The Birth of Mercury
The story of Mercury’s birth is a fascinating one. This story comes from the Ninth Canto, chapter 14, of the Srimad Bhagavatam. The Moon, known as Soma, became very powerful over time. He then performed the great Rajasuya sacrifice which allowed him to conquer the upper, middle, and lower planetary systems. Soma, being so powerful, became puffed up with pride, and kidnapped Tara (Star), the wife of Jupiter (Brihaspati, the guru of the demigods). Jupiter asked Soma to give Tara back to him but he refused, thus a great war ensued. The demons joined with the Moon and fought against Jupiter and all the demigods. Many lives were lost and eventually, Tara came back to Jupiter. Jupiter discovered that Tara was pregnant with the child of the Moon and was very angry. The child was cursed by Jupiter to be neuter or a sexless child; this child is Mercury. When Mercury was born it was discovered that he had great intelligence and thus was known as Budha--one who possesses great intelligence. He has the characteristics of the Moon, which represents the mind, and also of Jupiter, the Guru. Mercury, upon discovering the circumstances of this birth became an enemy of his birth father and kept a neutral-friendly relationship with Jupiter. Mercury is a childlike figure, full of nervous energy, very intelligent, and always going all over the place.
You can see from the story of Mercury’s birth his relationship with other planets. The Sun and Venus are his friends. The Moon (his birth father) is his enemy. He is neutral with Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. So in a birth chart, when a person has Moon associated with Mercury, it may cause some mental difficulties, nervousness, and an uncontrolled mind.
Mercury represents the mind, intelligence, speech, energy, variety, or change, mathematics, and astrology. He represents the northern direction, Wednesday, businessman, and has the strength towards the east. Birds, horses, the color green, and emeralds are manifested by Mercury. Medically speaking Mercury represents the skin, lungs, nose, throat, vertigo, and nervous breakdown.
How Mercury affects one in the different houses and signs depends on what it is associated with. The planets, signs, aspects, and transits have a powerful influence. Mercury is very susceptible to the influence of the other planets and signs. If it is associated with malefics like Rahu it can cause great mental distress and marital problems. Mercury with the Moon causes affliction to the mind; I have seen this commonly in people who have bipolar disorder or ADHD. In the first house, it brings great intelligence, money, an outgoing nature, property, cars, and talent in writing. In the second house, Mercury gives ability in lecturing, publishing, a large family, and the ability to speak well. In the third house, Mercury brings skill with the hands, especially on detailed work, like writing, painting, and sculpting. People with fourth house Mercury are very attached to family and friends, have an empathic and emotional nature and often quite wealthy. In the fifth house, Mercury gives a spiritual nature, abilities as a counselor, and realization through meditation. In the sixth house, Mercury gives limited education, a competitive nature, and a lack of close friends. In the seventh house, you can have multiple marriages, an early marriage, travel, and great business skill. In the eighth house, Mercury gives the inheritance of cars, property, money, and longevity. In the ninth house you can see someone who makes good money, goes on pilgrimage, who is a Vaishnava-devotee of Krishna, and very creative. In the tenth house it gives skill in work, the knowledge you wish to share with the world, and a storyteller. In the eleventh house, you can become friends with important people and can have an influence over others. In the twelfth house, you can see poor education, mental distress, few friends, and religious nature.
As I have mentioned, Mercury is greatly influenced by the planets it is associated with and can have a strong effect on the chart. It should be carefully analyzed to give a complete understanding of the birth chart.