What is the 3rd house in astrology? The 3rd house is a space in the sky, which reflects the familiar and well-known environment, whether physical or informational.
As I mentioned in my article about houses, the 3rd house represents:
- Familiar territories.
- Daily interactions with others.
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What does the 3rd House mean?
The 3rd House in Horary Astrology
In horary astrology, the 3rd house reflects particular aspects of the "immediate environment" depending on the situation.
For example, when it comes to territories, it indicates:
- Neighboring places and neighbors.
- Familiar routes, such as traffic jams on the way to the office.
- Hallways within buildings.
- Loading hubs, junctions, and postal services.
When it comes to close relatives, the 3rd house refers to "neighboring relatives":
- Brothers and sisters.
- Cousins.
In matters of informational exchange with others, the 3rd house reflects:
- Basic knowledge of communication, such as literacy, writing, and arithmetic.
- Places where this knowledge is acquired, like elementary school.
- The process of transmitting knowledge, including students who are learning it.
- The internet, communication lines, and similar.
The 3rd House in Medical Astrology
In medical astrology, the 3rd house shows the arms, shoulders, and hands—organs necessary for interacting with the surrounding world.
Additionally, the 3rd zodiac sign and its ruler, Mercury, point to:
- The tongue—an organ of communication,
- The nervous system—a conductor of impulses,
- The pulmonary alveoli—an organ of oxygen exchange.
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The 3rd House in Natal Astrology
In the natal chart, the third house typically represents "neighboring relatives" by blood—brothers, sisters, and cousins. However, in derivative charts, which describe specific life situations (e.g., solar returns, lunar returns, or transits), the third house takes on more specific meanings: neighbors, movement along familiar routes, etc.
Planets in the 3rd House
In horary astrology, a planet in the 3rd house indicates any object related to this house, such as a postal courier, a student, or a neighbor. In medical astrology, a planet in the 3rd house often signifies a disease of the hands or fingers. In natal astrology, the meaning of a planet in the 3rd house depends on its natural significations, celestial state, and the astrological house it rules.
Sun in the 3rd House
The Sun in the 3rd house indicates brothers and, to a lesser extent, sisters, as it is a masculine planet. It predicts life circumstances for the brother, according to its natural significations and the meaning of the house it rules:
Debilitated Sun (in exile or fall) foretells public disgrace for the brother. Specifically, it predicts:
- The threat of public death if it rules his 8th house;
- If the Sun rules the brother's 12th house, diseases associated with it include heart conditions, eye problems, and brain issues;
- Enemies among high-ranking people if it rules his 7th house;
- And so on.
Dignifies Sun (in exaltation or its sign) promises power and fame for the brother, according to the nature of the Sun. Specifically, it promises:
- Love and support from the father, if it rules the 4th house of the chart;
- Influential allies if it rules the brother's 11th house;
- And so on.
By combining the natural significations of the Sun, the house it rules, and its heavenly state, you can determine what the Sun foretells for your brother.
Moon in the 3rd house
The Moon in the 3rd house symbolizes sisters and, to a lesser extent, brothers, as it is a feminine planet. The life circumstances of the sister are determined by the natural significations of the Moon and the meaning of the house it rules:
Debilitated Moon (in exile or fall) foretells a wandering or exile for the sister, as it is the planet of travel. Specifically:
- Diseases related to the Moon, such as dropsy, sleepwalking, or lesions of the brain's white matter, if the Moon rules the 12th house;
- The danger of drowning if the Moon rules the sister's 8th house;
- And so on.
Dignified Moon (in exaltation or its sign) promises many children for the sister, especially if it rules her 5th house. Specifically, it promises:
- Love from the mother, if it rules the 4th house of your parents;
- Successful moves to another country if it rules the sister's 9th house;
- And so on.
By combining the natural significations of the Moon, the meaning of the house it rules, and its heavenly state, you will understand what the Moon specifically foretells for your sister.
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Mercury in the 3rd House
Mercury in the 3rd house equally symbolizes both brothers and sisters, as it is a gender-neutral planet. Life events related to them are determined by the natural significations of Mercury and the meaning of the house it rules:
Debilitated Mercury (in exile or fall) promises misfortune or causes brothers and sisters to tend to deceive. Specifically:
- If it rules their 12th house, it foretells Mercury-related illnesses, such as nervous system disorders.
- If Mercury rules the 8th house of the brothers, it indicates the risk of the brother or sister's death through poisoning or false accusations, according to Mercury's nature.
- And so on, depending on the house.
Dignified Mercury (in exaltation or its sign) promises sharp intellect for brothers and sisters. Specifically, it denotes:
- A scientific career for the brothers and sisters if it rules their 10th house;
- Success in trade if it rules their 7th house;
- And so on.
Similarly, by combining Mercury's significations, its heavenly state, and the meaning of the house it rules, you can predict its influence on the lives of your brothers and sisters.
Venus in the 3rd House
Venus in the 3rd house symbolizes your sisters (and, to a lesser extent, your brothers), as it is a feminine planet. The life circumstances of sisters will be determined by the natural significations of Venus and the meaning of the house it rules:
Afflicted Venus (in exile or fall) promises misfortune in love for sisters. Specifically:
- If it rules the sister's 12th house, it foretells envy or problems with the kidneys and reproductive organs.
- If it rules the 4th house of the chart, it indicates rejection by the mother.
Benefic Venus (in exaltation or its sign) promises physical pleasures, love, beauty, and luxury for the sister. Specifically, it promises her a happy marriage if it rules her 7th house.
Thus, the combination of Venus's meaning, the house it rules, and its condition will describe the future events in your sister's life.
Mars in the 3rd House
Mars in the 3rd house indicates brothers and, to a lesser extent, sisters, as it is a masculine planet. The life circumstances of brothers are determined by the natural significations of Mars and the meaning of the house it rules:
Debilitated Mars (in exile or fall) forewarns quarrels, injuries, and a conflict-prone nature in brothers in general. Specifically, it foretells:
- The threat of violent death if it rules their 8th house;
- Defeat from enemies if it rules their 7th house;
- Illnesses related to Mars, such as inflammations or gallbladder diseases, if it rules their 12th house.
Dignified Mars (in exaltation or its sign) promises military activity or athletic prowess for brothers in general. Specifically:
- Victory over enemies if it rules their 7th house.
- Accumulation of wealth, but with elements of extravagance, if it rules their 2nd house.
- And so on.
By combining Mars's natural meaning, the house it rules, and its heavenly state, you can understand what Mars foretells for your brothers.
Jupiter in the 3rd House
Jupiter in the 3rd house indicates your brothers and, to a lesser extent, your sisters, as it is a masculine planet. The life circumstances of brothers depend on the natural significations of Jupiter and the meaning of the house it rules:
Afflicted Jupiter (in exile or fall) forewarns problems with the law for brothers in general. Specifically, it shows:
- Rejection of the brother by the father if it rules your 4th house.
- Secret enemies among the nobility or diseases related to Jupiter, such as liver or lung diseases, if it rules the brother's 12th house.
Benefic Jupiter (in exaltation or its sign) promises wealth and a high position for brothers. Specifically, it shows:
- A high-ranking spouse for the brother if it rules his 7th house.
- Allies among the nobility if it rules the brother's 11th house.
Based on the combination of Jupiter's natural meaning, the house it rules, and its heavenly state, you can determine what exactly Jupiter forewarns for your brother.
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Saturn in the 3rd House
Saturn in the 3rd house indicates your brothers and, to a lesser extent, your sisters, as it is a masculine planet. The life circumstances of brothers depend on the natural significations of Saturn and the meaning of the house it rules:
Afflicted Saturn (in exile or fall) foretells a difficult life for the brother with many limitations and illnesses. Specifically, it shows:
- Imprisonment or cancer if it rules the brother's 12th house.
- Poverty if it rules his 2nd house.
- And so on.
Benefic Saturn (in exaltation or its sign) promises achievements for brothers but through hard work or dishonesty. Specifically, it foretells:
- A late or short marriage if it rules their 7th house.
- Financial stability, but through strict saving, if it rules their 2nd house.
Combining Saturn's natural meaning, the house it rules, and its heavenly state, you can determine what Saturn forewarns for your brothers.
Where is the 3rd House, and which Planet Corresponds to It?
The 3rd house is located below the horizon on the eastern side.
In natal astrology, the 3rd house symbolizes siblings. Mercury is the planet closest in meaning to the 3rd house, as it also naturally shows this aspect of your life. However, your brother or sister is indicated by the planets in the 3rd house and its ruler, not by Mercury alone. The connection between Mercury and the 3rd house is described below.
The Stellium of Planets in the 3rd House
If several planets are in the 3rd house, each of them will indicate certain events in the life of your brothers or sisters:
- Some planets may predict happy moments.
- Others may foretell challenging or unfavorable circumstances.
The most significant planet will be the one closest to the cusp of the 3rd house or the one that has control over the others by reception, or Mercury—the natural ruler of siblings—if it is in this house or has become its ruler. Here, we consider the connection between Mercury and the 3rd house.
If you do not have brothers or sisters, the indications of the 3rd house lose their meaning, as the natal chart does not indicate their presence, especially if they were born before you—this depends on the horoscope of your parents, not yours. However, the planets in the 3rd house and its ruler will indicate events in your siblings' lives and their impact on your life if siblings exist.
Important: Planets in the 3rd house do not describe you. If they only reflected your personality, predictions about siblings would be impossible.
In the first part of our course on predictive astrology, we thoroughly explore why many modern approaches to astrology don't work and teach how to make accurate predictions.
