Do you have a way with words? Maybe you’ve always considered yourself a poet, dressing up words in a pretty bow and making even the most mundane conversations interesting. Or, perhaps you’re less concerned about being engaging and have a practical, straight-to-the-point approach when conveying ideas. If you’ve ever wondered what makes you the communicator you are, look to the third house in astrology, which discerns how you process information, share your ideas, and interact with your environment.
You don’t have to be an expert in astrology to know that planets impact your birth chart. Beyond sun signs, your personality is contingent on many astrological elements, including the 12 astrological houses—the 12 sections in your birth chart associated with different areas of life: your emotional temperament, self-esteem, and even your worldview. The third house is the house that rules your mind, dictating how you understand, interpret, and share information.
Experts In This Article
- Amy Filbin, astrologist and Tarot reader who integrates cosmic insights with therapeutic modalities
Understanding the inner workings of the third house in astrology can give you insight into how you communicate and interact with your environment. It can give you a better idea of how you process information and find solutions. Keep reading to learn more about your third house.
What is the third house in astrology?
Also referred to as the House of Communication, the third house rules everything related to the mind—communication, learning, and connection. “It governs how we think, process, and articulate ideas, as well as our relationships with siblings, neighbors, and immediate surroundings,” astrologer Amy Filbin tells Well+Good. When you look at your third house, you can better understand how you engage with your social circle.
Referring to your birth chart, the first six houses are considered your personal houses in that they discern your personality, where you find joy and the systems you abide by to function (see: routines, health, and wellness). Houses 7-12 indicate our social sphere, including how you strive to make others perceive you. The third house is one of the personal houses and discerns what kind of communicator you are.
The third house isn’t limited to how we communicate. It also revolves around our inquisitiveness and how we seek wisdom and formulate our mindset. As Filbin puts it, “It’s the house of curiosity, early education, and short-term travel—the ways we move through and interact with our local world.” It can tell you how you perceive and relay information. Are you a natural wordsmith who loves socializing, or are you more reserved in what you reveal to others? The third house explains whether you take on a teacher or student role (in some cases, you might even be both.)
In your birth chart, your third house will be assigned to a zodiac sign (or signs) fundamental to your daily operations. For example, “If Gemini rules your third house, you likely thrive on conversation and learning, constantly seeking new ideas and perspectives,” explains Filbin. That’s because Gemini is associated with the third house, so it feels at home in this house, allowing you to naturally communicate with others efficiently. When you understand the energy of the zodiac sign(s) in your third house, you can understand the specific traits that color your area of communication, ideas, and diffusion of information.
How to find your third house
To find the houses in your birth chart, you’ll need to know your birth time. You can visit an astrologer for a birth chart reading or enter your birth time, date, and place in a birth chart generator like Cafe Astrology. “Locate your natal chart and identify the sign on the cusp (beginning) of your third house. This house is the third section moving counterclockwise from the Ascendant (1st house),” Filbin says.
Now that you’ve found your third house, how does the zodiac sign (or signs) behave when stationed in it? Keep reading to learn more about what the zodiac signs mean in the third house.
What do the planets mean in the third house?
You now understand what the third house governs and the energy that might exist based on what zodiac sign rules that house. But that’s not all—you might also have planetary energies impacting the third house. The planets also possess energy that adds color to different areas of life. Keeping with the Gemini in the third house example, you might have Mercury stationed in this house, too. “Someone with Mercury in the third house might be articulate, curious, and quick-thinking,” explains Filbin.
Don’t worry if your third house has no planets in it. It doesn’t mean that you’re a poor communicator (or that you’re *gasp* boring). It just means that there aren’t any significant planetary influences in that area of life. You’ll still have astrological energies influencing your houses via the zodiac sign stationed in that house.
Keep reading to learn all about how the planets affect your third house and how it dictates your communication style.
Sun (the planet of ego):
The sun represents your sense of self, also known as your ego. It identifies your personality traits, where you’re determined to succeed, and what makes you unique. If the sun is located in your third house, your identity thrives through communication, explains Filbin. You’ll likely have a knack for storytelling and a systematic and practical approach to processing information.
It could mean you’re naturally social, influencing others through persuasiveness and a strong sense of curiosity. “You shine when sharing your voice, ideas, or writing,” says Filbin. “There’s a core need to feel seen and heard in your immediate world.”
Moon (the planet of emotions):
Ruling emotional temperament, the moon rules our inner world and intuition. When the moon is located in the third house, you tend to lead conversations with empathy. “Emotional intuition permeates your thoughts and words,” says Filbin. “Conversations may feel soulful, and memories deeply influence your expression.”
Because the moon governs intuition, if it’s in the third house, you will likely be in tune with your instincts and formulate ideas based on your gut feelings. It’s important that you can communicate with compassion and sensitivity. According to Filbin, “You connect by speaking from the heart.”
Mercury (the planet of communication):
Mercury is the planet of communication itself, and therefore, the third house is Mercury’s natural domain, says Filbin. You’re likely a natural communicator; you follow your curiosity and think critically. You might also be social and tend to make friendly banter with everyone you meet.
Because Mercury is a cerebral planet, if it’s in your third house, you crave mental stimulation, often seeking wisdom in the world around you. “Here, the mind is agile, curious, and endlessly engaged with learning and sharing ideas,” explains Filbin. “Words flow effortlessly, and quick thinking is a gift.”
Venus (the planet of romance and beauty):
Governing all things love, art, and beauty, Venus is an indicator of luxury. If Venus is in the third house, “Grace and charm color your voice,” explains Filbin. In other words, you tend to be poetic in your communication style, equipped with an elegant vocabulary.
Because Venus also rules harmony and balance, you tend to communicate with fairness and compassion in mind. That’s because Venus is partnership-oriented, making you a social butterfly. “Your relationships are strengthened through thoughtful words, diplomacy, and a love for beauty in language—artful communication comes naturally,” says Filbin.
Mars (the planet of aggression):
Mars is the planet of passion and drive. If Mars is in your third house, “Words become action,” explains Filbin. “You speak with passion, intensity, and sometimes urgency.” You can get motivated by your ideas, and you will follow through on your word.
Since Mars is the planet of determination, you tend to speak from a place of courage and impulsiveness, with little acknowledgment of restraints. “Direct, assertive energy drives your communication, but patience may feel elusive,” Filbin says.
Jupiter (the planet of abundance):
Governing knowledge and travel, Jupiter brings optimism to your chart. If Jupiter is in your third house, Filbin explains, “Your mind craves expansion.” You’re likely someone who craves wisdom and intellectual energy. You chase opportunities to grow and look to expand your arsenal of wisdom.
Jupiter encourages abundance and curiosity, so when it’s located in the third house, you’re not interested in surface-level conversations. “This placement signifies optimism in learning and teaching—you’re the perpetual student, drawn to share your wisdom and connect beyond small talk,” says Filbin.
Saturn (the planet of responsibility):
Saturn is the planet of order and longevity. When Saturn is in your third house, “Discipline and structure guide your thoughts and words,” Filbin explains. You’re likely practical in terms of how you process information rather than think emotionally or intuitively.
Since Saturn is a stern planet, you tend to be direct and honest. You value productive conversation and practice patience when responding rather than giving in to your impulses. “You may feel reserved in communication, but your words carry gravitas,” says Filbin. “Mastery comes with time and effort.”
Uranus (the planet of radical change):
Uranus governs progress and individuality. When Uranus is in the third house, your communication line is unpredictable and brilliant, explains Filbin. “Your ideas are unconventional, disruptive, and boundary-pushing.” You’re a champion of free thinking and probe others to think outside of the box, especially when it comes to problem-solving.
Uranus is all about the future and far-fetched ideas. If it’s located in the third house, you challenge norms and enjoy conversations that progress ideas and insert innovation. “You think and communicate differently, often ahead of your time,” Filbin says.
Neptune (planet of imagination):
Neptune allows us to dream freely by ruling everything related to the subconscious. If Neptune is in the third house, imagination infuses your mental world, says Filbin. “Speech feels poetic, intuitive, and dreamy.” When it comes to communication, you tend to be poetic; you can make even the most ordinary conversations feel magical and spiritual.
Since Neptune rules delusions, it can be overly optimistic when stationed in the third house. “The challenge lies in distinguishing clarity from illusion,” says Filbin. You tend to confuse reality and fantasy through sensationalizing situations and people.
Pluto (planet of transformation):
Pluto is the planet of power and rebirth. If Pluto is in the third house, you have an intense way of communicating. Your passionate disposition is a way to regain inner strength and channel it through communication. “Conversations may feel intense or revealing, often changing you and others,” Filbin says.
Because Pluto is especially driven and fierce, you tend to have an all-or-nothing type of mindset if it’s stationed in the third house. “Communication is transformative. Words have power, cutting to the root of truth,” explains Filbin.
Remember, the planets are just one area giving you insight into your third house. The zodiac signs also rule this house! Looking for even more astrology insights? You can learn more about the 12 houses in astrology and read your full 2025 romance horoscope.
