Surviving an 8th House Profection Year
You may have noticed that I've been pretty quiet for the past few months. That was part of the lessons I'm learning from this 8th house profection year. There are a lot of lessons that I'm unpacking.
Groundwork
But, let's start at the beginning: what is a “profection year” and why does it matter? I'll give an overview, but I recommend checking out this episode of the Astrology Podcast if you want an in-depth introduction.
This is a timing technique that's been rediscovered in the past 25 years or so from ancient texts. This technique, specifically, guides you to what Planet is “in charge” for the year, and what houses will be most active during the year. The first year of our life (age 0, essentially) corresponds to the 1st house, the next year (age 1) to the 2nd, and you can count the years around your chart until you get to your current age. I use this technique in just about every consultation, because it helps us look for what's in focus right now.
Annual Profections give us a good starting place – we look at the planet that rules that house (and any other houses it may rule), any placements within that house, and where that ruling planet is in the natal chart. Then, we look to the current sky and where that planet is in the moment, and what it may be interacting with. I am a Taurus rising, and so current age (31) aligns with my Sagittarius 8th house. In my natal chart, this house is empty, but it is still ruled by Jupiter. And so, for the past year, Jupiter has been my lord of the year and topics of the 8th house have been especially prevalent.
The House of Decline
Perhaps, at some point, I'll go in-depth into the houses and the areas of life that they represent, but, that's a bit beyond the scope of this post. But, a general understanding of houses can go a long way in applying the technique of profections.
The 8th house is a place of loss and grief, no matter how we attempt to spin it into “transformation” or “rebirth” to soften the blow. The words we dress this sphere of life in do nothing to diminish the intensity of our experiences. This is a house of difficult things: the realities of loss, failure, and decline. Nothing remains shining and beautiful forever. We cannot avoid rest – no matter how much our current culture wants us to believe otherwise.
From The Houses: Temples of the Sky by Deborah Houlding:
“Originally the 8th house was known as ‘the begining of death’, because from its cusp the heavenly sphere falls towards the descendant.”
This house also serves as a stark reminder that all that comes up must come down. One name for this house is Epicataphora – meaning “falling down into the underworld” and, during the course of the day I find this to be the place where I feel that the sun has declined and that sunset is fast approaching (especially in these winter months).
It is here where we begin to see the results of our (in)actions, but things are often out of our hands now. This house is associated with the resources of others – it is not a place of great personal power. Rather, it is a place where we learn our weaknesses and limitations, and where we may need to rely on others to help us (and experience any and all looming fears that come with vulnerability).
The Lessons
Jupiter, as my lord of year, has brought a plethora of lessons, as he is want to do. Excess and expansion are two of my go-to words for the greater benefic. The irony of this typical powerful and positive planet ruling my 8th house is not at all lost on me.
As one may expect, I have experienced a lot of loss this year (and I know I'm not alone in that), but also got my first glimpse of the process of inheritance and redistribution of resources that happens after death. In particular, I was there to assist in the cleaning out of my great-aunt's home after she passed. Finding the treasures (including: a tea pot, some bells, and a commemorative mug from a family reunion two decades ago) and learning to let go of the no-longer-necessary. Sometimes, the astrology is that straight forward.
But there are always other things happening under the surface. During Jupiter's time in Aquarius, under the watchful eyes of Saturn, I took on too much work, and began to face burnout – until I learned to rest and I learned to effectively communicate what I need to do the most with my time (my natal Jupiter is in the 3rd – house of communication and was traversing my 10th – the house of career and dealing with superiors or authority).
In learning to rest, I shifted into actually being able to relax, and enjoy time with friends.
And, with Jupiter's shifting into Pisces, his watery domain, I too shifted into actually being able to relax, and enjoy time with friends. To allow life to be fun again, rather than a series of things that needed to get done. All that to say – I am back to feeling better situated to engage with and serve my community.
It has been a lot of internal shifts and mental re-framing – but I am glad to be doing the work. My favorite affirmation lately has been “I can do scary things” and I fully attribute that to this 8th house year.
My 8th House Profection Year Toolkit:
Learn to allow for rest, in all it’s forms. For me, this has included more sleep, but also more quiet time for myself, and more breaks from work during the day.
Be aware of your resources and your debts. It is tricky, but necessary, to find the balance here between keeping the score and diving directly into the fear and anxieties that we tend to have around money.
Emotional processing tools. This will, obviously, look different for everyone, but really, the goal is to allow yourself to feel your feelings and process them in a way that does not foster sorrow or shame. For me, that has included a lot of journaling, but also watercolors and collages.
Connect with friends and loved ones. When you are struggling with managing time, energy, or other resources, knowing who has your back is invaluable.
Be kind with yourself.