Mercury rules over intellect and communication. Its position in your chart says a lot about how you think and analyze things. Understanding where Mercury is in your chart can give you powerful insights into the best career choices for your particular skills.
Memorization, solving puzzles
Adaptability
Distractibility
You're probably familiar with your sun sign, which is your primary zodiac sign, but you may not know about your rising sign. Also known as your ascendant sign, your rising sign represents the mask that you wear for the world. This is the zodiac sign that was rising over the eastern horizon at the time of your birth. Rising signs change every two hours, so you need to know exactly when you came into the world to determine your ascendant. Fill out the information below to learn more about the outward impression that you give to the world
It's important to note that Mercury's position cannot be properly analyzed without also considering the planets in your other houses. For an in-depth look at your astrological chart, contact a psychic. This will help you dig deeper and fully understand the influence that all of the planets have on you.
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Mercury is the first planet in the Solar system, closer to the Sun than any other orb. Because it is much closer than Earth's orbit, it takes only 88 days for Mercury to complete one trip around the Sun. Only visible during twilight, it is much harder to observe than the hard-to-miss neighboring planet Venus, the goddess of love in astrology.
Mercury, Venus, and Mars are personal planets in an astrology chart. They have more weight and influence over our everyday interactions with others than the outer planets, which govern the big picture in our lives. Mercury rules communication, writing, publishing, transportation, electronics, and education.
We often only think of Mercury during the dreaded transit of Mercury Retrograde, which occurs three to four times in a calendar year. Many equate these three-and-a-half-week periods with chaos and confusion, but you do not have to be a victim! After learning all about Mercury, you will never be left unprepared for a writing assignment, important exam, or keynote speaker address ever again.
A strongly aspected Mercury in a natal chart indicates incredible focus, determination, and willpower in one's cognitive approach to life. The person who pulls college all-nighters easily or can wait until a few days before the due date to start writing is a Mercury Miracle chart native!
Mercury influences not just how you think and how you communicate, but also the way you communicate – your voice. Endlessly curious, Mercury is a planet of intellect and reason, and its placement within a house and a sign on your astrology chart influence how you classify, analyze, and synthesize information, find the meaning in it, and articulate it to others. By seeking out a professional astrologer for insight, you can learn what Mercury seeks to influence in your life and how it goes about it.
There’s an air of mischief surrounding people with Mercury in the first house. They often use quite a colorful language to get their point across, but there’s no mistaking their meaning. It’s very important to those with this placement to be heard and to speak first if possible. They may make several irreverent but highly witty comments when you first meet them. Starting new things rarely intimidates them.
There is a tendency for those with this placement to talk over other people. They want to get their thoughts out as fast as possible and sometimes they ignore the niceties. Those with Mercury in the First House often will go off enthusiastically about their latest obsession at any opportunity. They can also fail to read the room if they’ve gone on for too long.
Speedy Mercury can feel a little constrained in the Second House. While those with this placement likely will find they can make money in fields involving words or communications for other people, they may find it hard to promote themselves or talk themselves up in any way. People with Mercury in the Second House may find that money goes out as fast as it comes in if they aren’t careful.
Words are important enough to those with Mercury in the Second House that they feel they need to take time to get them right. They are people who mean what they say and say what they mean though. When they do take the time to speak up, their words are pragmatic and centering. People with this placement make quiet friends, but they listen well and give down-to-earth advice.
Mercury feels right at home in this placement! They draw others to them in with their innate conversational skills and are comfortable talking to just about anyone. Those with Mercury in the Third House approach life as if they were perpetual students, curious to learn as much as they can. They often end up learning quite a bit because they are remarkably fast learners.
People with Mercury in the Third House are as quick with their wit as an old west gunslinger is on the draw. While that can amaze and entertain some people, others may find it grating. They are as good at talking themselves into trouble as they are at talking themselves out of it. They also have a way of talking their friends into their schemes too, which may not always be appreciated after the fact.
People with this placement are often soft spoken and many might describe them as genteel. They might seem to be more at home with their books than they are with other people. But they will happily discuss ideas from those books and how those ideas make them feel with close friends. History is often a favorite topic for them, as is politics and psychology. If they don’t go into any of those fields, they still end up being fairly knowledgeable about them.
Those with Mercury in the Fourth House sometimes put such a strong level of importance on traditional (some might say old-fashioned) thinking that they are resistant to new ideas. While they may pride themselves on being cerebral, there is often a strong emotional component to their thoughts that it can be hard for them to be completely objective. They can and will get emotional in a heated argument and it may cloud their ability to express themselves.
Those with this placement are the ones most likely to give bold and motivating speeches. They are very charismatic and natural at any sort of speaking that involves a dramatic flair (from political pronouncements to Shakespearean monologues). People with Mercury in the Fifth House can be inspirational and engaging teachers. Their students remember them fondly as their favorites. Quickness of mind is often a big turn-on for them.
Those with Mercury in the Fifth House are fun and lively lovers, though they might also be fickle too as they often are curious about new people they meet. People with this placement have to be mindful of an unfortunate tendency to over-promise and under-deliver. They also may talk too much about themselves without realizing it. They love games that allow them to show off their intelligence but can quickly become over-competitive.
People with this house have a special genius for being mindful of and remembering all the tiny details needed to make things run smoothly. They may be gifted with photographic memory or perfect recall. They’re whizzes in fields that demand a lot of memorization or detailed knowledge about complex systems. Those with Mercury in the Sixth House make excellent artisans as well. Their meticulous attention in producing their wares attracts a lot of notice.
People with this placement may find that they have issues with anxiety because their mind is always concerned with what could go wrong or what they might have done wrong. They also have a hard time keeping their inner critic from pouncing on others as well as themselves. There is also a tendency to over-worry about health issues, even if their meticulous nature has them rigorously adhering to a healthy lifestyle.
People with this placement have a way of making flattery sound sincere and telling people to go to hell in such a sweet manner that they look forward to the trip. But even though they can be utterly charming with their words, those with Mercury in the Seventh House enjoy a good debate. Their mental flexibility makes it easy for them to play on either side of the argument. It is also helpful for them to talk things out so they can better understand what it is they actually think.
If anything, people with this placement are a little too good at talking out of both sides of their mouths. People have a hard time pinning down where they stand. And there’s a good chance that’s exactly the way they like it. Deciding on one definitive position is very difficult for people with this placement! People with Mercury in the Seventh House may waste a lot of mental energy fretting about their relationships. They need regular communication with their partners in order to feel secure.
People with this placement do not do small talk. They far prefer to talk about metaphysics than the weather. They are good at sizing people up quickly. Journaling is an especially beneficial activity for those with Mercury in the Eighth House because it helps them sort through their deeper (and darker) thoughts. It’s also far preferable to them than opening up when they aren’t ready to do that.
People with Mercury in the Eighth House are not overtly aggressive with their words…unless provoked. Then they will unleash a verbal fury that has an added punch from their ability to see to the core of a person and pinpoint where their weaknesses are. It is always best to be as upfront as possible with these folks, and not waste their time. If you get one talking, the conversation may take some turns into the strange, but it will be memorable.
Usually, the jokester of a friend group, people with this placement have a breezy way of communicating that keeps people smiling. But every now and then those with Mercury in the Ninth House will remind you that there is more going on in their minds than planning the next quippy comeback. They’ll happily share some more philosophical thoughts if the situation calls for it. They also seem to be able to pick up a second or even a third language quite easily.
Sometimes it is hard to tell when people with Mercury in the Ninth House are being serious. Their reputation as affable goofballs is hard to shake, even when they are trying. Their jokes don’t always land the way they want them to, and they need to watch that they don’t come off too blunt or abrasive. They aren’t the most subtle of folks and may end up saying things they regret later.
The words of someone with Mercury in the Tenth House carry weight. They are proficient enough wordsmiths that their dream careers often revolve around writing. People with this placement are excellent communicators with a strong ability to convey even the most subtle nuances of a complicated topic. They are mentally sharp enough to excel at a variety of careers and may sometimes have several drastic career changes during their lifetime. They will stay longer in positions that offer regular mental challenges.
People with this placement can have a bit of a Machiavellian streak. They know the weight of every word they use and often like to use them to feel a person out. Those with Mercury in the Tenth House like to observe the reactions to their words and know exactly how to tailor them to suit their audience. It is difficult for them not to be disdainful of those who don’t pass their verbal ‘tests’, but they do a very good job of keeping that disdain hidden if it suits their purposes.
People with this placement are wildly intelligent but also often wildly unconventional. They are the classic absent-minded professors, with their minds so busy turning over their most current big idea, that they forgot to brush their hair and zip up their pants before they left their house. Their enthusiasm for their ideas is infectious, especially when they take the time to explain their reasoning to others. Those with Mercury in the Eleventh House like to surround themselves with anyone who can bring fresh new perspectives to their thinking. This also includes people who they may disagree with, just for the mental challenge of debating their ideas.
As mentioned above, practical thinking isn’t their strongest suit. They just don’t want to be bothered with anything that distracts them from their mental pursuits. They have no concept of wanting to fit in and can come across as highly judgmental of people who don’t show similar levels of devotion to intellectual activities or are overly conventional. If other people think they are strange, it doesn’t bother them a bit. That makes it very difficult for them to modify their behavior, even if dialing it back might be better in some situations.
Those with this placement often express themselves better through poetry than prose. Words are interesting to them for the multiple levels of meaning they can hold. If someone is in distress, people with Mercury in the Twelfth House know exactly what words to use to soothe them. They are often able to pick up on the subtle non-verbal communication going on around them to get on other people’s wavelength.
Traditional learning does not usually work well for people with this placement. Instruction that is based less on rote memorization and more on experience and creativity suits them better. They need to feel it is safe to express themselves to say anything (though even then they aren’t always the most communicative). Others may dismiss them as daydreamers or space cadets and try to take advantage of their gentle nature. People with Mercury in the Twelfth House need to take their heads out of the clouds often enough to make sure to protect themselves from ill intent.
In the rest of this article, you will learn how transiting Mercury influences your ability to reason. Let's observe the journey Mercury takes through the twelve signs.
Although fire signs are not Mercury's strong suit, Mercury in Aries excels at being straight to the point. No fluff or sugarcoating here! These individuals may seek out drama or debates rather than peace and calm. They also may be upset at others who are long-winded or go on and on yet display no guilt when they do! Mercury in Aries uses "I" a lot when writing about themselves and what they are doing.
Excellent at money management, Mercury in Taurus individuals like to always track their money and finances. Knowledge about gardening, fragrances, fashion, and Feng Shui are up their alley! As with Mercury in Aries, this natal position favors a "less is more" approach to communication.
No other natal position of Mercury is as agile! This placement is well-read, could easily win many trivia games, and possesses excellent writing skills. Careers in journalism, publishing, education, language instruction, and travel suit Gemini Mercurials well. They are fantastic with their hands. Many mechanics have Mercury in Gemini, as this sign rules automobiles. Yet others make their living in transportation, such as bus or taxi drivers or Uber/Lyft.
This position of Mercury struggles to get straight to the point but makes up for it with a steel-trap memory! You can always count on a Cancer Mercurian to be an excellent historian. This position of Mercury lends itself well to careers such as accounting, real estate, banking, and childcare. With any project that requires a nurturing hand, Mercury in Cancer is there for you!
Modern astrologers consider Mercury to be in its fall in Leo. But Mercurial Leos can still pack a punch! This position of Mercury struggles with open-mindedness and listening to others, but ultimately sets aside needing to be right. Because they are proud of their accomplishments, Mercurial Leonians seek the limelight. They can become a commanding force amidst an ever-changing landscape because of its fixed sign position, along with Mercury in Taurus, Scorpio, and Aquarius.
This position, like Mercury in Gemini, is in dominion. Unlike Gemini, Mercury in Virgo is more refined and polished, always thinking before speaking and projecting a message of authority without a lot of rhetoric. Virgo Mercurials are careful to let others talk before voicing her thoughts. She works well by herself and could excel in a remote workforce, always having her self-care arsenal at her disposal.
Libran Mercurials love to weigh the pros and cons of any choice. At a lower vibration, they struggle with making decisions final. Once they have put on the armor of self-care, they can see how they may make any free-will choice their cup of tea. Like Mercury's other Air sign placements, Libran Mercurials have an extraordinary intellect and can match their Gemini or Aquarian counterparts by taming down their indecision. They do well in careers involving legal work, statistics, or consulting.
No other placement of Mercury is so determined and intense! It can focus so profoundly that it can move mountains. Getting to the heart of the matter to sift past the superficial is a Scorpio Mercurial’s specialty. Never do wrong to a person with this placement! It simply will not be forgotten. Shift work suits Mercurial Scorpios well, as they will not fall asleep at night. Careers in hypnotherapy, psychology, and detective work exceptionally fit Mercurial Scorpios.
One of two detrimental placements for Mercury, this placement redeems itself with determination because Sagittarius is a very intellectual sign. Extra work on the throat chakra helps the chart native to stay on point in conversations and not derail the conversation into inappropriate humor. As their Mercurial Gemini oppositional counterparts, Mercury Sagittarians can excel in journalism, communication arts, and broadcasting. They succeed, especially when the audience is on a world stage. They are especially adept at studying new languages and learning foreign cultures and customs.
Contrasting this natal placement with Mercury in Sagittarius, Capricorn Mercurials are men and women of few but compelling words. If you are a Mercury placement that uses more words, you will notice that the Capricorn Mercury has more authority, even if they say just a sentence. One may recall the power of these few words well beyond a conversation. Capricorn Mercurials succeed in leadership positions where people need simple but stately direction.
No other position of Mercury taps the crown chakra more powerfully. Mercury is exalted here and transcends mere words to speak from the mind. This position is interested in learning how electronics work and seeks careers in computer science, engineering, or aviation. Many friends surround Aquarian Mercurials throughout life because they know how it feels to be misunderstood and aloof.
Another detrimental placement like Mercury in Sagittarius, Mercury in Pisces requires the most work to excel mentally. Its mind is always swimming in the imagination, making it difficult to bring out of daydreaming. A Pisces Mercurial does best to adopt a daily Epsom salt bath or crown chakra self-care, such as Reiki or craniosacral massage. Now, s/he is optimized to put these daydreams into a clear, coherent expression.
Two beneficial planets, Venus and Jupiter, flavor the ancient messenger of the gods differently. When Venus forms favorable aspects (trine 120 degrees or sextile 60 degrees) with Mercury, this conveys poetic grace to speech, and Jupiter grants a delicious wit and marvelous sense of humor. When conjunct, these effects are even more pronounced. In opposition (180 degrees) or square (90 degrees) aspect, the chart native could be a love addict, skilled at using words for selfish seduction, or in Jupiter's case, endeared to grandiosity and unrealistic beliefs.
Pleasant aspects between the Moon and Mercury create a blending between the logical and intuitive that flows freely. More difficult relationships with the Moon produce a low level of paranoia and difficulty trusting others.
With Mars or Pluto in positive aspects, Mercury becomes deep and probing, never giving up its search for information. In more difficult positioning, the chart native becomes unfocused, distracted, or unable to keep attention on a task.
Mercury naturally governs the throat chakra, the fifth in a total of seven energy bodies aligned with our spiritual consciousness. The throat functions as a portal to the crown, the ultimate chakra of discernment, incorporating logic and intuitive feedback from the third eye, ultimately making big-picture assessments. Uranus, considered by many astrologers to be the higher octave of Mercury, rules the crown chakra.
It is important to consider throat chakra self-care in your spiritual wellness regimen to optimize your harmony with the Universe. These tips also help when you are experiencing a difficult transit to your natal Mercury (such as a square or opposition) or Mercury Retrograde periods.
Essential oils such as bay leaf, basil, Ravensara, and eucalyptus help support the throat and clear our energies to express our ideas more succinctly. Crown chakra oils such as lavender, frankincense, and sandalwood help enhance this chakra’s ability to receive and process throat activity.
The remainder of the Zodiacal Circle will remember the gift to work for what higher Mercurial placement chart natives take for granted. All twelve Mercury signs have their unique gifts to lend each other, functioning like a multicolor rainbow. Don’t neglect your own uniqueness. You have an extraordinarily beautiful mind! Let the challenges of the world evolve you to your highest potential. Many blessings!
For another look at this fascinating planet, discover how to align yourself with the swift and brilliant energy of Mercury with a guided meditation by Psychic Amber and see how it's influence can change your life for the better.
Click here to deepen your understanding the influence of Mercury on the 12 houses of the zodiac. The placement of Mercury in your Astrology Chart can reveal the way your primal instincts play out in your life. An astrology reading will help you interpret your Mercury placement and what that means in your life and relationships.
Our comprehensive Astrology Guide covers astrology basics, from what is astrology, to the signs of the zodiac, how the sun, moon, and planets impact your life, and much more.
By Psychic Marcella
Marcella is a third-generation psychic who is talented in astrology, Tarot, and many other divination forms. She has been reading professionally since 2013. She has a background in healthcare with a pharmacist degree, earned in 1997. Marcella has used her healthcare background to better understand spiritual healing through the chakras and healing one's aura. She is still recovering from a near-death experience in 2016 that placed her on a transplant list. Divine intervention prevented her from needing a transplant. When not working on Psychic Source, Marcella is caring for her pet, engaging with her two children, and volunteering at her daughter's grade school.
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