Planets

Mercury

Mercury describes thinking, language, learning, analysis, and exchange. Read it by sign, house, aspects, dignity, and relationship to the chart ruler before making a judgment.

Function

thinking, language, learning, analysis, and exchange

Watch first

Sign, house, aspects, dignity, angularity

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How to read Mercury

The sign shows how Mercury expresses itself. Do not treat the sign as the whole answer; it is the style of the planetary function.
The house shows where Mercury becomes visible in life. This is where the person repeatedly meets the planet’s topic.
Aspects show whether Mercury flows, is pressured, exaggerated, restrained, confused, or intensified by other planets.

Practical judgment rules

A planet near the Ascendant, Midheaven, Descendant, or IC becomes much louder and should not be treated as a minor placement.
A planet ruling the Ascendant or many occupied houses becomes more important because it manages more chart topics.
Do not judge a planet as good or bad by name. Venus can be difficult under pressure; Saturn can become mastery when integrated.

Examples

Mercury in the 10th house

Mercury becomes tied to public role, career direction, reputation, and visible responsibility.

Mercury square Saturn

Saturn pressures Mercury, creating delay, standards, fear, discipline, and eventual mastery if the person works through the block.