Yes, the eighth house, it’s the house in astrology that curls your spine and the one everyone whispers about because of it’s taboo nature. It governs "forbidden" topics such as sex, death, the occult and other people’s money! In addition, it is the most profound of all of the houses.

The eighth house represents the release from personal limitations, which means rebirth/ regeneration and even death. Being second to the seventh house, the eighth house also signifies the money or possessions of partners. It also represents extraction of essences, expenditures, mysteries, business corporations, the stock market, research, restoration, psychoanalysis, and taxes. In addition, the eighth house brings to mind transformation, reincarnation, removal, recycling, scandals and secrets.

Its corresponding sign and planet in astrology is Scorpio and the planet of Pluto. In the tarot, it correlates with the cards of Death and Judgment. In Numerology, it would correlate with the number of 22, the master builder.

The eighth house is one of the psychic trinity of water houses , part of the triangle of the soul, in conjunct with the fourth and twelfth houses. All three of them deal with the past.

In case you are wondering who would qualify for an "8^th house person", I would say a Sun Sign Scorpio, someone born with a natal Sun in the 8^th house or stellium of planets in the 8^th house, someone who has natal aspects to the Sun and Pluto, one born with natal Pluto in the 1st house, and/or just having Scorpio on your 8^th house cusp.

Now if you are having an 8^th house person coming over for dinner, may I suggest some type of seafood perhaps prepared in a nice spicy cajun sauce. Wear a black or crimson colored slinky outfit , and have the lights dimmed with a little jazz music softly playing in the background.

If you need to buy an 8^th house person a gift for some occasion, you can select a mystery or true crime novel, a book on the occult, an exotic perfume or something with a hint of musk in it, an antique, or a gift from Victoria’s Secret. For a young 8^th house person, try a chemistry set or diary.

Eighth house occupations can range anywhere from a stockbroker, tax collector, repo man, psychic, detective, fire-fighter, bail bondsman, undertaker, mortician, garbage collector, insurance adjuster, antique dealer, psychologist, chemist, magician, surgeon, butcher, hypnotherapist, racketeer, pawnbroker or prostitute…just to name a few.

May I highly recommend two great books out on the subject. One is the "Gate Of Rebirth" by Haydn Paul and the other is "The Eighth House" by Marc Robertson.

In summary, this house is the height of intensity and it has it’s own brand of mystique’. Think of "still waters run deep", depths of murky waters, black velvet shrouds, intriguing little boxes, and a hint of subtle incense permeating through the air. Now may I invite you to come over for a little tea and tarot?

By Patricia Darrow, Professional Astrologer, E-mail address: darrowmp@gte.net