Secrets of the Third House – Part 2: The Primal Mind and Unconscious Patterns
By Barry Rosen
The Third House as the Seat of the Primal Mind
After 38 years of practicing Vedic astrology, I’ve discovered that most astrologers barely scratch the surface when it comes to the 3rd house. While they discuss siblings, communication, and short journeys, they miss the profound psychological depths that make this house so crucial to understanding human behavior.
I observe that the 3rd house is 12th from the 4th house of mental happiness and peace. That placement provides a major clue – it’s connected to the unconscious or primal mind. In my analysis, this represents what Freud called the id, where desire, anger, and primal urges live and breathe. I’ve seen this pattern repeatedly in the thousands of charts I’ve studied over the decades.
I identify this house as governing what I term the reptilian brain – that ancient part of consciousness that controls core sexual drives and aggressive impulses. The natural third sign of the zodiac is Gemini, which in Sanskrit emerges as Mithuna, meaning copulation. The ancients understood this connection, even if modern astrologers have lost sight of it.
Why the Ancients Were Quiet About the Third House
I often wonder if the ancients failed to discuss the third house significantly or clearly because sex and violence are taboo subjects, while simultaneously being such primal and natural urges in society. My observation is that examining what sells in Hollywood provides insight into why creativity, sex, violence, writing, and artistic expression are so interconnected with the third house.
The Journey from Boyhood to Adolescence
In my teaching framework, I map the houses to life stages: 1st house represents birth, 2nd house represents early childhood, and the 3rd house represents adolescence. I describe it as a place of raw energy where adolescent recklessness can prevail – where individuals expand their Martian search for adventure and recreation.
I characterize the 3rd house as a growth house, but this is “a polite way of saying that if we can overcome adolescent sexual impulsive behavior and violence, suggested by the karaka Mars, then we can grow out of our primal urges.” However, as I always tell my students – this is not always the case.
Jupiter’s Downfall – When Dharma Goes Astray
One of the most significant discoveries in my practice is that Jupiter in the 3rd house represents Marana Karaka Sthana – the weakest placement for the planet. I’ve observed that Jupiter falls out of favor here, moving out of dharma and its natural quest for higher wisdom. Instead, it falls into sexual play, laziness, and lack of motivation.
My assessment is that Jupiter in the 3rd house can manifest as low ethics. I point to Bill Gates’ chart as an example that demonstrates this principle.
The 8th from 8th: Past Life Desires Surface
Here’s something most astrologers miss entirely – the 3rd house brings in strong desires from past lives because it’s 8th from the 8th house. My observation is that when both Mars and Venus occupy this house, individuals may have too much primal, unconscious, and uncontrollable energy that can lead to difficulties.
In my analysis, these desires may be past life mistakes since the house is 8th from the 8th, and they could influence karma for the future. I’ve counseled many clients where their strongest compulsions in this lifetime clearly stem from unresolved karmic patterns.
Health and the Immune System
I connect the third house to what I call “armor for protection.” It governs the immune system and survival skills and rules the thymus gland which creates T-cells that fight illness.
A crucial insight I’ve learned from my practice is that disease from the 3rd house is not past karma but created from actions in the current lifetime.
The Fighting Energy Must Be Transformed
I observe that by nature, the 3rd house carries fighting energy because of its deep connection to Mars. With Mars as the natural karaka, the third house relates to fighting, competition, and aggression. My research shows that the more malefics present in the 3rd house, the more battles an individual will initiate. Conversely, the more benefics present in the 3rd house, the more attacks they will receive while wanting to run away.
I teach that the remedy is always Mercury/Gemini energy, which needs to move into friendship rather than fight. Mars is unhappy in the 4th house of home and domestic tranquility – Mars needs to “get out and flex its muscles and prove his manliness in the 3rd house – 12 houses away.”
Sexual Energy and Its Manifestations
I identify the 3rd house as a kama house of pleasure and desire. In my analysis, the D-9 or Navamsha chart will reveal significant information about sexual energy, and the D-3 or Drekkana chart will also reveal information about sexual energies.
I’ve observed these consistent patterns:
- Moon and Venus in the 3rd house make individuals passionate
- Mars creates excessive aggression in sexual conquests
- Rahu becomes obsessed with sexual energy unless it has dignity in Virgo
- Ketu remains indifferent toward sex due to its monk-like nature
My research indicates that malefics positioned between the 3rd and 9th house axis may lead to breaks in marriage during their dashas. I’ve observed this pattern destroy marriages when clients don’t understand the timing involved.
Channeling Primal Energy into Art
I teach that if the 3rd house energy can be channeled away from sexual conquest into artistic expression, the energy can be elevated to create great art. My observations show that connecting Moon to the 3rd house can bring joy in singing and poetry. Connecting the Sun to the 3rd house may develop spiritual reading and playing musical instruments. Venus here can manifest as painting and dance, while Mercury here often becomes creative writing.
I identify this as the key to working with this house – transformation rather than suppression.
The Nice Guy Syndrome
My research indicates that having benefics in the 3rd house creates challenges because the 3rd house relates to fighting and standing up for one’s territory. When Venus, Jupiter, the Moon, or Mercury occupy this position, individuals may be too accommodating toward disruptive neighbors or fail to stand their ground in challenging situations.
I call this “the nice guy syndrome.” These benefics become tested and weak, requiring strong effort to be provoked and tested. In some cases, I’ve seen these benefic placements drain the individual’s energy, creating a sense that they must constantly work to support the planet’s significations. For me, with Venus in the 3rd, painting becomes my stress outlet, but there’s always potential for positive expression through creative outlets despite these challenges.
Remedies: Bringing in Family Energy
My remedy system for the 3rd house involves bringing in 2nd house energy – food, family, and money:
- Jupiter in the 3rd: Take sweets or support teachers in the family
- Moon in the 3rd house: Do something for mother or family
- Saturn in the 3rd house: Support elders in the family
- Mars in the 3rd: Support brothers or veterans in the family
- Venus in the 3rd: Take yogurt or sour things and support women or wives
The Entrepreneur’s House
My research shows that a strong 3rd house is essential for entrepreneurship and having the perseverance to succeed through self-efforts. I identify Vasumathi Yoga for working for oneself as coming from having Moon, Jupiter, Venus, or Mercury in this house. I’ve observed this can create remarkable success when the energy is properly channeled.
Working with Primal Nature
My analysis over decades of chart study reveals that the 3rd house represents one of the most challenging yet transformative areas. It’s where individuals confront primal urges, adolescent impulses, and past-life desires. My approach emphasizes not suppressing these energies but consciously channeling them.
I teach that benefic influences in the 3rd house help ensure that life is not centered around fighting, which leads to negative future karma. I consistently emphasize that the remedy is Mercury/Gemini energy – supporting friendship rather than fighting.
My fundamental insight about the 3rd house is that it demonstrates how the lowest impulses can be transformed into the highest creative expressions. This represents what I see as the real secret the ancients understood – not eliminating the primal mind, but mastering it.
Special thanks to all my teachers and in particular, Zoran Radosvlevic and his teacher Sanjay Rath for their insights on this fascinating house.
Barry Rosen has been practicing Vedic astrology since 1987 and teaching weekly classes since 2016. He is the author of five books and offers over 40 specialized courses at www.appliedvedicastrology.com. For personal consultations, email barry@appliedvedicastrology.com
