Continuing our discussion from the past two months, the energy of Planets in the natal 12th house are more difficult to tap into than other placements.

With the Moon in the 12th, emotions are often more private, or perhaps we're more cautious about who we're willing to share them with.  There may sometimes be a behind-the-scenes influence of the mother.  Perhaps there is a tremendous emotional sensitivity being kept under wraps.

Using our analogy from prior articles, a 12th house Moon behaves as if it were retrograde.  Of course, this is technically impossible, but it is helpful as we examine the dynamics involved.  The Moon reflects our emotional needs but management of the 12th house placement it isn't an easy process.

This placement may also show up in some individuals as an ability to share private emotions or relating emotionally in an indirect way, such as through written or other creative works.  D.H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers, and Lady Chatterly's Lover, with their "explicit treatment of sexual fulfillment"* were controversial in his own time and yet was able to connect with readers in ways that they hadn't previously experienced.    O. Henry's short stories touched us with their wit, irony, and poignancy.  Alfred Lord Tennyson was England's poet laureate and "is considered to be one of the greatest poets of all time due to the sheer beauty of his words." (Moon in Libra!)* Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber  touched countless numbers in Phantom and Jesus Christ Superstar among others.

Although Liberace's flamboyant lifestyle made "his homosexuality one of the worst-kept secrets in show business"* his talent and widespread appeal  propelled him to widespread success.   Shirley MacLaine's popularity has remained steady despite (or perhaps because of) her non-mainstream beliefs in metaphysics.

We also can see these traits in actors or in the roles they play.  Greta Garbo was often reclusive and withdrawn.  Matt Damon wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting.  Gregory Peck was selected as the all-time #1 most heroic figure in motion pictures for his passionate, yet emotionally controlled role as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Marcel Marceau, doubtless the most recognizable mime in history, symbolically expresses the emotional challenges of having the Moon in the 12th -- the challenge of relating with others emotionally .  

Will Rogers Sr. endeared himself to the public with a philosophical, often humorous view of our world and ourselves.   Mystic Paramahansa Yogananda emotionally connected with large numbers of people and was the founder of the Self-Realization Movement.  

Tennis sensations Chris Evert was "Trained by her father never to show emotions on the court"*.  The enigmatic coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson embraces Zen meditation and "aggressiveness without anger".*

As the above examples show, when an appropriate expression of a 12th house Moon is found we often see tremendous empathy from the public and resultant success.   But when the emotional connection is frustrated, we can see a less savory side of human nature.

Sometimes hiding behind the public image is a secret, private side of life.  Hogan's Heroes actor Bob Crane's behind-the-scenes sexual escapades became public after his death.  It is even suggested that his underground sexual involvement may have somehow been related to his murder.

"Beat generation" poet Allen Ginsberg was out of the literary, cultural, political, and sexual mainstream and described his political and social views as "absolute defiance".*

Solitary and often reclusive King Ludwig II of Bavaria (Mad Ludwig) was compelled to keep himself emotionally isolated.

When the frustrated emotional expression becomes intolerable there can be violent outbursts. Emotionally disturbed Arthur Bremer "shot and paralyzed presidential candidate George Wallace in 1972"*  and Sirhan Sirhan murdered Senator Robert Kennedy.  Rodney King's arrest and beating was not the end of his emotionally challenging situations (Moon in Aries).

Understanding the 12th house Moon can be a challenge to the Astrologer as well as the client.  By having a better grasp of the probable range of expression, it becomes easier to incorporate this crucial component into the overall chart analysis and synthesis.

* excerpted from AstroDatabank biographies