The closest planet to the Sun and known as the Messenger of the Gods, Mercury rules the mind. It is the link between the spirit and matter, between the soul and personality. Mercury rules intelligence, reasoning capacities, and the ability to gather information.  It is the power of communication and is associated with speaking and writing as well as learning capabilities. While the masculine Sun rules Spirit, and the feminine Moon rules Form, Mercury is neither masculine nor feminine, it is known as androgynous.   

As one of the faster moving planets, we experience Mercury’s retrograde motion every three months, more often than any other planet, with the retrograde periods lasting for 3-4 weeks at a time. During its retrograde period, to counter its effects requires orderly thinking and the exercise of caution in making important decisions or starting new projects. However, doing research, finishing or reworking old projects, are usually rewarding during this period.

Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo. It represents an individual who is intelligent, adaptable, friendly, clever, perceptive, analytical, and good in manual skills. Many of them are astute when it comes to world affairs. They are excellent sales people, office workers, speechwriters, solicitors, advocates, accountants and craftsmen.

If Mercury is poorly placed (by sign or house) on a natal chart, it signifies a person who is inconsistent, hypercritical, sarcastic, argumentative, nervous and prone to worry. The illnesses it rules are connected with the head and those parts related to communication. Many of them experience migraine headaches, defective memory, stammering, hoarseness, dry cough and asthma. A Mercury ruled individual is usually tall and thin with beautiful long fingers. Anatomies represented by this planet include the arms, hands, shoulders, veins, intestines, and respiratory system.

Mercury relates to colors yellow and grey, its metal is quicksilver, and gemstones are multi-colored, such as yellow tiger-eye. Mercury influences herb plants such as lavender, lemon verbena, mints, mandrake, pomegranate and May apple, and places like schools, printing shops, markets, bowling alleys, tennis courts and the press.

The last time Mercury was in retrograde occurred August 1^st to August 26^th, almost four weeks duration. This next one coming up will be November 24^th until December 13^th and will be in the sign of Sagittarius. This usually incites poor judgment or misinterpretation of the law, may it be political law or spiritual law.