Signification of the Nine Planets of the Horoscope: Mercury
Mercury:
Planet Mercury or Budh is the closest planet to the Sun and it is never more than twenty-eight zodiacal degrees away from it, unless it is in retrograde motion. Mercury goes retrograde about three times in a year and each time it remains retro for about three weeks.
In Vedic Astrology, it signifies the analytical ability, communication and speech. It primarily deals with the power of the mind, the awakened discerning intellect. It is of a dual nature, thus making a person a little emotionally detached and independent.
Mercury takes almost a year to complete its cycle of the zodiac and it stays in each sign for about 30 days. It rules the sign of Gemini and Virgo, which falls in the 3rd and the 6th house of the natural zodiac. It is friendly with Sun, Venus, Saturn, Rahu ad Ketu. It’s neutral to Jupiter and Mars whereas Moon is its enemy. Mercury’s influence is positive if placed in Virgo, its place of exaltation; own sign of Gemini or a friendly sign and it is negative when debilitated in the sign of Pisces.
A powerful Mercury in the birth chart is associated with good education, business, sharp intellect, earnings, journalism, accountancy, finance, engineering, teaching, politics, publications etc. It is further an indicator of commerce, writing, books, scholars and astrologers.
Mercury will give varied results in accordance with the ascendant of a natal chart. Results will be determined according to the sign and house position where it is placed. It is very powerful in the 1st and the 10th house and it is considered weak when it is in the 12th house.