Incest refers to sexual relations between closely related individuals that are considered taboo in society. Most commonly, this refers to sexual relations between mother-son, father-daughter, brother-sister, or between uncles/aunts and nephew and niece. Sexual relations between first cousins are also considered incest in most societies, although in certain cultures marriage among first cousins is common.

Incest can be both consensual, or non-consensual, in which case it counts as a form of sexual abuse.

Consensual incest has a long history in human civilization. Perhaps the most common example is that of Oedipus, the tragic Greek hero who ended up killing his father and marrying his own mother.

Several Egyptian kings of antiquity were known to marry their own daughters, while European nobility often had sexual relations with their siblings. For Game of Thrones afficionados, the case of Cersei and Jamie Lannister would instantly come to mind.

The featured image you see above is a woodcut illustration depicting the ancient Babylonian queen Semiramis having sex with her son Ninias, also known as Nimrod. Source: wikimedia commons

So can astrology help predict whether an individual is likely to encounter incestuous relations?

While astrology can indicate karmic patterns, psychological tendencies, or family dynamics, it does not deterministically predict specific events. That said, certain planetary placements and configurations may suggest perverted family relationships, abuse, troubled lineage patterns, or unnatural sexual tendencies.

Western Astrology Perspectives on Incest-Related Indicators

1. Afflicted Moon – The Moon represents emotions, the mother, and childhood. A heavily afflicted Moon (e.g., conjunct Saturn, Pluto, or Neptune; squared by Mars or Uranus) can indicate emotional instability, childhood trauma, or boundary issues in the family. This can be a common indicator of an unnatural relationship between a mother and son.
2. 8th House Influence – The 8th house governs taboo topics, secrets, sexual trauma, and psychological transformation. Strong malefic placements here (Saturn, Pluto, Mars, or an afflicted Moon or Venus) can indicate complex or abusive sexual dynamics within the family.
3. 4th House and IC (Imum Coeli) – The 4th house represents family and home life. Malefics (Saturn, Mars, Pluto) in the 4th or afflicting the IC could suggest an oppressive, controlling, or abusive home environment.
4. 12th House Planets – The 12th house represents hidden matters, secrecy, and past-life karma. The presence of malefics like Pluto, Saturn, or Neptune here—especially if aspecting the Moon, Venus, or Mars—can indicate suppressed traumas or abuse.
5. Saturn-Pluto-Moon Combinations – Harsh aspects between Saturn, Pluto, and the Moon can indicate repression, fear, and unresolved trauma, especially if connected to the 4th, 8th, or 12th houses.
6. South Node (Ketu) in Hard Aspects – In some cases, South Node aspects to the Moon, Venus, or Saturn may indicate unresolved karmic issues related to the family and past-life entanglements.

Vedic (Indian) Astrology Perspectives on Incest-Related Indicators

1. Afflicted 4th House and 4th Lord – The 4th house represents home, mother, and early family experiences. If afflicted by malefics (Saturn, Mars, Rahu, or Ketu) or conjoined with the 8th or 12th lords, it may indicate traumatic childhood experiences, or unnatural relationships between mother and son.
2. 8th House and 8th Lord – The 8th house governs sexual matters and secrecy. If the 8th lord is afflicted by Saturn, Rahu, or Mars and connects to the 4th or 12th house, there may be indications of unnatural sexual experiences in the family.
3. Venus Afflicted by Malefics – Venus represents love, relationships, and attraction. If Venus is afflicted by Saturn, Mars, or Rahu/Ketu, particularly in the 4th, 8th, or 12th houses, it may suggest unnatural relationships or exploitation.
4. Rahu in the 4th, 8th, or 12th House – Rahu’s placement in these houses can indicate taboo relationships, karmic entanglements, or hidden family secrets.
5. Moon-Saturn or Moon-Rahu Conjunction – This can suggest emotional suppression, distress, or a difficult relationship with the mother, which can sometimes correlate with an unhealthy family dynamic.
6. Afflicted Lagna (Ascendant) or Lagna Lord – If the ascendant or its lord is heavily afflicted (especially by Mars, Saturn, or Rahu), and there are connections to the 4th, 8th, or 12th houses, it could indicate personal suffering due to family-related issues.

Final Thoughts

While certain astrological placements may indicate challenging family dynamics, they do not confirm or guarantee specific traumatic events like incest. If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma, professional support from a qualified therapist or counselor is essential. Astrology can be a tool for understanding and healing but should never replace professional help in sensitive matters.