Ketu in the 3rd house
The results given by Ketu in the third house of the horoscope
This is a good position of Ketu, indicating decisiveness, a reserve of vital forces and an ability to overcome the resistance of opponents. There may be a physical defect connected with the hands, the early loss of a brother or mental anxieties because of rumours or a scandal. This must be a strong and courageous person, somewhat excessively idealistic. They are helped by relatives; if other factors in the chart coincide with this, then they may expect a fairly long life. (Tom Hopke)
Ketu in the 3rd house, Rahu in the 9th house
Ketu in the 3rd house makes the person less sociable and shy. They do not want to be at the centre of attention. They have golden hands. The person has many abilities brought from a past life. If there are younger brothers and sisters, their life does not turn out prosperously. The person himself teaches them about life and helps them to get on their feet.
The 9th house shows the person's fortune (bhagya). If Rahu is not damaged, in the period of the Rahu mahadasha he will have favourable events. This person may have relations with foreigners. He may be carried away by foreign philosophy, religion. Many authors write that such a placement often inclines the person to change his religion, his culture and traditions. Rahu in the 9th house gives close relations with the father. They often find a common language. But the father's life does not turn out smoothly, he may have poor health, and he may die early. The father may often go away on business trips or his work may be connected with trips or with foreign countries. The house where Rahu is placed shows in what direction the person is to develop. The 9th house is higher knowledge, the right path. Here the person will be occupied with the search for the right path and for his purpose. They study foreign philosophies and religions and choose a more suitable option for themselves. They are inclined to invent an ideal path/moral code/religion for themselves. For example, Adolf Hitler had Rahu in the 9th house. He invented his own path, which he followed. (Mahesh Dharmadasa)
Ketu in the 3rd house
Ketu in the 3rd house: wealth, strength, fame, a long life, family happiness, health, victory over enemies, troubles with a brother. Quarrelsome, thinks and worries much over trifles. The weak parts of the body are the arms and shoulders. (Shri Govind Swarup Agarwal)
Ketu in the 3rd house, Rahu in the 9th house: the karmic task
This placement of the nodes is also considered favourable, but to a lesser degree, because the 9th house is traditionally connected with Sagittarius, and Rahu is not very good in Sagittarius.
Ketu, like the other fiery planets (the Sun and Mars), gives good results in the 3rd house. Rahu in the 9th also gives many opportunities for fortune. A native with such a placement of Rahu usually meets his fortune either in distant lands, or through foreigners.
Although this placement prompts the native to be interested in the indications of the 9th house, often this has a non-traditional colouring. But since the placement of Rahu indicates the sphere of application of efforts in this life, the native one way or another strives towards such themes as long journeys, philosophy, the inner life, the development of ethics, spiritual initiation, self-realisation.
Ketu in the 3rd house indicates the skills of the 3rd house brought from a past life (writing or artistic abilities, the ability to communicate and to conclude agreements). But for this to manifest in the external world, a good aspect on Ketu or a conjunction with it is needed.
Ketu is more dangerous for the living indications of the 3rd house (such as younger relatives) than Rahu.
Another important point concerning the placement of Ketu in the first half of the horoscope is an unfortunate first half of life. This concerns especially an unhappy childhood, not justifying any expectations. When Ketu is badly placed in the 3rd house, this makes the person like a homeless dog and brings into his life many fruitless journeys and wanderings.
Whether the person recovers after the deep wounds of such a childhood or becomes a vengeful maniac depends on the general strength of the chart and on the inclinations of the native. An aspect of or a conjunction with Jupiter or the dispositor of Ketu makes it possible to attain an ordered release of the energy that was suppressed by Ketu. Harmonious relations of Ketu with Jupiter and with its dispositor are the key to a normal development of events.
The karmic task with such a placement of the nodes resembles that with the placement of Rahu in the 3rd, with the only difference that with Rahu in the 9th house the main point of application becomes the 9th house. Perhaps the native will have to overcome difficulties in the search for a teacher, in receiving initiation, in relations with the father and so on. (This placement of the nodes sets the native the task of balancing the indications of the 3rd and 9th houses (physics and religion, aggression and compassion, energy and the path, matter and spirit). Only elevated souls are able to solve this task).
Examples: Adolf Hitler, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison
“Bhrigu Sutra” 8.7-8
An abundance of oil seeds of the mustard, sesame and simsim type awaits the owner of the horoscope. If Rahu or Ketu in his horoscope are joined with benefic planets, he will have a mark or a mole on his neck.
Other opinions concerning Ketu in the 3rd house:
“Phaladipika”: Ketu in the 3rd house — wealth, might, a long life, fame and a good reputation. The owner of the horoscope will have agricultural products in abundance. He will be happy with his wife and, perhaps, will suffer the loss of brothers.
“Chamatkar Chintamani”: Ketu in the 3rd house — victory over enemies, frequent disputes and quarrels, an absence of friends, success and prosperity.
Note: Bhrigu Muni gives the same characteristics for the placement of Rahu and Ketu in various houses. His opinion is based on the fact that these planets are always in the seventh house from each other and both exert an influence on the house. However the other classical texts, apart from the “Brihat Jataka” and the “Saravali”, which do not describe the results of the placement of the shadow planets in the houses of the horoscope, hold a different opinion.
We should like to add several important remarks concerning the placement of Rahu and Ketu in the houses of the horoscope. Concerning the characteristics of these planets there are three main opinions: 1) they act as the lord of the sign that they occupy, 2) their nature is like that of Mars and Saturn, and also 3) the view of Kalidasa given below. An experienced astrologer intuitively understands what influences the shadow planets conduct when he analyses a horoscope or draws up forecasts.
Relying on the famous classical work of Kalidasa, the “Uttara Kalamrita”, it may be said that, being shadow planets, these planets are not regarded as the lords of any houses or signs. If Rahu and Ketu are in conjunction (in the same sign) with a planet, then they take on its qualities, become conductors of its energy, and in their periods, or bhuktis, act like that planet. When the shadow planets do not enter into a conjunction — they give the results of the planet aspecting them. And only when Rahu and Ketu are neither joined nor aspected by planets do they act as the lord of the sign in which they are placed.
If one of the two nodes and the lord of a triad are placed in conjunction in the 9th or 10th houses or if one of them is in the 9th, and the other in the 10th, a favourable yoga is formed, which will bring prosperity to the owner of the horoscope. If at the same time a malefic planet enters into a conjunction with or aspects one of the shadow planets, then the bhukti [sub-period] of the yoga-karaka will prove unfavourable.
And a last remark. Rahu and Ketu become beneficial when they occupy the positions of a triad or of a kendra from the lagna. The shadow planets also prove beneficial when they are joined with the lords of a house of a triad or of a quadrant. But if at the same time the lord of the 9th house also owns the 8th (in the case of Gemini rising), or the 12th (in the case of Libra rising), and also if the lords of the 9th or 10th houses are joined with the lords of the 8th and 12th houses, the beneficial results of the yoga are lost.
“Bhrigu Sutra” with commentaries by Indubala
«Jataka Bharanam» 17.101
The results of the placement of Ketu in the 3rd house
In the case of Ketu in the 3rd Bhava the person will destroy enemies, there will be disputes and quarrels, a growth of wealth, a luxurious life, energy, the attainment of magnificence and dignity. But with the position of Ketu in the 3rd Bhava there will also be the destruction of the person's close ones and pain in the arms. If Ketu is in its own Rashi or in exaltation, then the person will receive fear, confusion, and also happiness.
Comments: All experienced astrologers consider that Ketu in the 3rd Bhava [house] will give favourable results. The 3rd Bhava is the Bhava of energy, effort, courage and valour. It is indisputable that Ketu gives quick, significant (but hard to determine) results connected with the Bhava in which it is placed (although Sanjay Rath says that the results of the Bhava where Ketu is placed are absent, and therefore it is difficult to give a definite prediction). Therefore thanks to Ketu in the 3rd house the person will be exceedingly energetic and valiant, receives physical comfort and magnificence thanks to his energy and courage, and thus obtains happiness.
One of the names of Ketu is “Duschikya”, which means “care”, “anxiety”. Therefore with Ketu in the 3rd Bhava it is entirely natural that the person's mind will always be full of cares and anxiety.