Anubis: Shadow & Rebirth in Astrology
As the celestial clock ticks forward into the summer of 2025, a profound shift in our astrological understanding is unfolding, drawing our attention to the potent symbolism of celestial bodies often overlooked. Among these, the asteroid Anubis (7011) emerges from the cosmic shadows, offering a compelling lens through which to examine themes of endings, transformations, and the profound rebirth that follows. For those delving into the deeper currents of archetypal astrology, Anubis speaks a language of ancient wisdom, connecting us to the Egyptian god of the afterlife, mummification, and the weighing of the heart. Its presence in our birth charts, and its transits through the zodiac, are not merely academic curiosities; they are powerful indicators of where we are called to face our mortality, confront our shadow selves, and ultimately, emerge renewed.
The journey into understanding Anubis in astrology is akin to descending into the underworld of our own psyche. It’s about acknowledging the cycles of death and rebirth that are fundamental to existence, both on a personal and collective level. In a world that often shies away from discussing endings, Anubis bravely confronts us with them, urging us to see that every conclusion is merely a prelude to a new beginning. This asteroid, named after the jackal-headed deity who guided souls through the Duat (the Egyptian underworld) and presided over embalming, embodies the necessary processes of shedding the old to make way for the new. Its astrological significance lies in its capacity to illuminate our deepest fears surrounding loss, change, and the unknown, while simultaneously revealing our innate strength and resilience in navigating these transitions.
Many are drawn to Anubis when they feel stuck in a particular phase of life, or when facing significant upheaval. Its influence can manifest as a feeling of being "stuck in transition," unable to move forward or backward. This can be a deeply unsettling experience, but it is precisely in these liminal spaces that Anubis’s wisdom is most potent. It asks us to pause, to reflect, and to understand what needs to be released. Think of it like a snake shedding its skin; the old skin is no longer useful and must be discarded for the snake to grow. Anubis in our charts points to the areas of our lives where such shedding is not only necessary but also divinely guided.
The Mythology and Archetype of Anubis
To truly grasp the astrological significance of Anubis, we must first understand its mythological roots. Anubis was one of the oldest and most revered deities in the ancient Egyptian pantheon. He was often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or as a full jackal, animals that were commonly seen in cemeteries. His role was multifaceted: he was the god of mummification, overseeing the embalming process and ensuring the preservation of the body for the afterlife. Crucially, he was also the god of the underworld, the psychopomp who guided the souls of the deceased through the perilous journey of the Duat.
Perhaps his most iconic role was in the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony. Here, Anubis would place the heart of the deceased on one side of a scale, with the feather of Ma'at (truth and justice) on the other. If the heart was lighter than the feather, signifying a life lived with integrity and virtue, the soul could pass into the afterlife. If it was heavier, burdened by sin and wrongdoing, it would be devoured by the monstrous Ammit. This ritual highlights Anubis’s connection to judgment, accountability, and the ultimate reckoning of one’s life.
As an astrological archetype, Anubis embodies these qualities. He represents the necessary death of ego, of old patterns, of outdated beliefs. He is the guide through the dark night of the soul, the one who helps us confront our deepest fears and insecurities. When Anubis is prominent in a birth chart, it suggests an individual who is deeply attuned to the cycles of life and death, who may have experienced significant loss or transformation early in life, or who is destined to guide others through their own periods of crisis and renewal.
The jackal, often seen as a scavenger or a creature of the night, also carries symbolic weight. In this context, it’s not about negativity, but about the ability to find sustenance and meaning even in what might seem like decay or endings. The jackal is resourceful, resilient, and understands the natural order of things. This is the energy Anubis brings to our charts: the ability to not just survive endings, but to find purpose and growth within them.
Anubis in the Birth Chart: Personalizing the Cycles
The placement of asteroid Anubis in your natal chart is deeply personal and offers unique insights into your life's journey. Its zodiac sign reveals the way you approach endings and transformations, the energy you bring to these processes. Its house placement indicates the area of life where these themes are most prominent and where you are likely to experience significant cycles of death and rebirth.
For instance, Anubis in Aries might indicate a person who dives headfirst into endings, perhaps impulsively, but also with a pioneering spirit that allows them to forge new paths quickly. Anubis in Taurus could suggest a more grounded approach, where transformations are slow and deliberate, focusing on rebuilding a stable foundation after loss. Anubis in Gemini might point to a need to communicate about endings, to process them through dialogue and intellectual understanding, while Anubis in Cancer suggests that emotional processing and nurturing are key to navigating these transitions.
Consider a client I worked with, Sarah, who had Anubis conjunct her natal Moon in Scorpio in the 8th house. Her life was marked by profound emotional upheavals and significant losses from a young age, including the early death of her mother. The Scorpio Moon in the 8th house already speaks of intense emotional depths and an attraction to the mysteries of life and death. The Anubis conjunction amplified this, making her intimately familiar with the process of emotional "death" and subsequent rebirth. She had to shed her childhood innocence and learn to navigate the darker aspects of human experience. Anubis guided her to become a grief counselor, where her own experiences allowed her to empathize deeply and guide others through their darkest hours, helping them find meaning and renewal after loss. Her journey wasn't easy, but Anubis empowered her to transform pain into profound wisdom and a powerful healing gift.
The house placement is equally crucial. Anubis in the 1st house might mean that personal identity is frequently reshaped, with individuals undergoing dramatic personal transformations throughout their lives. Anubis in the 4th house could point to family legacy, ancestral patterns of loss and renewal, or significant changes in home and roots. Anubis in the 10th house might indicate career transformations, endings in public life, or a destiny tied to guiding others through societal shifts.
When Anubis is in aspect to other planets, it further refines its meaning. An Anubis-Saturn aspect, for example, could signify a karmic lesson related to responsibility and structure during times of endings. An Anubis-Venus aspect might suggest transformations in relationships and values, perhaps learning profound lessons about love through loss. An Anubis-Pluto aspect would be exceptionally potent, indicating deep, Plutonian transformations that involve power, control, and the uncovering of hidden truths surrounding death and rebirth.
Anubis Transits: Navigating Current Cycles
Beyond the birth chart, the transiting Anubis offers a timely astrological forecast, highlighting periods where we are collectively and individually called to engage with themes of ending and transformation. As of June 2025, understanding Anubis’s current movements can provide invaluable guidance for navigating the present moment.
Transiting Anubis moving through a particular zodiac sign will imbue that sign’s energy with its transformative power. For example, if Anubis is transiting through Leo, we might see a collective need to confront ego-driven endings or to transform our creative expressions and leadership styles. If it’s moving through Libra, themes of relationship endings, karmic partnerships, and the need for balance in the face of loss become more prominent.
The house Anubis transits through in your current chart (based on your rising sign) is where you are most likely to feel its influence. A transit of Anubis through your 12th house, for instance, could signal a period of deep inner work, confronting subconscious patterns related to endings, and preparing for a significant rebirth that will emerge from this introspective phase. A transit through the 5th house might bring about transformations in romance, children, or creative projects, requiring you to let go of old forms to birth something new.
When transiting Anubis forms aspects to your natal planets, the impact becomes even more specific. A transit of Anubis squaring your natal Sun can be a powerful period of ego death, forcing you to redefine your identity and purpose after a significant challenge or ending. A trine from transiting Anubis to your natal Mercury might facilitate profound insights and communication about your life’s transitions, allowing you to articulate your experiences and learnings with clarity.
I recently observed Anubis forming a conjunction to a client’s natal Venus in Cancer. She was going through a difficult divorce, which felt like the death of her most cherished emotional security and family dreams. The Anubis transit amplified the pain but also provided the necessary impetus for her to confront what wasn't working and to understand what she truly needed to feel safe and loved. As Anubis moved through this conjunction, she began to see the divorce not just as an ending, but as a necessary shedding of an outdated structure that was preventing her from evolving. By the time the transit passed, she had begun a new chapter, rebuilding her life with a clearer understanding of her emotional needs and a newfound resilience. This highlights how Anubis, while often associated with difficult endings, ultimately serves as a catalyst for profound personal growth and renewal.
Practical Applications: Embracing Anubis's Wisdom
The astrological insights offered by Anubis are not meant to be passively observed but actively integrated into our lives. The core message of Anubis is about embracing the natural, cyclical nature of existence. Here are some practical ways to work with its energy:
Confront Your Shadow: Anubis invites us to look at the parts of ourselves that we tend to hide or deny – our fears, our insecurities, our past traumas. Journaling, meditation, or seeking therapy can be powerful tools for exploring these hidden aspects. What endings are you resisting? What parts of yourself do you need to "bury" or let go of?
Rituals of Release: Just as Anubis presided over embalming, he can guide us in ritualistically releasing what no longer serves us. This could involve writing down old habits, beliefs, or relationships that need to end and then symbolically burning them, burying them, or dissolving them in water. These acts create a tangible sense of closure and make space for new beginnings. As we move through 2025, many are finding solace and empowerment in creating personal release rituals.
Embrace Liminal Spaces: Anubis thrives in the in-between, the transitional phases. Instead of fearing these periods, learn to be present within them. What can you learn from the uncertainty? What new perspectives are emerging? This mindful engagement with transition is a key Anubis practice.
Seek Guidance: If Anubis is strongly activated in your chart or through transits, consider working with a trusted astrologer, therapist, or spiritual guide. They can help you navigate the intense energies and unearth the wisdom embedded within your experiences.
Honor the Sacredness of Endings: In many cultures, death and endings are treated with great reverence. Anubis encourages us to adopt a similar attitude towards the natural cycles of life. By honoring what has passed, we can move forward with greater peace and acceptance. This can involve creating memorial spaces, writing letters to those who have passed, or simply taking time to reflect on the lessons learned from past experiences.
Transform Your Fears: Anubis’s journey through the underworld is ultimately about transformation. Identify a fear related to endings or loss in your life. How can you consciously choose to transform that fear into courage, acceptance, or even wisdom? For example, if you fear the ending of a relationship, can you focus on the growth you’ve experienced within it and the potential for future happiness, rather than solely on the pain of separation?
Anubis and Modern Spiritual Trends
The re-emergence of interest in archetypal astrology, including asteroids like Anubis, aligns perfectly with contemporary spiritual trends. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, people are seeking deeper meaning and connection to ancient wisdom traditions. The Egyptian pantheon, with its profound symbolism of life, death, and the afterlife, offers a rich tapestry for this exploration.
The "shadow work" movement, which encourages individuals to explore and integrate their unconscious or repressed aspects, finds a natural ally in Anubis. As a society, we are becoming more comfortable with discussing mental health, trauma, and the complexities of the human psyche. Anubis astrology provides a symbolic framework for understanding these processes, reframing difficult experiences as opportunities for profound personal evolution.
Furthermore, the growing interest in ancestral healing and understanding generational patterns resonates deeply with Anubis’s connection to the underworld and the legacy of the past. Many are exploring how past family traumas or strengths might be influencing their present lives, and Anubis can shed light on these inherited cycles of ending and renewal.
The current astrological climate of 2025, with its emphasis on transformation and the shedding of old paradigms, makes Anubis particularly relevant. We are being called to release outdated structures, both personally and collectively, and to build something new from the ground up. Anubis is the divine guide in this process, ensuring that even in the face of profound change, we are moving towards a more authentic and evolved state of being.
Anubis in Aspect to Other Asteroids: A Deeper Dive
To truly appreciate the nuanced influence of Anubis, it’s beneficial to consider its interactions with other significant asteroids, particularly those that resonate with themes of death, transformation, and the underworld.
Anubis and Chiron: Chiron, the Wounded Healer, often relates to our deepest wounds and our capacity to heal ourselves and others through those wounds. When Anubis and Chiron are closely aligned in a chart, it suggests that profound transformations (Anubis) are often initiated or deeply influenced by significant life wounds (Chiron). An individual might find their path to healing and their life’s purpose through confronting and integrating major losses or traumatic endings. For example, someone with Anubis conjunct Chiron might have experienced a devastating loss that ultimately became the catalyst for their spiritual awakening and their ability to guide others through similar pain.
Anubis and Hades: The asteroid Hades is often associated with the underworld, hidden things, and the primal forces of dissolution. An Anubis-Hades conjunction or strong aspect can amplify the themes of confronting mortality, delving into the subconscious, and facing ancestral shadow material. This pairing might indicate a deep, perhaps even karmic, connection to the cycles of death and rebirth, and a potential to uncover hidden truths about mortality or the nature of existence.
Anubis and Eris: Eris, the dwarf planet named after the Greek goddess of discord and strife, brings an element of disruption and the challenging of established orders. An Anubis-Eris aspect can signify transformations that are brought about through conflict, rebellion, or the shattering of illusions. Endings might be more abrupt or confrontational, requiring individuals to assert themselves forcefully to initiate change and rebirth. This can be a powerful aspect for activists or those who challenge the status quo, as they often face significant resistance and must undergo personal transformations to achieve their goals.
Anubis and Pallas Athena: Pallas Athena represents wisdom, strategy, and the ability to see patterns. When Anubis and Pallas Athena are in aspect, it suggests that transformations and endings can be navigated with strategic foresight and insightful wisdom. This pairing can indicate a capacity to analyze endings, to plan for rebirth, and to use one's intellect to guide through periods of significant change. It’s about approaching the "death" of old ways with a clear, strategic mind.
Understanding these inter-asteroid dynamics adds layers of complexity and personal meaning to the Anubis archetype. It’s a reminder that no celestial body operates in isolation, but rather as part of a dynamic, interconnected cosmic symphony.
Conclusion: Anubis as a Guide to Transformation
As we continue through 2025 and beyond, the asteroid Anubis offers a vital, if sometimes challenging, perspective on our lives. It reminds us that endings are not failures, but essential components of growth. It calls us to face our fears, to embrace the necessary shedding of the old, and to trust in the process of rebirth.
Whether you discover Anubis prominently placed in your birth chart or feel its influence through current transits, its message is one of profound potential. By understanding its mythological roots and its astrological symbolism, we can learn to work with its energy, transforming periods of loss and change into opportunities for deeper wisdom, greater resilience, and a more authentic expression of our souls. Anubis is not a harbinger of doom, but a sacred guide, leading us through the necessary darkness towards the light of a new dawn. Embrace its wisdom, and you will find that even in the deepest endings, the seeds of rebirth are already sown.