Eighth house (Ayu bhava)
The eighth house (Ayu bhava) governs longevity, sudden change, transformation, inheritance, hidden matters and research. It is a dusthana, yet also the house of depth, resilience and the occult sciences.
Also known as: randhra bhava, mrityu bhava, ashtama bhava, 8th house, house of longevity
Ayu means life span. The 8th house describes how life renews itself through crises and turning points; inheritance, insurance and a spouse’s resources; and secrets, research, investigation and occult knowledge, including astrology itself. It is the house of what lies beneath the surface.
Saturn is its natural significator and Scorpio its natural sign. Planets here can bring unexpected events and a gift for deep study. The 8th lord is generally handled with care, except when it also rules the ascendant, as for Aries and Libra rising. Many researchers, healers, scientists and astrologers have a prominent 8th house.
Despite its reputation, the 8th house never decides the length of a life on its own, and responsible astrologers do not make such predictions. Read it instead for your capacity to transform, recover and look deeply into things.