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All You Want to Know About the Planet Mercury – Astrologically

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun. Astrologically, Mercury or Budh represents intellect, intelligence, speech, communication, childhood, youth, astrology, diplomacy, transport, proficiency in languages, trading, accountancy, teaching, writing, multiple professions, etc. among many other things. If Sun represents Atma or Soul, and the Moon represents manas or the mind, then Mercury which represents Buddhi or intellect – when combined with Sun and Moon representations forms Ahankaar or the ego/pride. Mercury rules two zodiac signs – Gemini and Virgo, and three Nakshatras – Ashlesha, Jyestha, and Revati. Nature-wise, Mercury is neither benefic nor malefic (though primarily it is considered a benefic planet according to many ancient texts and astrologers), but its true nature depends on its disposition or its placement – if placed with or aspected by a friendly benefic, Mercury behaves as a benefic and vice-versa. Also, if Mercury is placed in the house of its significations, it can act as a benefic (given if the zodiac in that said house is also friendly to Mercury). According to Navgraha Puraan, Mercury is the child of Moon and Tara (the eloped wife of Jupiter). Tara was disinterested in Jupiter’s rituals and became attracted to Soma’s/Moon’s seduction. She also threatened Jupiter with war (which happened eventually) with all the Gods and Jupiter on one end while Moon and the demons on the other end (in collaboration with Daitya-Guru Shukra). Tara, fearing the end of the world because of the ensuing war, returned to Jupiter but had already conceived a child with Moon – none other than Mercury. Astrologically, in terms of Natural Relationships, Mercury considers Sun and Venus as his friends; Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter as neutrals; and Moon as his enemy! Conversely, Moon considers Mercury as a friend. Rahu is sometimes called the best friend of Mercury and is also acknowledged to be the co-owner of Virgo by many astrologers – a sign ruled by Mercury. Naturally, Mercury is strong in Gemini and Virgo – the signs ruled by it. The exaltation point of Mercury is in 15° Virgo, and the Mooltrikona of Mercury also falls in Virgo from 16° to 20°. Friendly zodiac signs of Mercury are Leo (ruled by Sun), Libra and Taurus (both ruled by Venus). Mercury is strong in 2nd, 4th, 5th, 9th, 10th, and 11th Bhavas or houses, but it is strongest when placed in the ascendant or the 1st house. Mercury acts as a neutral planet when placed in Aries, Scorpio (both ruled by Mars), Capricorn, Aquarius (both ruled by Saturn) and Sagittarius (ruled by Jupiter). In terms of houses/Bhavas, Mercury behaves as a neutral in the 3rd house. The debilitation point of Mercury is 15° Pisces – a sign owned by Jupiter (and hence it would not be wrong to call Jupiter an enemy of Mercury – unofficially of course). Also, the exaltation-point of Jupiter (i.e., Cancer zodiac sign) is an enemy sign for Mercury (also because it is ruled by the Moon). Mercury is the significator/Karaka of the 4th and 10th houses (along with other planets), is weak in 6th, 8th, and 12th houses but is the weakest in the 8th house. Because Mercury is close to the Sun naturally, it can be seen combust in many charts. Mercury also goes retrograde at least 3 times a year and is regarded as the messenger of Gods (because it is remarkably close to the Sun – the supreme energy of all universe). Mercury is charming (like a Prince), adaptable, represents childhood, innocence, youth, and everything concerned with childhood. Those who have strong Mercury in their Lagna charts (either own sign, exalted or friendly sign and not in the 8th house, and not aspected by malefics or enemy planets – can be called as a strong positioning) are very youthful throughout their lives, are very child-like or childish, indecisive, have a thirst for gaining knowledge, are easily bored, have a dualistic character, are very changeable in nature and have very good speech or communication capabilities. Mercury is androgynous (neither male or female) and is an asexual planet. It is also impotent and hence been linked with homosexuality. In the field of medical astrology, Mercury often represents the skin (and hence a weak or afflicted Mercury can cause skin ailments like eczema, sores, rashes, etc.). Mercury, when afflicted or weak, can also cause respiratory disorders like breathlessness etc. but one also needs to check the placement of Saturn/Rahu to assess such disorders correctly. A person who has Mercury as the strongest planet (Atma-Karaka) would seem insensitive and would be unable to show or feel any emotions. Mercury, as explained before, is the Karaka of speech and hence such persons can do well in the field of sales and marketing where one must convince a customer to buy a certain product or a service. A weak Mercury shows indecisiveness and changeability. Natives with weak Mercury tend to rely on their emotions rather than their intellect, they are also extremely sensitive sometimes. A weak Mercury with a weaker Moon can give mental ailments such as psychosis, retarded mind, mental disorders, etc. Remedies for a weaker Mercury can include meditation, yoga, praying to Ishta Devataa or refraining from talking unnecessarily. Because a weak Mercury leads to the person making wrong choices in life, such natives should rely on others’ decisions if possible.

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The Sun as Soul Significator

Sun is the significator of one’s soul in Astrology. Also called the “Atmakaraka”, a soul significator’s soul purpose is to drive the vehicle of life, to channel a soul’s energy where it’s needed. Sun as the soul significator represents the following: Neither wicked nor cruel but impartial, cruel in some cases when placed with malefics or when aspected by malefics Even when unfavourable, Sun doesn’t cause extreme harm. As Sun is a royal planet, it tasks other planets to execute instructions on His behalf When alone, Sun can cause problems if unfavourable but when conjunct with other planets who are His natural friends, will ask its subordinates to act (like a king) Mars, Moon, Jupiter are considered natural friends of the Sun, whereas Mercury is a neutral. Rahu, Ketu, Saturn, Venus are considered Sun’s enemies Sun gives the qualities of a good administrator when favourably placed in a chart and when alone Represents or signifies one’s father or father figures, Government, politics, leadership, ego, soul Whichever planet Sun is conjunct with – benefits from the Sun – the only exception being Rahu/Ketu which form an eclipse when conjunct with the Sun Strong and tall trees are represented by the Sun. Also, dark red colour is represented by the Sun The Sun is a Kshatriya by nature, but is also considered Sattvic – the only planet with this combination Noon or mid-day is the time when Sun is strong – hence digestive capabilities are highest. In Ayurveda, it is recommended to have a heavy meal in the noon because of this factor This trait of the Sun is known as “Divabali” – i.e. strong during the day The Sun gets its directional strength in the 10th House of a horoscope whereas it is the significator of both the first and the tenth houses The Sun rules the fiery element (Agni Tatva) as it is considered an embodiment of fire The Sun rules the bitter taste along with Mars The Sun and Mars also rule Pitta meaning the Bile element of the body which governs digestion. Hence, a disbalance of Bile often causes fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach problems which can lead to other troubles e.g. high BP, headache, etc. The Sun rules Wheat among foodgrains Bhagwan Shiva is considered the ruling deity of the Sun, however, at a dreshkon level, oftentimes, Bhagwan Subramanya or Bhagwan Ganesha are also considered The time-period ruled by the Sun is one Ayana or 6 months; Grishma Ritu or Summers (Karka Sankranti – July (Summer Solstice) to Makar Sankranti – January is Dakshinayana and Makar to Kark Sankranti is uttarayana) According to the Puranas, Dakshinayana marks the period when the Gods and Goddesses descend into their celestial sleep. The age of the Sun in astrology is considered to be of 50 years The activation age of Sun in a horoscope is of 21 years. Usually, a person starts gaining reputation, creative intelligence, fame, etc. around this age. If Sun is badly placed in a birth chart, the reverse might become true As a remedial measure, wearing Saffron-coloured clothes can propitiate the Sun and it might start giving good results to the native given other factors hold good So, these were some of the Sun’s significations. Primarily, being the soul significator, the Sun rules the inherent values or principles of a person. In the upcoming articles, we shall discuss the significations of other planets.

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