Quicksilver: Mercury in the Signs, part 1

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun -- hot, gaseous, inhospitable. It is one of the easiest planets to see with the naked eye, along with Venus, Mars and Jupiter. In astrology, Mercury is the ruler of communication. Your relationship with information, your decision making style, and the way you talk to people is governed by the placement of Mercury in your natal chart, according to astrological principles. Today we are looking at what Mercury means when it pops up in the different signs of the zodiac, and how it might influence your overall personal astrological reading.

Mercury in Aries

People with Mercury in Aries tend to be direct in their communications, and are willing to make leadership decisions. In fact, they prefer making leadership decisions! They can come across as rude, but no offense is meant in most cases.

Mercury in Taurus

These people are placid, practical, and slow to arrive at decisions -- not because they are mentally lacking, but because they like to carefully process all the available information. They tend to inspire people to listen to them, and have practical and considered ideas.

Mercury in Gemini

Those with Mercury in Gemini exhibit the quick-witted, superficial, sociable style of Geminis in their communications. They have a broad, but not a deep knowledge, and while they learn quickly, they also become bored of particular topics quickly. These people are smooth talkers, and their humor can often be misinterpreted as deception. If you have Mercury in Gemini, you probably have a gift with words and an engaging communication style.

Mercury in Cancer

Cancer is a personal, sometimes secretive sign, intimately interested in self-preservation and protection -- they need that shell! If Mercury is in Cancer in your natal chart, you will most likely be reluctant to speak your mind, but have an excellent memory for conversations and events ... although this does tend to be colored by the emotions of the situation.

Mercury in Leo

Pride and a sense of drama are the hallmarks of a Mercury in Leo communication style. They are big-picture decision makers, definitely not detail oriented, and they use creativity to come to their decisions as well as in conveying their points of view. This natal chart configuration can also be stubborn when faced with disagreement, or be extremely sensitive to any mildly negative reactions to what they say.