Mercury in Astrology is the voice, mind, and messenger, at home with Gemini's intelligent communication skills and Virgo's rigor and precision. Mercury is the only planet in astrology whose sign of exaltation is also one of its dignity signs. Mercury's dexterity, precision, and communication skills are perfectly manifested in the mutable Earth sign.
"The glyph of Mercury represents the circle of spirit which, at the top, has the crescent of the soul and, at the base, the cross of matter. It represents the triumph of mind over matter."
Index
Astral Characterization
- Primordial Quality - Mercury does not have a definite quality, as it tends to absorb the qualities of what it comes in contact with. However, when observed in isolation, without any other influence, it is considered Cold and Dry
- Element - Earth
- Temperament - Melancholic (reflective and focused personality; deals better with facts than ideas)
- Rules/ Dignity - Gemini and Virgin
- Day of the week - Tuesday
- Colors - Light blue, sky blue, pigeon grey, violet
- Detriment/ Conflict - Sagittarius
- Exaltation - Virgin
- Fall - Pisces
- Virtue - Wisdom
- Addiction - Gluttony
- Number - V
- Past Life Obstacles - Defamation, misunderstandings, lying, hearing or speech problems
- Associations - Intellectual impulse, communication, intellect, money, books, paper , paintings, scientific instruments, penknives, inkwells, writing instruments, butterflies
- Keywords - Reasoning, communication, travel, knowledge, culture, mind, thought, reason, logic , cunning, coordination, intellect, writing, speaking, gossip, cunning, refined, expressive, memory
Brief Facts About Mercury in Astrology
Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and the smallest in the solar system, being the size of the Atlantic Ocean. It's a rocky world that doesn't have oxygen or water. Throughout its 87.97 Earth-day orbit, when viewed from Earth, Mercury appears to sway back and forth (known in Astrology as retrograde motion).
Mercury in Mythology
In Roman mythology, Mercury was the god of business. The words "merchant" and "business" derive from the Latin root of his name. To the Greeks, Mercury was represented by Hermes, the god of movement, transference and exchange. Hermes guided the souls of the dead to the underworld and was a messenger of the gods.
Son of Zeus and the nymph Maia, Hermes' divine nature was established as early as the day of his birth. Before noon that same day, Hermes invented the lyre and, at the end of the day, had stolen the cattle from his half-brother, Apollo. The latter was very angry but his father Zeus was delighted with Hermes' intelligence and soon promoted him, making him his butler.
Mercury in Astrology
MENTALITY. COMMUNICATION. TRAVEL.
In Astrology, people who were born under the influence of Mercury are believed to be intelligent, skillful, attentive and able to speak with clarity and influence. However, they also seem to have a tendency towards fickleness.
Mercury in Astrology: The Born Communicator
Mercury is the planet of communication and mind. It represents speed of comprehension, good memory and reasoning capacity. This is the planet of writing, media and communications. As a messenger, it is also associated with roads, transport, commerce, technologies and inland travel.
Intuitive and logical, Mercury explores new paths. It suggests a personality capable of handling multiple issues at once but with a tendency to overlook details. Mercury has quick reactions and a changeable temper. With a great ability to adapt to the environment, it connects body and mind.
Mercury and its Relationship to the Sun in Astrology
Given its proximity to the Sun, Mercury functions as an interpreter in the process of self-expression. When you fall into the same sign as the Sun, the characteristics associated with that sign are reinforced.
The elements of the signs also influence the relationship between Sun and Mercury. Depending on the element of the sign where Mercury is positioned, its effect on that same sign also varies:
- Mercury in Water Element Signs - increases empathy and emotional intuition.
- Mercury in Fire Element Signs - energizes the cautious self-expression of this element by producing a more spontaneous and open personality.
- Mercury in Earth Element Signs - the personality becomes more practical and less daydreaming.
- Mercury in Air Element Signs - makes the personality speak faster and communicate more.
Mercury in Astrology: Astral Map Arrangement
A balanced Mercury assimilates large amounts of information that it quickly synthesizes and concludes. Intelligent, subtle and logical, he is a cheerful and shrewd character. When it is misplaced, the disposition is false and illogical.
How does Mercury Expresses Itself Through the Signs?
Mercury in Aries
Personal communication. Outspoken, witty, impulsive, confident and conflicted. Mercury in Aries is a firm believer in his own ideas.
Mercury in Taurus
Practical communication. Ability to concentrate, methodical mind. Slow to form an opinion or assimilate facts. Mercury in Taurus has fixed opinions and is resistant to changing his mind.
Mercury in Gemini
Fast communication. Well-spoken, witty, intuitive, multifaceted, versatile. Mercury in Gemini has a need to communicate.
Mercury in Cancer
Emotional communication. Intuitive, imaginative, thoughtful, mystical, contemplative. Mercury in Cancer lives trapped in emotional memories of the past.
Mercury in Leo
Creative communication. Confident, determined, prejudiced, vain, creative. Mercury in Leo forms opinions quickly and does not give them up.
Mercury in Virgo
Logical communication. Intelligent, witty, analytical, rational, prejudiced, critical. Mercury in Virgo can be too sentimental.
Mercury in Libra
Shared communication. Fair, logical, strategic, and critical. Mercury in Libra sees both sides of the issue and lets itself be influenced by other people's opinions.
Mercury in Scorpio
Intuitive communication. Determined, firm, resourceful, manipulative, suspicious. Mercury in Scorpio is ruled by instinct and attracted to the occult.
Mercury in Sagittarius
Philosophical communication. Liberal, impolite, charisma, possessiveness, paranoia. Mercury in Sagittarius loves the intellectual challenge and seeks the answers to the big questions of human existence.
Mercury in Capricorn
Conventional communication. Practical, resolved, constructive, calculating, pessimistic. Mercury in Capricorn has a sense of exactly how things should be.
Mercury in Aquarius
Unconventional communication. Innovative, farsighted, enlightened, rational, original. Mercury in Aquarius separates feelings from thoughts.
Mercury in Pisces
Intuitive communication. Imaginative, impressionable, malicious, emotional, sensitive. Mercury in Pisces has difficulty defining boundaries and confuses emotions with thinking.
Planets in Astrology
Each planet has its domain and symbolism. Modern Astrology also considers, in the elaboration of the birth chart, the newly discovered planet Chiron. In Astrology all signs are masculine or feminine. Find out more about the symbolism of each of the planets in Astrology, by selecting the planet to consult below:
- The Sun - Identity, Individuality, the Father
- The Moon - Instincts, Subconscious, Mother
- Mercury - Mentality, Communication
- Venus - Love, Values, Female Universe
- Mars - Action, Man, Desire
- Jupiter - Wisdom, Expansion
- Saturn - Challenge, Moderation
- Uranus - Originality, Revolution
- Neptune - Spirituality, Illusion
- Pluto - Transformation, Underworld
- Chiron - Integration, Healing
Each planet dominates a specific aspect of our life. Your Sun Sign, that is, the sign of the Zodiac where the Sun was positioned at the time we were born, governs the most intimate facet of our "I". However, the remaining planets in the Solar System also contribute to the characterization of our Astrological Personality. For example, if Mercury, the planet that governs communication, was positioned in Leo when you were born, your communication style is likely to be passionate and enthusiastic - characteristics traditionally attributed to this sign.
