Astrology-Central

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.

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

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 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.