The Shades of Venus
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Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved In the astrological pantheon, Mercury is often the ignored symbol. Certainly, Mercury gains attention when its apparent motion goes retrograde, however, in the analysis of birth charts, it is typically the symbol that receives the least amount of attention from an astrologer. This lack of interest and consideration may be due, in part, to the observation that Mercury is typically not the part of our psychology where we are most likely to experience hidden pathologies, blind spots, or painful growth patterns. Although Mercury may be a trickster figure in mythology, the astrological Mercury is rather straightforward; Mercury may be the symbol most often glossed over because of its clear-cut nature. This tendency to disregard the astrological Mercury is problematic on at least two counts. As the locus of our self-expression and communication, Mercury has an uncanny ability of integrating the entire birth chart—all symbols and patterns in the birth chart are incorporated and voiced through Mercury. Although Mercury is typically not aspecting every planet in the birth chart, it is the point through which all the archetypes within the birth chart receive their clearest and most lucid expression. Even if the Sun is the center of the Solar System and the centerpiece of the chart, Mercury is the great ambassador and mouthpiece of the entire birth chart. The other difficulty stemming from Mercury’s exclusion is that, although the archetype may be straightforward and clear-cut in its initial expression, when it is inflected by zodiacal houses, signs, and planets, the basic verbal expression associated with Mercury is influenced by an amazing diversity of patterns. This essay will focus on the amazing range that is shown by Mercury when it aspects different archetypes. Moreover, this short article will demonstrate the assertion that Mercury truly is a critical and essential component in both the personality and birth chart. The other archetypes of astrology may be readily perceived through nonverbal cues and forms an overall impression of the personality, but Mercury’s uncomplicated, analytical nature allows us to know—in a very literal way—what “makes one tick.” Mercury in Aspect to Jupiter: Inspirers and MotivatorsWhen Mercury forms a significant aspect to Jupiter in the birth chart, one is usually blessed with the capacity to think big, to accentuate the positive, and to inspire others through encouraging thought and speech. Although some may believe that the Jupiter-Mercury combination is the province of spin doctors and propagandists, those born with this planetary pairing usually have an uncanny ability to see the proverbial glass half full when others see it half empty. It is often typical of those born with the combination to be teachers and motivators, either explicitly through profession or through the incorporation of these capacities in their roles as mentors, parents, and as co-workers. Example I: Tony Robbins Tony Robbins has established his reputation as the quintessential motivation speaker of the last two decades. Born with Jupiter in square aspect to Mercury, Robins has created a legendary fan base through his pioneering use of the thirty-minute infomercial. Both the object of satire and serving as a true symbol of hope and encouragement to many, Robins represents both the superficial slick and the tenacious inspiring power found in the legion of motivational speakers. Example II: Wayne Dyer The very titles of Dr. Dyer’s books might be catch phrases for the Mercury-Jupiter combination: How To Be a No Limit Person, You Can Be Happy No Matter What, The Sky’s the Limit. Miraculously, Dr. Dyer has apparently mastered the art of becoming an authority on nearly every angle of self help ever imagined! Through a blend of New Age wisdom and folksy common sense, Wayne Dyer has attained near-guru level status for millions of people. Born with a Jupiter-Mercury conjunction, Dyer is undoubtedly the paradigmatic case of the power of positive thought. Mercury in Aspect to Saturn: Authorities and StatesmenUnlike their Jupiter-Mercury counterparts who tend to accentuate the positive and won’t accept anything but the most rosy case scenarios, the bearer of Mercury-Saturn configurations tend to be more analytical, more realistic and pragmatic (or, at least from their perspective), and the bearers of hard-line and hard-nosed truths. Although one may believe that Mercury-Saturn bearers are too stoic, dour, and pessimistic, one can never accuse them of not doing their homework—they tend to really know their subject matter extraordinarily well. Methodical and questioning almost to a fault, the Mercury-Saturn possessors typically are the tradition and establishment creators—they create the authoritative texts by which all other works are to be judged. Example I: George F. Will With four planets in aspect to Saturn, George F. Will carries the puritanical, dry, and acerbic energy that we’ve come to know and love from Saturn! With a Saturn-Mercury conjunction in Taurus, Will is the reserved and respected voice of the conservative old-guard in the United States. Unlike the new crop of conservative demagogues, Will represents the well-studied, cogently argued, and intelligent side of the conservative perspective. The copious amounts of Saturn in Will’s chart allows him to create a coolly objective, thoughtful, and self-reflective perspective that will appeal to those with the same level of maturity as Will. Example II: Noam Chomsky Although Chomsky is at the opposite end of the political spectrum relative to Will, he also demonstrates the thoughtful, rational, and highly analytical expression that comes from a Saturn-Mercury interface. Born with a Saturn, Mercury, Sun triple conjunction in philosophical Sagittarius, Chomsky has become one of the most revered and respected voices of the left. Chomsky’s unbelievable dedication to justice and political awareness demonstrates one of the most admirable qualities of Saturn—tenacity and thoroughness. Moreover, Chomsky also expresses another tendency of Mercury-Saturn combinations—to become the arch-judge or critic. Chomsky has based his entire oeuvre on critique of American foreign policy and diplomacy, putting the American agenda on endless and ruthless trial and scrutiny.
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