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Mercury

Each planet represents an archetypal and fundamental energy that expresses a method, a set of key principles that are central to each planetary archetype.
The nearest planet to the Sun, Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo and consequently, the Third and Sixth Houses.
Considered to be a neutral planet, Mercury takes on the nature of any planet to which it is connected and relates to our ability to communicate and desire for knowledge. It is connected with contacts to siblings, friends and people at school. Mercury represents our thoughts and the constant activity that goes on in our heads. Languages, telephones, the internet, the media, traffic, transport, teaching and travel are all governed by this planet. It is also connected to the hands, shoulders, nervous system and physical co-ordination.
The Sign Mercury is in illustrates the form our communications take and the psychological areas in which our mental talents lie, our intellectual interests and aptitudes. Mercury is the fastest of all planets having a rotational cycle of around 88 days. It is always close to the Sun - either in the same Sign as the Sun or one of the Signs on either side of it.
The House Mercury is in shows the particular area in which our mental talents are put to practical use. This is the area in which we realise our need to make contact and increase our learning.
Aspects to Mercury show mental talents and communication styles in a very specific way. They indicate our individual interests and abilities. Mercury stimulates the mind but can make a subject argumentative, nervous, critical and tense, which are particularly Virgoan traits.
Mercury is considered a neutral planet, meaning that it assumes the colour of any planet aspecting it rather than giving itself to them
In karmic astrology Mercury indicates karma connected with the mind. It describes how the soul communicates and shows how the mind has been used in previous incarnations. It can also indicate Karma with siblings
In mythology, Mercury was the winged messenger - the god of trade, commerce and science. Mercury is the Roman equivalent of Hermes, and the son of Maia and Jupiter. He was the patron of travelers and also of rogues, vagabonds and thieves. Hence, the name Mercury is used to denote both a messenger and a thief. As a consequence Gemini is associated with both communication and cunning. He is often depicted wearing his winged hat and carrying a cadecus and a purse.
The symbol for Mercury is made up of three separate symbols : the circle, the crescent and the cross.
When used well Mercurial qualities such as intelligence, versatility, logical, adroitness, sociability and expressiveness come to the fore. If over or misused then faults such as Slyness, nervousness, insincerity, criticalness, pedantic and chattering are often evident.

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