Mercury the divine messenger...

Rob Tillett presents a short description of the astrological meaning of Mercury, the divine messenger, dispassionate adviser, intellectual wizard and master of healing... Mercury, the messenger of the gods, symbolises mentality: our intellect and mental outlook, the way we think and communicate. Mercury, as Hermes, is the emblem for the magus, the wise counsellor, divine messenger and prince of thieves! "lanetary lord of #emini and $irgo, this fast%moving planet stands for ideas, methods and information, especially as e&pressed through communication and media. Mercury rules writers, travellers, analysts, magicians, salespeople, astrologers and all types of consultants. 'ong known as the (ivine Messenger, Mercury rules all forms of communication, whether via writing, letters, email, media, film or multimedia, and by speaking, on the phone, via the ))), or in person, whether one%to%one, or by addressing groups. 'ogic and analysis is his sphere, so he also governs scientific en*uiries and research work. +harming and shrewd, Mercury influences writers, astrologers, mathematicians, engineers, dealers, brokers, businessmen and media personalities. +ommercial ventures and media organisations are also ruled by Mercury. Through his rulership of our hands, Mercury also reveals our manual de&terity, organisational and mechanical skills, so artists, sculptors and engineers generally have a strong Mercury. The kind of intellect that can produce a great novel can on the dark side generate a master plan for massive financial fraud. ,n afflicted Mercury can produce deception, trickery and dishonesty, so if you have been conned by the art of hustling -deceptive communication., cattle rustling -crossing borders., or the victim of a pickpocket -tricky fingers., Mercury is behind it! /t0s interesting that Mercury is also the great healer. ,s consultant and doctor, he enables the transfer of healing energies between the therapist and the patient. Mercury0s staff, the caduceus, symbolically represents the mighty occult forces indicated by two snakes entwining a rod or wand. These snakes have several layers of meaning, but they are principally active energy channels particularly in tantra, the /ndian mystical system, where the left%hand snake is /da, the feminine channel of the Moon and the right%hand snake is "ingala, the masculine channel of the 1un. 2ntwining the rod of 1ushumna, the central channel of the spinal cord, they symbolise the pathway in the subtle body of the rhythmically ascending 3undalini power as she rises to the crown and illuminates the chakras, or hidden energy centres. Mercury, god of the crossroads, also governs transportation: how we get where we0re going, both physically and mentally. ,re you a hare, or a tortoise4 Mercury0s position in your chart will tell all... The god of travellers also has a role as a spiritual guide, in charge of transporting souls to the afterlife. 3nown as the psychopompos -soul%guide., Mercury as Hermes was believed to cross the boundaries between the worlds and convey the souls of the deceased to their home in the 5nderworld. This knowledge was transmitted to the

#reeks and then to the Romans from the temple schools of ,ncient 2gypt. The 2gyptian masters credited Thoth with the creation of magic and the invention of writing and the calendar. He was the divine record%keeper and mediator. Thoth was the 2gyptian Mercury. ,stronomically, Mercury is the closest planet to the 1un and the smallest planet in the solar system if we don0t count "luto, which has recently been demoted by astronomers to the status of 6(warf "lanet6... Mercury is relatively bright, but hard to see -e&cept at a 1olar 2clipse. because he never strays more than a little over 789 from the 1un. Taking :ust under 88 days to complete his :ourney through the twelve signs of the zodiac, the speedy Messenger spends less than three weeks on average in each of them, e&cept when retrograde. Mercury turns retrograde three times a year as a rule, for around 7; days, remaining stationary for three days. Mercury is the traditional planetary ruler of #emini -communication< intellect., his (ay 1ign, and $irgo -analysis< critical ability., his =ight 1ign. Mercury is e&alted in $irgo, due to the ancient sacred geometry of the zodiac. "eople with these signs prominent in their charts are said to be ruled by Mercury. True to his busy character, Mercury en:oys mi&ed colours, along with blue and purple< his day is )ednesday -)oden was the germanic Mercury., his metal *uicksilver, and his gem the emerald. Rules: #emini > $irgo 2&alted: $irgo (etriment: 1agittarius > "isces ?all: "isces 2&alted (egree: @A $irgo (ay: )ednesday "lanetary =ode: @89B@0 Taurus -from ,strologycom.com.