Traditional natal astrology associated the 12th House with hospitals, jails, asylums and hidden enemies. Sometimes called the “House of Self-Undoing”, it holds secrets known and unknown to oneself, as much as to the world. Fantasy, as much as fear, reigns in this House. We erect artificial or real protective walls in this area. Even if one’s 12th house has no stakeholders (Planets), the Sign and Ruler of the 12th cusp suggests character traits obscured or denied. For instance: A person with Taurus (Earth) occupying the 12th house cusp with no planets in the house, can be a closet materialist, ostensibly indifferent to money or possessions, but privately vexed at losing any.
The Covid-19 World Pandemic forces everyone into the 12th house. Covid anxiety is rattling everyone’s cage, whether one is fighting for life in hospital, trapped in a virus-prone jail or nursing facility, or isolated at home. Conscious fear of the disease, as well as the economic peril, is wreaking havoc. Being literally ‘hemmed in' by masks, social distancing, or formal quarantining is pushing people’s buttons. Some interpret the mandates as socially responsible. Others view the rules as tyrannical action. Bottom-line, Covid-19 triggers control issues. Fear exacerbates the desire for control. So, how might astrology identify your 12th house hidden fears and suggest remedies for taming them?
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What is your 12th house cusp sign and its element?
*If you only know your Sun sign and its element, the fear will be known to you rather than hidden.
FIRE: (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) Fear loss of physical vitality - Freedom.
AIR: (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) Fear loss of social connectedness - Culture.
EARTH: (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) Fear loss of material substance - Security.
WATER: (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) Fear loss of emotional sustenance - Family.
Given your 12th house cusp sign and element, what might you productively do during this period of significant limitation?
FIRE: (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) Get motivated; Walk, jog, run; Swim; Dance; Exercise in place; Have sex; Paint; Play a musical instrument or sing; Plan your bucket list via travelogues; Invent games; Try improvisation; Listen to inspired speeches; Climb Mt. Everest.
AIR: (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) Explore new ideas; Read great books; Study culture; Teach or take online Zoom classes; Hand-write letters to friends and family; Join a social affinity group; Turn off your cellphone; Tune-out the 24 hour news cycle; Breathe; Think.
EARTH: (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) Ground your senses; Take nature hikes; Cultivate a garden; Build something tangible; Re-purpose old furniture; Organize finances; Do life-planning (set up your Will, Advance Directives, etc.); Purge your space of items you don’t enjoy or use and donate those items to thrift shops.
WATER: (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) Nurture your feelings; Connect to your family; Organize photographs; Create a Memory Book; Do a life review; Discover your heritage through Geneaology; Listen to music; Meditate. Improve sleep habits; Experiment with cooking; Go to a lake or ocean; Volunteer at food banks.
The 12th house cusp identifies hidden fears. If you do not know your 12th house cusp, your Sun sign’s element will suggest readily acknowledged primal fears. Both benefit from proactive engagement in Fire, Earth, Air, or Water.