In the divine science of astrology, the twelfth house is definitely
linked with "fate," or the individual destiny. It is
the house which, more than any other of the twelve houses of the
horoscope, reveals that part of the life's circumstances and activities
which constitute "debts" to be liquidated. It is the
house which governs confinement in hospitals and prisons, secret
enemies and plots, sorrow and self-undoing.
Astrological influence does not come from the physical planets.
It is the Life of God diffused through the Rays of the Sun and
mingled with the vibrations of the Indwelling Spirits of the Planets
and of the beings who live upon their surface. These composite
vibrations, impinging upon the earth at the moment of a child's
birth, stamp its finer vehicles with the pattern of its inherent
character, and character is destiny.
Destiny, in metaphysical terminology, refers to the events, circumstances,
and situations which come to an individual as a result of certain
actions in past lives, and may be of an extremely fixed, or a
more pliable nature. That is, the karma may be so definite and
inevitable that it cannot be escaped; or it may be of a kind which
can be averted by spiritual understanding and right attitude.
Generally speaking, the twelfth house, judged specifically by
the sign placed on its cusp, the ruler of that sign, and the planets
it contains, indicates a type of "ripe" destiny-karma
which will inevitably be manifested in the life.
In reading and judging a horoscope we must remember that this
map of planets arranged at the native's birth according to a certain
pattern is the sum and substance of all his past lives up to date.
It is a revelation of the person in character and temperament
as unfolded during all past incarnations on the earth, and it
indicates the events and circumstances which have molded and will
further mold the character. It also reveals the time at which
the major events of the life will occur.
However, the horoscope does not reveal a man's will, nor his individual
spiritual status, exactly. This we should bear in mind when we
look into the sacred precincts of the chart. No astrologer can
be certain that a person will eventually sink in the mire or rise
to be a saint. Nor should he make categorical predictions, for
it is apparent that our present knowledge of the great Star-Beings
guiding our destiny is limited. But we can interpret the nature
of the spiritual forces that are impelling an individual in his
evolution and predict with considerable accuracy the principal
events of the coming years. Max Heindel sums up this point in
these words:
"In the final analysis we are arbiters of our destiny, and
it is significant that while it is possible to predict for the
great majority of mankind with absolute certainty that the prediction
will be vindicated, because they drift along the sea of life directed
by the current of circumstances, predictions for the striving
idealist fail in proportion to his spiritual attainment of will
power which rouses him to self-assertion and resistance of
wrong."
The twelfth house in the grand circle of the zodiac is one of
mystery. It is a "closed house," meaning that its affairs
are more or less secret and hidden from the public. It rules limitation,
not only of a physical type, but also of a spiritual nature. From
it one may experience a definite sense of frustration or of being
held down. A denial of self-expression may be felt in one or more
departments of life. Natives of Pisces, the natural 12th house
sign, often feel this restriction in many ways.
The forces of the signs indicate the duration and the type of
destiny to be paid. The fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and
Aquarius) are the most rigid of all. Payment of past debts of
destiny indicated by these signs must and will be met. We cannot
escape the events and circumstances indicated, and the sooner
we realize this fact and the nature of the debts and take the
right action, the sooner will fixed karma be liquidated.
Destiny covered by cardinal signs is of less duration but quicker
in effect. Lessons in these signs are more easily learned than
those of fixed signs.
Common sign destiny is the easiest to balance, but therein lies
the danger. Because of the restlessness and changeability of natives
of these signs, as well as their two-sided nature, with a hesitancy
to make up their minds, they seek to evade the issue or to "put
off until tomorrow" what could be done today.
The sign Aries on the twelfth house cusp brings Mars into the
life to liberate karma by the native's actions. Aries is the
beginning of the Divine Circle, and consequently, if Mars is afflicted,
one must be careful that new karma is not created by rashness
and impulsive action. The martial force may indicate a general
"clearing up" of karmic conditions in the present life.
There is likely to be karma connected with pioneering and reforms.
Taurus on the twelfth house cusp brings Venus as the ruler, and
possessions and material things are likely to be instrumental
in paying off past debts. Money affairs (Taurus is the second
house sign) and their handling is important, and may carry a significant
meaning to the native's personality.
The sign Gemini placed on the twelfth cusp designates Mercury,
the mental planet, as the ruler. There is a mental understanding
of one's karma, and a decision can be made as to how it can be
worked out. Brothers and sisters, as well as neighbors, may be
intimately linked up with the native and his life. If Mercury
is afflicted, relatives can be secret enemies.
Cancer on the twelfth cusp brings rule by the emotional Moon.
There is a possibility of the emotions being uncontrolled or extremely
upset, denoting a lack of reign over oneself. Home conditions
or one of the parents may be the focusing point of a debt to be
paid off.
Leo, ruled by the Sun, placed on the cusp of the twelfth house
indicates that people in authority, especially men, and one's
children, are linked with karma. Sorrow through the heart's desire
is experienced if the Sun is adversely aspected.
The sign Virgo on the twelfth brings Mercury as ruler. The ideal
of "loving, self-forgetting service to others" thus
becomes entwined with destiny. This is aptly demonstrated by those
who serve in hospitals and institutions. Health is vitally important
to one with this sign here, and he must take special care of the
physical body because illness may result in hospitalization. Mercury
points out that good health is prolonged by the right mental attitude.
Libra on the twelfth house again brings the influence of the cohesive
and harmonious Venus into affairs of destiny. Partnership is emphasized.
Problems involving others, either in business or marriage, will
come into the life and have to be "balanced," as the
scales of Libra signify.
Partnerships often carry a hidden motive or background, or one
may be the silent partner in a partnership. Love possesses a deeper
significance to the native with Libra here, and can bring a deeper
sorrow, unless one is sufficiently evolved to understand its true
meaning and tries to live up to its highest concept.
Scorpio posited on the twelfth house gives Mars as its ruler.
Again, Mars action is emphasized, but here it is more secret than
in Aries. All that comes under the rulership of Scorpio has importance
in the life. The true keyword for this sign is "regeneration,"
and according to the twelfth house we reap what we have sown.
Thus the destiny becomes involved with the powers of regeneration.
Sagittarius is ruled by the expansive Jupiter, and when on the
twelfth house cusp may denote a deep and philosophic understanding
of the causes of sorrow and undoing in one's own life, and in
the lives of others. Debts of destiny are apt to be paid off in
an understanding, cheerful manner.
The sign Capricorn brings the conservative Saturn as ruler. Saturn
is one of the most important signatures of the past. Because of
his limiting power, Saturn's sign brings heavy responsibilities
and crosses to bear, but through the carrying of these heavy crosses
much soul growth may be made. Pursuing a career, or inordinate
ambition not fulfilled, brings sorrow.
Aquarius is ruled by the altruistic Uranus. This twelfth house
position places Pisces on the Ascendant generally, making the
two spiritual planets, Uranus and Neptune, important in the chart.
This may indicate the end of a cycle for the Ego, that he is getting
ready to start the zodiacal pathway anew in the next life. Unusual
and sudden events come into the life and carry a train of unexpected
results.
Pisces is ruled by the spiritual Neptune, and the twelfth house
is the home place for this sign. Here are many forces for good
or evil, all presented in a subtle and mysterious manner. Neptune's
aspects are important and can indicate great spiritual progress,
or merely confused events in the life with a background of deceit
and trickery.
— Edward Adams
— Rays from the Rose Cross Magazine, September/October, 1995
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