Shadowcat
Well-known member
Special thanks to Blackdragon666 for his collaboration!
Mercury is the planet of communication, our manual dexterity and our intellectual capacity. It rules our concentration, our siblings and neighbors, as well as anything having to do with writing, technology and electronics. It rules anything having to do with the media, cars, short distance travel, writing, education, young people and youth, coordination, balance and manner of speech.
Mercury rules the 3rd house and is debilitated in Sagittarius and Leo, and at its worst as such in Pisces.
Out of its home signs of Gemini and Virgo, Virgo gives better concentration and mental consistency. Mercury rules the throat chakra.
If someone's Saturn aspects mercury as your chart ruler, they may be a neighbor that causes significant trouble for your or your family. They could be someone who causes big problems for one of your siblings or younger friends that are close to you like family and can also screw you over very badly when it comes to paperwork, even accidentally. Take for example someone doing your taxes for you. If the conditions are right and their Saturn aspects your Mercury, especially as your chart ruler, you could be in deep shit financially if the paperwork is done wrong. This might be a person who badmouths you to the media or any news source to smear your name, or could be somebody who vandalizes or wrecks your car. These people can also ruin travel plans or your electronics. They may prove to be a hindrance to your education in some way, or very badly grate with you intellectually in a way that causes deep animosity.
General sings of debilitation and affliction:
Mercury in the above fire signs however can help with public speaking, and voicing opinions, where as Pisces can leave someone's mercury to allow them to have poor boundaries, an inability to say no, as well as not speaking up when it is required.
A weakened or afflicted mercury can leave someone without friends or means of communication with others, or make it hard to want to communicate, or even make communication awkward. One can find it hard to make friends, especially if Saturn is in the 11th house or aspects mercury at all. There may always be trouble with paperwork and ones neighbors. Paperwork, schedules and other important documents can often get lost or are in disarray, which can be a big stress factor. If there is otherwise sun or Leo emphasis with a problematic mercury, this may also manifest in being pestered by the media. Malefics in the 7th or 11th house affect the affairs of mercury indirectly in terms of relations to others and communication not for the better. Neptune aspects can cause pathological lying especially if a planet or mercury itself is conjunct Algol or a bad degree. General issues for mercury in its respective house, as well as houses with Gemini and Virgo on the cusp will often have issues. There may be bad relations with siblings or younger people or outright animosity. The Sibling may die early or suffer disease, if mercury is in the 8th house or if there is a harsh aspect from Mercury to Pluto. This aspect can also cause problematic snooping or curiosity that is too much for ones own good.
There maybe problematic behavior at school or trouble with teachers when young. There maybe trouble with absorbing information or reading comprehension or learning disabilities, especially if mercury is retrograde, or if mercury is in Aries at 6 degrees. In extreme cases there can be low functioning autism or mental retardation. Natal retrograde mercury can also cause everyday annoyances with electronics, vehicles, and other things throughout life. On the flip side retrograde mercury gives less problems during the transit itself for people with this placement. It may even give a sense of relief in terms of a problematic mercury altogether during the entire transit. Forgetfulness can be a problem with an afflicted or debilitated mercury especially with a naturally overactive mind.
Physical manifestations of debilitation/weakness of mercury or affliction:
Problems with coordination can occur, such as general clumsiness, weather with manual dexterity, balance ect. Problems with motor skills such as writing, typing, and speech. Ruling the throat chakra, a weak mercury can also manifest as a weak and unsure sounding shaky voice. Stuttering can be an issue, as well as the words being slurred, or talking too fast, especially in the case of brain damage or disease, which are also other issues common if mercury is ill placed or afflicted. Epilepsy and seizures can debilitate ones life, as well as spinal cord problems, or problems with the nerves, such as numbness, muscle spasms, or chronic burning and tingling. In extreme cases, There can be muscular distrophy or sclerosis, genetic problems with or injury to the spinal chord, hands or brain, brain tumors or cysts. Especially if mercury is the chart ruler or is otherwise prominent but afflicted, by either a 6th degree in a sign, or conjunct a bad fixed star or other bad degree, these physical ailments can manifest and seriously ruin someones life, or at least make it difficult. One example was someone who was epileptic and had their ruling mercury conjunct Zosma, along with Saturn in Gemini placed on the ASC.
Lack of air with other concurring placements, can also make one mute, such as what Maxine noted with Hellen Keller, born blind and deaf with no air with Leo at the 6th degree. The sight and hearing can be greatly hindered or completely absent. The lungs may be/become weak and diseased, and the reflexes poor and clumsy.
Mercury aspects to the malefics, mars and Saturn can cause accidents or trauma to the hands, throat, nerves, brain or spinal chord, especially if mercury and/or mars is in Taurus, Gemini or Virgo, as well as mars/ Saturn aspects in general in the chart. Aspects to Neptune can give general weakness weather in the hands or nerves in general or attention span. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be an issue. Strong air emphasis with mercury on a bad degree, especially with Gemini emphasis can give nervousness, restlessness, and insomnia and ADHD like symptoms, such as physical or mental hyperactivity. This can make the motor functions rushed and clumsy, causing many mistakes or even accidents, as well as missing details often or “careless mistakes.” Aspects to Uranus amplify this.
Psychological and behavioral manifestations of debilitation or affliction:
Mercury is often debilitated or afflicted when being aspected by Saturn or Neptune, and also mars and/or also being in the 12th house. Mars can bring out someone who is loudmouthed, much like Aries Mercury, with a tendency to be very argumentative, confrontational or verbally mean spirited, especially if there is a Gemini emphasis in the chart. An afflicted Virgo mercury, despite being in one of its home signs, can come off as cruelly critical, and intellectually snobbish and arrogant, especially if mercury is the chart ruler, in Leo or Sagittarius, especially with Leo or Sagittarius otherwise prominent. Mercury in Aquarius can also give these traits, with a tendency to feel like they have to make a point to rebel against a norm of communication or way of doing things just for the sake of it. Smart mouth or smart-ass is often a coin-term some of these people earn, as even if information is presented as factual, it is done in ways to show how stupid they think one is, or how so much better they think they are some how, which looses them a lot of friends, and is not actually done for the sake of exchanging information in of itself as much as it simply being for their own ego. If other factors support, this is often the worst manifestation of these aforementioned placements.
These people often are very opinionated and don't care how others think about it. I once knew one who often used humble bragging a lot and would say “I hate when I am right.” This person not only had an Aquarius mercury, but mercury was their ruler with his ascendant in Virgo. The arrogant chuckle they would make after thinking he ever so perfectly trashed someone with his point, or scoffing at theirs could really make one want to punch them in the face. An Aries Jupiter, the planet ruling higher education, only amplified the arrogance. Talking over others and dominating conversations can be common with all of the aforementioned placements, coming off as callous and selfish as to others feelings and opinions. It can make a good public speaker, but make one often personally unrelatable.
Mercury in cancer can make it hard to understand a difference of opinion without seeing it as a personal attack and can give problems with detaching from personal beliefs emotionally. This can also come from being unsure in the first place about ones beliefs and views that they are very attached to and dread finding fault with. Criticism is often not taken well, nor is cognitive dissonance, which greatly inhibits ones growth and closes the mind off to important intellectual stimulation and self betterment, due to being too heavily attached emotionally to ones opinion, especially with cancer, moon or water emphasis. Aspects to Neptune and Saturn or prominence of these planets, can amplify this, perceiving irrational interpretations of someones words, or paranoia as to some underlying meaning that does not really exist, or always expecting negative news, especially if there is Capricorn emphasis in the chart as well. In extreme cases one can even lie just to win an argument or get a point across, or even to get out of something.
Gemini emphasis as well as Uranus emphasis or aspects to mercury can make one scatterbrained, give problems with concentration and organization. When it comes to social problems, it can make these people flaky, inconsistent, or even undescisive about how they should communicate with or judge others.
Debilitation that manifests in not wanting to speak up or being unable to for any reason can cause a variety of issues with miscommunication, work and family life. These people may have poor social boundaries and find it hard to turn someone down, especially if mercury is in pisces. These people often put up with a lot of social humiliation or disrespect, and end up getting walked all over. They may stay silent also during bouts of verbal abuse or prefer to retreat into themselves, especially if mars is in Cancer or Pisces, with fire otherwise weak or absent in the chart.
A mercury square can strengthen the throat chakra for people who are afraid to speak up or have trouble communicating and connecting with others, and with an overall weakened mercury. A square can also help with motor skills and speech and refining overall manual dexterity. If it is prominent but afflicted, it might be better to use runes, as well as void meditation with cleaning to still and sharpen the mind. Isa Is good for void meditation as well as mental stillness, (not to be overused or it will induce underproduction and depression) raidho can be used if one's mercury often causes problems with travel, as well as more energy for an aura of protection during travel as far as calamities. Best when combined with Algiz or any other protective rune. Wunjo and ehwaz can also be used as well as Venus energy to help with social relations and forging healthy mutual friendships. Mannaz is useful for strengthening the intellect, concentration, as well as the ability to absorb information and comprehension, and helps with self awareness. Apatite and blue lace agate are connected to the throat chakra and are good for use with the Ehwaz, and mannaz runes. Wunjo works well with rose quartz, while raidho works well with sodalite, isa with obsidian, and algiz with black tourmaline.
Mercury is the planet of communication, our manual dexterity and our intellectual capacity. It rules our concentration, our siblings and neighbors, as well as anything having to do with writing, technology and electronics. It rules anything having to do with the media, cars, short distance travel, writing, education, young people and youth, coordination, balance and manner of speech.
Mercury rules the 3rd house and is debilitated in Sagittarius and Leo, and at its worst as such in Pisces.
Out of its home signs of Gemini and Virgo, Virgo gives better concentration and mental consistency. Mercury rules the throat chakra.
If someone's Saturn aspects mercury as your chart ruler, they may be a neighbor that causes significant trouble for your or your family. They could be someone who causes big problems for one of your siblings or younger friends that are close to you like family and can also screw you over very badly when it comes to paperwork, even accidentally. Take for example someone doing your taxes for you. If the conditions are right and their Saturn aspects your Mercury, especially as your chart ruler, you could be in deep shit financially if the paperwork is done wrong. This might be a person who badmouths you to the media or any news source to smear your name, or could be somebody who vandalizes or wrecks your car. These people can also ruin travel plans or your electronics. They may prove to be a hindrance to your education in some way, or very badly grate with you intellectually in a way that causes deep animosity.
General sings of debilitation and affliction:
Mercury in the above fire signs however can help with public speaking, and voicing opinions, where as Pisces can leave someone's mercury to allow them to have poor boundaries, an inability to say no, as well as not speaking up when it is required.
A weakened or afflicted mercury can leave someone without friends or means of communication with others, or make it hard to want to communicate, or even make communication awkward. One can find it hard to make friends, especially if Saturn is in the 11th house or aspects mercury at all. There may always be trouble with paperwork and ones neighbors. Paperwork, schedules and other important documents can often get lost or are in disarray, which can be a big stress factor. If there is otherwise sun or Leo emphasis with a problematic mercury, this may also manifest in being pestered by the media. Malefics in the 7th or 11th house affect the affairs of mercury indirectly in terms of relations to others and communication not for the better. Neptune aspects can cause pathological lying especially if a planet or mercury itself is conjunct Algol or a bad degree. General issues for mercury in its respective house, as well as houses with Gemini and Virgo on the cusp will often have issues. There may be bad relations with siblings or younger people or outright animosity. The Sibling may die early or suffer disease, if mercury is in the 8th house or if there is a harsh aspect from Mercury to Pluto. This aspect can also cause problematic snooping or curiosity that is too much for ones own good.
There maybe problematic behavior at school or trouble with teachers when young. There maybe trouble with absorbing information or reading comprehension or learning disabilities, especially if mercury is retrograde, or if mercury is in Aries at 6 degrees. In extreme cases there can be low functioning autism or mental retardation. Natal retrograde mercury can also cause everyday annoyances with electronics, vehicles, and other things throughout life. On the flip side retrograde mercury gives less problems during the transit itself for people with this placement. It may even give a sense of relief in terms of a problematic mercury altogether during the entire transit. Forgetfulness can be a problem with an afflicted or debilitated mercury especially with a naturally overactive mind.
Physical manifestations of debilitation/weakness of mercury or affliction:
Problems with coordination can occur, such as general clumsiness, weather with manual dexterity, balance ect. Problems with motor skills such as writing, typing, and speech. Ruling the throat chakra, a weak mercury can also manifest as a weak and unsure sounding shaky voice. Stuttering can be an issue, as well as the words being slurred, or talking too fast, especially in the case of brain damage or disease, which are also other issues common if mercury is ill placed or afflicted. Epilepsy and seizures can debilitate ones life, as well as spinal cord problems, or problems with the nerves, such as numbness, muscle spasms, or chronic burning and tingling. In extreme cases, There can be muscular distrophy or sclerosis, genetic problems with or injury to the spinal chord, hands or brain, brain tumors or cysts. Especially if mercury is the chart ruler or is otherwise prominent but afflicted, by either a 6th degree in a sign, or conjunct a bad fixed star or other bad degree, these physical ailments can manifest and seriously ruin someones life, or at least make it difficult. One example was someone who was epileptic and had their ruling mercury conjunct Zosma, along with Saturn in Gemini placed on the ASC.
Lack of air with other concurring placements, can also make one mute, such as what Maxine noted with Hellen Keller, born blind and deaf with no air with Leo at the 6th degree. The sight and hearing can be greatly hindered or completely absent. The lungs may be/become weak and diseased, and the reflexes poor and clumsy.
Mercury aspects to the malefics, mars and Saturn can cause accidents or trauma to the hands, throat, nerves, brain or spinal chord, especially if mercury and/or mars is in Taurus, Gemini or Virgo, as well as mars/ Saturn aspects in general in the chart. Aspects to Neptune can give general weakness weather in the hands or nerves in general or attention span. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also be an issue. Strong air emphasis with mercury on a bad degree, especially with Gemini emphasis can give nervousness, restlessness, and insomnia and ADHD like symptoms, such as physical or mental hyperactivity. This can make the motor functions rushed and clumsy, causing many mistakes or even accidents, as well as missing details often or “careless mistakes.” Aspects to Uranus amplify this.
Psychological and behavioral manifestations of debilitation or affliction:
Mercury is often debilitated or afflicted when being aspected by Saturn or Neptune, and also mars and/or also being in the 12th house. Mars can bring out someone who is loudmouthed, much like Aries Mercury, with a tendency to be very argumentative, confrontational or verbally mean spirited, especially if there is a Gemini emphasis in the chart. An afflicted Virgo mercury, despite being in one of its home signs, can come off as cruelly critical, and intellectually snobbish and arrogant, especially if mercury is the chart ruler, in Leo or Sagittarius, especially with Leo or Sagittarius otherwise prominent. Mercury in Aquarius can also give these traits, with a tendency to feel like they have to make a point to rebel against a norm of communication or way of doing things just for the sake of it. Smart mouth or smart-ass is often a coin-term some of these people earn, as even if information is presented as factual, it is done in ways to show how stupid they think one is, or how so much better they think they are some how, which looses them a lot of friends, and is not actually done for the sake of exchanging information in of itself as much as it simply being for their own ego. If other factors support, this is often the worst manifestation of these aforementioned placements.
These people often are very opinionated and don't care how others think about it. I once knew one who often used humble bragging a lot and would say “I hate when I am right.” This person not only had an Aquarius mercury, but mercury was their ruler with his ascendant in Virgo. The arrogant chuckle they would make after thinking he ever so perfectly trashed someone with his point, or scoffing at theirs could really make one want to punch them in the face. An Aries Jupiter, the planet ruling higher education, only amplified the arrogance. Talking over others and dominating conversations can be common with all of the aforementioned placements, coming off as callous and selfish as to others feelings and opinions. It can make a good public speaker, but make one often personally unrelatable.
Mercury in cancer can make it hard to understand a difference of opinion without seeing it as a personal attack and can give problems with detaching from personal beliefs emotionally. This can also come from being unsure in the first place about ones beliefs and views that they are very attached to and dread finding fault with. Criticism is often not taken well, nor is cognitive dissonance, which greatly inhibits ones growth and closes the mind off to important intellectual stimulation and self betterment, due to being too heavily attached emotionally to ones opinion, especially with cancer, moon or water emphasis. Aspects to Neptune and Saturn or prominence of these planets, can amplify this, perceiving irrational interpretations of someones words, or paranoia as to some underlying meaning that does not really exist, or always expecting negative news, especially if there is Capricorn emphasis in the chart as well. In extreme cases one can even lie just to win an argument or get a point across, or even to get out of something.
Gemini emphasis as well as Uranus emphasis or aspects to mercury can make one scatterbrained, give problems with concentration and organization. When it comes to social problems, it can make these people flaky, inconsistent, or even undescisive about how they should communicate with or judge others.
Debilitation that manifests in not wanting to speak up or being unable to for any reason can cause a variety of issues with miscommunication, work and family life. These people may have poor social boundaries and find it hard to turn someone down, especially if mercury is in pisces. These people often put up with a lot of social humiliation or disrespect, and end up getting walked all over. They may stay silent also during bouts of verbal abuse or prefer to retreat into themselves, especially if mars is in Cancer or Pisces, with fire otherwise weak or absent in the chart.
A mercury square can strengthen the throat chakra for people who are afraid to speak up or have trouble communicating and connecting with others, and with an overall weakened mercury. A square can also help with motor skills and speech and refining overall manual dexterity. If it is prominent but afflicted, it might be better to use runes, as well as void meditation with cleaning to still and sharpen the mind. Isa Is good for void meditation as well as mental stillness, (not to be overused or it will induce underproduction and depression) raidho can be used if one's mercury often causes problems with travel, as well as more energy for an aura of protection during travel as far as calamities. Best when combined with Algiz or any other protective rune. Wunjo and ehwaz can also be used as well as Venus energy to help with social relations and forging healthy mutual friendships. Mannaz is useful for strengthening the intellect, concentration, as well as the ability to absorb information and comprehension, and helps with self awareness. Apatite and blue lace agate are connected to the throat chakra and are good for use with the Ehwaz, and mannaz runes. Wunjo works well with rose quartz, while raidho works well with sodalite, isa with obsidian, and algiz with black tourmaline.