The Houses–12 Different Ways to Heal from Stress and Trauma

©1-14-10 by Donna Cunningham, MSW

Resilience—the ability to spring back from stress or trauma—is an important survival skill. Since the survival of the fittest is how evolution occurs in all living things, it’s a bet that we all have an innate capacity to recover from hard times like those we’re facing now.  But where would we find in it our astrology charts?

 Did you immediately think of Pluto and of planets in Scorpio? I certainly did—that, and the 8^th house.  Resilience is related to regeneration, rebirth and renewal, and so it belongs to the Pluto family of planetary expressions.  It’s the phoenix, rising from its own ashes.

Pluto transits can herald times of loss and even, worst case, of trauma. And yet Pluto is also the planet of healing and rebirth, so analyzing natal and transiting Pluto can provide clues on how to come back from our losses.

The house Pluto is placed in at birth or by transit may show people, places, and activities we can look to for solace and healing in tough times. So can the house that has Scorpio on the cusp and any planets in Scorpio in that house.  Sometimes they’re spread out over two adjoining houses, and in that case, you have several areas of life that can help you regenerate yourself.

 Examples of Havens, Based on the Houses 

As an illustration of how this works, I have Scorpio on the 5^th house, and for me, creative projects like writing or web design have been a source of comfort and renewal.  When I am worn down by a grinding period of losses or emotional tribulations, I turn to writing as a way of getting it all out in front of me so I can look at the situation more clearly. In those times when I focus intently on my inner process through writing, I also get comforting messages from the other side—guides and friends who have passed on who remind me who I am.

If it’s the 9^th house, you might find that sort of respite with a trip, even a pilgrimage to a power vortex or a spot that has spiritual meaning to you, even if it’s the local yoga center.  You may come back with renewed resilience. If you can’t afford a trip, go to a bookstore or even a library, and read everything you can by spiritual teachers or people who are experts in helping people recover from losses like yours. The knowledge that others have gone through the same things and gotten their lives back can help you regain confidence.

People with Pluto or Scorpio in the 12^th need a retreat into solitude where they have quiet times of meditation and contemplation that help them understand how and why they’ve been self-destructive. In places of retreat and silence, they reconnect with Spirit and with the wellspring of their own power.

Since the 8th house is naturally related to Scorpio and Pluto, the sign and planets in the 8^th can suggest additional avenues of healing.  Neptune or Pisces in the 8^th might show music, meditation, or dance as a way of rebooting your joy in living. Aries there might say that engaging in a competitive sport, do-it-yourself home remodeling project, or other vigorous activity can reenergize you.  Cancer on the 8^th might suggest a trip back home, long, heart-to-heart talks with Mom,  or cooking a big, traditional holiday meal could give you a sense of your roots restored and a sense of connectedness going back generations.

These are just a few examples. You’ll find lots more articles that cover the houses of the horoscope in detail at the end of this post.

 Housemates—Who Helps and Who Hinders Recovery?

 Extroverts are likely to regain their resilience in the company of other people.  If they have Pluto or Scorpio in the 11^th or 7^th, for example, a mate or dear friend may provide them with the strength they need to get through a grueling situation and may suggest or provide tools for healing.

If it’s in the 3^rd, they may find that sort of guidance from a sibling or relative, or even that helpful soul next door to them.

I’m not saying that these relationships are based on unconditional acceptance. Relationships that develop in the Pluto/Scorpio houses can get pretty gnarly if you focus too much of your energy on that one person and expect them to meet all your needs—or if you allow them to expect that of you.

If that’s the case, look for another individual who belongs to that house position as a temporary source of support. The 7^th house represents counselors, life coaches, astrologers, and other people that can help you heal.  With an 11^th house Pluto or Scorpio placement, find a support group, like a bereavement group or a chat room for fellow sufferers.  (To find out who’ll you’ll find in the house of your own Pluto, see A Who’s Who of your Horoscope–the Players in all 12 Houses.)

 More Articles to Help you Find the Haven You Need

If I didn’t cover the house your own Pluto is in,  you’ll find out more about that house in the downloadable chapter from my ebook An Astrological Guide to Self-Awareness  here: AGSA ch13-houses

If you’re new to this blog, you’ll find many articles here about the difficult transits and how to work them through.  They’re sorted into categories, including these that you might want to mine:  A Pluto-Saturn Preparedness Kit, Houses of the Horoscope, Relationship Astrology, and Relationship Help.

Here’s a list of specific pieces related to this article:

• Download: Shovel-Ready Projects for the 12 Astrological Houses
• A Who’s Who of your Horoscope–the Players in all 12 Houses
• Healing Tools For Plutonians: Transforming The Self And Others
• Reclaiming Our Resilient Spirit
• Purge Yourself of Pluto’s Negativity—Get Free of Bitterness
• Flower Essences to Help You Overcome Fear and Worry
• Space Clearing, Flower Essences, and the Art of Sacred Space
• Internet Find of the Week: New Resources for Healing Grief and Loss
• More Insights into Healing Grief and Loss
• Hope for Those in the Dark Night of the Soul

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Art Credits: The pictures of a phoenix came from the public domain collection at WikiMedia Commons–free photos and art.  The first was contributed by Hautala (talk | contribs); the second from Triton (talk | contribs).