Mercury and its dignities and debilities

The planet Mercury is named after the Roman God of trade, commerce, travel, and communication. He was also the god of thieves as well as everything which required skill and dexterity. Mercury was typically the messenger of the gods because he could fly so swiftly. He was known for having wings on his sandals and helmet, as well as a wand/staff called a caduceus. He was also responsible for leading departed souls down to Avernus, which is the gateway to the underworld.

The planet Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. It is the smallest of the eight planets surrounding the sun. It moves faster than any other planet around its orbit. Experts say that it is similar to the moon in appearance. Unlike the sun and the moon that I have described as "planets" astrologically, Mercury is scientifically classified as an official "Planet". Because it is so small, experts say that it cannot retain a habitual atmosphere...therefore its climate is constantly changing.

In astrology, Mercury is the planet of the mind and communication. It is considered a "personal" planet astrologically. It is an "inner" planet (meaning one of the close planets to the earth, therefore relating to humans more personally). Symbolically, through this "personal" planet we extend a part of ourselves to the world. Mercury represents how our mind functions. Unlike the sun which represents the conscious mind and the moon that represents the sub-conscious mind, Mercury is particularly the planet that transfers information to the conscious and the sub-conscious mind as well as transferring these parts of our mind to the outside world. If we didn't have Mercury, how would others in the outside world know who we are? How would they know how we feel? Without Mercury, we cannot communicate nor create a conscious or subconscious mind. That is how important the planet Mercury is to us as human beings. Mercury is the planet that allows us to process information; break things down in detail so that we can understand what is going on. It represents primary education; the stage of education in which we learn how to develop skills. Mercury is also the planet of skills, especially mental skills and skills dealing with the hands (our motor skills). It is also our means of traveling (not necessarily how far we travel or our need for traveling experiences: that is based upon the planet Jupiter). Mercury rules our means of traveling quickly and efficiently from point A to point B. Believe it or not traveling is the only way we learn, right? It's the only way we communicate our ideas and learn about the ideas of others. Mercury can take the form of writing, as well as how we communicate humor (Jupiter will also help to color our sense of humor). When the energy of Mercury is strong, Mercury can communicate clearly its thoughts and opinions. It is curious about the world around it and it is always ready to learn something new. It is mentally flexible and open to new ideas. In this state, Mercury can effectively develop skills and work at something in the real world. If there is too much Mercurial energy, the native will be too logical in their approach to situations. They may only see things in detail and struggle to see the "big picture". They may have tendencies to be "know-it-alls", believing only things that can be proven with "facts". This kind of energy believes that everyone thinks (or should think) like they do, rather than seeing all minds as versatile. If Mercurial energy is blocked, then the mind tends to get confused and cause confusion. Information is communicated in a dramatic or creative way, but not necessarily with physical proof or facts. There is a struggle to see the details and thus a struggle to develop skills in order to work in the "real" world. When in this position, Mercury is more dissatisfied with the world around it, and would prefer to see the world better than it already is. There is a lack of curiosity to learn about the ideas of others, and more of a curiosity for a world that only exists in our own mind. In this position, we struggle to be "students" of life.

So which signs do you think Mercury may find strengths or limitations? Let's examine them.

Mercury in Gemini-The Twins of Mercury

Mercury+Gemini=A FLEXIBLE MIND!

"The Twins" in astrology is a symbol based of the story of the famous twins in Greek mythology known as Castor and Pollux, where one was mortal (Castor) and the other was immortal (Pollux). The Gemini zodiac sign is therefore one of the rarest Zodiac signs in the fact that it represents humanistic beings. If we think about twins, there are often strong similarities and strong differences between them. There are three different types of twins. Identical twins usually are born from the same egg that eventually separates into two. Identical Twins are very well known because they look EXTREMELY similar. Even some fraternal twins (twins born from two seperate eggs at the same time) sometimes look very identical to each other. Then there are fraternal twins that come out of the womb as boy and girl fraternal twins (usually because one X sperm was fertilized with another X sperm, while the other X sperm was fertilized along with a Y sperm). Twins, regardless of the type of twins they are, usually have a very strong bond. Twins may look alike, even think and act alike. Some are known to finish each other's sentences and even speak in unison. Or there are some twins that look alike, but may be completely opposite in their thoughts. Twins have always been a symbol of opposites coming together; as well as trickery, mischief, deviousness, and telepathy. There are many superstitions involving twins as well. In some cultures, they are symbol of good luck; in others a symbol of bad luck.

In astrology, Mercury is in domicile in the sign of Gemini. Mercury is the planet of communication...and guess what? Gemini is the sign of communication! Mercury is the kind of planet that desires to learn and understand the world from a rational perspective. In Gemini, Mercury is in the sign that represents two different beings. The sign of Gemini thus represents versatility and adaptability. This energy allows Mercury to express itself from various different perspectives and to develop a variety of different skills. It also allows Mercury to develop even telepathic abilities; the ability to "read" other people's mind without actual communication. So, now to explain how this benefits natives with this position. The twins of Mercury will be blessed with a very flexible mind. They are willing (and able) to learn just about anything. They have the ability to be the "jack of all trades", with plenty of skills for a variety of different fields to work in. Learning and communicating comes naturally to people with this position. It's easy for people to understand where they are coming from because they make sure that others can understand them. They are the type of people that are willing to learn new languages (or teach others their language) so that communication between people is much easier. They almost seem to have "telepathic" understanding of the human mind. They know what people around them are thinking, just by "reading" through the signals. This is because they pick up on "body language" and thus they know exactly what people are thinking and saying long before someone tells them. This ability is perfect for fields like Journalism. They always know what is trending in society. They have an "inner voice"; which for them is the voice of reason. This is the voice that often rationalizes and breaks down situations as well as what other people are saying and doing. From this "inner voice", they are able to think logically about situations without being clouded by emotions or fixed beliefs (this of course depends on other energies in the natal chart).

The downside to this position is that it makes for a mind that is a little TOO flexible. They are so curious about the world its hard for them to stick to one idea for too long and learn one subject to its entirety. Long term projects are simply not their thing. They are easily convinced by words and facts that they ignore emotional intuition. Not to mention they change their minds so often, they cannot be relied on to follow through with anything they say they will do. They are full of so many great ideas...yet they get bored soon after they've spoken of it. It would be good for them to learn to focus their mental energy so that they can put their ideas in more concrete forms. This requires you to direct your curiosity for learning towards one subject at a time. That way you will have more knowledge about a subject instead of going on tidbits of information. Speaking of going on tidbits of information, its best that you don't fall into the trap of gossiping on only the tidbits of information you gather. Learn to slow down and take a mental break otherwise you will suffer from headaches and nervousness. Its good that you love to talk and get to know people, but try not to overwhelm others with constant questions. There is a time to be silent. Mercury in Gemini natives can be deceitful and mischievous when they are curious, so it's best that they learn to be honest with others. Otherwise, it can only cause more setbacks than rewards. Ideas from these natives are usually inspired by their own curiosity. Their writing style is adaptable, with a strong usage of details. Their humor is usually witty and clever, even sometimes unintentonal.

You may also relate to this if you have Mercury (planet of communication) in the 3rd house (house of communication). If you have planets in Sagittarius, Pisces, or Leo in your natal chart, this may tame your Mercurial energy.

If you have poor aspects (oppositions and squares) to Mercury or Mercury is accidentally debilitated by house placement, you may have more setbacks when trying to gain Mercurial energy.

Gemini is a mutable sign (flexible) and an air sign (mental).

Mercury in Virgo-The Virgans of Mercury

Mercury+Virgo=A CLEAR & METICULOUS MIND!!! Dignity(+9)

The virgan in astrology is often looked down upon because in our society virginity is not as prized as it was in ancient times. Particularly the word Virgo in Latin means to be self-sufficient, which is ironically a characteristic of this sign. The Virgan represents more than sexual purity. The symbol for the Virgan is a double-bodied figure that is typically a winged angel-like goddess (half-bird, half human). In her depiction, she is carrying an ear of wheat in her hands. To astrology experts and mythological experts she is identified as Dike, the goddess of justice. Dike was originally an earthling, who, according to the old Greek tale, lived during the days when humans were "perfect". But when Zues overthrew his father, mankind began to decline in honorable standards. She longed for mankind to return to its more righteous days, and through her disappointment with this "imperfect world", spread her wings and flew to the heavens. As a result of this depiction, Virgo has always been representative of purity, analysis, and ultimately perfection.

Virgo is a symbol of not just any kind of human being; it is depicting a being that is part human and part bird. Birds in ancient Greece have always been a symbol of divinity. Therefore, for this segment I will be using birds as an example for this interpretation.

Birds are the best symbols for the sign of Virgo. Birds have a detailed and analytical mind. Birds are also fantastic at communicating with each other in a variety of different ways. Birds are not only good at carrying messages to each other, but they are also very adept at carrying messages to humans depending on the species. Some birds can even speak like the voices of HUMANS, such as the parrot, the cockatoo, and the parakeets, as well as birds who mimic sounds such as the mockingbird. They have great instinct for time, and they wake up early to scavange for food. When a climate gets too dangerous, they fly to a safer destination where it will be easier to scavenge. In many cultures birds have always been a symbol of freedom. But in actuality, birds work hard to survive and are adaptable as a result. Birds are also meticulous when it comes to their "nests" and most birds are very clean as a result. Speaking of nests, they are 'master craftsmen" when it comes to building a nest.

Mercury in Virgo is not only in domicile in the sign of Virgo...it is also EXALTED in the sign of Virgo. Some may not even be surprised that such an analytical sign is such a comfortable and powerful position for Mercury. Yet, I'm pretty sure there are also some people who wonder...how can Mercury be both in domicile AND exalted in this sign? Even some astrologers question the ancients' ideas on this dignity. But, honestly it really isn't hard to understand how Mercury is both at home and exalted in this sign. Let me first explain why Mercury is in domicile in this sign. First off, Mercury is the planet of communication and the mind. It seeks to learn about the world around it and to understand how to function in the "real world". In Virgo, Mercury definitely is in a sign that is all about functioning in the "real world". Virgo is the sign of criticism, analysis, and work. Mercury can think and learn simply by analyzing the things around it in this sign. In the sign of work it can easily apply everything it learns to developing skills. Therefore, the people who have Mercury in Virgo will have a strong desire to understand their environment and will be extremely analytical; capable of seeing the details. They will have the ability to develop "real world" skills with ease because of their meticulous mind. They are always tinkering with things; they simply can't help themselves. They have the kind of mind that wants to take things apart and put it back together...simply to put their skills to the test and make them more efficient.

Now to explain why Mercury is also exalted in this sign. Mercury is the planet of communication and the mind. Virgo is not only the sign of analysis and hard work, but it is also the sign of perfection, expertise, and usefulness. Therefore, not only does the sign of Virgo make Mercury feel very much at home, it also puts most of its energy and abilities towards perfecting its mind, thus perfecting the energies of Mercury. When a planet is in exaltation, the sign usually has abilities that allow the planet to go "beyond itself". In the sign of Virgo, Mercury can do more than just learn, communicate, and develop skills. It can discern what information is useful and what information is not useful to PERFECT the skills they've developed. And normally, Mercury is usually so curious that it cannot stick to one subject or skill. In Virgo, Mercury makes up for that by becoming an expert/master at ALL the skills it has taken on. The people with this position are thus blessed with the ability to work in any field of work and actually MASTER what they have taken on. They almost seem to do things perfectly, simply because they want to do things with excellence and have taken every detail into account as a result. They communicate clearly and precisly; they speak according to their immediate environment so that everyone around them can understand them. They are experts at mimicking the speech of those around them and they adapt languages quicker than others when they are interested. They understand the difference between right and wrong very distinctly, which makes them very good judges of character and conduct.

While Mercury in Virgo natives LIKE to do things with perfection (and to some this position may seem perfect), NOTHING IS perfect in this world, and this will cause natives with this position to have disappointments. There are some issues that come with having a placement focused on being "perfect". Mercury in Virgo natives tend to be very critical, nervous, and fussy when everything is not the way they want it. They end up having a difficult time working with others because they have a need to do things perfectly, and thus they expect others to do things perfectly too (which we all know is impossible). Their mind is always on constant overdrive, but they need to learn to let things go and not be so petty about the details. It's good that Mercury in Virgo natives are so logical, but they must understand that not everything can be solved or understood through logic (depending on other energies in the chart, they may gain this understanding). They need to lighten up on themselves and others, because no one is perfect. Your idea of perfection is not EVERYONE's idea of perfection. You must learn to be more tolerant of the ideas of others and don't be so quick to write other people's ideas off just because it may not seem practical to you at the time. Learn to sometimes see the biggier picture instead of seeing everything from a microscopic view. The only way you can do that is if you stop working your hands and your brain, and let someone else do the work for a change. Ideas from these natives are usually inspired by their own critical observations. Their writing style is usually very detailed and precise. Their humor is usually filled with sarcasm, using their detailed and critical mind as humorous tools.

You may relate to this description if you have Mercury (planet of communication) in the 6th house (house of work and health). If you have planets in Sagittarius, Leo, or especially Pisces this may tame some of your Mercurial energies.

If you have negative aspects to Mercury (oppositions/squares), or the planet Mercury is accidentally debilitated by house position, you may have more setbacks to gaining Mercurial energy.

Virgo is a mutable sign (flexible) and an earth sign (physical).

Mercury in Aquarius-The Water Bearers of Mercury

Mercury+Aquarius=An Objective Mind! Dignity(+4)

The water Bearer in astrology is not necessarily representative of a "cup-bearer" solely. It is mostly connected with the youth that was a "cup-bearer" to the god, but out of an act of rebellion caused massive rains that flooded the earth for many days. The symbol of Aquarius usually has the symbol of this youthful male with an urn, pouring out water down below him. This "water" is symbolic in astrology of Aquarius's ability to "pour" out knowledge onto humanity. The sign of Aquarius is representative of clouds, lightning, and storms. Clouds are unpredictable, and yet they aren't actually living entities. A cloud is literally a collision of gas created by the atmosphere, making a cloud more of an idea than a being. Even though they are not "living beings", they do function, form, and move. One of their main functions is that they are able to absorb water particles and release them into the atmosphere. This is what causes precipitation/rainfall. Clouds are very important to our climate; without the water from these clouds, the water on earth would dry up. Without rainfall, vegetation and plants would die. Without the clouds and rainfall, our earth would be too warm to live on! This is how important the clouds are to the earth. The clouds also give us signals as to the coming weather, especially ones like the Mammatus clouds. These clouds can attach to other clouds and are considered "messenger clouds" because they are a signal for a strong storm to come.

To some modern astrologers, Mercury is considered to be exalted in the sign of Aquarius. I agree that this could be a possibility. Mercury is the sign of the mind and communication. It seeks to learn and develop new skills. Aquarius is the sign of genius, spontaneity, and invention. This sign is ruled by the planet Saturn (planet of order and discipline) and also Uranus (the planet of genius, spontaniety, and invention). Uranus is considered the "higher octave" of Mercury, meaning a planet that is similar to Mercury, only it goes beyond normal realms of understanding. The characteristics of Aquarius involves a rational and aloof mind that is able to see things objectively. As a result of this extremely objective mind, people who have this sign in their natal chart are able to come up with some of the most brilliant ideas. In Aquarius, Mercury is not necessarily in domicile as Aquarius is not necessarily a sign concerned with communicating or developing real world skills. In fact, Aquarius is quite Utopian, which is not necessarily characteristic of a "realistic" individual. However, Aquarius can give Mercury SUPREME mental abilities. Aquarius is also the sign of knowledge; and Mercury's goal is to GAIN knowledge. This gives Mercury a lot of energy, energy that it can use for things even greater than "itself". In this sign it can take its mind and invent incredible things for humanity, and percieve what will be the next trend before it is even a trend. Therefore, the natives with this position will be blessed with a mind that always has a "spark of inspiration", where ideas just seem to come to them out of nowhere. With this position, they are capable of being master inventors and scientists. Since Aquarius is also ruled by the planet of discovery (Uranus), these natives are always discovering new ways to do things. So even though they may not necessarily care to develop real-world skills, they know how to develop new methods to help them achieve in the world. The natives with this position are also extremely observant of people and things. This proves helpful when trying to connect with others on a mental level. They know how to speak to people because they know what people want simply by observing them. This is a position that finds it easy to work on group activities because they have a sincere interest in humanity. And they are HIGHLY curious about the world and how the world functions. They like to "experiment" and are willing to try various things, even if it's not the social norm. The best part is that when they learn or discover new things, they don't just learn for their own sake; they are seeking discoveries for the sake of a cause or humanity at large. They have a social environmental speech pattern, where they adapt their speech to meet their social environment. To some, they may not even seem like the geniuses they really are; which is sometimes simply a reflection of their peer group. They also enjoy thinking differently from others, and so they also have a tendency to purposely form ideas they know others may not approve of. Being ruled by Uranus, the planet of freedom and independence, their minds are so "independent" they don't want to follow along other people's line of thought. Sometimes they may act less intelligent, simply because they don't want to think like other people do! And then there are times that they may not see things the way other people do through no fault of their own. You'd probably be surprised to know that some people with this position may have dyslexia or dyscalculia, ADHD, and even autism. However, this has only been even more of a motivation for them to experiment and try new methods. In fact, even if they do not have these "disabilities", they understand people who think different and may even be able to create new ways of learning for those people. With Aquarius being ruled by Saturn (planet of order, structure, and discipline), they have just enough discipline to focus their mind on long term projects. With this energy, Mercury in Aquarius can learn as well as enlighten others with its discoveries.

Of course, with all the good that Mercury is able to do in the sign of Aquarius, there is a downside. The intellectuals of the Mercury in Aquarius natives tend to be know-it-alls. Even ones that are not of the intellectual sorts tend to think they know what is best for them and have a hard time opening their minds to OTHER people's ideas and opinions. It's really hard for them to accept normal forms of teaching, and they have a tendency to be closed minded. They are very good at creating new methods, but they must learn to sometimes "follow the rules", especially if following the rules is a more efficient way to get an important task done. Mercury has a deceitful energy; and if you mix that with the spontaniety of Aquarius, the natives tend to have the mind of a "trickmaster". Try not to let these energies get carried away; practical jokes are only fun when they aren't mean spirited. Because Mercury is in the most aloof sign in the zodiac, it might be a good idea for Mercury in Aquarius natives to take a mental break. It's good that you love having new ideas, but sometimes you put so much energy into developing your mind, that you forget to focus on the emotional parts of your life. (This of course depends on other energies in the chart). Ideas from these natives are inspired by a need for freedom and equality. Their writing style is philosophical and mind-blowing. Their humor is quirky and odd. They seem to tell jokes spontaneously/randomly.

You may relate to these descriptions if you have Mercury (planet of communication) in the 11th house (house of associations, humanitarian causes, as well as utopian hopes and dreams). If you have planets in Sagittarius, Leo, or Pisces in your natal chart this may tame your some of your Mercurial energies.

If you have negative aspects (oppositions/squares) to Mercury/Saturn/Uranus, planets in signs that Saturn/Uranus doesn't agree with (such as Aries, Cancer, or Leo), Saturn or Uranus positioned in a debilitated placement (in detriment or falling), or Mercury/Saturn/Uranus is accidentally debilited by house placement, you may have more setbacks to gaining Mercurial energy.

Aquarius is a fixed sign (immovable) and an air sign (mental).

Mercury in Sagittarius-The Archer of Mercury

Mercury+Sagittarius=a Staunch Mind Debility(-5)

The sign of Sagittarius is very similar to Virgo in the fact that it is a sign that is double-bodied, half man and half horse, which is a creature known as a centaur. The "human" side to this sign is supposed to be characteristic of the humane side of the centaur...the side that thinks and is philosophical. The "horse" part of this creature is representative of the "wild" side of Sagittarius, which is the side to them that wants freedom to roam. The symbol is particularly representative of Chiron, a Centuar who was a master at the art of archery. In Greek stories, the Centaurs were excellent at hunting and combat. Chiron was the most revered Centaur, who was considered more human than animal and highly philosophical. Some may also see this sign as representative of the Satyr Crotus (who was also half horse and a healer).

For a more realistic understanding of this sign, I will be using both the natures of archers as well as the nature of the horses to describe this sign. An archer is typically a person who practices using a bow to propel arrows. Many Archery techniques require eye coordination, using your best eye to see, while the bow and arrow is aimed from the opposite side. Some forms of archery techniques require shooting according to the strongest hand. Regardless, archery, according to some researchers, is a form of combat that can help us improve our sight as well as other senses if we ever wanted to take archery up as a sport.

The art of archery is similar to the behavior style of a horse. Horses have a tendency to arch their neck when they are headed toward a destination. They also run faster when their necks are "arched" forward. Horses tend to use their strongest limb and their strongest sense to get around and communicate. Their communication style includes the use of their ears, eyes, and nostrils, as well as neighing and whinnying. They have 360 degree vision. They do have blind spots directly in front of them and directly behind them, however, they can see and sense things from long distances. When training a horse, it is much easier for them to develop skills if they trust their master. They can be quite clever and very good at categorization.

endencyMercury is unfortunately in detriment in the sign of Sagittarius. One might ask..."Why would Mercury, the planet of communication, learning, and knowledge, be in detriment in an optimistic and philosophical sign like Sagittarius?" Well, if you think about it...the fact that Sagittarius is so optimistic and philosophical is EXACTLY the reason why Mercury is in detriment in this sign. How so? Well let's think about it. Mercury, being the sign of adaptability, learning, logic, as well as being a sign concerned with developing real world skills, is now in a sign that is all about philosophy, faith, optimism, and freedom. Sagittarius is very much a sign that wants to learn...but unfortunately from its own experiences, simply because Sagittarius would prefer to be free to learn the way it WANTS to learn. With the sign of "faith" and "optimism" there is hardly any room for logical reasoning because some facts are just too cold for the warmth of "optimism". So what do you get when you combine these two energies into the native? You get a person that has a conflict of natures. In one instance, the native is eager to learn about the world around them; and ready to communicate with the people around them. But then, in another instance, they lose curiosity with their immediate environment, and often begin to long for bigger, grander experiences. While they are very observant of the things around them, they often overlook the details. They can be blunt in their communication style and are not very tactful when it comes to communicating with others. This is because while they do seek to communicate with others, they also want to be free to speak however they please. They have a tendency to be fantastic teachers because of their enthusiasm, but they have a tendency to be terrible students because of their need to learn from their own experiences and be "free-minded". Logic is not a strong characteristic of this combination. They have the potential to be highly intelligent, sure. However, they struggle to see things logically when they really believe in something (or someone). In fact, they have a t to question factual proof because they prefer to see the world outside of our usual understanding. This is why the sign of Sagittarius is affiliated with philosophy, which is typically a study that questions our "usual" or "basic" understanding of things. Their optimism can sometimes cloud the facts, making it difficult for them to see the world as "it is" rather than as they want to see it. In the long run this makes developing "real world" skills difficult for them because they are not honestly focused on the mundane world around them. If they can learn to open their minds to various different points of views and learning styles, they will gain more knowledge. They must avoid acting as if they are knowledgable about subjects they're not really knowledgable about. They must especially avoid degrading other people's point of view to make themselves look better.

The upside to this position is that they can see beyond our normal understanding and open our eyes to more possibilities. To some they may seem to have their heads in the clouds, but in actuality the ideas that they are capable of coming up with can be pure genius! They have a "futuristic" outlook, matching that of a Mercury in Aquarius native, with the difference being that they have more optimism and faith to back them up. They may seem like a blind devotee to a cause or a religion, but with their kind of mind they are able to make the impossible possible. To add, unlike their opposite position Mercury in Gemini, they are capable of studying subjects more deeply and are adept at finishing long term projects. When it comes to traveling, their minds can take them far beyond their "backyards" into worlds that others have never heard of. In the end, because they expand their minds and learn from their experiences they are capable of inspiring others. This is why they make excellent teachers. Ideas from these natives are usually inspired by their own experiences of life or mentors. They are adventurous writers, and they impliment their own morals/beliefs in their writing style. Their humor is very blunt, with a hint of satire.

You may relate to these descriptions if you have Mercury (planet of communication) in the 9th house (house of travel, philosophy, and law). If you have planets in signs that Mercury agrees with such as Aquarius, Gemini, and especially Virgo, this may give you more Mercurial energy.

If you have positive aspects to Mercury/Jupiter such as trines/sextiles, planets in signs that Jupiter agrees with such as Sagittarius, Pisces, or Cancer; Jupiter is dignified by sign position, or Jupiter/Mercury is accidentally dignified by house position, you may get more benefits to help you gain Mercurial energy.

Sagittarius is a mutable sign (flexible) and a fire sign (energetic).

Mercury in Leo-The Lion of Mercury

Mercury+Leo=A Haughty Mind Debility(-4)

The lion is known as the "King of the Jungle" because it is one of the most dominate predators in African and Asian countries. They are known for being fantastic hunters; creative and strong-willed. They are capable of strategic thinking when they are hunting for prey. They are highly creative in this way, because they set up strategy according to their prey, usually choosing to either ambush (especially male lions) or stalk (especially female lions) their prey. Lions mainly roar to communicate, but they also have other various ways to communicate such as stroking, nuzzling, and even purring. They are very social creatures, after all. Lions sleep almost 20 hours a day...so Lions are not always on the move.

Mercury is considered by some astrologers to be falling in the sign of Leo. This would mean that Mercury does not have enough energy here and needs help from outsiders. When examining this logically and reasonably, I agree. Mercury is the planet of communication, mental adaptability, as well as skills and our means of short distance travel. Leo is the sign of drama, creativity, and pride. When Mercury is in this sign, Mercury is situated in a sign that is attention seeking. Leo is ruled by the sun, the "planet" of the ego. Mercury becomes caught up in communicating to bring attention to its own ego rather than learning about others. Mercury is also in the sign of drama, making the communicative energies dramatic. How does this affect the natives with this position? There is a native here that yearns to learn, but also yearns to preserve their ego. For natives that have Mercury in Leo, they have a tendency to speak for dramatic effect. Sometimes they'll be so concerned with how eloquent they've spoken that they do not focus on the facts they've gathered. They may be curious and social, and they may enjoy talking with others...but their conversations have a tendency to go back to themselves and their own ideas. Mercury in Leo natives have a tendency to boast when they get new ideas in their head. They take a lot of pride in the ideas they come up with, and when people criticize their ideas, they have a tendency to get even louder and even more determined to prove their own ideas. When it comes to developing new skills, they are not as concerned with "real world" skills, and would rather prefer to use their own creativity. Even if they are the intellectual types, it's very difficult to teach them without feeding their egos. When they do actually learn something, they put so much pride in what they've learned, it is not easy for them to be open to a "second opinion". (This of course, depends on other energies in the chart). Leo is not a reasonable energy; it is an energy that has the final say in any situation. They may overcompensate for their lack of knowledge on a subject by expressing themselves impressively. When Mercury is in Leo, natives with this position struggle to see things reasonably, especially when their egos are attacked. They don't like when others question their intelligence or put them to the test. It would be of benefit to them to lower their pride and see others, aside from themselves, as individuals with their own opinions. Once they learn to swallow their pride, the rest will come much easier to them. They must understand that not all criticism is a personal attack on them. Sometimes when people criticize you its because they see your potentials and want to help you "perfect" your craft. It's good that you are creative, but you must also be open to developing new skills for the "real world". Hard work pays off in the long run, and you must try not to get mentally lazy when you can't seem to get the immediate recognition you desire for your brilliant mind. It's not enough to be an eloquent speaker; you must also have facts to prove what you are saying is true.

There is an upside to this position, as with all positions. They are fantastic speakers, and if they do actually have a factual case...look out world! They know how to move an audience and inspire others with their creative ideas. They are a social sign and they are never afraid to speak their mind about a subject. They do very well in the fields of entertainment because they are good at bringing attention to themselves. The best part is they aren't as mentally impressionable as maybe a Mercury in Gemini, and so are able to form their own opinions. They have a lot of dignity and only give what they can be proud of. When they are creative, this is where people can truly see their genius mind. They are filled with ideas, that others may not take seriously at first...but they will always make sure that their ideas are implemented. When they are interested in something (or someone), they have the will to discover everything about this subject (or person). Not only are they good at "grabbing" attention...they are also very good at bringing attention to causes, especially involving others less fortunate than them. They are very generous, and while others might think they are boastful in some instances, they are more than willing to share everything they've learned with others. Ideas from these natives are inspired by a need to be admired and respected. Their writing style tends to be dramatic and decorative. Their humor is creative with a dramatic flair. They are usually the "butt" of their own joke.

You may relate to this description if you have Mercury (planet of communication) in the 5th house (house of romance, creative self-expression, and amusements). If you have planets in Gemini, Aquarius, and especially Virgo this may give you more Mercurial energy.

If you have positive aspects to Mercury/the sun (trines/sextiles), planets in signs that the sun agrees with such as Leo/Aries, the sun is dignified by sign position, or your Mercury/sun is accidentally dignified by house position, you may get more benefits to help you gain Mercurial energy.

Because the sign of Leo is ruled by the sun, a masculine energy, females with this position may not readily embrace these energies, and may even project it on the males around her.

Leo is a fixed sign (immovable) and a fire sign (energetic).

Mercury in Pisces-The Fish of Mercury

Mercury+Pisces=a vague and confusing mind... Debility(-9)

The sign of pisces is symbolized as two fish usually swimming one behind the other. This symbol is characteristic of energy that is just as easily inspired as it is inspiring. Fish are vertebrate animals that live underwater. They can vary in size, from the tiny sardine to the shark. Fish are said to have small brains relative to their size, at least compared to other animal species. They are however, capable of forming "schools" with one another, and use their eyes and the "lateral line" (a row of pores running along the fish’s sides) to keep the school together. Through these pores they can easily sense pressure in the water and can detect movement from other fish and predators. Some fish are so adaptable, they can change their body temperature to fit the temperature of the water. They communicate in a subtle manner. They might moan, wail, and may even whistle. Fish do not have vocal chords. They tend to use vibrations from their bodies to send signals.

From this description, it should be pretty obvious why Mercury is falling in this sign. But what might shock you is that Mercury is also in DETRIMENT in this sign. Many people might wonder how can Mercury be both falling and in detriment in a sign? Let me explain. When a planet is falling, that means the planet struggles to express in this sign because of a conflict of desires. The planet lacks energy, needing support from outsiders in order to develop mentally. This debility tends to be more physical in expression, rather than mental. The person with this position struggles to come out of their "shell". When a planet is in detriment, there is a conflict of natures. The native has a nature that is contrary to their own feelings, causing more of a mental conflict than a physical one.

Now that we understand this, let us see how this plays out with this position. Mercury, (the planet of the mind, communication, learning, and skills) is positioned in the sign of Pisces, (the sign of dreams, creativity, and impressionability). Mercury finds itself in a mind that is quite confusing to its nature. Mercury is now roaming in a sign full of dreams where nothing logical can be found. It is vulnerable and unsure of the world in this sign. Not to mention, it is in a sign that is isolated from others and not extremely communicative. How does this affect the native? The native with Mercury in Pisces may long to learn about others and communicate with others, but is extremely unsure of how to speak to others. Having Mercury in detriment, the natives naturally think differently from others...and yet being in fall they struggle to express even THOSE rare energies.

Because this Mercurial position is falling, the native also finds learning difficult because it learns better through the imagination or through creative things. There is a conflict of desires present, where the native wants to dream and be creative, but they also yearn for clarity. They may mishandle their energies as result. This can make it difficult for them to develop "real world" skills. When things get too logical or detailed, they can get really confused. They may have ideas of their own, but their mind is so impressionable it may be ideas that are mixed in from other people's thoughts and feelings. They can be really indecisive, making it hard for them to come to a conclusion about things. They are susceptible to believe things, even if they haven't seen all the facts. This is something they should be very careful of. They also have a tendency to daydream because they are easily inspired by a thought or a feeling. They must learn to be more confident in their own mental abilities. Don't ignore the logical side to yourself. You are capable of coming up with ingenious ideas if you give yourself a chance. Speak up when you do not know the answers.

The planet Mercury is also in detriment in Pisces, as we have discussed. Here is why. Mercury is the planet of logic, communication, learning, and skill. Pisces, aside from being a dreamy and imaginative sign, is also the sign of compassion, connection, and spirituality. Mercury finds itself in a sign that is filled naturally filled compassionate energy and imaginative energy. Thus, with this combination, it can cause the native to have a conflict of natures. When Mercury in Pisces natives do attempt to talk with others, they prefer to speak according to the moods of others rather than give cold logic. This can cause them to be quite dishonest in their thoughts and opinions. Because they have so much compassion for people, they tend to disregard logic for the sake of the emotions of others. This also makes them struggle with criticism and logical discernment. Even when they do think in terms of reason, instead of separating and analyzing each individual situation and each person as "different", they would prefer to see everything and everyone as connected somehow. They have a tendency to put blind faith in people and things, and may even argue against scientific theories or facts, even if proven. Rather than see things as they are, they prefer to see within or beyond a person or situation...sometimes they tend to see things that are not even there. This blind faith blocks their ability to question situations that may be harmful to them in the long run. As far as developing "real world" skills, they prefer to use their creativity in most cases. This is not a position that can easily think and work in a world that's logical all the time. They must learn to open their mind to the possibility that facts might be more enlightening than spirit at times. Learn to discriminate and decipher the good and the bad, otherwise you will suffer and have regrets. Don't let your compassion cloud your judgment. The best way to do this is by listening with your "ears" rather than your "heart". Avoid isolating yourself. If you actually practice speaking and communicating with others, that is how you can improve. Running away into your own world won't help.

Even though they are gullible and sometimes jump into situations wihout logical thought, they have many experiences as a result that they can share with others. They are very wise because in the end, they understand the connection everyone has to life. And they are not so cold and logical that they disregard the feelings of others. In fact, the feelings of others can be quite motivating for them. Because they are easily inspired, they also know how to inspire and uplift others. When they speak, they can touch beyond the mind...they touch "the heart". Ideas from these natives are impressionable and is usually inspired by their surroundings. If they are writers, they often make a strong use of symbolism. Their humor is usually whimsical and ironic.As with every position, even THIS position has an upside. In fact, it has plenty of positives. With its imagination, it can achieve things in the world that people can only dream of. They are extremely creative, and excel in any artistic fields. They also make really good teachers because they are compassionate and understanding. They are also very good at picking up on different languages because of their impressionability. And unlike other Mercurial positions, they are really good listeners and can see things that others miss. They have a "sixth sense" for things that are unseen and may do well in supernatural studies.

You may relate to these descriptions if you have Mercury (planet of communication) in the 12th house (house of secrets, the hidden, isolation, sub-conscious needs, and understanding). If you have planets in signs that Mercury agrees with such as Aquarius, Gemini, and especially Virgo, you may have more mercurial energy.

If you have positive aspects (trines/sextiles) to Mercury/Jupiter/Neptune, planets in signs that Jupiter/Neptune agree with; Jupiter/Neptune has dignified positions by sign, or accidentally dignified by house placement, then you may get more benefits to help you gain mercurial energy.

Pisces is a mutable sign (flexible) and a water sign (emotional).

Mercury crosses through all 12 signs of the zodiac. For the sake of this website I have narrowed down each planetary position to its dignified or debilitated placement. However, you can still learn a lot about ALL the planets and the signs, simply through dignities and debilities.