3rd House: The experience of Environmental Living.
Gemini, the natural ruler of the 3rd house.
3rd House Keywords: Commerce, communications, daily contacts, early education, ex- tended family, local environment, neighbours, networking, relatives, schools, siblings, short journeys, trade, writings.
- The close environment, neighbours.
- Communication and networking.
- Schools, siblings, relatives and early education.
- Short journeys, commerce, trade.
- Communication of the wisdom teachings and the antahkarana.
The third house represents all the contacts and experiences we have throughout the day that contributes to the training of the concrete mind and the development of good communication and networking skills. For instance, this house rules schools and our early formal education, which is vital for early mental development. It also rules all conversations and transactions that we have on a daily basis with neighbours, siblings, relatives and those we meet casually as we move about the local environment. The sign on the third house cusp, the house ruler and any planets in the house; these colour our attitudes to these life areas and the type of experiences we will have.
At a higher level, as the spiritual Path is approached, this house fosters - in conjunction with the ninth house; a search for higher knowledge and understanding. Self-development courses are taken and connections are made with brothers and sisters in spirit who share similar ideas. In time, as a consequent of the third house, the mind learns to be discerning, communication becomes harmless and the initial stage of the antahkarana (the bridge in consciousness that connects us with the soul), begins to be constructed. This house then, gives us the opportunity to communicate the wisdom teachings in our local environment.
To the soul, the third house represents an opportunity to develop the intellect and bring it under its control.