Over the course of the years, I have had many clients with stelliums of planets, including the luminaries in the eighth house, and I have decided to try to bring to light some of the darkness and mystery surrounding this house’s themes. Your traditional astrology books may tell you that the eighth house is other people’s monies, joint finances. Inherited money, death and rebirth, sex, and the occult. That is quite the spectrum of topics for this house. The traditional rulership of the eighth house is Scorpio, a fixed water sign. While many of the influences ascribed to Scorpio pertain, for a more complete understanding of the eighth house, one must examine what the sign sitting as the ruler of the eighth, what planet would be the ruler of that sign, and where that planet domiciled and how is that planet aspected?
Planetary Influences and Financial Aspects
Since one of the many meanings ascribed to the eighth house is inheritances and money from others, a planetary placement here might allude to that topic. Mars in the eighth house might mean fighting for an inheritance, and a favorable aspect from Jupiter might mean success. If Saturn sits in the eighth house, it might deny or delay an inheritance. On the other hand, how lucky is he or she with Venus or Jupiter in the eighth house? So often, I have found these individuals to be supported by another or the beneficiary of an inheritance, especially if in good condition by sign.
Spiritual Transformation and Sexuality
Popular Astrology titillates that the eighth house is also a house of spiritual transformation and sexuality. I have come to understand that the eighth house does give us information about one’s sexual preferences, inner psyche, possible peccadillos, delights, fears, or tendencies. Still, on a deeper level, in the eighth house—especially for those with planets in the eighth house—the theme is about how you experience a partner in your life. The eighth house, to me, is about “valuing thou principle,” and planetary placements in the eighth house are of a shared nature even if the person with whom we are sharing is a psychological construct and not real.
The ‘Thou’ Principle and Partnerships
The eighth house is the 2nd house from the 7th house of partnerships. The eighth house is about the “thou” factor in the subconscious life, and this will receive strong emphasis if a person has planets in the eighth house. Planets in the eighth house lend descriptions and clues as to how one experiences partners in one’s life. Often, people with planets in the eighth house will blindly follow a partner seeking that passion and intensity. There may be a role that they play unconsciously in another person’s life. Sometimes, these roles can cause pain, and lessons are learned. Because of the traditional fixed quality of the eighth house, even if a different modality rules this house, the eighth house native sees what they want to see, and while experiencing emotional depths, they may lose sight of their own purpose and dignity. I think the lesson for anyone with strong eighth house planetary placements is to reclaim their individuality and separate themselves objectively from demands another might place upon that person. Sometimes, a person with a strong eighth house can not objectively see pitfalls in their lives or with partners that others might see, and this person needs to learn life’s lessons through trial and error.
Ruling Signs and Their Influences
To fully dissect the eighth house or any house, one would look to the cusp ruler of that house, its condition, and aspects.
If Aries is on the cusp of the eighth house, then Mars is the ruler of the eighth and third house. This person will likely communicate a desire for sex early in a relationship, and their passions may be ardent and fiery. They love the game of conquering their partner, and you will have to fan their ardor to keep them by your side. They may not be as sensitive to your needs as other signs on this cusp.
If Taurus is on the eighth house cusp, Venus is the ruler here, and she is also ruling the first house; this person loves beauty and appreciates it in the bedroom as well! This person can be loyal and lovable if secure in the partnership. This person values stability and may be waiting for you to first express your emotional depths. I would study Venus placements and aspects for further understanding.
Suppose Gemini is on the eighth house cusp. In that case, this person will be very good at discussing your finances with you and would likely appreciate experiential communication with their sexual partner. They may also wish to communicate with you about psychological issues. This person may convert friends into lovers.
If Cancer is on the eighth house cusp, these people would wish to be remembered after they have died; they may attract a person who wishes to be nurtured or experience nurturance in their relationship. They are cuddlers. I would look to the position and especially examine the aspects of the moon here for further information.
If Leo is on the eighth house cusp, this may signify longevity as the sun rules this person’s vital forces. This person loves to be worshipped and can be funny and flirty. They have creative ideas for joint resources and bedroom antics.
Virgo, on the eighth house, appreciates the attention to detail and cleanliness, whether in the bedroom or joint finances and if married, would likely have insurance policies. Possibly prudish with intimacy, including letting others into their psyche. They will listen intently to what you share.
Libra on the eighth house is all about partnership. They will lend a hand to a joint financial endeavor and have a good sense of legalities. Look to Venus for more information. In the boudoir, they like to be airy and admired, and they can enjoy being seduced with intelligence and champagne.
If Scorpio is on the eighth house cusp, we can experience deep passions. They can be very possessive and make you feel they have known you from eternity. They can be secretive about financial matters, and what’s yours may be theirs. Strong Martian energy may sweep you off your feet if involved with an Aries rising or Mars on the eighth house person. Where is Mars in your chart?
With Sagittarius on the eighth house cusp, this person may benefit from a partner financially. Being Jupiter ruled, they are inclined toward generosity. Since Jupiter also rules their 11th house, it is possible that there would be sexual exchanges with friends or the blending of issues involving the eighth and 11th houses. The Sagittarius eighth house person in a relationship may be an elusive butterfly you can’t quite capture.
Capricorn on the eighth house is not a good sign to receive money from others. The eighth house Capricorn person may exude a type of sexual power or may be attracted to influential people. They have a hard time getting into their own psyche; consequently, they don’t share intimate feelings easily. Saturn and the 9th house of their charts figure prominently, as would Mercury, the chart ruler.
Aquarius on the 8th house would seek to connect with a person intellectually and be turned on by unique viewpoints. They may be lonely and emotionally distant. However, with Cancer rising, they feel deeply and are being self-protective. To understand the person with Aquarius on the eighth house, even if many planets are in this house, you must understand the moon to fully understand the emotional key to an eighth house Aquarius.
Pisces on the eighth house and, if accentuated by planets in the eighth house, is a person who can feel deeply. While this person can lend optimism to a financial venture, they may make nebulous business partners. Their own luck would be determined by the condition of Jupiter. They can be tantalizing as lovers and feel that sex is a spiritual union more than many other signs can.
I hope this sheds some light on the hidden eighth house for those seeking to understand it better!
Suzy
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