For past lives, I usually look at the South Node, the retrogrades and the 12th house. I have Saturn-Uranus-Neptune in Capricorn conjunct on my 12th, retrograde Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, and South Node in Leo in the 7th...probably I used to be in a position of authority, but abused my power (retrograde Saturn & Pluto, South Node in Leo), yet too dependent on others (South Node in the 7th) and with a rather escapist attitude (Uranus & Neptune rx)...my best guess, since my knowledge leaves a lot to be desired....the only thing is that Jupiter is sextile my South Node, so studies were on my path always.
I tried the rule of the 12th house being in the 1st etc, and though I have my doubts about it, I am ecstatic by the results...Saturn, Uranus, Neptune on the 1st, my Ascendant still being in Capricorn! Sun & Merc in the 7th (in the natal, they're on my 6th!)...hmm...sounds astounding!
I've read about Venus square Pluto bringing gender issues. Yeah, I have Venus & Mars square Pluto and I had gender issues...I feel masculine at times and though I'm strongly heterosexual, I used to find myself being drawn to members of my gender!
My sister's Sun and my mum's Ascendant conjunct my South Node, my sissy's Jupiter squares both my Nodes, I share the same North Node with my dad and his Moon conjuncts my South Node and my Sun in the 6th draws Virgos to me in some important crossroads to my life...my current mate has his North Node opposing mine, along with his Uranus and his Ascendant in early Sagittarius loosely squares my nodes...and his Uranus tightly conjuncts my South Node! Well, aren't all those illuminating?
Yet I'm open to any additions or if you want to correct me!