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Writer's pictureAmethyst Virgo

The 6th and 12th house Axis in the birth chart


For people who have 6th and 12th house placements or who transits with opposite house placements here it is essential to understand how this axis represents what we have to do versus what we do not want/have to do. In astrology, the houses across from each other represent what can appear like opposing themes. At its core, we hold to balance the themes of each house, use the energy to our benefit, and be conscious if we are overcompensating too much in one house. All planets are not considered equal. Depending on your chart ruler, sub-ruling planet, or other energy in a house, one of the houses may actually be more important to an individual than another.


Let's start with what these houses are considered.

The 6th and 12th houses are cadent houses. Cadent houses (3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th) are the last of their quadrant and are not considered houses where major activity occurs (note: in an individual birth chart a person could have a very busy cadent house). These houses are often focused on "thought" and consideration.


No major angle rests on the cusp like on the angular houses (IC/MC, Ascendant/Descendant). The succedent houses do not contain the angles either (2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th), but represent what we possess and what we are holding onto.


The 6th and 12th axis represents the extreme opposite of where we spend "time". Traditionally, the 6th house was associated with illness, servitude, and slavery. It was a house that was arduous and hard. It was assigned to you and did not leave room for much choice. People did not control their "time" but were bound to it. The 12th house was a place of mental hospitals, confinement, and solitude. There was less demand on someone's "time" with the 12th house but it was difficult to be motivated here.

Today, we can apply some level of modern examples to see how people nowadays experience these houses differently. For example, most people today do not feel like "servants" if they have 6th house placements. Rather, they may feel obligated to their daily work or be a workaholic. The 6th house still can give indicators of health but health conditions are less deadly due to medical advancements and technology compared to centuries ago. Instead of the house meaning illness it can indicate a person who is very health conscious or a yoga instructor, for example.


Today, we are much more aware of mental health than people of the past. Confining a person due to suspicions or lack of knowledge is less likely. In the past, people with intellectual disabilities or women accused of hysterics could be thrown into a mental institution without proper care the 12th still represents solitude to some degree. However, today it speaks more to people who may "feel alone" or who have to learn who they are aware from people to understand their gifts or spiritual power. Creative energy and spiritual awareness of the divine are areas that can be experienced in reverence to the 12th house.






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Interesting, thank you. I have a busy 6th/12th axis with two oppositions -- Virgo Uranus in 6th opp. Pisces Saturn in 12th, and Virgo Pluto in 6th opp Pisces Chiron  in 12th. I work in alternative health and am definitely a kind of workaholic, although I lose steam sometimes. I find that your point about how the 12th House "...speaks more to people who may "feel alone" or who have to learn who they are aware from people to understand their gifts or spiritual power" to be true and an eye opener for me (see? Validates your point!). It never occurred to me that this theme might be right there on this axis.. Blessings to you and your work.

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Needed this! 6H stelium empty 12 H

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Thanks for reading! Cancer energy is transiting through your 12th currently opposing your 6th placements so let me know after this month is over if you notice any 6th/12th house themes! :)

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