Phoenixes & Angels: Mastering the Eighth & Twelfth Astrological Houses

By Colleen Black

In 2023, O-Books published Phoenixes & Angels: Mastering the Eighth & Twelfth Astrological Houses, written by Carmen Turner-Schott MSW, LISW. Turner-Schott holds a master’s degree in social work and is a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Manager, with a background in astrology that began at the age of 16. Utilizing both disciplines, Turner-Schott recognized that many of the trauma victims she worked with brought up similar themes within their sessions. These themes corresponded to planetary placements in the eighth and/or twelfth houses of their natal chart. Thus began a 25+ year astrological study of these two houses, of which Phoenixes & Angels is the result.

The book cover is mostly black with the snippet of a golden zodiacal wheel at the top of the page. It includes stock images of a fiery bird and a blueish-grey angel to represent the transformative and spiritual natures of the eighth and twelfth house themes. Although there are more themes to these houses than those mentioned, the book cover works to hold a curiosity of the two houses.

A short introduction educates the reader on the rationale behind the upcoming chapters, defining the terms and beliefs involved. The author uses the terminology “eighth and twelfth house people” (Turner-Schott, 2023, p.1) to represent individuals with planets in those houses at the time of their birth. “It can also represent someone who has an abundance of Scorpio and Pisces energy” (Turner-Schott, 2023, p.1). Turner-Schott (2023) believes that while a stellium of planets intensifies the energy, even a single planet positioned in one or both houses, is highly significant and impactful to the individual.

A modern astrological context was used in her research, outlining that the sign/planet rulerships involved are Scorpio/Pluto and Pisces/Neptune. The characteristics of the planets are defined for astrology novices and an admission of the importance of the planets transiting the two houses during one’s lifetime, are briefly mentioned.

The book is presented in two parts. Part one, discusses the eighth house Phoenixes and is fifteen chapters long. Part two, discusses the twelfth house Angels and is fourteen chapters in length. This makes the book an easy read, in that the reader can choose to read whichever house they are most interested in first, without having to read in succession from page one. However, if one does not read in succession, this reviewer recommends the introductory pages be read initially, prior to choosing to read part one or part two first.

At the end of both parts, each house contains a chapter listing the planets with a description in each house. This is comparable to an astrology cookbook but based on the two houses only. Turner-Schott (2023) also included a chapter on “Personal Wisdom” (p.136, p. 255) in both parts where the reader gains insight directly from some of the participants who write a small paragraph on the planet in their house and the experience in life it has given them. Part one, includes an extra chapter where the Phoenixes are given the same cookbook of planets in the eighth house but with a perspective of the planet’s strengths and weaknesses, within that house.

According to Turner-Schott (2023), eighth house Phoenixes are destined to have karmic experiences related to survival, resilience, and transformation. Change is inevitable and a constant in their lives and being a Phoenix relates to specific topics in the book, such as childhood secrets, power, death sexuality/intimacy, deep emotions, spiritual gifts, and more. The list of topics would be too long to include in this review, but it breaks down experiences an astrologer might expect to see under the common themes of this house and between the Scorpio/Pluto rulerships.

Her research showed some common experiences such as addiction of a parent, trauma, secrets related to the family or information withheld from the eighth house person that becomes exposed, such as paternity or adoption (p.34). Experiencing death at an early age, difficulties with others, relationships, and in expressing emotions, are some other examples.

Twelfth house Angels have experiences that “are mystical, spiritual, unexplained, and secretive” (Turner-Schott, 2023, p.13) and having Angel energy relates to topics such as solitude, escapism, mystical encounters, dreams, suffering, and more. Again, common themes you may expect to see of this house and between the Pisces/Neptune rulerships. Experiences of this house included psychic experiences, dreamwork, lessons with boundaries, invisibility, empathy, and others.

I chose to review this book as somewhat of a personal challenge. To determine how accurate this research would apply to my own life experiences, since I am an eighth house person with a lot of twelfth house energy. I must admit; it was like reading a checklist, which was both validating and provocative. Validating because the research displayed in the book shows that someone truly does understand eighth and twelfth house people. Provocative, because it also challenges the eighth/twelfth house individual to face their shadow side and undesirable traits, that they may not like to admit to or look at. A mirror on paper, if you will.

Without giving much of the book away, I will say that one eighth house item of interest for me was Turner-Schott (2023) discussing the topic of relationships and looking to cusp of the eighth house to find out who one may be attracted to. “The people from my past who hurt me are the same ones I had the greatest attraction to” (Turner-Schott, 2023, p.43). It is unknown what house system was used to gather this information. However, I tested this out with my own chart, in Placidus, and found it to be true. This information may not be news to the seasoned astrologer. As your reviewer, I am a Level 2 student and interpret this information with wonder as I continue to learn to delineate better. Additionally, I am often bewildered as to how literal the planets can translate themselves into one’s life. This comment by the author is a perfect example.

There was a lot of good information in the twelfth house portion of the book, but I felt it got a little off track when the topic of dreams and dreamwork was discussed. Many dream examples were shared by the author. She does mention that her own chart reflects these houses and experiences. However, I felt the point of the book was to hear more of the findings of the participants researched from her clinical practice, and less so the personal accounts of the author. At least, to some degree.

One item that I believe was left out of the book, was on the topic of invisibility. Turner-Schott (2023) writes on twelfth house people often not being acknowledged for the work they do and being unnoticed in a room (p.214). As someone with a lot of twelfth house energy, I believe the opposite is also true. Invisibility is a strength, and skill, twelfth house people can learn to command to deliberately make themselves invisible, so that they are not seen or bothered. It is not negative, and it is fabulous!

Overall, Phoenixes and Angels: Mastering the Eighth and Twelfth Astrological Houses (Turner-Schott, 2023), was a convincing read. For the novice and intermediate astrologer, it is worth the read as it broadens the consideration of themes present in the houses and the sign/planet rulerships. For those who are not eighth and twelfth house people it may help provide insight on these individuals one may end up encountering in their practices. Carmen Turner-Schott has written 13 books, as of this review. You can find out more about her work, at https://carmenturnerschott.com.