As the planet which revolves fastest around the sun, Mercury represents communication. But this ‘Messenger god’ also stands for health and service.
In today’s Astrological blog post, we’re going to have a quick look at the quickest of the heavenly bodies: the planet Mercury. Mercury travels in a tight orb around the sun (at least, relative to the rest of the planets). In ancient times, he was seen as a messenger god, quickly delivering information between the other gods, or sometimes from the gods to humans.
Mercury and Health
Mercury’s ancient symbol is the caduceus. This is a staff wrapped by 2 serpents and topped with wings. It was carried by Hermes (the Greek predecessor to the Roman god, Mercury). You’ll recognize the caduceus today as the symbol of medical doctors and the AMA. This is because of Mercury/Hermes ancient association with health and wellness.
Mercury’s Rulership
In astrology, every planet is a ‘ruler’ or ‘lord’ of a particular sign. In Mercury’s case, that is the sign of Virgo. Virgo’s natural house is the 6th – the house of service. Now for those of us in our 40s and 50s today, Virgo is a very important sign. In fact, when you understand astrology and a little bit of ‘prophesy’ you can see that our generation heralded the “dawning of the age of Aquarius”.
Communication + Health + Service
So what happens when you combine Communication, Health and Service? Well, in our modern age, one manifestation is the rise of the alternative and natural healing movement, and the return of the individual’s ‘voice’ about their own health.
You see, back in the 1960s, 2 of the “Big 3” outer planets were transiting the sign of Virgo. Pluto, which represents radical change, transformation and the dismantling of things that no longer serve one’s evolution, was cruising side-by-side with the Lord of Sudden Illumination, rebellion and counter-culture: Uranus.
The New World of Wellenss
Those of us born in that era had an almost inborn desire to relate differently – more holistically – to our bodies, our food and each other. Many of us feel out of balance without a Body-Mind-Spirit approach to our lives.
Think about it: before the 1970s, there was no such thing as a ‘health food’ store. There was almost nothing in the way of ‘alternatives’ to health and wellness. There were no energy medicine modalities, no organic food and certainly no fitness gyms, yoga classes or Pilates in the Western world! You would have had to go to India to get an Ayurvedic treatment, Tibet to meditate like a Buddhist and Beijing if you needed some acupuncture. But all that changed when Virgo’s powers (ruled by Mercury) were activated in the 1960s.
Mercury in your Chart
Mercury’s placement in your chart indicates where your power of communication is most at ease. It also suggests the kinds of activities that you would most enjoy related to service, the kinds of people you are best suited to serve and the nature of your relationship with your own health and wellbeing.
What do you know about the Planet Mercury in your Astrological chart – or your life? Let me know in the comments below.
Many blessings,
Dawn
