Mercury

The Signs

Sep 23

Mercury Astrological Symbol Glyph Meaning — **non-judgemental and authentic connection**

**Keywords:** speech, language, writing, communication, linking, connecting, bridging, ideas, stimulation, communication, absorbing information, new perspectives, duality, polarity, dexterity, youthfulness, networking, curiosity, rationality, variability, fickleness, jack-of-all-trades, trickster, two-facedness, siblings, twins

sign rulership: Gemini & Virgo

mythological correspondence: Hermes, messenger of the gods

Faculty of Mind

As humans, we have the eternal urge to make connections. Mercury is the locus of our rational mind, governing our thought processes, opinions, and the way we communicate with the world — it shows how we mould sensory data into coherent patterns of understanding that give rise to intelligence. Words, symbols, signs, and networks all fall under the remit of this agile, mercurial planet, who acts as both generator and conductor of information. Facilitating a connection between unconscious and conscious processes, Mercury also provides access to more abstract, archetypal images, such as dreams and symbols.

Mercury sparks a keen appetite for learning and a relentless thirst for satisfying curiosity through the acquisition of information and explanations. How do we make life choices, and how do we sift through the criteria that enable our decision-making? Mercury shows how we ascertain ideas, weigh the accuracy, authenticity, and usefulness of arguments and differentiate between the reasonable and the absurd, deepening our judgement in the process.

Wordsmithery

Wordsmithery is both a gift and a sacred tool. The power of words is often underestimated, yet of fundamental importance — our style of communication extends beyond how we present our thoughts to others; it influences how we think, sort, and pattern our understandings, criteria, and preferences. Mercury shows how we employ language and speech for our purposes, and provides insights into what might hinder effective communication in this pursuit. Are we an exceptional observer, skilled in methodical analysis or talented in critical examination? Do we employ logical tactics, deflect, or skirt around issues? Mercury provides a model of our mental processing and agility, allowing us to explore the intricacies of our minds and the limitless potentials of communication.

Mercury in the Birth Chart

Mercury’s sign and house placement in a chart reveals how we perceive and absorb information from our surroundings, in which area of life we thirst for knowledge, and how we express our insights through speech, writing, or any other medium that facilitates the transfer of information. Do we express ourselves vigorously, carefully, strategically, or ambiguously? Are we a smooth talker, a quick-wit, or a humorous jester? Aspects to Mercury reveal deeper insights into how our mind operates, and where we face challenges in our self-expression and communicative abilities. If you need deeper insights into how your Mercury placement operates, how to optimise your potential for communication and self-expression, please book a birth chart reading here.

People with a prominent Mercury in their birth chart are often teachers, university students, analysts, critics, scientists, researchers, journalists, translators, linguists, accountants, traders, poets or songwriters. Positive expressions of Mercury include curiosity, quick-wittedness, humour, dexterity, wordsmithery, diplomacy of speech, and negotiating abilities. Negative expressions of Mercury include deception, lying, slyness, cunning, capriciousness, falsity, corruption, forging, stealing (ideas), selling (ideas) and ice cold calculating.

Mythological Meaning

In Greek mythology, Mercury, also known as Hermes, is known as the fleet-footed, quick-witted messenger of the gods, who transmits messages, disseminates ideas and communicates deals between gods as well as between gods and humanity. This two-fold mission symbolically reflects Mercury's potential to serve both mundane mental processes and to grant access to higher realms of inspired wisdom. This planet possesses an undeniably youthful and androgynous element, exhibiting agility and eloquence and adeptly engaged in trading, bartering, crafting, and facilitating commerce.

The Meaning of Mercury’s Symbol

Mercury’s glyph features an upward-turned semi-circle (symbolising the soul), elevated above a circle (representing spirit) and held by a cross (matter). This symbolic portrayal encapsulates Mercury's focus on mental and intellectual matters, highlighting its proficiency in shaping sensory data and the transformation into tangible intelligence and knowledge.