Mercury in the Signs

The characteristics that Mercury has a bearing on are how we communicate; how we tend to perceive things and our particular mindset - what we focus our thoughts on. The sign placement will color our expression and perception. As natural ruler of the third house, this planet may also have a bearing on relationships with siblings, neighbors and close relatives, excluding the parents unless the fourth/tenth houses or their rulers are involved in some way.

On a secondary level, as natural ruler of the signs Gemini and Virgo and thus, natural ruler of the third and sixth houses, this planet could influence short-distance travel, commerce, our experiences with early education, the type of work we are drawn to and possibly our health. Mercury influences physiology by being associated with the nervous system, our senses, dexterity, motor coordination and the respiratory system.

ARIES MERCURY

This placement of Mercury may enliven the thought processes and speed them up somewhat, but there could be a tendency to gloss over details. These people may be intellectually or mentally competitive in some way and are often fond of debate on their favorite subjects. Some may be quick-tempered, quarrelsome and argumentative. Impatient, they may at times make impulsive or reckless decisions in the heat of the moment. The pioneering spirit of Aries may bestow an interest in any new fields of study; however, they could be plagued with the Aries' lack of follow-through and leave details to others as they quickly focus on a new field of interest.

They may communicate in a very sharp and incisive manner and suffer from typical Aries' tactlessness. This overly forceful approach is likely to put many off. These individuals would be well advised to cultivate a less self-centered approach in their dealings with others if they wish to be more successful in their endeavors. Relationships with siblings and neighbors may be competitive to a degree but, depending on the aspects to this placement, this could be merely friendly rivalry. Aries can be noted for warmth and friendliness as well as a childlike charm and people with Mercury posited in this sign may find these assets beneficial in dealing with others.

TAURUS MERCURY

This placement of Mercury gives a practical mindset and a good deal of common sense. These characteristics are likely to be focused upon finances and material security; some of the favorite subjects of Taurus. This may bestow business acumen. The mental processes may be a bit slow to the casual observer, for these people rarely form opinions quickly, preferring to be sure of themselves, particularly where financial considerations are concerned.

Because of the connection to Venus, the ruler of the sign Taurus, they may find inharmonious relationships and conditions troublesome. If this position is afflicted there could be a leaning toward jealousy, envy, possessiveness or stubbornness. Once their mind is made up on a subject, they may be very obstinate and their opinion quite difficult to change.

Due to the relationship with Venus to the arts, this could be an indication of talent along these lines or at least an appreciation of beauty. Serious afflictions could indicate an overly materialistic attitude, greed, and an inability to share with others. On the positive side, some of these people have the ability to block out anything they find unimportant to them personally, so this could be an aid to concentration.

GEMINI MERCURY

This is considered a strong placement for Mercury, as this is one of the signs that this planet rules. This aids objective thinking and the mind is usually quick, agile and versatile, although possibly a bit restless and prone to nervousness if overworked for too long a period of time.

These people may be very curious individuals that wish to learn a broad range of subjects, but they should use care not to scatter their mental energy, for then learning becomes superficial and lacks depth of understanding. This is also beneficial for all forms of communication. The native is normally quite fluent and possibly witty, communicating intelligently, though sometimes superficially, and some may be prone to excessive talkativeness that some people may find annoying.

There may be a scientific leaning to the mind and most of these people will find education very beneficial in advancing their objectives. Though their minds are very agile, the nervous system may be high-strung, so these people need to get adequate rest if they want their minds to work at an optimum level, as they may be prone to fatigue leading to irritability and difficulty in maintaining focus. As with all of the mutable signs, they should avoid scattering energy over too wide an area thus inhibiting achievement. This is a good position for mental ingenuity and originality, if the native heeds the above advice, and may be beneficial for work in the fields of science and communications especially.

CANCER MERCURY

This placement of Mercury symbolizes a tie between the mind and the emotions. This may be an aid to intuition, but the intrusion of the emotions has the obvious consequence of blurring objectivity at times. Due to the emotional involvement of the mental processes, however, this may be beneficial to memory as the memories retain the emotional impact they are equated with.

Learning (Mercury) may take place on an unconscious level (Cancer – Moon) and later brought to the native's aid on the conscious level, possibly leaving the native uncertain of how these lessons were actually acquired. Communication may take on emotional overtones and expression is usually sensitive. Decision-making may be swayed by the native's instincts and these people are more strongly influenced by the past than by speculation of the future. There may be indications of creativity with this placement, but the native should use care not to be too strongly influenced by unconscious bias.

LEO MERCURY

Leo has a flair for the dramatic. For these individuals, this may very well be expressed in how they communicate with others. Leo is the natural sign of the fifth house of artistic/creative self-expression, so this could be an indication of creative talent. The fire sign connotations may add enthusiasm, energy and warmth to the workings of the mind and to the native's self-expression.

Leo is a fixed sign, so these people may be hard to sway and their opinions difficult to change. They should be warned that Leo's pride can turn to arrogance, which will usually put people off. In this same regard, fire signs are sometimes noted for being a bit too forceful. However, this could be an aid to the native's willpower. This could be beneficial for financial speculation, as this too comes under the fifth house, which is Leo's natural house. Fire signs loathe taking a backseat to anyone and this could foster a desire to be an authority in their chosen field and may grant executive ability.

VIRGO MERCURY

Here again, we have a strong placement for Mercury, as this is one of the signs this planet rules. These people have a gift for exacting attention to detail and, combined with a practical and analytical mind, a penchant to be of service and hardworking. This is an excellent placement for those involved in the sciences or in any form of research work. The normal cautions for Virgo placements are just as valid here, however, and this is a tendency to get too bogged down with minutiae and thus, missing the more important factors involved in a given situation. There may also be a tendency to be critical when under stress and a tendency toward nervousness as well, so these people should take care to get adequate rest.

They tend to be orderly and efficient and may be ill at ease in a disorderly environment. Education is particularly beneficial for these individuals as development of the mind is often where their main interests lie. This could also be beneficial to craftsmen that do extraordinarily detailed work as Mercury is associated with motor coordination and manual dexterity. There may be a gift for exacting communications, paying particular attention to grammatical correctness or possibly a talent with languages. Sixth house issues could also be of interest such as medicine, diet and hygiene.

LIBRA MERCURY

Libra's propensity for refinement and social grace will very likely make itself apparent in the way these people communicate with others. Unless this position is seriously afflicted, these people find coarse or vulgar speech distasteful and will not express themselves in such a manner. Diplomacy is also a gift of Libra, as this coincides with the desire for fairness that most of these people exhibit. Libra is the natural sign of the seventh house, so relationships may be a focal point for much of the native's mental energy. This could manifest as an interest in psychology, counseling work, arbitration or some form of work in the court system or in public relations.

The connection between Venus, Libra's ruler, and the arts could manifest as artistic talent or an appreciation for beauty. These people are usually very courteous and in possession of good manners and will try to avoid others that do not live up to their ideals in this regard. Libra's main weakness is indecisiveness. Through the native's desire to be fair, as well as to be accepted and a need for harmonious relationships, this could prove to be a problem for some of these people.

SCORPIO MERCURY

This placement can be an aid to intuition, as Scorpio is a water sign and thus, associated with the unconscious. The Scorpio/Pluto connotations tend to bestow a penetrating mind that likes to get to the bottom of any given situation. So this may be beneficial to those involved in the sciences, research or counseling work, although we should keep in mind that the turbulent emotions Scorpio is noted for may blur objectivity, particularly if there is a personal involvement of any kind on the part of the native. These people tend toward secrecy and silence, although they may be adept at getting others to reveal their secrets to them. This is equated with Pluto, which likes to hold power over others by exposing their weaknesses.

Communications are short and to the point, again because of Pluto's influence and a distaste for anything that smacks of the superficial. These people rarely mince words and may be a bit ruthless in their communications with others, sometimes forgetting or disregarding the feelings or intentions of those concerned. There may be a strong mental will present as well as a determination to circumvent anything that stands between them and their objectives.

As with all Scorpio placements, if afflicted, this could give a leaning toward vindictiveness, vengefulness, ruthlessness and possibly violence, but this is in the more extreme cases. Also, since Mercury is associated with the mind, the phenomenon of projection may occur, particularly with Pluto's influence, so the native may be subjected to the darker side of this Scorpio placement themselves.

SAGITTARIUS MERCURY

Sagittarius, being a fire sign, may mean that these people communicate enthusiastically and energetically. However, this sign is also equated with freedom and independence and so they may wish to express themselves any damned way they want! Did I forget to mention that this sign is not noted for tact? This is merely a propensity for truthfulness on the part of this sign but, if not held in check, will likely make them few friends.

Sagittarius is the natural sign of the ninth house and so these people may view the entire world as their classroom. There may be an interest in foreign cultures or in teaching others what they have learned. This could take the form of writing books, as publishing is associated with the ninth house.

As with all mutable signs, there could be a scattering of energy, particularly if this position is afflicted, which could lead to too broad an area of interest. Learning, therefore, could lack depth and real understanding. There may also be an interest in religion, philosophy or ethics, but the native should be forewarned of any tendency toward fanaticism in this regard.

CAPRICORN MERCURY

This lends a practical, conservative, serious mindset to the native, which could include skepticism and, for some people, pessimism. If this position is seriously afflicted, it could denote a tendency toward depression due to the influence of Saturn, Capricorn's ruler. Material goals and the native's status may be uppermost in the minds of these individuals. Although reserved, if not a bit cold, in their communications, this is a favorable position for organizational and managerial skills. This fits in with Capricorn's desire for a position of authority and the material advantages that go along with it. These people tend to be ambitious and may be very patient in pursuing their objectives in life.

There may be a notable degree of mental discipline, and this is usually beneficial to the native's ability to concentrate over long periods of time on any given task. Formal education is beneficial in helping them achieve their goals. Politics is also a field associated with Capricorn and some may find their interests lying in this direction. Serious afflictions to this position could manifest as greed and a lack of ethics due to an overriding sense of ambition. Mental discipline, however, will help them in accomplishing long-range goals.

AQUARIUS MERCURY

This is a beneficial placement for Mercury, as both Aquarius and its ruler, Uranus, are associated with the higher mind. This combined with Aquarian detachment and impersonal characteristics can greatly aid objectivity in the native. For a few, if favorably aspected, this could be an indication of high intelligence bordering on genius. These people may be highly original and quite inventive, but also likely to be a bit eccentric and somewhat of a non-conformist.

They may be ideally suited to any field of the sciences or have an interest in humanitarianism. Forward thinking individuals may have an interest in advanced technology or electronics and computers. Usually these people prefer to associate with groups (eleventh house) in their endeavors, but there is still often a discernible need for independence and freedom, particularly where the realm of Mercury is concerned. They should guard against extremist or rebellious behavior where communications are concerned, as this tends to foster opposition and should be resorted to only when necessary. Aquarius is considered the sign of exaltation for Mercury.

PISCES MERCURY

This placement can be detrimental to rational thinking and the practical realities of a given situation. However, this can indicate a person that is highly imaginative and may therefore be beneficial for poetry, music or any expression in the arts.

This position can tend to heighten intuition and psychic tendencies, but the native has to be careful not to let their emotions cloud the issue, which is an all too real possibility with this placement. Pisces and its ruler, Neptune, tend to have a blurring effect on the boundaries which separate us from others. Consequently, when Mercury is posited in Pisces, we may find the native to be somewhat of a psychic sponge that absorbs the feelings and moods in the atmosphere and the people around them. Therefore, these people should endeavor to keep themselves in a positive environment, as negativity could be detrimental to them, as they are very sensitive to it.

They usually communicate in a sensitive manner and tend to be aware of the feelings of those they come in contact with due to the psychic sensitivity mentioned above. They should be careful of being unconsciously influenced by these same tendencies. People with this placement may be vulnerable to people playing on their emotions and should be certain their concerns are bestowed where they are merited.

This could indicate a persecution complex associated with the typical Piscean martyr/savoir complex. Learning may take place on an unconscious level through a sort of osmosis similar to Mercury in Cancer. Most of these people find traditional education techniques tedious. They may be very shy and private people prone to seclusion in order to protect their vulnerability. They should take pains to be practical, particularly when emotionally distraught, for this placement may foster confusion in dealing with reality.

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