.: Mercury

Mercury is the mythological messenger of the gods, who gave man language and the ability to communicate and learn. The Greeks knew Mercury as Hermes. Hermes bestowed the gifts of writing and language to humans. Mercury has a talent for long speeches and mental trickery, which is a reflection of the ability to develop the conscious mind until we become too smart for our own good.

While Mercury is usually symbolized by a young male figure, this god is neither male nor female. This is a symbol of its part as a neutral medium to exchange information. Mercury is representative of intellectual and rational thinking, along with discriminative powers. It is also linked to commerce and the marketplace.

Psychologically, Mercury signifies mental abilities and the need to understand and communicate through speaking, teaching, writing, or any other form of mental expression. Gemini and Virgo are both ruled by Mercury.