Mercury: Intellect, Speech and Commerce
In short
Mercury signifies intellect, reasoning, speech, calculation, writing and trade. It is exalted in Virgo, which is also its own sign, and debilitated in Pisces. Because it never strays far from the Sun it is frequently combust.
Mercury is the fastest moving of the grahas and the closest to the Sun. That proximity shapes its behaviour in a chart: Mercury is never more than twenty eight degrees from the Sun.
What Mercury signifies
Mercury signifies intellect, reasoning, analysis, speech, communication, writing, mathematics, calculation, trade, mediation, humour and youth.
In the body it relates to the skin, the nervous system, the lungs and the organs of speech.
Mercury is called kumara, the boy. This is why people with a prominent Mercury retain a certain curiosity and restlessness throughout life.
Its placements
Mercury is exalted at fifteen degrees of Virgo. It is the only planet exalted in its own sign. It is debilitated in Pisces.
Gemini and Virgo are its own signs. The Sun and Venus are its friends, the Moon its enemy, and the rest neutral.
Its adaptable nature
Mercury has one distinctive property: it takes on the character of whatever it sits with. This is why it is described as neutral in gender and disposition.
With a benefic it produces benefic results; with a malefic it takes on that tendency. For this reason no judgement about Mercury can be made without first looking at its company.
A strong Mercury
Where Mercury is strong, speech is clear and persuasive. Such people can put a case with reasoning behind it.
Their capacity for calculation and analysis is good, and they do well in trade, accountancy, writing, teaching and communication.
They learn quickly and adapt to new circumstances without much difficulty.
A weak Mercury
Where Mercury is debilitated, fully combust or afflicted by malefics, certain patterns show.
Speech lacks clarity or confidence. Calculation and decision making become confused. Trade brings losses, or partnerships bring misunderstandings.
On health, skin complaints and nervous weakness are the areas traditionally noted.
Budhaditya Yoga
When the Sun and Mercury occupy the same house, Budhaditya Yoga forms. It is a very common combination, since Mercury is always near the Sun.
It gives sharp intellect, effective speech and administrative ability.
There is a subtlety worth noting. If Mercury is extremely close to the Sun and therefore fully combust, the benefit is much reduced. Seeing the conjunction is not enough; the angular distance has to be checked.
Remedies
Donating green items on Wednesdays, particularly green gram, is the standard measure.
Worship of Ganesha is the foremost remedy for Mercury. The mantra Om Bum Budhaya Namah may be recited.
Emerald is Mercury's stone, and like every stone it should follow a full chart reading rather than precede one.
One practical remedy carries as much weight in the texts as any of these: restraint in speech. Avoiding falsehood, harsh words and needless argument strengthens Mercury naturally. Showing respect to sisters and maternal aunts is also traditionally prescribed.
Frequently asked questions
What does a combust Mercury mean?+
When Mercury comes very close to the Sun it is combust and loses strength. Since Mercury is always near the Sun this is common. Where it forms Budhaditya Yoga the result can still be favourable.
What is Budhaditya Yoga?+
The conjunction of the Sun and Mercury. It gives sharp intellect, clear speech and administrative capability, though the benefit drops if Mercury is so close that it is fully combust.
What are the signs of a weak Mercury?+
Hesitancy or lack of clarity in speech, difficulty with calculation, confusion in decisions, skin complaints, nervous weakness and losses in trade.
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