A transit refers to the movement of planets through the zodiac and their interactions with the planets within your natal chart.
When a planet transits the 8th house of your natal chart, it means that planet is currently moving through the sector of your chart associated with transformation, death, rebirth, inheritances, intimacy, and the occult. The 8th house is traditionally ruled by Mars which represents desire, energy, passion, sexuality and assertiveness.
In modern astrology, the 8th house is governed by Pluto, the planet of transformation and the darker aspects of life including, secrets, mysteries and psychology. Both planets rule over Scorpio, which enhances the energies of the 8th house.
Scorpio is known for its depth of feeling and emotional intensity. With Scorpio being a water sign, this makes perfect sense for individuals with strong Scorpio placements to experience their emotions very deeply and passionately. Similarly, if you are going through an 8th house transit, you may feel more emotional than normal, less sociable and maybe even an added layer of anxiety (if you’re not used to this energy).
As an Aquarius stellium with mostly air and fire in my chart, my natural flow lies in being a social butterfly with the occasional need for rest, however this transit has made me lean towards introspection and withdrawal from the external world which has felt unsettling. It’s almost been like a battle between mind, body and the state of flow. The recent eclipse and Mercury retrograde have only intensified this internal shift, leaving me drained and struggling to find my creative flow.
In the picture below you can see the 8th house with natal Saturn located there. The transiting planets go counter-anti-clockwise around the chart, the pink arrow is showing the dicrection.
On this date Mercury retrograde, Chiron and Venus are ‘transiting’ through the 8th house, in the sign of Aries. Neptune has just started its transit through this house too, Mars will catch up in a week or so.
Tips for navigating 8th house transits:
Prioritising deep-rest can look different for everyone but for me, it involves slowing it right down and focusing on:
- Less screen time (trust me, you will thank me later for this one!)
- More sleep, for a night owl like me – this one is tough but honestly you will feel a million dollars the next morning.
- Prioritising grounding practices – daily stretching, meditation or yoga. Even if you don’t feel like it, your body needs nourishment and movement
- Setting boundaries and learning to say ‘no’ more. It’s important to fill up your own cup first. You have to be kind to yourself during these transits because they can be HARD.
The 8th house is also about letting go of old patterns, beliefs, and attachments that no longer serve your highest good. Be open and willing to release anything that’s holding you back from personal growth and transformation. Take the time to unpack any insecurities, or worries that you may have and slowly work through them throughout this transit. You can do this through journalling, therapy, or even speaking with a friend or loved one.
Remember that this time will pass, as every transit does! It may feel heavy and intense right now, but the energies always clear up after a few weeks. Trust that if you can survive this turbulent time then you can survive anything, the universe will only bring you what you can handle and these tough times will always lead to growth and transformation.
copyright Leah Richardson April 2024
Mary English Astrologer Blog 