The Third and Ninth Houses – Local and Foreign

Again, a house axis with no physical boundaries to speak of and so is a completely mathematical figure.  This house is calculated using a negative mathematical logarithm set by the MC/IC angle.

Astrology’s fourth act of division is that between what is inside of our comfort zone and that which is outside of it.  So, while the Third house deals with everything that is around us (family, neighbors, co-workers, etc) the Ninth house shows things on a foreign or global scale.  It is also said that the Ninth house rules that which is higher than us.

The Third House Dissected
The Third house signifies our local environment, and in doing such signifies those that are in this local environment.  So, in questions concerning neighbors, family (not the parents or children), co-workers, and classmates, the Third house is put on the spot.  The Third house also shows our success and frequency of short journeys.  This house is often thought of as a communicative house as it rules letters, writings, rumors, speeches, languages, telephones, anything we use to communicate.  In this house, you’ll also find someone’s communicative style and how they express themselves.

As for co-significators, this house has the Sign Gemini and the planet Mars.  Gemini is the Sign of communication, so this association seems rather comfortable.  Mars, the planet of motion, seems well placed in the house of frequent, short journeys.  Luna finds joy in this house, as it is the house of kin, and Luna very much enjoys the surroundings of family.  Modern astrology holds Mercury as the ruler of this house, as the ruler of Gemini.

The Ninth House Dissected
The Ninth house shows long distance travel, journeys that take us into unfamiliar territory, so it’s no leap of the imagination to consider this house that of foreign affairs.  This house also shows where we reach outside of ourselves for wisdom or advice.  All religious affairs such as belief, and philosophy, not to mention affairs within the church itself, also dreams, visions, and all forms of mysticism are found in this house.  All forms of students employed to a study are found under this house, this is also the house of science as a form of a ‘higher study’.

The co-significators of the Ninth house are the Sign Sagittarius and the planet Jupiter.  Sagittarius is often associated with philosophy and higher thought, not to mention travel and interest in foreign lands, so it is no wonder that the connection is here.  Jupiter, the planet of foreign affairs himself, also forms a clear connection with this house.  Sol rejoices in this house.  Modern astrology holds that Jupiter rules this house as the ruler of Sagittarius.