Mercury as a Planet

Mercury as a planet
In Roman mythology Mercury is the god of commerce, travel and thievery, the Roman counterpart of the Greek god Hermes, the messenger of the Gods. The planet probably received this name because it moves so quickly across the sky. It orbits round the sun every 88 days.
Rob Tillett presents a short description of the astrological meaning of Mercury, the divine messenger, dispassionate adviser, intellectual wizard and master of healing. Mercury, the messenger of the gods, symbolizes mentality: our intellect and mental outlook, the way we think and communicate. Mercury, as Hermes, is the emblem for the magus, the wise counselor, divine messenger – and prince of thieves!

Planetary lord of Gemini and Virgo, this fast-moving planet stands for ideas, methods and information, especially as expressed through communication and media. Mercury rules writers, travelers, analysts, magicians, salespeople, astrologers and all types of consultants. Through his rulership of our hands, Mercury also reveals our manual dexterity and mechanical skills.

Mercury, god of the crossroads, also governs transportation
: How we get where we're going, both physically and mentally. Are you a hare, or a tortoise? Mercury's position in your chart will tell all!

Mercury, the messenger of the gods, is the ruler of Gemini and Virgo. Mercury is the messenger in Astrology as it is in Mythology. It is the planet of day-to-day expression and communication. Mercury's action is to take things apart and put them back together again. It is an opportunistic planet, decidedly unemotional and curious.

In modern times, we tend to "meet" people's Mercury first. Many people make a connection for the first time through e-mails, for example. Mercury rules whether we are flowery in our speech and/or written words, concise in our choice of words or business-like even in our personal communications.

Mercury not only rules communication, it represents coordination. Thought processes, ideas, and sensory information from both unconscious and conscious sources all need to be coordinated and understood. Mercury analyzes, sorts, groups, and makes sense of things. How do we handle nervous energy? How do we express and convey our thoughts? How do we approach others and information in order to learn and exchange ideas?
When we are "acting out" our Mercury, we are inquisitive, curious, communicative, and versatile. On the negative side, we can be high-strung or nervous, nit-picky, indecisive, and overly technical. On a personal level, look to Mercury in the chart to reveal how individuals get their point across, how they study, and how they process information. Mercury by sign shows an individual's style of communication. By house, Mercury reveals where natives seek to have a voice as well as which areas of life they tend to intellectualize and give a lot of thought to. Mercury colors the planets it aspects with a desire for communication and exchange of information.
Similarly, the planets Mercury aspects affect the way an individual communicates. Mercury prominent in a chart points to wit, liveliness, and curiosity.



Mercury in various signs
What style of communication do we use? How do we make decisions? How do we pick up, process, absorb, and exchange information? These questions are answered, in part, by Mercury's placement by sign of the zodiac. You may be an Aries, but you could also have Mercury in Taurus, so your style of communication is not quite as spirited as one would expect from an Aries. Mercury ( ) refines the Sun sign, and it helps to define how we take in--and give out--information from the world around us.
Mercury in Aries
Mercury in Aries communicators make quick decisions--so quick that you might think they don't much like thinking things over. The truth is, Aries communicators don't have a lot of patience for mulling. Their decisions are often driven by the need for instant gratification. Mercury in Aries men and women are generally quick and to the point in their communications. They are direct and candid, and some may even think their style is crude at times. At times, they can come across as downright aggressive, but that usually happens when they encounter opposition to their opinions and ideas. It is generally a result of frustration, because Mercury in Aries almost childishly assumes that others will accept their opinions smoothly. There is a sensitivity and defensiveness to Aries, and when Mercury is placed in the sign, natives tend to be quite personally attached to their ideas. These people have a tendency towards streamlined learning. They prefer not to get bogged down in details, and are adept at dismissing what they feel are irrelevant details.
There's a certain innocent charm to Aries communicators. Many will appreciate this sign's utilitarian approach. You can pretty much count on them being straight with you, even if their Sun Sign is the more indirect Pisces. This Mercury position favors starting new things. Aries is not attached to outdated ideas, and generally adopts an enthusiastic style. Criticism or negative feedback can be taken personally. Still, they are not afraid of a fight or a challenge, on a mental level. They have a visionary intelligence that is sometimes on the idealistic side.
New projects and ideas are taken on with an unmatched enthusiasm with this position of Mercury. However, because there is no shortage of new ideas in life, Mercury in Aries natives can be quick to dump one mental pursuit, way of thinking, or opinion for something fresher and more exciting. Mercury in Aries people are often excellent at promoting their new ideas. When they're excited about something, their style of communication can be so motivating and fun, the enthusiasm is downright infectious. Aries is a leader, quick to adopt absolutely new and innovative methods--they get a rise out of leading too!
If the Sun Sign is in Pisces or Taurus, these people can sometimes wonder why others get frustrated with them. The truth is, they may come across as more brusque and impatient than they actually are. Mercury in Aries natives make quick decisions, and they don't always understand it when others hedge issues or stay "on the fence".
Mercury in Taurus
Mercury in Taurus natives are plodders. They may take their time to arrive at a decision, but they get there -- they are actually quite decisive, even stubborn with their opinions. Some may mistake the time they take over decisions for laziness, but look a little deeper and you will find that these people do think. Mercury in Taurus men and women may be slow to start a new project, but they see it through to the end. You may need to poke them to get them going, however. They have much common sense at their disposal. These people rely on their senses when it comes to processing information. Smells, noises, and mood are all employed.
Their communication style may, at times, be slow and measured. You may get a sense that these people are quite deliberate in what they do. There is a placid quality to Mercury in Taurus natives--when they speak, they are generally not bubbling or scattered. As a result, others really listen to them. They take them seriously. The practicality of the sign often shows up in a rather sarcastic manner, although Mercury in Taurus people have an overall pleasing manner of communicating. In fact, they can be quite funny with their "say it like it is" style. Many people with this placement of Mercury have especially pleasant voices. The down-to-earth quality of Taurus often shows up in the speech, so it's unlikely that their expression will be flowery or affected. Instead, it's infused with a realistic tone that can be rather authoritative. When it comes to learning, Mercury in Taurus prefers demonstrations, concrete answers, and basic concepts. These natives learn best when they see real-world uses for the theories they're trying to absorb. Not that they wouldn't be able to comprehend the abstract--they simply process information better when they can personalize it (what use is it to me?) and attach it to the practical world. It's interesting to note that Taurus is a sign that naturally assesses things in terms of what they can do for them. With Mercury placed in the sign, information is processed, and either accepted or discarded, with this kind of "screening" process. Well-developed sense of color, smell, and touch are characteristic of this position of Mercury. These people have well-defined tastes, and these revolve very much around the world of the five senses. If the Sun Sign is in Aries or Gemini, these people can come across as more bull-headed than they actually are. They have a no-nonsense approach to decision-making, and their ideas are often very practical and useful.

Mercury in Gemini
Mercury in Gemini people is generally quick-witted. They can come across as somewhat scattered, and this is mainly due to their eclectic interests. They seem to know a little about everything. Turn to Mercury in Gemini men and women for lots of facts and figures as well as broad knowledge. Their learning is a little superficial -- they generally have too many interests to delve too deeply into any one. These natives learn best in a stimulating environment. They get bored easily, but they are fast learners. Impressionable to a fault, Mercury in Gemini people pick up more from their environment than most, and they can process information at lightning speed! The restlessness of Gemini is especially obvious when Mercury is placed in the sign. There is a nervous energy here that is unmistakable.
Although Gemini is a rather open-minded sign, there is often a bias towards logic. Unless Mercury forms an aspect with the Moon in the birth chart, Mercury in Gemini natives don't always rely on intuition, nor do they take into account the world of emotion in their decision-making processes. In this sense, they can come across as a little too intellectual or just plain logical. The lack of heart behind what they say and think can be frustrating to more personal communicators. Although Mercury in Gemini people are generally interested and interesting speakers, they can also be quite detached, easily discarding or ignoring more personal issues. They don't get attached to their opinions and ideas for too long, and the result is a changeability and coolness that can be frustrating to others. On the other hand, their curiosity and willingness to adapt to the environment around them often endears them to others. Because they possess versatile minds, you won't have much of a problem convincing them to change their minds. Mercury in Gemini natives can be smooth talkers, even a little deceptive, although this is generally not with cruel intent. It's done, usually, with a sense of humor. In fact, it's more of a mental exercise than anything. They are able to quickly spot human weaknesses and then play around with them. Decision-making is generally done quickly and well. They have fun with words, they are good on the phone, and they make engaging speakers. They communicate with a strong sense of fun, and they can "speak to" people from all walks of life with equal ease. Mercury in Gemini natives often possess presence of mind and will generally impress you with their wit. For the most part, it is unlikely these people will bore you!

Mercury in Cancer
These people communicate with feeling, conveying a sensitive, withdrawn, and thoughtful nature to the people they interact with. If this is the only personal planet in Cancer in their chart, they may come across as more personal and sensitive than they actually are.
No matter how free-spirited the rest of their natal charts may be, Mercury in Cancer people can be very subjective and personal, or they opt not to talk at all. They are slow to respond at times, giving others the impression that they are deep thinkers. They probably are just that. Cancer is a meditative and reflective sign. Still, Mercury in Cancer people are much faster at forming opinions and making decisions than they appear. Because they listen so well to others, this speed is not obvious.
You can bet that Mercury in Cancer natives will remember almost anything -- from their own past, to your conversation two months ago. You might notice their memory is a little skewed in the direction of emotion. The truth is, these people remember the mood surrounding all the moments they have stored in their memory. This is because they "feel you out" when you are talking to them. The words are not as important to them as the emotions behind them.
Cancer communicators come across as gentle, intuitive, and sentimental. Sometimes, they can appear quite defensive, as they can take things quite personally. They make you feel very warm and protected. Sometimes it is in their voice (solid yet soothing); and often it is in the message they are giving. Sometimes Cancer communicators can come across as if they are hiding something, which can get them into more trouble than they perhaps deserve.
Mercury in Cancer retains a lot of information, and learns best when they feel emotionally balanced. They prefer to focus their concentration on subjects, and approach problems in a step-by-step manner, "feeling out" an answer. This position gives the gift of rhythm and beat.
No matter what their Sun sign (and it can only be Gemini, Cancer, or Leo), Cancer communicators seem to have feelers. They pick up people's emotions in conversations. They are the best listeners of all the signs. In fact, it is extraordinarily easy for them to get "lost" in the other person's expression and opinion. For a while, they can almost lose their own opinions and completely step into the other's shoes.
You can count on Mercury in Cancer to come up with information, culled from their outstanding memory, that others have long forgotten.
Cancer communicators' style is to avoid arguments. But, make no mistake about it, they can provoke arguments easily. They do this in a subtle manner, then get hurt when others argue with them.
Mercury in Cancer is generally attracted to poetry, archaic language, expressions of yesteryear, and the like. Because they are so aware of others' emotions, they can be somewhat diplomatic in their dealings with people.
These people appear to take their time when they make a decision, and even when they form an opinion. They need to step away from others, and be alone with themselves to explore all that they have absorbed. They ask for time to stew over new information. They are impressionable, and the smart ones know it. Withdrawing into themselves helps them to discriminate.
These people can get frustrated with facts-only thinking processes. They also dislike distractions when they are talking or thinking. They need to focus on the matter at hand in order to come up with the best solutions to problems.
Mercury in Cancer can be very effective speakers and writers, especially if they have Leo or Gemini Suns. Their ability to "feel out" their audience is extraordinary. Also, they are able to present things concisely, yet powerfully.
If your Mercury is in Aries or Libra, you may find some of your conversations with Mercury in Cancer natives are frustrating. (The feeling is mutual, by the way). Aries communicators get impatient with Cancer's slowness and indirect communication, while Libra communicators wonder why Cancer always seems to personalize what they say to the point of appearing like they have funnel vision. This latter is not always the case -- Cancer communicators simply prefer to speak about the matter at hand, you and them, and not the rest of the world as Libra tends to do. Likewise, Mercury in Cancer can find Aries communicators rather brusque, and Libra communicators maddeningly detached or other-oriented.


Mercury in Leo
When Mercury in Leo people speak, they do it with authority. Some of them come across as know-it-alls, but the more mature ones speak with style. They want others to know about their presence of mind and their know-how.
Mercury in Leo men and women are adept at seeing the big picture, sometimes at the cost of ignoring the details. They are generally skilled at the art of persuasion. While others may try to win people over with logic, guilt, or wit, Mercury in Leo does it with warmth and good will. They are excellent at promoting ideas and getting their message across.
These people can be very attached to their opinions, taking pride in their beliefs, which are often rather idealistic. They are capable people on an intellectual level, and have an especial desire for self-expression.
Creativity is especially important to Mercury in Leo people. They present themselves with a certain amount of flair, and even drama. Often passionate and enthusiastic speakers, Mercury in Leo people get their message across with zeal. Some people with this position have developed a perhaps more sophisticated manner in which they present their ideas and thoughts, and these natives possess admirable style and warmth.
Depending on the confidence level of the whole individual with this placement of Mercury, a stubbornness in the face of criticism or over-sensitivity to anything less than praise is present. Whatever the reaction, Mercury in Leo natives can be mentally arrogant. Mercury, by nature, is detached and reasonable. In Leo, however, the ego comes into play very strongly when it comes to intellectual analysis. With intellect and ego so closely tied, the ability to separate fact from fiction can be impaired. In some, boasting may be a problem. Probably the best way to handle this position is to find self-expression in some creative field. Mercury in Leo natives can be magnificent story-tellers, for example, mainly because they have such a wonderful sense of drama. They speak and write with heart.




Mercury in Virgo
Mercury in Virgo people are rarely flashy in their communication style, but they do thoroughly appreciate it when others acknowledge their brainpower. These people love to keep track of all the details. They can be a little high-strung when things are not orderly or when things seem out of control, so they put a lot of energy into taking care of day-to-day, practical matters.
Mercury in Virgo men and women are generally adept at organizing, planning on a short-term scale, and doing errands. They pay their bills on time, enjoy learning the details of a trade, and generally don't balk at secretarial tasks. They function best when they (or others) have laid out exactly what they have to do. They are generally prompt at responding to others (although a Leo Sun may be less so), and often are willing to lend a hand to others by doing research and leg work for them.
Generally, these people are considered rather useful in their work and as friends because they have a handle on the details of the things they do.
Although they are capable of learning a lot, they need orderly environments in which to learn and study, and organized study methods. They generally pick up a lot of facts and figures, and learn their own trade well, but have trouble truly absorbing the knowledge they collect on a deeper level. Although resourceful, Mercury in Virgo is not as strong at lateral thinking than, for example, water sign Mercuries.
If your Mercury is in Sagittarius or Gemini, you may find Mercury in Virgo difficult to communicate with. Although you two may share common interests, the way you deliver your message can be intensely different to the point of frustration. Learning to understand that your thought processes are different, and the way you present your ideas differ, but there is more common ground than you may know.
Mercury in Virgo natives may appear humble at times, but they get quite protective when it comes to handling day-to-day affairs. They can be very impatient with others, feel they do these things best, take on more work than they should, and then complain that they are doing all the dirty work.


Mercury in Libra
Libra communicators come across as very pleasing. Diplomacy comes naturally to these natives. At the very least, they take many pains to be diplomatic. Whether they succeed or not depends on their audience—but more on that later.
Mercury in Libra people long for equality in the intellectual world. They view mental affinity as one of the most important themes in any relationship they have. If they are not getting it (and many do not), they should look within themselves for answers. Perhaps they are trying too hard to score intellectual points with their partners instead of truly listening to what they are saying. Mercury in Libra attempts always to be fair in any discussion, but to more personal communicators, Libra's constant comparisons can, in effect, seem unfair! Libra can go off on so many tangents, and offer excessive disclaimers for any opinion presented, that they end up all over the place.
If you think Virgo is critical and a perfectionist, spend some time with a Mercury in Libra person (and many of them have Virgo Suns too). They can't quite help themselves. But because they always aim to be kind and fair, they employ tact to get their message across. Mercury in Libra comes across in an unassuming manner, and handles people with care. When they find fault with others, they express it gently, consciously tending to others' comfort levels. One accountant I know whose Mercury is in Libra feels she instinctively hones in on imbalances in her work. When her co-worker was struggling with "balancing the books", this lady immediately saw her co-worker's oversight. Instead of simply pointing it out and risking embarrassing him, she pointed to the general area of the mistake and said, "perhaps the problem is somewhere here?" This way, she stayed out of trouble, and no one had to feel uncomfortable.
Mercury in Libra looks for compromise. Middle ground is constantly sought. In fact, they are extraordinarily uncomfortable with extremes of opinion! This makes them excellent counselors and go-betweens, but it also gives rise to plenty of indecision in their personal lives. In their desire to find the best, fairest, most just choice, they can swing from a pro to a con, and back to a pro again--but we can't forget another "con" just to balance the last "pro". It can be dizzying for others to observe! They simply can't help but see the other side. This maddening characteristic leads to a strange paradox -- they can end up seemingly incapable of giving a compliment without a "but". After all, complimenting you is essentially drawing a conclusion, or forming an opinion. This is a paradox because Libra is charming, but give them a little time with something, and they will have a hard time arriving at a totally good (or totally bad) conclusion.
Their ability to think in the abstract gives them a good measure of objectivity. These people have a subtle intelligence. Their thoughts are generally dominated by relative thinking--they simply can't seem to evaluate their environment without comparing one thing with an other. This trait contributes to refined tastes.
Mercury in Libra is generally good at making connections with others, but remember that Libra can be a lazy sign--and for Mercury in Libra natives, this means mental laziness. This can prevent them from following up and maintaining the connections they've made.
Mercury in Libra hates to be thought of as the bad guy (or gal), and can end up trying to make too many people happy.
Mercury in Libra often has to turn to others for opinions when making a decision. The maddening part of it is this: Give these people an answer to their question, and they'll probably take the other side. For example, if they are deciding between two different restaurants, and you give them an answer, they are almost sure to suddenly see the other restaurant's merits. These natives play devil's advocate far too often. Many times they don't even truly believe the side they have taken--they are simply engaging in an intellectual argument. Mercury in Libra would be wise to look inside themselves to do a check on what they really feel every now and again. They can get so caught up in trying to win an argument and correcting the (perceived) biases in others' beliefs and actions that they totally lose sight of what really matters to them.
Favorite expression: "On the other hand..."; "But then again..."


Mercury in Scorpio
These people are on an eternal quest to get to the very heart of any matter. This appears in anything that requires thought, and in almost every conversation they have. Totally fearless when it comes to delving into depths that nobody else wants, or even thinks, to explore, Mercury in Scorpio is adept at learning the source and the core of any problem or issue. They are blessed (or cursed, depending on how you want to look at it) with the observation skills of a surveillance camera, seeming to just see all and know all. Sometimes they can be quite "dark" because of their tendency to focus on the false in order to get to the truth. These people detest superficiality. They come across as suspicious and can annoy other, more optimistic people with their negative take on things.
Scorpio communicators are passionate in their speech, sometimes even given to lecturing. Remember, though, that they are just as passionate about giving you real advice and help. They are quite willing to let you in on a few of their secrets--regarding other people, that is, not themselves. The truth is, they have observed things that many have not. If their observations seem a little bit skewed toward the negative, try to overlook it. You may just discover that they've given you some of the best advice around. They are at their best when they are talking about things that they are not personally involved with. That is when their shrewd judgment shines. It is when they are personally involved that their judgment can get clouded over.
Their intelligence is absolutely instinctive. Strategies are their specialty. Their idea of constructive criticism can be interpreted as destructive criticism, depending on their audience. It can be very hard to win an argument or debate with Mercury in Scorpio. They are absolutely driven to win, not just for the sake of scoring intellectual points, but simply to come out on top in general. Besides that, it is hard to deny that their thinking is really quite lucid, at least in presentation. You may be gritting your teeth, but it will be hard not to concede.
They'll staunchly support and defend anyone they care about. And, their energy in speech (or sheer intensity) can be motivating. You may walk away from a Mercury in Scorpio native, after they've given an impassioned speech, saying "whew!" But you'll generally have received an awesome pep talk, if they like you. The pep talk may have been at someone else's expense, however (they may have torn someone else apart to boost you up, for example).
Scorpio's take on people often has to do with motivations. Often, they feel people are motivated by jealousy. They should know, if they are also Scorpio Sun and/or Venus Scorpio, because they have lived it.
They are naturally suspicious, expecting bad intentions first. Mercury in Scorpio people love intrigue, mystery, and hidden motives. If they don't channel this interest into mental pursuits, they can end up creating their own mysteries. Others might start wondering if they are paranoid.
Mercury in Scorpio loves anything that challenges the brain and are often interested in what makes people tick.


Mercury in Sagittarius
Freedom of thought is what Mercury in Sagittarius strives for -- at least in theory. These people communicate in an optimistic, forward-looking manner. Their ideas are generally very big, but it's probably wise to use tact when you see all the little holes in their arguments. Remember, they mean well. These people have vision.
Not always thrilled about focusing on details, Mercury in Sagittarius people prefer to expand their mental horizons through thinking and reading about larger subjects, like philosophy. Their thirst for knowledge can be insatiable, but they have little patience with dry academics or cold, hard facts. Theirs is a restless intellect. They learn best when they are given the freedom to think for themselves, when they are truly interested in the topic at hand, and when the things they're learning are fun.
Even though their definition of justice might bewilder some, Mercury in Sagittarius defends justice and freedom religiously. They generally have a whole slew of principles they follow, or at least defend in conversation, and they'll gladly discuss them all with you.
Their optimism is both their strength and their weakness. After a conversation with these people, you'll probably feel stimulated and invigorated. They make life a little better for their positive, optimistic outlook. But sometimes that optimism can be a little blind to reality.
Organization, too, is not a forte of Mercury in Sagittarius. Who has the time for organizing anyway? When the clutter around them gets too unbearable, they're given to trashing or piling things instead of putting them in their rightful places. They do appreciate lots of room, or at least the illusion of space, when they're working, studying, or thinking. So, their office might look alright at first glance. Open up a drawer or a closet, however, and you might find it's bursting its seams.
Conversations with Mercury in Sagittarius are always interesting. You can't help but admire their enthusiasm. At their worst, they take to preaching instead of conversing. This may not be intentional, and can get Mercury in Sagittarius into all kinds of trouble nonetheless. A good debate is hard for people with this position to pass up. Mercury in Sagittarius natives think they are very open-minded--and they are in spots--but they can come across as quite moralistic at times too. They'll be the first to spot bias or prejudice in everyone else's communication, but they can be a little blind to their own. They're not always the best listeners, either, and not adept at picking up the subtleties in your conversation.
Bluntness of speech is a trademark of Mercury in Sagittarius. These people get impatient with indirectness and beating around the bush. It baffles them. It may even piss them off for a while. A sure-fire way to get under their skin is to play mind games with them. They may not always pick up on the game-playing at first, but when they do, they won't be amused.
When they're not fired up about some issue or another, these people are fun-loving. They love to laugh, and it's usually pretty easy to get them giggling.


Mercury in Capricorn
With Mercury in Capricorn, natives have a strong need to compartmentalize the impressions they get from the world. These people often speak and write in a slow and methodical manner. They appreciate structure and order. Although they are resourceful people, Mercury in Capricorn natives easily get frustrated when too much information is thrown at them at once. They break down ideas into manageable parts before arriving at a decision.
Usually quite mentally active, these natives are generally productive people who prefer taking on projects that will yield tangible and practical results.
These natives can have an authoritative air about them. They don't appreciate being taken off guard, and they quickly become impatient with people who don't honor their word. There's a bit of a law-maker in this position of Mercury. These people can seem a little strict and judgmental with others, and they are easily bothered when others don't seem to "get" things that seem extraordinarily obvious to them.
Mercury in Capricorn people can have seemingly crystal-clear judgment, although their thought processes can be skewed to the practical world. They too easily reject what they deem to be frivolous ways of thinking. Not given to much fancy, these natives' minds are oriented toward practical tasks.
There's a bit of a doubting Thomas in Mercury in Capricorn people. Many squint often--not due to poor eyesight, but because their first reaction to information is skepticism! It's more of a furrowing of the eyebrows, and it's often seen in people with a strong Saturn (Capricorn's ruling planet) in their charts as well.
With the Sun in Sagittarius or Aquarius, these people may come across as more hard-nosed, conservative, and practical than they actually are! The reason for this is that they process, and relay, information (Mercury) in a Capricorn way.
The style of communication with this position of Mercury is generally of the no-frills variety. Capricorn is a sign that hates waste and values time. They will generally be rather concise in their presentation, although they do take their time when they make plans--they consider it an investment in the future.
Many natives of Mercury in Capricorn choose their words carefully. They fear coming across as inept, so they may be a little stiff in presentation. Even those who seem quite smooth (and many of them do achieve this) will likely have fretted over their ability to communicate and their intellectual abilities.
Communication difficulties are generally most obvious when Mercury in Capricorn people are relating to those with Mercury in Aries (who find them too deliberate and methodical), Mercury in Cancer (who think they're too cold and practical), and Mercury in Libra (who find them too judgmental). Mercury in Capricorn people have their gripes with them too--Aries seem too hasty, Cancer too emotional, and Libra too argumentative. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in understanding that they are the result of differences in styles of communication.


Mercury in Aquarius
Unconventional in self-expression, Mercury in Aquarius natives enjoy breaking the rules. They are not necessarily loud or flamboyant people, but they often have a quiet way of stirring others up. These natives delight in exposing what they deem biases in others' way of thinking.
Very quick to contradict others, and to offer a different perspective, these natives enjoy intellectual debates. They're very quick and alert, and their powers of observation are particularly strong. They usually "win" debates. In fact, they're very interested in scoring intellectual points, which can be maddening to others at times!
Aquarius is an air sign, which is detached and intellectual by nature. It is also a fixed sign, so people born under Mercury in Aquarius often have an intellectual "agenda". They are even given to forcing their ideas on others. This apparent intellectual superiority complex can intimidate others at times.
On the other hand, Mercury in Aquarius people can make for delightful company. They usually have something interesting to say, and their perspective on issues can be delightfully unusual, quirky, and surprisingly insightful.
These individuals have unusual study habits. They generally are resistant to following schedules, even if they have a Capricorn Sun--and perhaps particularly so with a Pisces Sun sign. Although they are often surprisingly organized, their sense of order may not be entirely understandable to others.
These natives are often attracted to scientific and/or metaphysical pursuits. Anything that promises progress and advancement for mankind has special appeal. Their sense of humor is often well-developed and unique. Practical jokes and anything that shocks and stirs up others are especially appreciated by Mercury in Aquarius people.



Mercury in Pisces
Mercury in Pisces are gentle communicators with a soft touch that is pleasing and warm. Some of them come across in an almost poetic way. Not given to bother too much with details, these individuals tend to sponge up the feelings and moods of their environment. The information they extract from their surroundings can be unusual and certainly unique. For some, it is heavily skewed in the direction of emotion and feeling.
They're generally lovely listeners and, when you get them talking, warm conversationalists. When it comes to communicating, they're moody, and this extends to their letters and emails too. It's a kind of odd thing -- you never know when they'll be in a quiet mood or a yakking state. These individuals don't compete for air time, but they can talk up a storm when they're in the right frame of mind. Predicting when that will be can be difficult, though. Mercury in Pisces is tactful because they don't want to offend others in any way. They feel out their audience and sometimes search for what they think others want to hear. Yes, Mercury in Pisces can fib. It's not that they are malicious--they simply want others to be comfortable.
These people come across as dreamy and indirect. It can be hard to pin them down to any one belief or decision. It's not that they want to drive you crazy or anything--it's just that Mercury in Pisces takes in so much information from the world and their open-mindedness prevents them from taking a stance for too long. They have an unusual aversion to cold facts and hard decisions. Driven more by intuition than facts, these people avoid list-making and the like. Others might think them disorganized but they have an uncanny knack of finding things nonetheless. There is a tendency to avoid detail work or tying up loose ends, not to mention the mind drifting off to Never-Never Land.
Mercury in Pisces is tuned in to all the nuances of subjects and environments. They pick up on subtleties of all kinds, so what they lack in organization they make up for with insight. When the Sun Sign is Aries, much of the brashness and directness of Aries is considerably toned down with Mercury in Pisces. Aquarius Sun people with this position are artistic and humane.
Mercury in Pisces people are often vague and indirect in their communications with others. If they learn to express themselves with more clarity, they'll find that a lot of the problems they can encounter with misunderstandings will lessen. Their impressionable nature can make them an easy target at times. Their plans may seem too dreamy and unrealistic to more practical sorts, lacking the details that make them seem more attainable. But Mercury in Pisces' vision is extraordinary, and their leaps of faith are admirable.
Favorite expression: "I believe..."

Rahu and Ketu

Rahu Ketu - The Shadow Planets
The Moon's Nodes in Vedic Astrology
Note:
All planetary positions in this article refer to the sidereal Zodiac which is currently 23 degrees 49 minutes and 30 sec. behind the Tropical Zodiac. Nakshatras are fixed stars or lunar mansions.

The Mythology
Understanding Rahu & Ketu in Our Natal Charts
Vedic Hymn to Rahu
Rahu and the Nakshatras
Ketu
Vedic Hymn to Ketu
Ketu and the Nakshatras
Kal Sarpa Yoga
Transitions


Rahu Ketu is the name given to the Nodes of the Moon. Rahu is the North Node and Ketu is the South Node. They are points on the ecliptic where the Moon is in alignment with the Sun and the Earth. They indicate the precise point of the harmony with the three most important influences in our life- the Sun, the Earth and the Moon. This relationship plays an important part in the enfolding of individual consciousness.

Their role as Karmic indicators of our life is connected with their power to cause eclipses. The eclipses occur in the vicinity of Rahu Ketu during the Full Moon and the New Moon. (During New Moon when it is +/- 18 degrees from Rahu Ketu, the Solar eclipse takes place. At the full Moon +/- 11 degrees 15' from the nodal position, the Lunar eclipse takes place.) As they symbolically eclipse the Sun (consciousness) and the Moon (the Mind), they have a great part to play in darkening our perspective in order to bring in new light. They deal with the concept of death and re-birth, transformation and regeneration. During the eclipses the light from the Luminaries is darkened. The energies created are powerfully psychic, pregnant with new information and occult power. The period after the eclipse is considered a rebirth of the Sun and the Moon. The role of Rahu Ketu in this powerful alignment of the Sun Moon and the Earth gives them the role of the ultimate controllers of the destiny.

The prime importance given to Rahu Ketu in Vedic Astrology is one of it's key features. They have been given the status of Planets to emphasise their significance and the importance placed on eclipses. They are known as Chayya Grahas (shadow planets). They have no substance and are physically non-existent. Yet their influence is full of potency and spiritual significance. They work in unison 180 degrees apart, two opposite points in the zodiac with a mission to churn our lives in order to externalise hidden potential and wisdom. In keeping with their shadowy nature, they work on a psychological level. It is always difficult to gauge their effect because their main concern is with our emotional makeup. They effect us internally. We are unaware of what exactly is happening to us at the time.

In Vedic Astrology, the concept of the Soul's journey through different lifetimes is central to it. The final goal of the soul is to break this cycle of life and death. Like the beads on a necklace, various lifetimes are joined together to form a necklace, each life being different but interconnected by an invisible thread. The invisible thread is Rahu and Ketu. The purpose of the soul in this life to act out his given Karma, destroy the illusions of the materialistic life and move towards the pursuit of self realisation. To live on the astral planes where pleasure and pain do not have the capacity to hurt, the mind is still and at peace. The soul's journey in a particular life time and it's connection with eternal life is indicated by the position of Rahu and Ketu. Ketu deals with the past Karma and Rahu with the future.

The five instincts that keep us attached to the materialistic purpose of life are Kaam (Desire, passions) Krodh (Anger) Madh (intoxicants- drugs, alcohol etc) Moh (Attachment) Lobh(Greed) and Matsaya(Jealousy). We need to control our instincts rather than allowing ourselves to be controlled by them. Both Rahu and Ketu have the ability to keep our mind focused on these instincts- Rahu by exaggerating and Ketu by obscuring or blocking. We are tied down to the cycle of unhappiness and dissatisfaction as we cannot break away from our lower selves. We are born again and again to experience the pleasures and pains of the earthly life until we recognise them to be the illusions that they are. On a subconscious level we are afraid that if we give up these desires, we will lose out. Once we start understanding the principle of letting go, enjoying what life has to offer but not getting attached, then we are able to grow spiritually. Rahu Ketu deals with the inner fight within us, the moral and the social choices we have to constantly make and the inner dilemmas.

The Mythology

There are many Myths and legends attached to Rahu Ketu. The most well known one is of Rahu Ketu as the Naga Vasuki- the ruler of the Patala Loka (the nether regions of the earth). Nagas in Vedic literature are not ordinary snakes but Serpents with much hidden knowledge and wisdom. There was a great war between the gods and the demons for the control of the universe and at the centre of it was the ocean which was being churned to find the hidden treasures and the Amrita- the nectar of immortality. Vasuki helped the gods in their mission. He was the rope tied around the spiritual mountain Mandara, which was the rod, used by the gods to churn the ocean.



When the Amrita was found the gods wanted to keep it for themselves as they felt that the demons would use it for the wrong purpose. Vasuki being a demon, his instincts were for personal glorification and materialistic happiness rather than universal good. (Sacrificing self for others is considered the godly impulse). Vasuki, was more intelligent than the other demons, he was not willing to be distracted by the gods. He drank the nectar of immortality secretly. The Sun and the Moon complained to Lord Vishnu, the creator of the Universe, who was very angry at this deception. In anger he threw the Sudharshan Chakra at Vasuki and cut him into two. Vasuki had drunk the Amrita and was immortal, therefore could not be killed. He remained in the skies as Rahu(the head)Ketu (the lower half), a permanent reminder to the other planets(gods) of the darker side of life which we have to defeat in the pursuit of immortality.

Rahu Ketu are considered great enemies of the Sun and the Moon because they told Lord Vishnu about them. They symbolically swallow the two luminaries during the eclipses. Their capacity to darken the Sun and the Moon make Rahu Ketu the most powerful influences in the Zodiac. The Sun around whom the other planets and the solar system revolves, the Moon which controls life on earth, are obscured by Rahu Ketu during eclipses. Rahu Ketu represent Cosmic Law which everyone including the Sun and the Moon have to obey.

This allegory has to be understood as life. The Gods without the help of Vasuki (Rahu Ketu) could not find the secret of immortality. In the same way we as humans cannot find our higher selves without understanding the lessons of Rahu and Ketu. They represent the darker side of our nature which we need to overcome. Our inner emotions are like the ocean being churned. Within this ocean lie a number of treasures as well as poisons and nasty things. We have learn to recognise the precious from the dross and finally find Amrita- the secret of immortality or true happiness. The conflict between our attachment to materialistic achievements (this gives us momentary happiness which is a fantasy as it has no real basis, the domain of Rahu) and liberation of the soul, finding bliss and tranquillity which is eternal and everlasting (Ketu is the Moksha karaka significator for spiritual realisation). The gods needed the help of Vasuki in the Amrita manthan and in the same way we need the knowledge provided by the wise nodes to give direction.

Understanding Rahu and Ketu in our Natal Charts

To understand the influence of Rahu Ketu in our chart we must learn about their shadow nature. This is the most important factor in when dealing with the influence of the nodes. They are only points in the Zodiac therefore they are unable to enact their effect on their own. The nodes take on the characteristics of their dispositor as they have no substance themselves. It is very important to study the sign, position and placement of the depositor. Here it is important to understand that although the nodes are influenced by their depositor, the depositor itself carries forward the influence of the nodes. The basic results of Rahu- Ketu are modified by their location in your chart. The signs/ houses they are placed in. The aspects they receive and the aspects they throw out. Also if they are in conjunction with another planet (note in Vedic Astrology a planet in the same house is considered conjunct. The closer the conjunction the stronger the influence.) they will throw out it's influence. For example if Rahu is in conjunction with Mars it will throw the aspect of Mars along with that of it's depositor.

Rahu Ketu are the personal eclipse points. Therefore they are areas where you need to work out your Karma, past as well as future. They are our Karmic responsibilities. We have to learn to look beyond the momentary darkness that Rahu Ketu represent. They highlight the negative side of our nature which we need to overcome to move towards the spiritual growth. They work psychologically, therefore it is hard to pin- point their effect. They are the axis of life which indicates the path of spiritual growth from past life ( Ketu) to the Future (Rahu). Knowledge of both the past and present are needed for true understanding of life. The past shapes the personality we are now, the negative and the positive Karma we are going to experience. It shades our psyche to how we are going to tackle the present. The future is always uncertain therefore can seem like darkness and carry fear and uncertainty within it. We have to really come to terms with our past to be able to not get afraid of the future. Rahu is showing this direction, Ketu is sometime blocking due to our actions of the past.

Rahu Ketu have twin purpose, one in the mundane life and another in the spiritual life but it is intertwined, like their shadowy nature. Their actions in the material realm are meant so that we change our thoughts and ideas about what we want and desire. What is darkness to a person enmeshed in materialistic ambitions can be powerful spiritual energy for those on the path of Moksha and spiritual enlightenment.

The nodes always serves opposing purposes- good and bad, lots and nothing, give and take. Rahu gives, Ketu takes back. The are no straight rules about them. They operate in so many different colours which can lead you to the highest spiritual pinnacle to the greatest financial achievements or vice versa. They can give contrary results. You can never give predictions dealing with surety.

They can create fear of the unknown. They can create sudden and unexpected results.

The saying is that Rahu Ketu always take away what they give because they have a special reason for granting you your wishes. To realise that what they give is not necessarily what you want once you have achieved it. They highlight dissatisfaction within ourselves.

RAHU




Vedic Hymn to Rahu

'Rahu is snake shaped, born of a lioness and a devourer of the Sun and the Moon'

Rahu is the head part of the celestial snake. This hymn refers to Rahu being snake shaped. The snakes are given great importance in Vedic mythology. Lord Shiva has a snake around his neck, Lord Vishnu's throne was Shesh Naga - the Eternal Serpent. Shesh Naga represents the cycles of time and space which the seed of cosmic creation. The Nagas are shaped like snakes but stand tall. The Nagas are highly evolved beings. They are wise, but their wisdom can be used for both good and bad. The Naga sheds his skin, this symbolises transformation,re-birth. The snakes in Vedic literature remind people of their mortality.

The 'devouring of the Sun and Moon' are when Rahu eclipses the luminaries. This shows the important part Rahu has to play in changing the course of our life. The Sun and Moon are Royal planets under whose dictates the universe and life on earth revolves. But Rahu can darken this light, therefore it controls the process of life. The Sun is the Soul and Moon the Mind, when they are eclipsed, they go through regeneration, transformation and death.

Rahu takes people off their Dharmic past path to tempt them on the road of self destruction. But Rahu has a very definite purpose in doing so. It wants you to learn, taste and feel everything so that from the full satiation of your senses you turn a new leaf on the path of self realisation and find their true enlightenment. Rahu on a physical plane gives you insatiable desire to achieve, to conquer. Once you have reached the pinnacle of achievement, you realise this success you have achieved has not brought with it happiness because you were in fact chasing an illusion. There are many cults in India which preach satiation of all your mundane and carnal desires so that we can learn the important lesson of fulfilment of all your desires do not give you the true happiness.

Rahu signifies foreigners in all fields- people, countries, tastes.

Rahu behaves like Saturn. It deals with drugs, poisons, over ambition, power play, hidden knowledge,

Rahu's element is air. It deals with all aspects of air related activities air travel, Air accidents, Aviation, Pilots etc. Other significations of Rahu include students of Astrology, metaphysical knowledge, witchcraft, skin diseases, small pox, deception, politics, political manoeuvre, inventions, scientists, execution, diseases, disenchantment etc.

Rahu and the Nakshatras

Rahu Ketu rule 3 Nakshtras (fixed stars) each. Rahu rules Ardra ( 6 degree 40' to 20 degrees 00' Gemini), Swati ( 6 degrees 40' to 20 degrees 00' Libra) and Shatabishak (6 degrees 40' to 20 degrees 00'Aquarius), all in the Air triplicity . Mercury, Venus and Saturn represent intellectualism, pleasure and righteous behaviour. Rahu has the capacity to bestow in all these areas.

As the ruler of the fixed star Ardra( 6 degree 40' to 20 degrees 00' Gemini), Rahu represents the highest thinking, Ardra is the Nakshatra where we begin our learning about the nature's law. Ardra is in 6 degree 40' to 20 degrees Gemini a sign ruled by Mercury. At the cosmic stage of Ardra, there is conflict on the outer level where we are dissatisfied with our present surrounding, so we start looking for answers. This can be through knowledge, occult and communication The duality of Gemini as well as the celestial powers of Mercury are present. Ardra's symbol is of a head or a single jewel. both symbolising ideas, mind and thinking. Rahu is always about matchless ambition and in Ardra it combines it with the capacity for knowledge. Planets in Ardra get motivated towards greater occult learning. Rudra, the God of Destruction is Ardra's presiding Diety.. Rudra is a form of Shiva. Rudra's mission is to destroy ignorance, therefore he directs the consciousness towards knowledge and finding the answers for ourselves about this manifestation. At Ardra we start to study or learn about the Law of Nature. The first time we become dissatisfied with the materialistic nature of our lives and start towards expanding the horizons of our spiritual selves.

The Second Nakshatra ruled by Rahu is Swati ( 6 degrees 40' to 20 degrees 00' Libra) Planets in Swati indicate the depth of the soul's involvement in Materialism. The indicator of the soul in our chart, the Sun, is debilitated here and Saturn the worker of the Zodiac is exalted here. Under Swati, the impulse is all about material gain. Venus rules the earthly needs in an individual. Combining it with Rahu it adds further to the desire for success, wealth and finance. Many millionaires are born with their Moon's or Saturn in Swati. The presiding diety is Vayu (air).The Symbol is Coral. The location of this Nakshatra in Libra indicates that the experience of full involvment into earthy, materialistic pleasures will bring with it dissatisfaction because the scales will be heavy to one side. Once success is achieved we feel empty, alone and dissatisfied with our achievement, many try for more success but the correct thing would be to look towards your higher self at this time. Libra is a stage of life when we start thinking about the spiritual meaning of life but only once the other urges have been fulfilled.

Shatabishak( 6 degrees 40' to 20 degrees 00'Aquarius) is the final Nakshatra ruled by Rahu. Aquarius is ruled by Saturn and Rahu's rulership of the Nakshtra makes a very difficult combination where life has to have a purpose and the total direction is about learning lessons. Rahu gives results like Saturn but on a psychological level. This double Saturnine influence on planets placed here is difficult to handle unless our activities are directed towards service to humanity. Here both Rahu and Saturn are concerned about changing our purpose of life, giving us the final answers. Rahu on the internal level and Saturn on an external level offers restrictions, obstacles and transformation. The need to understand the final lessons of life as well as duty to others are two of the important aspects of Shatabishak. Its symbol is the thousand petalled flower, Shatabishak is where the Kundalini flowers and we reach towards the full awareness of our consciousness. This is the stage in life where we activate the Sahasara (Crown) Chakra. Rahu brings forth its full power as the teacher of cosmic law. When the Moon is in Shatabishak, its materialistic tendencies are shed completely and we moves towards the true purpose of life. We are ready to transcend to the next phase of spiritual development.

All the quarters of Rahu's Nakshatra are ruled by Jupiter and Saturn, the significators of spirituality and occult initiation. They are Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Each pada (quarter) represents the ninth harmonic of the natal chart. Together these four signs represent the final stages of spiritual development. As the Rahu Nakshatras represent a point in cycle of life where we are starting to change, these padas further indicate that life on an internal level remain the same again. Sagittarius is the level when man learns to control the base emotions,changes from animal to human, at Capricorn we learn about the duties and responsibilities to others, Aquarius represents the stage of development where we are now privy to full knowledge. At Pisces we are able to make the final change, sow the seeds for future growth. So although the stages of the soul's journey are different in Ardra ( Gemini) Swati ( Libra) and Shatabishak( Aquarius) the underlying urge, represented by the quarters, is still the same- to evolve. The ending of one way of life and the beginning of another.

KETU

Vedic Hymn to Ketu

' Decked with silk, flowers, garlands, sandal paste and an umbrella, of variegated colour, born of Jaimini's family under Abhijit Nakshatra…'




Ketu is the lower part of the celestial snake.

This hymn shows the main difference between Rahu and Ketu, Rahu is dark in colour but Ketu has a variegated colour. Therefore it has the capacity to shine a light on you suddenly, bring about enlightenment.

Ketu is born to the Jaimini family who followed the Mimasa school of philosophy. Their main concern was the correct interpretations of the vedic rituals and settling any controversies about the Vedic texts. Ketu himself is guiding towards meditation of the nature of creation, intuitiveness, the true understanding of universe and the guidance of the soul towards it's final salvation or Moksha.

Ketu causes great impediments in your paths. It sets up roadblocks, traffic jams, boulders in your journey of life. It causes pain. It wants to change your psyche. You learn to leave your excess baggage of past Karma behind. Travel lightly into your this existence so that you can understand there are areas of your life which need to address and some left behind. Those unable to harness the power of Ketu or understand its karmic path can be lead to a sorrowful existence. Sometimes it is difficult for any one do stand in the way of Ketu power. We need to accept and understand the divine plan which is part of our destiny and Ketu is doing its work to produce in you the enlightenment which would lead to true enlightenment and honour. The effect of the Ketu problems are like the going through the ritual of fire from which one comes out stronger more powerful to be able to take on the problems thrown at us

Ketu will act like Mars and so will it's dispositor. Fiery in nature, it signifies accidents or injury specially due to fire.

Ketu rules 7 years in the planetary life cycle. Ketu always has a sting in it's tale. So the ending of Ketu Maha Dasha one has to be vary of unexpected happening

Ketu is considered the keeper of the book of our life- past and present Karmas.

Ketu is known as Dhwajah- flag. It's association with in dignity with a planet has the capacity to boost it's capabilities- good or bad beyond recognition for lotteries and windfall. Ketu in conjunction with a benefic can give beyond your wildest expectations.

Some of the signification of Ketu are Ascetics, assassinations, trouble through cats, calirvoyance, contemplation, desire for knowledge, deep thinking, imprisonment, poison, intrigues, magical powers, poverty, mysticism etc.

Ketu and the Nakshatras

The Nakshatra's Ketu rules are Ashwini (Aries), Magha (Leo) and Mula (Sagittarius), the fire triplicity. These are the beginning stages in the cycles of life. Mars, Sun and Jupiter the rulers of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are friends with each other. Together they represent strength, the soul and wisdom, Ketu has the capacity to give in these areas. A proper blending of these three planets in our natal charts direct us towards seeking Moksha- the final liberation from the cycle of life and death.

Aries deals with birth, a new life, freshness of approach and start of the cycle of Life.

0 degrees to 13 degrees 20 is Ashwini, the first Nakshatra ruled by Ketu. Ashwini indicates the beginning of the soul's journey into the earthly life. Ketu's rulership of this part of the Zodiac is full of occult significations. Ketu is the significator for Moksha. The beginning part of life indicated by Aries ruled by Ketu Nakshatra shows that the true reason of our manifestation on earth is to find the Moksha- the final salvation from the cycles of life and death. This is the stage where mind is pure and we have not yet entangled ourselves into knots which represent the attachment to life. Sun, the signifactor of the soul, our inner consciousness is exalted in Ashwini. Ashwini is in Aries ruled by Mars. Ketu acts like Mars but on a psychological level so the purity of Martian action, courage and protection of humanity is powerfully indicated by the planets located here. The past life connection is very strong as Ketu, specially if the Moon is located here.

Magha is the second Nakshatra ruled by Ketu. Magha is in the sign of Leo ( 0 degrees to 13 degrees 20' Leo) ruled by the Sun. Magha is the beginning of the second cycle in the soul's Journey. The signs Leo to Scorpio indicate the soul's full involvement into the pleasures and pains of the earthly life. Ketu, the significator of spiritual realisation ruling the commencing point of the materialistic journey shows the importance of the experience of the realities of life in fulfilling the divine mission of the Soul. Magha's ruling deity is Pitris, who are the fathers of humanity whose mission is to guide their children to the right course of life. The father's only interfere if you are going off the right path. Ketu and Pitris both guide the soul towards it's special mission in life. Planets in Magha are idealistic even if their mission is to fulfil their materialistic needs. This does create misunderstandings at times. Others suspect their honour and sincerity. Magha gives a lot materially, but the person ruled by Magha knows intuitively that the material happiness is only an experience, he still needs to follow the inner purpose of life and move towards Moksha.

Mula is the third Nakshatra ruled by Ketu. Mula is 0 degrees to 13 degrees 20' Sagittarius. This is the start of the final part of the Soul's mission towards finding the answers that will lead to his breaking away from the cycles of life and death. This is one of the most difficult Nakshatra for planets to be situated in specially the Moon. The deity that rules Mula is Nittriti, the goddess of death and destruction. This personifies the destruction of the material sheaths and the foundation on which the spiritual enfoldment can be undertaken. The pain experienced by the influence of Mula changes the personality. Attachment to the lower nature and material tendencies have to be severed so that a new spiritual beginning can happen. This is the Nakshatra of initiation towards spiritual realisation. Ketu fulfills it's role as Moksha karaka by arousing the soul towards it's ultimate destination. Mula means root and it also is Muladhara chakra (Base Chakra) where the Kundalini power lies dormant and has to be activated. Ketu rules this and Rahu with it's rulership of Shatabishak- the Crown Chakra indicate the real spiritual insight provided by the nodes. At times they create powerful negativity to focus your mind towards the absolute knowledge.

The quarters of Ketu's Nakshatras are ruled by Mars, Venus, Gemini and the Moon. Mars is courage, Venus- the guide to material fulfilment, Mercury the pure intellect and Moon, the emotional Mind. The signs these planets rule are Aries, Taurus, Gemini and Cancer- the four sign that lead the soul towards experiencing the life on earth. Each pada (quarter) represents the ninth harmonic of the natal chart. Together these four signs represent the beginning stages of spiritual development. As the Ketu Nakshatras represent a point in cycle of life where we have to move towards the divine mission of the soul. They always indicate a beginning and an ending at two different levels. Aries is about discovery of new ideas and the courage to explore them. Taurus is where we nurture the creative potential of our new beginnings. Gemini develops the mind and the recognition of time, space, the working of the universal law. Cancer makes time and space possible. It is ruled by the Moon and Water which also leads us towards purification of mind and harmonising the spiritual and the material. The stages of the soul's journey are different in Ashwini (Mars) Magha (Leo) and Mula (Sagittarius) the underlying urge, represented by the quarters, is still the same- to evolve. The ending of one way of life and the beginning of another.

Kal Sarpa Yoga

Kala Sarpa Yoga is formed when Rahu Ketu hem in the planets in the natal chart i.e. if Rahu is 10 degrees Leo and Ketu 10 degrees Aquarius and all the planets are within these degrees, either from Leo to Aquarius or Aquarius to Leo (Vedic Astrology does not use the outer planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto). For this yoga to be complete, no planet should conjunct Rahu or Ketu. It restricts completely any indications of the charts. However capable the person, his life is impeded due to past Karma. Important lessons have to be faced in this life, where no amount of effort is rewarded, obstacles are encountered at every junction for inexplicable reasons.

The Yoga does not suggest either success or failure, but a person caught up in Karmic forces so great that they restrict his/ her destiny. It acts mysteriously, without other indications in the birth Chart. A heavy price is paid for past Karma in this life. Understanding and counter- acting the effects of Kala Sarpa Yoga needs a person to move towards his higher self. As Rahu and Ketu act on the inner self, the need to understand the psychic implications and the inner blocks created by this combination is important.

Transits

To judge the transits of Rahu Ketu we have to look at the planets they conjunct during their transit. The Sun and Moon being the most important planets. In 1998 when Rahu Ketu are transiting through the Leo Aquarius Axis, people with Leo Sun, Moon, Ascendant and Aquarius Sun, Moon, Ascendant are feeling the transforming effect of Rahu Ketu. The transit of Rahu Ketu gives clues to their unpredictability. They normal travel in a retrograde motion, the opposite to other planets. They will suddenly go direct and backwards again, representing the churning process. They can churn up your life, your inner emotion, force you to transform yourself, create unpredictability in your life. To know exactly how powerful their influence will be, you will have to study the eclipses. If the eclipses are taking place within 1to 2 degrees of your natal planets then they will be indicating a time for change. Here it is important to remember that the eclipses work on a psychological level, some of these influence may not be immediately obvious but will reveal themselves in time.

The transit of Rahu also needs to be seen through their Dashas- planetary cycles. They are each assigned a Mahadasha. Rahu has an 18 year period and Ketu a 7 years period. They also have sub- periods in planetary cycles of other planets through which they exercise their power and influence. Whenever the life cycles come into our life they have the overall control over factors which dictate what we are going to be doing.

The excerpts are taken from some of the very good articles posted by Komila Sutton.