undoing, and unless resolved in one’s psyche they will definitely strike back towards his reality.
A 12th house Mars, for example, will accumulate hidden aggression which will some day reach some critical point, resulting either in an uncontrolled explosion (towards random people maybe) or in an introversive implosion, such as psycho-somatic diseases or a difficult time handling one’s own self. Generally, when planets are present in the 12th house, it is necessary to understand the meaning of their placement; you will actually understand things about you that are present but that you might not be aware of.
The house is strongly connected to Karma, and many difficulties (or even rewards) that it brings are outcomes of previous or even future lives. It is also an open gate towards these other lives; by meditating, praying and living a monastic life you can send through this gate energy to your other incarnations.
Indeed, a lot of people who live a somehow hermetic life (no matter if they are monks in a monastery, prisoners or simply lonely people), are having planets located in the house. These are usually triggered by slow moving transits, which are temporarily or permanently leading them to such a pattern of reality.
The 12th house also rules our dreams, our sleeping patterns and the time we sleep. Psychology, as a science, is all about the 12th house and its mysteries. Also, psychic phenomena, clairvoyance and a lot of paranormal activities; mostly those that are uncontrolled by the native.
The 8th house is ruling his conscious descent into the other realms; the 12th is more about his unconscious abilities, and they many times remain untamed unless the person digs deep into his soul. Furthermore, here lays self-sacrifice and suffering, while also secret charity.
All that is hidden, the secrets and the skeletons in the closet are also matters of this dark house. Behind the scenes activities, illegal jobs, illegal affairs, and confidential documents are also categories falling under the influence of this house. In addition, the house is responsible about secrets that we can uncover, both in ourselves and in the collective unconscious.
Researchers and inventors frequently have planets here, bringing them insights that help their discoveries. Here one can also observe his hidden enemies, and having malefic planets located in the house can show us a lot about their presence and nature.
The 12th house is governing all large animals, in opposition to the 6th house that rules small domestic ones. People with malefic planets or planets that receive adverse aspects from “malefics” are advised to stay away from large animals, as accidents might occur near them. On the contrary, when benefic planets are present, the individual might be receiving a lot of joy through big animals, or even create wealth in a business concerning them.
An individual with difficult planets present in the 12th house is advised to keep away from alcohol and other substances, as they might worsen the condition and functions of these planets. The house is also indicating prenatal conditions and how the baby was experiencing the time he passed in its mother’s wombs. “Malefics” present in the house can indicate difficulties both during pregnancy and birth.
Finally, the house is also ruling monasteries, asylums, hospitals, prisons, rehabilitation centers and every institution that imposes limitations. This does not necessarily mean that a native who has planets in the 12th house will be restrained in such an institution; he could be even working for one.
Another example could be an artist, passing a lot of time in loneliness so that he can work better, get inspired and use his imagination. All types of imprisonment are to be observed here, both willing and not. So, during a heavy transit, it is often better to try self-imprisonment, than face the pushy consequences of the planet.