Secrets of the Third House – Part 2: The Primal Mind and Unconscious Patterns

By Barry Rosen

The third house as a seat of the primitive heart

After practicing Vedic astrology for 38 years, I discovered that most astrologers barely hurt the surface when it comes to the third house. They discuss siblings, communication, and short journeys, but they miss this house a deep psychological depth that is very important to understand human behavior.

Observe that the third house is 12th from the fourth house of spiritual happiness and peace. Its placement provides a big clue – it Unconscious or primitive mind. In my analysis, this represents what Freud called an ID. I have seen this pattern over and over the thousands of charts I have studied over decades.

I identify this house as governing what I call Reptile Brain – Ancient parts of consciousness that control core sexual and aggressive impulses. The third natural sign of the zodiac is Gemini. In Sanskrit Mitunameans mating. The ancients understood this connection, even if modern astrologers lost sight of it.

Why the Ancients were quiet about the Third House

Sex and violence are both taboo subjects, and at the same time such primitive and natural impulses in society, often wondering if the ancients were unable to debate significantly or clearly about the third house. My observation is that examining what’s on sale in Hollywood provides insight into why creativity, gender, violence, writing and artistic expression are interconnected with the third home.

A journey from childhood to adolescence

In my educational framework, I map my home to life stages. The first house represents birth, the second house represents childhood; The third house represents puberty. I describe it as a place of raw energy where adolescent recklessness can win, that is, where individuals expand their exploration of Mars for adventure and recreation.

I characterize the third home as a growth home, a polite way to say, “If we can overcome the sexually impulsive behavior and violence of adolescents suggested by Karaka Mars, we can grow from primitive impulses.” But, as I always tell students, this isn’t always the case.

The Fall of Jupiter – When Dharma is Wondered

One of the most important findings in my practice was Jupiter in the third house represents Marana Karaka Stana – The weakest placement of the planet. I have observed that Jupiter loses his favor here and escapes from his natural quest for Dharma and his natural wisdom. Instead, it falls into sexual play, lazyness and lack of motivation.

In my rating, Jupiter in the third house can manifest as a low ethic. A sample illustrative of this principle is pointed to the Bill Gates chart.

The 8th day: The desires of past life surface

Here’s what most astrologers completely miss. The third house brings strong desires from past lives for the eighth from the eighth house. My observations suggest that if both Mars and Venus occupy this house, there may be too much primitive, unconscious, uncontrollable energy that can lead to difficulties for individuals.

In my analysis, these desires can be mistakes in past lives as the house is eighth from the 8th day, and can affect karma for the future. I have counselled many clients. Their strongest impulses in this lifetime arise from clearly unresolved patterns of karma.

Health and the immune system

Tie the third house into what we call “armor for protection.” It controls the immune system and survival skills and controls the thymus, which creates T cells that fight disease.

The important insight I learned from my practice is that the illness in the third house was not past karma, but was born out of current lifelong actions.

You need to convert the combat energy

Essentially, we observe that the third house carries combat energy for its deep connection to Mars. Mars is the natural Karaka, and the third house is associated with fighting, competition and attack. My research shows that if there are more demons present in the third house, individuals will start more battles. Conversely, the more boons there are in the third house, the more attacks you want to escape.

I teach that there is always a remedy Mercury/Gemini Energyit needs to move towards friendship rather than fighting. Mars is unhappy in the fourth home of home and home tranquility. Mars said, “You need to go out of your muscles and crouch down and prove his manlyness in the third house.

Sexual energy and its symptoms

I identify the third house as the Kama house of joy and desire. In my analysis, the D-9 or NAVAMSHA chart reveals important information about sexual energy, while the D-3 or Drekkana chart also reveals information about sexual energy.

I have observed these consistent patterns:

• Moon and Venus In the third house, make individuals passionate
• Mars Creates excessive attacks on sexual conquest
• Rough Unless you have dignity in Virgo, you’ll be engrossed in sexual energy
• Ketu Because of his monk-like nature, he remains indifferent to sex

My research shows that the malefic placed between the axis of the third and ninth houses can lead to a marriage break during the Dasha. We observed this pattern destroying marriage when our clients didn’t understand the timing involved.

Leading primitive energy into art

I teach that if the energy of the third house can be guided from sexual conquest to artistic expression, it can increase the energy and produce great art. My observations show that connecting the moon to the third house can bring joy to songs and poetry. Connecting the sun to the third house can result in spiritual reading and played instruments. Venus here can appear as paintings and dances, but mercury here is often a creative writing.

I identify this as the key to working with this house – transformation, not restraint.

Nice guy syndrome

My research shows that benefiting from the third house poses challenges, as the third house has to do with fighting and standing up for its own territory. When Venus, Jupiter, Moon, or Mercury occupy this position, individuals are unable to deal too much with their destructive neighbours or take on positions in challenging situations.

I call this “Nice Guy Syndrome.” These benefits require strong effort to be tested, weakened, induced and tested. In some cases, we have seen these beneficial arrangements emit individual energy and create a sense that they have to work constantly to support the meaning of the planet. For me, in the third Venus, painting is my stress outlet, but despite these challenges there is always the possibility of positive expression through a creative outlet.

Relief: Bringing family energy

My treatment system for the third home involves bringing energy in the second home: food, family and money.

• The third Jupiter: Take family sweets and support teachers
• Third House MoonDo something for your mother or family
• Saturn in the third house: Supporting family elders
• The third Mars: Supporting a family sibling or veteran
• The third Venus: Take yogurt and sour foods to support women and wives

Entrepreneur’s Home

My research shows that a powerful third home is essential for having the patience to succeed through entrepreneurship and self-influence. I identifies Vasmati Yoga that worked for me as it came from having the moon, Jupiter, Venus, or Mercury in this house. We found this could lead to significant success when energy is channeled properly.

Cooperating with primitive nature

My analysis across decades of chart research reveals that the third home represents one of the most challenging yet transformative fields. It is where individuals confront primal impulses, adolescent impulses, and past life desires. My approach emphasizes conscious channeling these energies rather than restrain them.

I teach that the benevolent influences in the third house help to ensure that life is not concentrated in combat. I have consistently emphasized that the remedy is Mercury/Gemini Energy, supporting friendship more than fighting.

My basic insight about the third house is that it shows how the lowest impulses can be translated into the best creative expression. This represents what I see as a true secret that the ancients understood. It’s not to eliminate the primitive mind, it’s to master it.

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Thank you to all my teachers, especially Zoran Radosvlevic and his teacher, Sanjay Rath. Thank you for your insight into this fascinating home.

Barry Rosen has been practicing Vedic Astrology since 1987 and has been teaching classes every week since 2016. He is the author of five books and offers over 40 specialist courses at www.appliedvedicastrology.com. For personal consultations, please email barry@appliedvedicastrology.com