The Astrology of New Year's Resolutions
How Your Birth Chart Can Help You Design Resolutions - and Stick to Them!
It’s that time of year, folks, the harsh dawn of a new year, a time when even the most laissez-faire among us turn serious and soul-searchy and scribble down a few New Year’s resolutions.
And then, most of us promptly forget about the hopeful list of things to do (good for us) and things to not do (bad for us) and more or less get back to life as we’ve always lived it.
Maybe, if we’re lucky, we’re able to stick to one or two resolutions. But the whole list? If sticking to resolutions was easy, we’d be living in a world where everyone is trim, buff, and well-rested and plays guitar daily while maintaining a sparkling house, volunteering regularly at the soup kitchen, and keeping up effortlessly with old friends. (And if this describes your life, by chance, that’s awesome! Keep it up!)
As it happens, astrology offers a way of approaching New Year’s resolutions that can help set you up for success, tapping into both the inner demons that pull us down and the better angels that sustain us. It’s all built into the architecture of the birth chart.
Specifically, the challenging sixth and twelfth houses tell us about our physical and mental health needs and where we undermine ourselves and put ourselves at risk. Meanwhile, the beneficent fifth and eleventh houses describe what brings us joy, as well as our aspirations, hopes, and dreams, and what kinds of people and communities can sustain them.
What we will be discussing here is actually a long-standing practice in traditional astrology known as remediation. Traditionally, remediation is a ritual practice, which might include prayer, mantras, or the use of a magical talisman, undertaken to ameliorate difficult configurations in a natal chart.
A famous example of remediation, which is still in practice today in Indian astrology, is a ceremony in which someone with a natal Mars that is deemed too strong for favorable marriage prospects (usually a woman) is married in a symbolic ceremony to a potted plant, which is then destroyed. The marriage to the plant is thought to take on any negativity that would have affected an actual marriage, which is then ended when the potted plant is destroyed. In this way, the person can move ahead with an actual marriage, hopefully unaffected by their unruly Mars.
But there are other types of DIY remediation, and a potted plant doesn’t have to be involved. Simply imagining what a positive manifestation of a difficult placement or life situation might look like, and trying to align your life in that direction, is an instinctive sort of remediation.
Most people, without knowing anything about astrology, are intuitively trying to practice a type of remediation when they think about their New Year’s resolutions.
We all know, in our heart of hearts, what behaviors undermine our physical or mental health, what bad habits bring us down. We also instinctively know what is good for us, what people support our better natures and what activities can improve our lives. Using astrology can simply make it easier to name and articulate the issues that we may need to address proactively in our lives.
Caution Ahead - The Sixth & Twelfth Houses
In a birth chart, the sixth and twelfth houses are traditionally known as the most difficult houses in the chart. In fact, the ancient astrologers refer to these two houses as “evil.” But this is not just the ancient astrologers being meanies.
This reputation is due mainly to two factors. First, the sixth and twelfth houses are “in aversion” to the Ascendant, meaning that they don’t form a traditional aspect to the powerful first house and therefore can’t benefit from its activating potential. Furthermore, these two houses are two of the four “cadent” houses, which are considered to be “declining,” that is, moving away from the angles and therefore less active.
The sixth house, known as the “house of bad fortune,” is associated with illness, accidents, daily routines (think: housework, chores, all the mind-numbing tasks of daily life, all the busy work of our jobs), subordinates (anyone who works for you or under you and that you must manage), and pets (who combine a ton of daily work and routines, not to mention cleaning, in addition to their many charms).
Located opposite the sixth house, the twelfth house is traditionally known as the “house of bad spirit,” which gives you an idea of the types of issues that come up here — mental health issues, enemies, sickness, loss, seclusion, exile. Modern astrology refers to this house as “the house of self-undoing,” which captures the spiral of negative behaviors that can result from mental health challenges and the cascade of troubles that can follow, such as addiction, homelessness, and so on.
Not only are the sixth and twelfth houses in aversion to the Ascendant and declining or cadent houses, but they are also the houses in which the malefic planets Mars and Saturn are said to rejoice. So, triple whammy.
Mars has its joy in the sixth house, meaning that the malefic planet of conflict, war, brute strength, and aggressive drive is happy in a house in which accidents and bad things can occur. Saturn, meanwhile, has its joy in the twelfth house, rejoicing in an environment in which afflictions of spirit, depression, enemies, restrictions, and exile (self-imposed or not) are the main themes.
If this sounds counterintuitive, keep in mind that the malefic planets, as they are traditionally conceived, aren’t our friends; unlike Jupiter and Venus, who work for our benefit, Mars and Saturn work against our interests (though typically, in any chart, one malefic is more challenging and one more constructive depending on the sect of the chart). So, it makes sense that they enjoy the “evil” houses.
The trick to working with these difficult houses is to examine what issues are likely to arise, based on the signs and planets involved, and then imagine how a positive version of these issues might play out.
Think of it as designing an environment in which a spirited puppy (appropriate for the sixth house) might thrive. You’d need to put out the wee-wee pads and put away your nice shoes, implement crate training and prepare the right treat-stuffed chew toys so that your pup is set up for success instead of destruction.
Let the Good Times Roll - The Fifth & Eleventh Houses
Now that I’ve throughly depressed you, let’s turn to happier territory: two of the best houses of the birth chart. Unlike the “evil” houses described above, these houses are routinely praised as the “house of good fortune” (fifth house) and “house of good spirit” (eleventh house).
Both houses form helpful aspects to the Ascendant (a sextile from the eleventh and a trine from the fifth house), and both are succedent houses, meaning that a couple of hours after the time captured in the birth chart, as the Ascendant moves to the next sign, they will both rise up into the powerful fourth and tenth angular houses.
Ancient texts typically rank these two houses just after the first and tenth houses in terms of facilitating planetary expression, and both are thought to bring about positive things in life.
The fifth house (our favorite house around here, in case you haven’t noticed) is where benefic Venus has her joy. Unsurprisingly, the topics associated with the fifth house are typically venusian in nature, related to relationships (and their outcomes), artistic endeavors, and creating beauty, harmony, and pleasure in general: children, creativity, romance, sex, recreation, gambling, and anything done for the sheer pleasure of it.
This house often describes what hobbies we’re drawn to, as well as what we like to do for fun. It’s also known as the place of “doing good,” showing us where we can do good through volunteering our time and skills (which is often part of a list of resolutions).
Opposite the fifth house, the eleventh house is where the other benefic, Jupiter, rejoices. Whenever Jupiter is involved, things get expansive and philosophical, with a big picture outlook. The eleventh house is known as the place that reflects our hopes and dreams. It’s also the place of friendship (a convivial jupiterian theme), where we find groups of people and communities in which we find kinship. Basically, the eleventh house tells you where you’re likely to find “your people.”
Both the fifth and eleventh houses are also related to the topic of finances, as they form part of the succedent axis of houses, along with the second and eighth houses. While the second house represents personal finance, and the eighth house is other people’s money and shared assets, the fifth and the eleventh houses represent what can happen with money when the benefics get involved.
In the fifth house we see money turned into a game of chance through gambling (playing the lotto is fun!). In the eleventh house we see themes of patronage, philanthropy, and charity as strategies used by groups to support causes, as well as the support of audiences, fans, and the public at large.
Whereas for the sixth and twelfth house we envisioned creating an environment to curb (or doggy-proof) threats to our physical and mental health, for the fifth and eleventh houses, think more of creating an enriching and nourishing environment for a child: yourself.
New Year’s Resolutions Through the Signs
I would venture to guess that 95% of typical New Year’s resolutions fall into the territories of the sixth, twelfth, fifth, or eleventh houses.
According to the learning website goskills.com the top ten New Year’s resolutions are (with my astrological houses annotations in parenthesis):
Exercise more (straight up shoring up of sixth house health issues)
Lose weight (mostly sixth house but potentially with some curbing of twelfth house addictive behaviors)
Get organized (sixth house, but could include the fourth house of home)
Learn a new skill or hobby (fifth house of fun, creativity, leisure, and recreation)
Live life to the fullest (a vague but inspirational eleventh house hope or dream)
Save more money / spend less money (this one is primarily related to the second house of finances, but it could also fall under sixth house daily routines and disciplines that would support saving money)
Quit smoking (twelfth house as any cutting out of addictive behaviors would go in the twelfth house, but also good for the health regimen of the sixth house)
Spend more time with family and friends (eleventh house of friends and communities, but also potentially the fourth house of parents, third house of siblings and other relatives, and/or fifth house of children)
Travel more (this could be the third or ninth houses of short or long-distance travel, though I’ve argued that vacation travel is a joint fifth-ninth house venture)
Read more (this could be a fifth house leisure activity or a positive manifestation of a twelfth house seclusion and meditation activity)
Try listing out your New Year’s resolutions and seeing in what houses they fall. Then, take a look at your natal chart (ideally using Whole Sign Houses) and identify the sixth-twelfth house axis and the fifth-eleventh house axis. Note which signs coincide with each house and any planets located in these houses. Even if there are no planets there, each house has a ruling planet located somewhere in the chart that is in charge of this house (and often one other house, as most planets rule two signs in the traditional rulership scheme).
Threading together the meanings of these signs, houses, and planets can provide insight into strategies that will work for you based on your unique birth chart.
Here’s a guide to thinking about your New Year’s resolutions from an astrological perspective using the sixth and twelfth houses as a guidepost for shoring up health and daily routines and dealing with potential self-destructive behavior, and the fifth and eleventh houses as inspiration for support and better living. Think of the sample resolutions as jumping off points. Don’t forget to read for your rising sign!
Aires Rising (Virgo 6th, Pisces 12th, Leo 5th, Aquarius 11th): you need organized daily routines and an approach to health that centers on clean living, spartan exercise, and purification. Watch out for dissolution and a lack of boundaries in matters of mental health, as well as going overboard in anything that could become addictive. Creative and expressive fun in which you can be the star boosts your spirit. You thrive in communities working to build something better for our social collective. Sample resolutions: eat healthier, cut down on alcohol, take an improv comedy class, get active in a local political group.
Taurus Rising (Libra 6th, Aires 12th, Virgo 5th, Pisces 11th): you crave daily routines that promote beauty and harmony, both of which are necessary for maintaining your physical health. Crises of the spirit can seem to attack suddenly; you may feel on the defensive against enemies and difficult events. Exercise or martial arts can help restore mental health. You like organized activities that stimulate you mentally, and volunteering provides a practical outlet that brings you joy. You like to merge with your friends in activities that expand your knowledge and uplift the spirit. Sample resolutions: take more baths, take up tai chi, volunteer with an adult literacy group, join an organized religious or spiritual group that appeals to you.
Gemini Rising (Scorpio 6th, Taurus 12th, Libra 5th, Aires 11th): you need to feel that your daily routines are transformative. Physical activity is non-negotiable for your physical and mental health. Time alone in nature or surrounded by art and beauty soothes you and is a key to your mental health. Artistic endeavors are a core part of your creative expression. You’re drawn to communities that get things done and have a sense of creative friction. Sample resolutions: train for a marathon, start a garden, take up watercolor painting, join a martial arts collective.
Cancer Rising (Sagittarius 6th, Gemini 12th, Scorpio 5th, Taurus 11th): your health and daily routines need to be meaningful, with a philosophical framework. You can feel scattered or distracted at times of crisis. You may benefit from therapy or journaling as a way to deal with stress. You’re drawn to intense and transformational experiences as a means of creating joy in your life. Groups focused on practical work in the realms of nature and the arts uplift your spirit. Sample resolutions: start a daily yoga practice, journal every day, volunteer to help incarcerated people, become a docent at an art museum.
Leo Rising (Capricorn 6th, Cancer 12th, Sagittarius 5th, Gemini 11th): you benefit from organized and tried and true health strategies and daily routines. Validating your emotions is a key element of supporting your mental health, as are supportive and nurturing relationships. Quests for higher learning and adventures bring you joy. Groups with an intellectual or social bent help you actualize your dreams. Sample resolutions: take up rowing, reconnect with your mother, take a class on philosophy, join a creative writing group.
Virgo Rising (Aquarius 6th, Leo 12th, Capricorn 5th, Cancer 11th): you are drawn to health routines that incorporate theoretical concepts or scientific knowledge. Stressful times can seem to sap your very self and drain your life force. Activities that are classic and in which skill develops over time bring you joy. Groups with an emotional resonance support your higher ideals and provide you with community. Sample resolutions: start a diet based on new nutritional research, join a drama therapy group, take up piano, connect with your far-flung relatives through a genealogical website.
Libra Rising (Pisces 6th, Virgo 12th, Aquarius 5th, Leo 11th): you need your health and daily routines to have a higher meaning. Neuroses and anxieties can drag down your mental health; you tend to overthink in times of crisis. You benefit from structured group activities for recreation. You’re drawn to social groups with a sense of glamour. Sample resolutions: start a daily spiritual ritual, meditate for mental health, join a soccer club, see plays with friends.
Scorpio Rising (Aires 6th house, Libra 12th house, Pisces 5th, Virgo 11th): like Gemini rising, exercise is essential for your physical health, but it’s important not to push yourself too hard. Beauty, harmony, art, and positive relationships raise your spirits and provide refuge in difficult times. Creative projects need to be meaningful and spark your search for truth. An organized approach to seeing friends helps you feel connected and buoys your spirits. Sample resolutions: join a boxing club, renew your membership to the art museum, enjoy a type of sacred music, make a list of friends to see and work your way down.
Sagittarius Rising (Taurus 6th, Scorpio 12th, Aires 5th, Libra 11th): calming down and tending to your body’s needs is essential to your health. In times of crisis you jump into action which can lead to burnout. You need to find active ways to deal proactively with stress. Leisure activities that challenge you and allow you to take risks boost your creativity. Coming together in a beautiful and harmonious way with others who share your values boosts your spirits. Sample resolutions: meditate outside, take up archery for stress relief, try solo rock climbing for fun, attend a gala for a cause you support.
Capricorn Rising (Gemini 6th, Sagittarius 12th, Taurus 5th, Scorpio 11th): you take a cerebral approach to your health and daily routines, often based on something you’ve read. Your faith and core beliefs support you in difficult times; nurturing them helps you in times of crisis. Natural beauty and tactile experiences are key in your approach to creativity and recreation. You seek intensity of experience in your friends and group alliances. Sample resolutions: research a health issue and make a plan for addressing it, undertake a course of study in the history of your religious or spiritual beliefs, take a ceramics class, join a business networking group.
Aquarius Rising (Cancer 6th, Capricorn 12th, Gemini 5th, Sagittarius 11th): a nurturing approach to your physical health and daily routines is key for you; pretend you’re your own mother — how would you nurture yourself? Solitude and time for reflection is important to your mental health. You’re attracted to varied creative and recreational pursuits and need to keep trying new things. Expansive fun is crucial to your way of relating to friends and groups. Sample resolutions: adopt a new pet (or do something awesome for your existing pet), do a silent retreat, join a community theater group, go on a beach vacation with friends.
Pisces Rising (Leo 6th, Aquarius 12th, Cancer 5th, Capricorn 11th): health matters are tied into your identity and self and offer a means of self-expression. Groups of people aligned with you can comfort you in times of stress. You need to nurture your creative interests, tending to them like a garden. Groups associated with classic and high-society interests represent ways to expand your spirit. Sample resolutions: take a zumba class, join a support group for any self-destructive behaviors, learn to bake cupcakes, join the board of a performing arts group that attracts you.
And, belatedly, Happy New Year! Thank you for reading Fifth House Astrology!