Welcome back Stargazers!
I hope you’ve enjoyed the beauty in the heavens. The last two weeks have been spectacular.
Last time, we looked at Mercury and Astronomy with a dash of Legend and Folklore.
This week, we’ll be exploring the influence Mercury has on the Astrology of our lives. In astrology, Mercury is known as the “Messenger of the Gods,” acting as the primary planet of communications, intellect, and reasoning. It governs how we process information, express our thoughts and navigate day-to-day logistics like travel and technology.
Mercury oversees the following emotions and involvement:
Mental function: this represents our cognitive style, learning ability, and how we organize data.
Communications: this involves our speech, writing, social media, and personal relationships.
Logistics and travel: governs short-distance travel, transportation and coordination.
Commerce: traditionally associated with trade, business transactions and negotiations.
We’ll see how all of these emotions and involvements can be found in the world of the Zodiac and the planets.
Mercury rules two signs: Gemini: showcases Mercury’s airy, social and curious side. Virgo: expresses the grounded, analytical, and detail-oriented side and this helps Mercury to be considered powerful in this sign, depending upon which astrologer you choose as a reference. Ptolemy, author of the Tetrabiblios (arguably the first book on astrology to be published), considered Mercury in either Gemini or Virgo to be weak, double-minded and not necessarily intelligent. Ouch.
Mercury is least comfortable in Sagittarius and Pisces – where its precision can get lost in broad concepts and mental haze.
As we now know, Mercury, ruler of the thinking process, is the focusing lens through which all creative powers of the individual are directed. The sign position indicates a person’s ability to make decisions and convey their ideas to others.
Let’s begin the journey to learn about Mercury’s influence in the signs, in a positive ‘indicates’ manner or a negative ‘contrary’ position:
Mercury in Aries: Indicates – a way of thinking inclined to be decisive and competitive, fond of debate and argument.
Contrary – there can be irritability and a quick temper.
Mercury in Taurus: Indicates – thinking and decision-making are determined by whatever has a practical, material and financial format.
Contrary – there can be narrow-mindedness, opinionated views, materialism and penny-pinching.
Mercury in Gemini: Indicates – Mercury’s place in Gemini is where pure logical reasoning can be carried to its highest expression; difficult for those in the sign to shut out external stimuli; it’s all speed and activity with major intensity.
Contrary – incessant talk about trivial matters which is an annoyance to others; easily side-tracked and missing the main issue.
Mercury in Cancer: Indicates – a mind influenced by deep-seated emotional patterns; a good memory; much of the information gathered is learned by osmosis.
Contrary – may be untruthful without actually realizing it.
Mercury in Leo: Indicates – strong will and a fixed purpose; capable of focused concentration; this is because Mercury is nearest to the Sun, which bestows willpower and strength. As Leo is a fixed sign, opinions are formed slowly and changed with reluctance.
Contrary – may have the tendency to deal with things in large, general terms, avoiding details.
Mercury in Virgo: Indicates – a position showing an analytical mind with great practical reasoning ability.
Contrary – can lose sight of the main issues through over-concern with details which assume undue importance.
Mercury in Libra: Indicates – a mind primarily concerned with human relations and psychology; intense curiosity about the thinking and behavior patterns of others; honest and balanced in all mental dealings.
Contrary – lack of strength in convictions; tends to agree with companions in order to gain popularity and acceptance.
Mercury in Scorpio: Indicates – an intuitive mind capable of profound insights; this may lead to critical examination of human motivations; seeing things accurately but not necessarily with charity.
Contrary – the mind can be preoccupied with mistrust of others.
Mercury in Sagittarius: Indicates – a mind concerned with all frameworks of social thought, either in the form of religion, philosophy, law or other studies related to higher education; may have prophetic insight.
Contrary – preoccupation with distant goals and lofty ideals; oblivious to what is right under the nose.
Mercury in Capricorn: Indicates – a mind that is ambitious, shrewd, practical, organized and concerned with attaining status through material accomplishments; good organization.
Contrary – material ambition may lead to extreme greed and the tendency to use people to attain financial goals without regard to human values.
Mercury in Aquarius: Indicates – a mind open to new experiences; ability to see things in the light of impartiality and clarity, unbiased and objective. This position of Mercury may produce scientists, as under this fixed sign mental energy is stabilized and concentrated.
Contrary – emotional aloofness and possibly intellectual arrogance.
Mercury in Pisces: Indicates – vivid imagination and a photographic ability to visualize thoughts and memories; highly intuitive and possibly telepathic.
Contrary – can have a morbid imagination and a persecution complex; oversensitive.
Whew! who knew that a planet hiding between the Sun and Venus has such a wealth of information and such an incredible impact on our Astrological charts.
As the days get longer and warmer weather invades our portion of the Earth, don’t forget to look to the heavens for inspiration and delight!
Happy stargazing!
Yours in the Stars,
Astrid