In Roman mythology, he is the Messenger of the Gods. In astrology, Mercury represents all manners of information gathering, processing, and dissemination; mental processes; communication; commerce and trade; and transportation. He is the smallest planet in the solar system (now that Pluto has been demoted), the fastest moving planet in the zodiac, the closest planet to the Sun, and is never more than one sign away from the Sun. Mercury takes a break, slows down, and retrogrades three times a year for about three weeks.

How does Mercury's transit influence your life? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Gemini and Virgo (both zodiac signs are ruled by the planet Mercury) as well as the zodiac sign Mercury is currently transiting. Match the signs with the house cusps on your birth chart.

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If you don't have your birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or your Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it.

For example, if you are a Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising and Mercury is in Gemini. Begin with Pisces occupying the first house then move down the zodiac until you reach Gemini (Pisces-1st house; Aries-2nd House; Taurus-3rd House; Gemini-4th House); Mercury in Gemini falls in Pisces-Sun & Pisces-Rising's fourth house. Scroll down to the Fourth House to find out the themes of that house and how/where in your life this transit might influence.* Follow the same steps to match the house ruled by Virgo and the zodiac sign Mercury is currently transiting.

Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart by clicking here (opens a new window) for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.

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Transiting Mercury in the First House ~ The first house is the house of the self, our self-image, our being. Mercury's transit here increases self-confidence, heightens self-awareness, and boosts social success. This is an opportune period to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Communicate, interact with others the way you envision yourself socializing, speaking, networking with peers, colleagues, in social scenes, or business gatherings. Speak your mind. Find a voice to your thoughts.

Transiting Mercury in the Second House ~ The second house represents our material possessions, income, value system, and self-worth. Finances, income, property value, or buying home furnishings may dominate mental activities, interactions, and conversations.

Transiting Mercury in the Third House ~ For those with siblings (biological or otherwise), this transit might highlight a renewal in relationships and interactions with them. The third house also represents communication, commerce, writing, speaking, thinking, planning, and ideas. Mercury's transit here is especially ideal for those in professions that require communicating, writing, public speaking, etc. For those who are not writers or speakers, use this period to make plans, write down ideas, or entertain thoughts that reflect your aspirations.

Transiting Mercury in the Fourth House ~ A Mercury transit through the fourth house might turn our thoughts to issues involving the family (present or recurring), the home (buying/selling a house, moving, re-financing, re-decorating, remodeling, etc.), or our private life (the need for quality time with the self, especially if the professional life requires many hours away from the home life).

Transiting Mercury in the Fifth House ~ Love and romance on the mind? Self-expression, creative projects, love and romance, fun, playfulness, and children are all ruled by the fifth house. Allow this transit to awaken creativity, spark love, boost confidence, and/or bring simple pleasures back into your life.

Transiting Mercury in the Sixth House ~ Health, busy work, service, comfort in routines, and finding order in the details are all ruled by the sixth house. A transit here might bring about lifestyle changes in health habits, becoming comfortable with taking on the role of someone who "services" others, or perhaps learning to establish boundaries with those who might take advantage of kind gestures.

Transiting Mercury in the Seventh House ~ Partnerships (business or otherwise), marriages, committed relationships, and known enemies are all representatives of the seventh house. The mind turn to thoughts revolving around our committed relationships.

Transiting Mercury in the Eighth House ~ The eighth house is multi-faceted and multi-layered. In the physical realm, the eighth house represents sex and shared resources/finances. In the psychological plane, it represents power struggles within our own psychological makeup and our ability to embrace the "darker" version of our self without it overpowering us. On a spiritual level, it represents "death and rebirth", transformation, regeneration -- the need for something to "die" in order for a "rebirth" to occur -- as in a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. Planetary transits to the eighth house are generally the most difficult but are also the most powerful. Allow Mercury's transit here to let go of old, antiquated ways and embrace improved methods of thinking and communicating.

Transiting Mercury in the Ninth House ~ Personal growth (spiritual or otherwise) through higher education, experience, travel, and cultural influences might be highlighted. The ninth house also represents publishing so, if you have dreams of authoring a novella or drafting a script or creating your own blog, Mercury's transit here is an opportune time to pursue publication of something already completed or begin writing something for publication.

Transiting Mercury in the Tenth House ~ Focus on professional pursuits and long-term goals might take center stage with this transit, as well as establishing or re-establishing your public reputation. If there has been a desire to chart a new course in life or change careers, this is a great time to seed ideas, make plans, and/or measured steps toward new endeavors.

Transiting Mercury in the Eleventh House ~ Transit in the eleventh house might influence your friendships and associations. This is an opportune period for social gatherings, business networking, making connections, or joining associations/groups to further goals. It's a celestial license to party :)

Transiting Mercury in the Twelfth House ~ A challenging transit, the twelfth house, like the eighth house, is also multi-faceted and multi-layered. It is the house of the subconscious, solitude, spiritual consciousness, secrets (ours and those kept from us), hidden enemies, and represents institutions like hospitals and prisons. A transit through the twelfth house might require a period of "aloneness" in order to "recharge" and sort through issues being presented subconsciously and psychologically. Pay attention to your dreams as they may be revealing of what you are going through within the physical world.

For related blog posts on Mercury, click here.

Cupid Ordering Mercury to Announce his Power to the Universe by Eustache Le Sueur, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.