Astrology-Central

Libra: Divinatory Meaning

Libra is the only inanimate sign of the zodiac, being represented by the Scales. When the Sun reaches 0 degrees of Libra, it is considered the beginning of the Fall season, the Autumnal Equinox. All Cardinal points are the seasonal changes of the solstices and equinoxes.

In this "Union" or "Marriage" sign, relationships involving cooperation are forged. The first six signs deal with the Self and here, with the 7th sign and house, we begin dealing with the outer world.

Librans too are among the most civilized of the twelve zodiacal characters and are often good looking. They have elegance, charm and good taste, are naturally kind, very gentle, and lovers of beauty, harmony (both in music and social living) and the pleasures that these bring.They have good critical faculty and are able to stand back and look impartially at matters which call for an impartial judgment to be made on them. But they do not tolerate argument from anyone who challenges their opinions, for once they have reached a conclusion, its truth seems to them self-evident; and among their faults is an impatience of criticism and a greed for approval. But their characters are on the whole balanced, diplomatic and even tempered.

Librans are sensitive to the needs of others and have the gift, sometimes to an almost psychic extent, of understanding the emotional needs of their companions and meeting them with their own innate optimism. They have good perception and observation and their critical ability, with which they are able to view their own efforts as well as those of others, gives their work integrity.

Being Venus-ruled, this sign can be lazy. Venus natives dislike coarse, dirty work, and enjoy pampering luxuries. The Cardinal quality of this sign gives them ambition and drive and they are more active than their Venus-ruled cousins, the Taureans. Through the love and cohesiveness of Venus, can true union be attained.

The negative Libran character may show frivolity, flirtatiousness and shallowness. It can be changeable and indecisive, impatient of routine, colorlessly conventional and timid, easygoing to the point of inertia, seldom angry when circumstances demand a show of annoyance at least, and yet Librans can shock everyone around them with sudden storms of rage. Under that velvet glove, is a fist of iron. Push a Libra too far and you will find out!

Wanting to be liked by everyone is their downfall – refusing to take a stand or putting up with unacceptable conditions at the price of their integrity is too much. Peace at any price is no peace at all.

They have a strong identification with Mother and may stay too long in the nest, leading to future resentments, mainly because their feeling remain unexpressed. Being Air, they live in their heads and need to get in touch with their emotions and then express those in safe ways.

 KEYWORDS for LIBRA

Medically Speaking

Libra rules the kidneys, the purifiers of the body — as relationships purify the soul. The sign also governs the lumbar region and lower back, adrenal glands, and appendix. It is wise to avoid overindulgence in food and especially drink..

Kabbalistic Connection

Tishrei is the sign of Libra, the seventh month of the astrological wheel that begins in Nissan (Arie). Libra is Mozna’aim in Hebrew meaning scale, like a grocery scale. In ancient times, the scale was used by putting on the objects to be weighed on one side and stones in units of measurement on the other. In our modern times we use digital scales, and the balancing effect of the scales has been lost. In any case, the idea of the scale it to take two opposite and different things and check the difference between them.

The month of Tishrei was created by the letter Lamed. This letter is very special as it is the only letter in the Hebrew Aleph Bet which goes above the line. Lamed is built from two triangles, upper and lower, to show us that we can build the balance between the parallel universe. We live in a physical world, but the true world is the metaphysical one. The scales can help us to connect and fuse the two worlds.

John of Berry’s Petites Heures
France, Paris 14th Century.

Gemini: Divinatory Meaning

As Aries represents the need for the raw energy of survival and the Taurus shows the need to physically touch and experience the material world — Gemini is the intellect that man needs to develop in order to understand the universe. This stage is concerned primarily with information-gathering and Geminis never seem to stop collecting it. They need to express ideas and share information with others, but what they do with their information is another matter. The mature Gemini becomes a serious scholar and careful researcher. The immature Gemini turns into a gossip and the proverbial "jack-of all-trades and master of none".

Geminis readily adapt to change. This trait is a strength because it is a survival mechanism, and a weakness because it makes them vulnerable to the demands and influence of other people. They are dual-natured, elusive, complex and contradictory. On the one hand it produces the virtue of versatility, and on the other the vices of two-facedness and flightiness. They take up new activities enthusiastically but lack application, constantly needing new interests, flitting from project to project as apparently purposelessly as a butterfly dancing from flower to flower. This intellectual approach to everything can make it appear to others as though they are unfeeling or emotionally superficial. Decision making, and sticking to it is a particular challenge for them.

Geminis are witty, imaginative, and have a great sense of humor which makes them good salespeople, teachers, writers, journalists. They are excellent communicators (typical of Air signs). Like their opposite, Sagittarius, they do not like to be pinned or tied down. Taurus may like to own and be owned, but not a Gemini!

Getting the mind under control is a must as the restless mind will create nervous conditions and ailments and even neuroses. The key challenge in Gemini is developing a right relationship to your mind. Are you master of your mind, or is your mind your master?

Gemini deals with the twins, the dual force of opposition between heavenly and earthly energies. The lesson is to harmonize one’s spiritual an earthly life.

 KEYWORDS for GEMINI

Medically Speaking

Gemini rules the nervous system, the hands, shoulders, arms, collarbone, and lungs. They need to watch for diseases and accidents associated with the upper part of the body, as well as nervous and pulmonary disorders such as catarrh and bronchitis. Your alertness and restlessness also mean that you can drive yourself to the point of nervous exhaustion.

Kabbalistic Connection

Sivan is the third month of the Hebrew (lunar) year, and is Central Column of the air signs. The controlling planet is Mercury, in Hebrew – Kochav. Kochav’s numerical value is Caf Vav = 26 (the Yud Hei Vav Hei the Tetragrammaton) and Caf Bet = 22 letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, together creating the most powerful and energetic combination. Mercury is the planet of communication, which means it has the qualifications of an electrical cable, telephone wire, a teacher, an adviser, a story teller – basically anything that can transfer any information from point a to point b.

The letter (Zayin) created the sign of Gemini and the letter (Resh) created Mercury. Together these two letter create the word Raz, whose numerical value is 207 – Light (Or). Raz also means secret (sod) in Hebrew. 

John of Berry’s Petites Heures
France, Paris 14th Century.

Aquarius: Divinitory Meaning

Aquarius, with its two ruling planets, Saturn and Uranus, is a sign of transformation, rebellion, and breakthroughs. Aquarians are on a constant search for their identity, their uniqueness and their personality. They are brilliant people with open minds, new ideas, sometimes strange ones. They are most definitely unconventional and constantly seek to be different, different from their past or any other “normal” people. They are inventors, explorers, and do not care what people will say or think about them. They bring revolution and change everywhere they go. They are social planners, sociology workers, psychologists, unconventional healers and especially people who are open for new and higher consciousness.

Saturn crystallizes forms and structures. Self-control is Saturn’s highest expression. Uranus shatters forms and substance and seeks a new way of expression. Old molds and ways of doing things need to be removed, yet something must be put in its place. Without Saturn’s responsiblity and discipline, Uranus will cause irresponsible destruction and chaos. This is not true freedom, as that can only come from within. But Liberation together with Responsibility can accomplish anything.

Aquarians are foward thinkers, outgoing, and constantly looking to re-invent themselves and their surroundings. They are brilliant people with open minds, new ideas, though sometimes strange ones. They seek out the "different," are mental explorers, creative inventors, and do not care what people will say or think about them. They stir things up and bring revolution and change everywhere they go. This makes them work well in organizations or big business because they are willing to break new ground and see things from a different angle.

Often work will interest them more than personal relationships. They hate restraint of any kind and approach life though the mind and not the emotions. Strong willed, they have strong convictions, and cannot be pushed into anything. They easily see both sides of an argument and are quite tolerant of other viewpoints, and will even change theirs if it is logical. Aquarians filter everything through the mind and connect to others mentally. Sometimes, other signs just don’t get it, or get them. This metal approach to life, however, can drive some into an ivory-tower existence where they meditate on abstractions that bear little relevance to life. Obviously, they would get along best with the other air signs, Gemini and Libra.

This mental activity gives a scientific bent and many will seek out science fields to benefit mankind. They are loners and need "space." Even in company, they still feel apart and will follow their own path.

The unevolved natives can be critical and demanding, cold and unmoving, unemotional and even cruel. The evolved Aquarian is giving and magnanimous, and recognizes that we are all heading to the same place, even though we are on different paths.

 KEYWORDS for Aquarius

Medically Speaking

Aquarius rules the lower leg, calf and ankles, and the valves of the heart. Also the blood circulation and the oxidation processes in the body. The body is strong, but they prefer to work with their minds. There can be rare illnesses and nervous ailments (afflicted Uranus).

Kabbalistic Connection

Aquarius, D’li in Hebrew, is numerically 44, same as blood, Dam. This means that the month of Shevat can be connected to the energy of the tree – the Tree of Life, consciousness of certainty and Love Thy Neighbor as Thy Self, or conversely, to the consciousness of bloodshed.

Aquarius, the Water Bearer, from a 14th Century manuscript

So distant that it can scarce be seen, blue green like Earth, yet cold – so cold.

URANUS is the urge to ‘make waves’ and change things in a radical – sometimes disruptive – way. It expresses self-will and the urge to upset the status-quo by shattering the structural norms of society. As an ‘outer’ planet, its long orbit means that it will stay in one sign for 7 years, so many of the people born in a 7-year period will have this planet in the same sign. Astrologers view it as ‘generational’ or a ‘collective’ energy, and it is notable as the rebellious side of our natures, often expressed in similar ways to our peers. It drives us to seek others who are in some way unique and is the model on which we seek perfection by challenging and improving on the present, through ‘futuristic’ ideas. So it is the part of us that is progressive, inventive and insubordinate! Negatively it can manifest in instability, knee-jerk reactions to life, highly strung nervous reactions, and chaotic thinking. But can make us inspirational and reformative as well as unrealistic and bizarre! It creates a desire for excitement and change by being eccentric, perverse, original and brilliant.

Uranus was first discovered in 1781 and is often associated with revolutions. It represents the drive to be unique, to shock and to surprise. It brings sudden and unpredictable events. Its influence is to raise personal consciousness. It is electric and lightning-fast in its effect. As Uranus takes 84 years to go around the Sun, it will be in any one sign for 7 years – therefore its effect is on a collective level, influencing successive generations. Its Sign position shows in what psychological area of humanity revolutionary changes will take place. The House Uranus is in will show in which specific area of your life revolutionary changes take place. It shows where you are most original, and where sudden developments will raise your consciousness. The aspects Uranus makes show in what part of your personality you have the greatest need to break free and act in the most unique and individual way. These aspects indicate rather extreme character traits where you may wish to shock others, or inspire them to change.

Its role is to free us from all conventional authorities and to drastically reform society along lines of truth and justice, individual freedom and liberty. It can bring quick, beneficial reforms or violent, disruptive, destructive events. It is associated with science and enlightenment, and seeks to base authority on knowledge which we discover for ourselves. Uranus is the planet of genius and constantly challenges us to look at things in a new way. It is sudden revelations and awakenings–the ruling planet of magicians, alchemists and astrologers. It rules capitalism, progress and the utopian expectations, and is one of the symbols of the "New Age."

Uranus is the planet of individuality, the Sudden, Unexpected and Unusual. It represents Originality, Inspiration, Dynamism, Independence, Will and Eccentricity. The influences create, invention, independence, drastic change through one’s life. Uranus, hones into the eccentric side of the personality, causing many to become, adventurous, bizarre, contrary, defiant, erratic, extraordinary, extremist, fanatical, Genius, Illegal, intuitive, inventive, nonconformist, outrageous, strange, transforming, unorthodox. It is the planet of innovation, nonconformity, higher intuition and inspiration. In a natal chart, a well-aspected Uranus can bring a touch of genius to the subject, while a heavily afflicted one can lead to eccentricity and unreliability. It is linked to Aquarius and the Eleventh House.

Uranus takes 84 years to transit the chart (4° / year).

MYTHOLOGY:

In Hesiod’s Theogony, the origin of all the gods is traced to an original primal marriage of Ouranos (Heaven) and Gaia (Earth):

Great Ouranos came, bringing on Night, and desirous of love, he spread himself over Gaia, stretched out in every direction.

From this celestial union, Gaia (Earth) bore the first generation of gods and giants, which included Kronos, the three Cyclopes, and the three Hundred-handers. She groaned, we are told, when these gods and giants were pressed tight inside her womb.

In this myth, Ouranos personifies the Mountain of Heaven, which physically explodes and falls to the Earth, thus sowing the seeds of creation. His name Ouranos meant literally ‘Mountain of Heaven’ (from the Greek word ouros for ‘mountain’), and he was thus a cognate for the older Mesopotamian gods Anu, Enlil, Enki, and Zu, who likewise personified the Mountain of Heaven.

Following her insemination by Ouranos, Gaia also gave birth to the mountains, the sea, and the heavenly abode of Mount Olympus, which Hesiod described as ‘a secure seat for ever for the blessed gods’.

At the same time, according to Hesiod, Gaia gave birth to an image of Ouranos himself:

Earth bore, first of all, one equal to herself, starry Ouranos, so that he should cover her all about, to be a secure seat for ever for the blessed gods.

The gods were thus given two ‘secure seats’: one on Mount Olympus and one on Ouranos (‘the Mountain of Heaven’). The idea, it would seem, is that the gods, having been born from the Earth, ascended into the sky to take up residence (a) on Mount Olympus; and (b) in the stars (Ouranos being synonymous with the starry heavens).

What was the nature of Mount Olympus? Not a terrestrial mountain with its peak in the Earth’s troposphere, as scholars assume. Rather, an invisible image of the original Mountain of Heaven (Ouranos), which was created in the so-called pure air, or upper air, which the Greeks called aither.

The Olympian gods, as invisible and aethereal entities, thus came to reside upon an equally invisible and aethereal ‘mountain’ which had been created by magic in the heavenly void.

The idea was that Ouranos, the father of the gods, had disintegrated and descended physically from Heaven to Earth, whereupon Gaia bore a metaphysical image of Ouranos in the sky, henceforth to be called Mount Olympus, and a metaphysical image of his ‘children’, henceforth to be called the gods.

Uranus Rules :	Aquarius (along with Saturn)
Exalted Degree :	23 Scorpio
Detriment :	Leo
Fall :	Taurus
Houses ruled :	11th house
Day Ruled :	none
Persons Represented :	any person who is considered to be unconventional, independent, chaotic, eccentric, or rebellious. In addition the exciting person, the person who brings change. Intellectual and or non-committed.
Keywords: scientific, impersonal, unusual aims, innovative groups, destruction, re-evolution, sixth sense Colors, Stones : checks, tartan, violet, purple; amber, uranium.
	Its symbol shows the cross of matter above the circle of spirit between the columns of Good and Evil (or Light and Dark).

IN THE CHART

Uranus is about change, unexpected, seemingly without pattern. The desire to break patterns of responsibility. Not necessarily to be free of the responsibility but rather just to be free. The wild card, electric, weird, fast, non-emotional, life-in-the-fast-lane. The energy of this planet is chaos.

When Saturn has our life firmly in its grasp via order, routine, habits, and life style, Uranus will come thundering into our world, to alter, change, or confront us with the vulnerability of our “nice safe secure systems”. It will blast us out of the structures we have built.

Uranus takes approximately 84 years to cycle the 12 signs of the zodiac (to go around the Sun), it will be in any one sign for 7 years – therefore its effect is on a collective level, influencing successive generations. Uranus is often associated with revolutions and its sign position shows in what psychological area of humanity revolutionary changes will take place. It is the harbinger of sudden and unpredictable events and electric and lightning in its effect.

The energy of Uranus seems to radiate out of a person when it is strongly transiting a chart. Light bulbs can pop, electrical failures and computer hiccups seem to trail behind us like unwanted guests! On a personal level its influence is to raise personal consciousness and can show where you are most original and where sudden developments will raise your consciousness. It represents the drive to be unique, to shock and to surprise.

How Uranus will manifest its energy depends on the horoscope as a whole. The Sign (and its Element), the House in which it falls, and the Aspects to the other planets will all have a bearing on any interpretation.

MEDICAL URANUS

Uranus rules your electrical life breath, personal as well as societal freedom. It indicates potential for originality of thought and expression. In society it rules the apparently radical ideas and people that are years ahead of their time. They lead to revolutionary events that upset established structures. The Aquarian age of which we are now entering is ruled by Uranus. Its cycle began with the discovery of electricity which it rules and is now interconnecting everyone on the planet with a synthetic telepathy.

Karmically, all aspects of the personal planets – Mercury, Venus, Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, or the Ascendant – indicate areas of life where there is a strong urge for freedom of expression without restraint and the need for constant stimulation and excitement. This planet also represents the capacity to be high-strung, excitable, and temperamental. The motives of Uranus thus represent the purpose of radically repolarizing an individual’s past lives, and open one up to new experience either through stimulating, shocking, and even traumatic crises to find new ways of living. People who are ruled by Uranus are lovers of freedom, rebellious at least restraint, intuitive and inventive. They are aviators, high level mechanics, or deal directly with electricity. It also tends towards erratic behavior and can make people irritable and brusque in manner.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: Skin, bone and joints, teeth, hearing, ossicification. Uranus rules all the rhythmic processes of the body. It rules the movement of the whole digestive tract from mouth to anus. Thus, the common symptom of its afflictions are spasmodic manifestations and disrupted rhythms – muscles spasms, shock, cramp, strictures, ruptures, paroxysms, and contortions.

Uranus rules the ankles, mental faculties, pineal and sexual glands, continence, immune system, arthritis, rheumatism, gall bladder.

CLASSICAL ASSOCIATIONS

none as the ancients did not know of the existence of this planet

VENUS is Earth’s closest neighbor and sometimes referred to as a sister planet. She represents our need for balance, love, peace, and harmony. Venus rules diplomacy, cooperation, beauty, nature, the arts, affection, social life, pleasure and happiness.

Venus represents pleasure, the enjoyment of relationships, loving and caring. It helps us to decide what is relevant to well being and happiness, what is irrelevant, and what is bad. It is the urge to seek companionship and love to feel good about ourselves, so has to do with self-esteem. Venus is the subconscious desire to form unions with others, and is our willingness to co-operate. It also allows us to enjoy the things that bring pleasure – aesthetics as well as physical. It is not a highly energetic drive (it can be rather lazy), but one that enables us to seek relatedness.

Venus is the planet of love, higher emotions and artistic sensibility. The aspects and positions of Venus in a natal chart indicate how the subject deals with relationships, sexuality and social interaction, as well as their capacity for creating and appreciating beauty.

The feminine planet, influences affection, sex-appeal, attachments, calm, companionship, gentle, the sense of touch, unity, sympathy, harmony, evaluation, feelings, refined amusements, love, beauty, arts, music, colour and adornments, good humour, tact, generosity, warm, soothing and fruitful.

Venus shows our values and our need and capacity for love. This planet shows aesthetic preferences and the natural attraction we feel to people and things. Venus represents the need for inner and outer harmony and balance. It is associated with the inner feelings we have when we compare and make judgements. Venus also represents sisters and other influential women, as well as our experience of the emotional harmony between our parents. The Sign Venus is in indicates how our values are coloured and what specific aesthetic styles we adopt. Choices of partner are strongly influenced by this Sign position. Venus is always found close to the Sun in the horoscope – either in the same sign, or in one of the two signs alongside the Sun. The House Venus is in shows in what particular area of life we find love, companionship and partnership, and where we have the strongest and most rewarding emotional contacts. This House shows what we value specifically, and where we can be enriched both emotionally and financially. Aspects to Venus indicate specific experiences in love relationships and the individual psychological needs that colour our judgement when making choices.

Venus takes about 1 year to transit the chart. (up to 1°15’ / day)

MYTHOLOGY

Aphrodite was known as the Greek goddess of love, beauty, sexual desire and fertility. According to Hesiod, she was born when Uranus, father of the gods, was castrated and his genitals thrown into the sea. Uranus’s genitalia and the sea foam it mingled with are the supposed parents of Aphrodite, who rose from the foam and was carried by waves to Cyprus. This is why she was named Aphrodite, which literally means "foam-born", and is also known as Kypris and Cytherea.

In Roman Mythology Venus was said to be the daughter of Jupiter, although she was born of the Sea and the Sky and came to earth in a shell from under the sea. The Roman goddess of love and beauty was originally a vegetation goddess and patroness of gardens and vineyards.

Aphrodite had affairs with gods and humans but her true love was Mars. She was forced by the god Jupiter to marry Vulcan, a blacksmith. Venus had a son named Cupid, the mischievous and winged god of love. He was her constant companion; and, armed with bow and arrows, he shot the arrows of desire into the bosoms of both gods and men. He later married Psyche and they produced a child named Pleasure.

Venus is, of course, associated with affairs of the heart. The last great temple of Venus was built by the emperor Hadrianus near the Colosseum in 135 AD.

Venus Rules :	Taurus (by night) Libra (by day) Earth triplicity by day
Angel :	Anael
Exalted Degree :	27 Pisces
Detriment :	Scorpio, Aries
Fall :	Virgo
Houses ruled :	2nd and 7th houses
Day Ruled :	Friday and the first and eighth hour of that day
Persons Represented :	young women, artists, lovers, or money-handlers.
	This symbol has also become universally known to represent female energy. A cross with a circle at the top, it represents the rise of spirit over matter.
Classical Astrology Data at bottom

IN THE CHART

Astrologically Venus is seen as the feelings, an indicator of your values. A planet of fortune, pursuit of pleasure, beauty in form, social interactions, an indicator in your chart of your inclinations towards romance, marriage and other partnerships.

Refiner of the aesthetic and artistic and giver of the sentiments of love and sharing. Venus is the goddess of love and beauty and where Mars uses physical force, Venus seduces and persuades.

All things that are pleasant and leisurely are symbolised by Venus. Her domain is music, art, games, dancing, acting and all things that are used for adornment or ornamentation, such as perfumes, cosmetics, jewelry and fine fabrics.

As Lady Luck she has special significance for gamblers. A feminine planet, her action is to pacify, harmonise, make beautiful and soften. How Venus will manifest her energy, a soft and cooling one which seeks harmony and an indicator of your inclinations and values, depends on the horoscope as a whole. The Sign (and its Element), the House in which if falls, and the Aspects to the other planets will all have a bearing on any interpretation.

Venus shows our values and our need and capacity for love. This planet shows aesthetic preferences and the natural attraction we feel to people and things. Venus represents the need for inner and outer harmony and balance. It is associated with the inner feelings we have when we compare and make judgements. Venus also represents sisters and other influential women, as well as our experience of the emotional harmony between our parents.

MEDICAL VENUS

TFrom the days of Hippocrates, father of Western medicine (Fifth century B. C.), the ancients emphasized the value of diet and exercise as the prime methods of restoration of health and longevity. The ancient figurines of women, known as the "Venus statues", depict a bottom heavy, obese figure of a woman. Some of these Paleolithic figurines are believed to be more than 20,000 years old. They are found in all areas of Europe, as far away as Russia, and they all show women with huge, fat hips and buttocks. Today, it is known as the "Venus Syndrome", the connection between Venus and the lower body fat, today referred to as "cellulite" – the thickening and laxity of connective tissue beneath the skin, around gelatinous pockets of fat, which traps toxic matter and body wastes.

Venus is the principle of harmony, equilibrium, homeostasis, and thus rules the body’s hormonal secretions. The Moon and Venus rule strongly over the affairs and health of women. It rules over all regulatory and secretory functions, especially the female sexual hormones. It rules the chemical composition of the body’s fluids, acidity and alkalinity, sodium-potassium balance, and the other mineral ions. The planet is basically benefic in action, but in hard aspect frequently points to numerous little disorders, showing a general relaxation of the system and body tone, but eventually debilitates the native as the years pass. Its afflictions are generally maladies due to indiscretions in diet and habit.

PATHOLOGICAL TENDENCIES: Venus has traditionally been associated with diabetes. Hard aspects to Venus point to lack of homeostasis, lack of tone, congestion and swelling of the body’s tissues; cyst formation; and kidney disorders. Venus also rules over the veins and indicates such disorders as varicose veins, hemorrhoids, vascular spiders, etc.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: Homeostasis, hormonal balance, ovaries, kidneys, venous system, tissue tone, nutritional functions, skin and complexion.

Venus rules the throat, kidneys, veins, ovaries and generative system, hair, thyroid gland, oesophagus, skin, social diseases, anorexia.

CLASSICAL ASSOCIATIONS

MERCURY rules your intellect, your mind, logic and reasoning power, perception, speaking & writing. It shows the capacity to rationalize, express abstracts, imagine, and mentally identify with the world. It is connected to the nervous system and physical co-ordination. This planet represents the urge to use verbal, mental and negotiating skills to express ourselves imaginatively and factually. It governs all forms of communication.

Mercury rules the nervous system, solar plexus, bowels, arms, mouth, tongue, eyesight, ears, nervousness, sciatica, mental disorders, diarrhoea, ulcers, warts, moles.

The mind (Mercury) is the link between the soul and the personality; it is the link between heaven and earth, both of which are within us.

Mercury takes about 1 year to transit the chart. (up to 2°30’ / day).

From the operations of Mercury, they made an Image at the hour of Mercury, Mercury ascending in Gemini, the form of which was an handsome young man, bearded, having in his left hand a rod in which a serpent is twyned about, in his right carrying a dart, having his feet winged; They report that this Image conferreth knowledge, eloquence, diligence in merchandizing and gain; moreover to beget peace and concord, and to cure feavers; They made another Image of Mercury, Mercury ascending in Virgo, for good will, wit and memory; The form of which was a man sitting upon a chaire, or riding on a Peacock, having Eagles feet, and on his head a crest, and in his left hand holding a cock or fire.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa: Of Occult Philosophy, Book II (circa 1510)

Mercury Rules :	Gemini by Day Virgo at Night Air signs at Night
Angel :	Raphael
Exalted Degree :	15 Virgo
Detriment :	Sagittarius & Pisces
Fall :	Pisces
Houses ruled :	3rd and 6th houses
Day Ruled :	Wednesday
Persons Represented :	young people, or people who deal with information or stationery
	The symbol, resembles that of Venus, with the addition of a semi-circle (hat) at the top. Spirit (circle) over matter (cross), resulting in receptivity (crescent).
Classical Astrology Data at bottom

IN THE CHART

The Sign Mercury is in shows the way we communicate and the psychological areas in which our mental talents lie. Mercury is the fastest of all planets and cleaves to the Sun, either being in the same Sign as the Sun or one of the Signs on either side of the Sun. The House Mercury is in shows the particular area in which our mental talents are put to practical use. This is the area in which we realize our need to make contact and increase our learning. Aspects to Mercury show mental talents and communication styles in a very specific way. They indicate our individual interests and abilities.

The planet influences duality, the ability to communicate, through mental and nervous co-ordination and transmission. Intellectual faculties, curiosity, gossip, study, knowledge, observation, perception, facts, understanding, interpretation and expression. Mercury retrogrades 3 times a year and takes approximately one year to cycle the 12 signs of the zodiac.

MEDICAL MERCURY

Physically, it is connected to the nervous system and physical co-ordination; it rules the arms, hands, lungs, and shoulders. Mercury, when well placed in the nativity chart, indicates a good and balanced mind. It rules the cerebral hemispheres. Ill-aspected and afflicted, it shows a tendency to various disorders of mental reasoning, bad judgment, nervous disease, and tendency to gamble, swindle, insomnia, and a lack of spiritual calm. The location in the chart shows what body parts may be prone to neuralgia.

Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, therefore it manifests in diseases related to respiratory and digestive disorders, particularly of nervous origin. Physiologically, Mercury rules the respiration and breath. Mercury afflicted at birth indicates a tendency to shallow breathing. The Hindus believe rhythmic breathing is necessary for direct link between the soul and mind. Unrhythmic breathing severs this connection leading to nervous conditions, those easily influenced by others, proneness to depression, and even insanity. Proper and unregulated breathing beginning in early life leads to a cascade of pathological actions including lack of intellectual development, oxygen deficient blood, tendency to overeat since the diaphragm does not "massage" the stomach due to stifled breathing, lymphatic stasis since breathing opens the lymph channels, and lethargy due to lack of vital force and sluggish pranic currents.

Mercury is considered a neutral planet, in that its transmissions are governed by the aspects to other planets in the chart. When Mercury conjuncts the Sun, the ego is involved; aspected to the Moon, the subconscious and habits; to Jupiter, exaggeration, etc. When Mercury’s nervous messages are distorted by the rays of another planet, inaccurate reception of information and inappropriate neural commands are likely. Simply, response does not match stimulus resulting in unbalanced behavior. If the large planets are involved, this can translate into important health consequences.

PATHOLOGICAL TENDENCIES: Mercury’s chief influence is on the nerves. In regards to aches and pains, the placement of Mercury in the sign of body rulership shows tendency to affliction when ill-aspected. Thus, Mercury in Aries shows the tendency to headaches, in Taurus a tendency to laryngitis and sore throats, in Gemini chest pains, etc. To offset Mercury afflictions and thus reduce tendency to aches and pains, the native must learn proper and rhythmic breathing. Taking up study of yoga or Chinese Ch’i Kung would be of great benefit.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY: Nervous system, nervous faculties; breathing, the hands, the touch; organs of speech and hearing.

CLASSICAL ASSOCIATIONS

The Fixed Signs like the status quo and will put up with almost anything rather than have to make any kind of changes. They like a routine, their routine, they like knowing what to expect tomorrow and the next day, and for this reason, will stick to something longer than they should, rather than edit anything. They are determined, persistent, stubborn, strong-willed, resolute, stable. Their minds are penetrating, and memories are excellent.

These signs are the middle months of each season.

The Fixed Signs doe in order follow the Equinoctial and Tropicks; and they are called fixed, for that when Sun enters into them, the season of the yeer is fixed, and we doe more evidently perceive either Heat or Cold, Moysture or Drinesse. The fixed Signes are these, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.
— William Lilly, Christian Astrology (1647)

Others are called immovable, and they are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius,
for they are the middle ones and the air stays in one element.
— Avraham Ibn Eza (1092-1167 C.E), The Book of Reasons

HOUSES: The Succeedent Houses (2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th) correspond to the Fixed Signs. Not as powerful as the Angular placements, they denote financial affairs, stability, and purpose.

TAURUS (Fixed Earth)

Taurus: Keywords are stubborn, materialistic, sensual. The most "fixed" of the fixed signs. People with several placements here (particularly Venus) incline to the more material, sensual side of life — and laziness.

LEO (Fixed Fire)

Leo: Keywords are flamboyant, showy, playful. This is the sign of show business. No matter what the profession, the typical Leo sun-sign (and Sun-ruled) people act as if they are on stage. They carry themselves regally. They need the attention, the applause, no matter what their profession.

SCORPIO (Fixed Water)

Scorpio: Keywords are secretive, obsessive, sexy. Scorpio has a talent for uncovering secrets, but you will never get anything out of them that they are not willing to share. Scorpio placements are good for any profession involving healing (death and rebirth – Pluto-ruled) or investigating (detective, scientific investigations, etc.). The tendency to extremes affects other areas of the life as well. The negative side of Scorpio is jealously and vengeance.

AQUARIUS (Fixed Air)

Aquarius: Keywords are strange, unusual, shocking, far-out, peculiar, socially-unacceptable, and all these only on a slow day! Uranus-ruled, this is also the sign of genius. In the horoscope, it shows where we have the potential to transcend the ordinary. This is also the sign of friendship; Aquarius sun-sign folks are said to be closer to their friends than to their own families.

*Trivia: Did you know that the Tarot major arcana card The World features the 4 fixed signs in the corners?

Mutable signs are concerned with changing things or moving onto something new because of boredom. The emphasis is on adaptability in the sense that while the fixed signs resist change, the mutable signs accept it — to the point of lacking a fixity of purpose and picking a path. These natives possess a versatility, communication ability, are accommodating, subtle, smpathetic, but also crafty, deceptive, inconstant, undependable.

These signs are the closing month of each season – a time to complete one’s work while preparing for the changes to come (new season).

Common Signes are constitutes between moveable and fixed, and retain a property or nature, pertaking both with the preceding and consequent Sign: and they are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces. They are called By-corporeal or double bodied, because they represent two Bodies: as Gemini two Twinnes, Pisces two Fishes.

— William Lilly, Christian Astrology (1647)

Double Bodied – The others are called double bodied, and they are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces,
for they are at the end of one element and connected with the next one."

—Avraham Ibn Eza (1092-1167 C.E), The Book of Reasons

HOUSES: The Cadent Houses (3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th) correspond to the Mutable Signs. They do not show power or stability, but are adaptable and get along with others. These are the Mental houses.

GEMINI (Mutable Air)

Keywords are communications, talking, writing, gathering info, traveling (short trips), multitasking. Indeed, Gemini is the only sign that can do two things at the same time and get away with it. If you want to locate something fast, get a Gemini to find it for you…unless, of course, something else distracts them!

VIRGO (Mutable Earth)

Keywords are details, work, details, criticism, microscopes-for-eyes, details. Virgos make great workers and fantastic critics – though sometimes nit-picking like: (Captain Kirk: "Mr. Spock, Isn’t it true that when an impulse engine is overloaded, it explodes with a force of 10 megatons?" Spock: "No captain, 10.13756 megatons.").

SAGITTARIUS (Mutable Fire)

Keywords are, philosophy, jovial, long-distance travel, religion (belief systems), higher learning, story-telling. Sagittarius Sun-Signs seem to follow the adage: Open mouth, insert foot! They tend to blurt out whatever they are thinking. Being Jupiter-ruled, the Greater Benefic, they are considered to be lucky.

PISCES (Mutable Water)

Keywords are imagination, dreams, illusions, substance abuse, dancing, other-worldly, escapism from the real world. Remember Isaac Newton, the Capricorn who said that the Universe runs like a clock? Well who else but a Pisces like Einstein would say that "space warps"? This is the only sign that can be alone in a crowded room. A spacey, far-away look is a dead giveaway that the person has strong placements in Pisces OR has the ruling planet, Neptune, strongly placed.

The Cardinal signs are associated with initiating and starting action or being an "enterprising" individual. They are forceful and aggressive and have the will to accomplish something, often something new. They project into the world, push outward, are restless, outgoing, ambitious, like to be in charge. They are creative in the sense that they cause things and start things. — also hasty, inconsiderate, domineering, and fail to finish what they start. 

Moveable Signs Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn are called moveable and Cardinal: moveable, because when the Sun enters into Aries and Libra, the Weather and Season of the Year quickly varies and changes; they are called Cardinal, because when the Sun enters into any of those Signs from that time we denominate the Quarters of the yeer. For from the Sun entering into Aries and Libra the Equinoctial or the Spring and Autumne arise; from the Sun his entrance into Cancer and Capricorn ariseth the Solstice of Summer and Winter.
— William Lilly, Christian Astrology (1647)

The Moveable (signs are so called) because the time changes when the Sun enters Aries and the air gets warm after it has been cold and humid. In Cancer, the humidity goes away and dryness comes instead. In Libra the heat turns to cold and in Capricorn the dryness turns to humidity.
— Avraham Ibn Eza (1092-1167 C.E), The Book of Reasons

These signs are the 4 points of the compass: Aries is East and Spring, Cancer is North and Summer, Libra is West and Autumn, Capricorn is South and Winter. These also correspond to the beginning of our calendar seasons. Spring begins when the Sun reaches 0 degrees of Aries (Vernal Equinox). Summer begins at 0 degrees Cancer (Summer Solstice). Autumn starts when the Sun arrives at 0 degrees Libra (Autumnal Equinox). Winter begins at 0 degrees Capricorn (Winter Solstice).

HOUSES: The Angular Houses (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) correspond to the Cardinal Signs and the four directions: 1st (Ascendant) is East, 4th is North, 7th is West, and 10th is South. Planets in these houses are strong and signify someone who takes charge of her own life. These are also public houses and actions shown by these placements are of a public nature and will become public knowledge.

ARIES (rules 1st House)

Action, initiative, new beginnings. It charges right in and holds nothing back. People with strong Aries emphasis in the horoscope generally like to be first – and may even have some head scars/injuries from physically being first! Patience is a concept they do not understand. The location of Aries in your chart shows where you tend to be active, energetic, and take initiative.

CANCER (rules 4th House)

The sign of Instinctive action. It will figure out a logical solution and then do the opposite because "it feels better". It can be enormously tenacious when denied something that it wants. As soon as it gets it, it loses interest. However, Cancer is nurturing and emotionally sustaining. Without these qualities, life would be cold indeed. The location of the sign of Cancer in your horoscope shows where you tend to be moody, emotional, instinctive, and intuitive.

LIBRA (rules 7th House)

Aries acts and its opposite, Libra, reacts. Aries is individual action. Libra is joint action. Aries charges right in. Libra wants to explore all options – "weigh" the possibilities. Libra rules manners, diplomacy, and the social graces, things which make cooperation and civil society possible. The location of Libra in your horoscope shows where you tend to cooperate, seek partners, love peace, quiet, and harmony, and show "good taste".

CAPRICORN (rules 10th House)

The sign of careful, calculated, planned action. If Cancer is like pure water that dissolves and expands., then Capricorn is like a saturated solution from which crystals form. Capricorn is the organizer of the zodiac, the builder. Ruling the human skeletal system, it governs structure. The location of Capricorn in your horoscope shows where you tend to be efficient, organized, careful, and ambitious.

The Air Triplicity is represented by the sanguine temperament, exhibiting active circulation, good complexion, genial nature, cheerful anticipation, good fellowship and general dexterity.

Air signs are intellectual and communicative. They are concerned with the things of the mind and function best in the mental level. Without them no reasonable planning is possible, no one would be able to think, let alone communicate ideas to other people. There would be no speech, no memory, no knowledge and no ability to criticize the excesses of other elements. Like fire and water, air relies upon earth for practical support.

The airy signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) are said to represent the relative or connective conditions both within and without the body. They express as active, scientific and industrial. They have a tendency toward illnesses arising from exhaustion or over-exertion.

HOUSES:  The 3rd (relatives, neighbors), 7th (partners, 1-to-1 relationships), & 11th (social & mental relationships) houses are naturally ruled by Air signs and are considered the Houses of Relationships or the Relative Houses. Many planets in these houses describes someone who needs others.

Keywords: calm, charming, chatty, cold, communicative, detached, eccentric, friendly, harsh, haughty, highly-strung, idealism, imagination, impractical, intellectual, inventive, lacking direction, lively, logical, mentally active, planning, rationalizing, resourceful, sarcastic, self-opinionated, sociable, talented, thinking, unfeeling

In Medical Astrology and Astro-Meteorology the Air element is of the humour Sanguine, being hot and moist. 

GEMINI: Mutable Air

Gemini: The house that has Gemini on the cusp (beginning) shows the place in your life where communications and a constant information flow are important to you. Do you have Gemini on the cusp of the 8th House (sex)? Then you will never be “turned on” by anyone who is quiet. Stimulating, light, and “fun” conversation, though, should do the trick, before, after, and even during. But remember that Gemini is Mutable, adaptable, and easily influenced. This interpretation is modified by the sign and house placement of Mercury (ruling planet of Gemini) in your horoscope, as well as its aspects. For instance, if Gemini is on the 8th cusp and Mercury is in the sign of Capricorn, then the conversation will have to be about a serious subject. 

LIBRA: Cardinal Air

Libra: Libra rules beauty, art, charm, and the “social graces”. Gemini is raw information. With Libra, this is taken one step further. Libra is Partnership. We don’t just have people bumping into each other and exchanging information like two ships in the night.

While Gemini tends to witty, interesting information, Cardinal Libra gravitates towards beautiful communication. Libra is also the sign of Fairness and Justice. Its placement in your horoscope (along with the placement of its ruling planet, Venus) shows the place in your life where these qualities are most visible and most important to you. The house with Libra on the cusp (beginning) is also the place where the need for beauty is most noticeable. 

AQUARIUS: Fixed Air

Aquarius: Notice how this builds upon the previous sign: Gemini is brothers and sisters (local level), Libra is marriage and partnership (friendship circle is expanding), and Aquarius is friendship and brother/sisterhood  which are universal and all-encompassing. Aquarius is always trying to stretch the boundaries, if not break them. In the Zodiac, it comes right after the earth sign Capricorn, which rules organization, form, and limitations. Aquarius rips the boundaries and breaks the old forms so that it can bring in something new and startling. It is like Prometheus, defying Zeus to bring the gift of fire to humanity. Like Prometheus, many of them suffer for it.

In the horoscope, the house with Aquarius on the cusp (beginning) as well as the house that contains Uranus, its ruling planet, shows the places in your life where you can be at your most original and independent. If there is any genius in you, these are the places where it will tend to come out. Be careful though. These are also the places where you will be the most Rebellious, where you can shock people. Fixed Aquarius and Uranus tend to defy any established authority (except their own, of course). They have an open, direct, “in-your-face” quality that is unmistakable, but can get you into a lot of trouble.

CLASSICAL RULERSHIPS (traditional astrology)

This set of signs is ruled by Saturn by day and Mercury by night. The air triplicity relates to the sanguine humour which finds its seat in the blood. It is considered warm and moist in temperament.

The Libra triplicity is diurnal, comprising Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Saturn takes precedence during the day, because it both rules Aquarius and is exalted in Libra, while Mercury, ruler of Gemini takes precedence at night. Venus, the ruler of Libra is dismissed because it is a nocturnal planet and so needs to be substituted for a diurnal one. The options are Jupiter or the Sun. Since the Sun is essentially debilitated in two of the three signs that make up this triplicity, Jupiter is the natural choice.

Aries trigon – Sun, Jupiter, Saturn
Cancer trigon – Venus, Mars, Moon
Libra trigon – Saturn, Mercury, Jupiter
Capricorn trigon – Venus, Moon, Mars

Most early astrologers used all three planets, rotating their priority by day and night, but many later ones, including Lilly, chose to use only the principal rulers. Perhaps they rejected the convoluted logic that lay behind the definition of sect, or perhaps they were confused by Ptolemy who only mentions two rulers for the Aries and Capricorn triplicities, yet mentions three rulers for the others.