Planets in the Horoscope : Mercury Messenger of the Ego

The Ego planets of Sun, Moon and Satu
makeup the threefold personality, on which I have written articles. Astrological psychology refers to Mercury. Venus, Mars and Jupiter as tool planets because one or more of the Ego planets can use these energies to support their needs. In this article I will be looking at Mercury, its essence and what it symbolises in you, followed by examples of how each ego planet may employ this energy. This may give you an insight how you use your Mercury. Mentally,(Sun), emotionally, (Moon) or physically,(Saturn), and maybe all three!

Mercury’s part in the play of life

Essentially, Mercury is our information gatherer as we listen, read and learn. This planet acts as an intermediary between ourselves and the world as it brings in information like a bee gathers pollen for its hive. It’s the impulse that activates us into making contact, to exchange thoughts and to open channels of communication. It continually works to connect everything and is our ability to exchange information. Mercury is also very much part of our nervous system, as it is this that sends messages through our body. As the messenger of the ego, it constantly relays’ information from the outside world to us and also around the psyche.

Mercury In the Birth Chart

Mercury in the chart describes the way we learn and communicate. The sign it is in shows how we innately do this. The house illustrates how the environment shapes this expression. Remember Mercury cannot rest, as it is always taking in information. These early messages from the environment do much to hinder or enhance our communication and learning skills. If for example you where picking up negative messages your Mercury could become thwarted. On the other hand encouragement will give confidence to Mercury. The aspects structure will also gives us more information and understanding of what is going on in the psyche.

Ego Planet Influence

As Mercury is the planet nearest to the Sun it is often associated with the mental body, however, its roles is to relay information from one form or area to another. Mercury can never be more than 28 degrees away from the Sun. The only aspect these planets can make is a conjunction which would be within eight degrees. .It may be in the same sign but too far apart to form a conjunction, or it could be placed in the sign that is placed either side of the Sun sign. The Sun gives strength and energy to anything it touches, therefore its partnership with Mercury will light up all forms of communication. This could gives strength and vitality to the mental process which will highlight all forms of education and give confidence to expression. Identification with their thoughts, opinions and the rational mind a person with this aspect may wish to be recognised for their intellect. They may also find it difficult being objective in their opinions and views, whereas if Mercury is in a different sign it has the ability to stand back, therefore not so attached. .

Moon with Mercury gives it feelings. Compassionate communication,as the Moon needs to relate. The Moon will use Mercury to talk about everyday matters and to express its feelings. It could also encourage deeper understanding and the intuition. This combination is good for writing and the imagination. With our emotions being involved hurtful remarks, angry exchange or criticism can turn into wounds, which could fester in the unconscious, the Moon’s domain.

Saturn‘s use of Mercury will be the application of practical matters. Here communication thrives on facts, figures, details and efficiency. Making the best use of time, or time is money and having good judgement will be some ways that Satu
employs Mercury. Satu
aids memory therefore could store information, but only what the person thinks could be useful. Satu
also delays anything it touches , which could make communication or learning slow, laborious or difficult. Therefore it can make any forms of communication feel like hard work.

It will depend on the aspects that each ego planet makes to Mercury in assessing the way it performs in your life. Often established thought forms inhibit our ability to communicate and only through self-awareness, which is how I use the tool of astrology. We can begin to change any wrong, damaging or hurtful information that Mercury may have absorbed from our environment. Alte
atively the environment may have expanded and developed further our communication skills. Mercury the messenger of the ego as no filter system as it takes in all information. It is the ego planet themselves that filter, store and use the information in their own way.