6th house is opposite from the 12th house
12th house rules prisoners, poor and the downtrodden.
In the outer world, 12th house represents beings that have fallen into society’s blind spots – those that suffer daily without a voice. (In our internal world, 12th house represents our personal blind spots.)
6th house, being the opposite of the 12th, represents people with awareness of the silent suffering that goes on behind the scenes.
6th house activities may involve doing something about those suffering quietly
Protecting small animals, speaking up for the rights of the abused. Serving the needy.
When Mars is involved with 6th house, there may be an urge to right a social wrong, to fight for those that cannot protect themselves. When Moon is connected to the 6th house, the urge might be to protect the weak and feed the hungry.
The activation of 6th house in your horoscope could give you profound cause for wanting to contribute in easing the suffering of others. If you have natal planets in the 6th house, you may feel the impulse to help others on a frequent basis.
6th House Example: Bob Barker (Long time animal rights activist)
In Bob Barker’s natal chart Mars ruling his 6th house is exactly on his Ascendant (fighting for animal rights). Chiron the healer is also in the 6th. Barker is well known for his animal rights activism.
His Moon in Aquarius (usually a strong indicator of humanitarianism) is strongly positioned on the MC-IC axis in opposition with Neptune, which signifies both his TV career and the awareness of suffering. Improving lives for animals is central to this man’s motivation, and his horoscope clearly reflects that fact.
6th House Example: Angelina Jolie (Human rights activist)
In Angelina Jolie’s horoscope, Jupiter ruling her 6th house is exactly on her Midheaven (philanthropy). According to this Time article she first started to become aware of the suffering of refugees in war-torn countries while she was shooting Lara Croft: The Tomb Raider in Cambodia in 2001.
Her Moon and Mars in Aries are both conjunct this Jupiter from the international 9th house (international humanitarianism). Here again we see Mars’ “fighting spirit” that seems essential in going from awareness to taking action.
Do You Have Planets in 6th House? How Do You Experience It?
You may identify with this theme of social activism if you have natal planets in the 6th house, or a 6th house ruler prominently placed in your horoscope like the above examples. What kind of awareness does it create? Do you feel the need to take action to help other people or animals? Feel free to share your thoughts and experience in the comment section.
photo: flickr