Mary Jo Wevers

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Mercury: Messenger of the Gods

In our solar system Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. It moves quite swiftly in its elliptical orbit around the Sun, passing the Earth three times during our calendar year. 

In astrology Mercury represents the mind, the intermediary link between spirit (the Sun) and matter (the Earth). As an envoy for our spiritual life force, it is a communication channel informing our human experience. Mercury and the sign it rules, Gemini, symbolize the rational mind that is often referred to as the “lower mind” or “lower vibrational octave” of the mind. They define our everyday awareness of the physical world. This is the part of our intellect that keeps us focused on every day details in our immediate environment and processes information we take in from it. It determines how we move about in our local environment and interact with others in our side-by-side relationships.

In Roman mythology Mercury is the fleet-footed messenger of the Olympian gods, carrying information and delivering communications on their behalf. As an emissary between gods and mortals, he travels freely between the two worlds. For these reasons Mercury is associated with movement and interactions, travel and communication, commerce and trade.

In the astrological chart Mercury describes our information filter to the world: how we take in information from our environment, how we process it, and what we do with it. It determines our learning style. It defines our innate skills and intelligence, logic and reasoning ability, adaptability and dexterity. It rules how we think, our mental process, and our intellectual approach to life.

As well as determining our learning style, Mercury rules our communication style: how we express ourselves, sharing our information, thoughts and ideas with others. It determines the manner we employ to communicate. It rules our speech and verbal abilities. Interacting with our peers, writing, and public speaking all come under Mercury‘s domain.

Mercury rules movement, including short trips and all modes of transportation. It therefore indicates the style and manner we use as we move about and interact with our  immediate environment. Paying attention to our surroundings and to others is important, whether we are walking, talking, riding a bicycle or driving a car. In order for us to adapt to our local environment and interact successfully with others, we need to be responsive and develop proficiency, agility, dexterity, and street smarts.

As we learn to move about and interact within our environment, taking in information and sharing it with others, we acquire skills that are expected of us in order to function in the world. Mercury rules these “expected skills”, most of which we learn in elementary or K-12 schools. Primary education, therefore, falls under Mercury’s domain.

Mercury expressed through each of the 12 signs of the zodiac represent 12 different languages, or 12 different intellectual styles and approaches to life. The 12 signs are classified by the four elements, which correspond to Carl Jung’s personality types. The fire signs are action-oriented, willful, inspirational and spontaneous. Earth signs are concrete, practical, material and sensation oriented. Air signs are intellectual, communicative and relational. Water signs are emotional, sensitive and creative in nature. Learning about the different intellectual styles represented by Mercury in the 12 signs helps us understand and appreciate differences in human perception, thinking processes, and communication styles.

“That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you’ve understood all your life, but in a new way.” – Doris Lessing

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Symbology of Venus

The planet Venus is named after the Roman goddess of beauty and love. To the Greeks she was known as Aphrodite. She is perhaps the most ancient and primal of all the goddesses around the world, and has had many names over the millennia. She is often referred to as the Goddess of Love, and the Goddess of Generation due to her creative powers of attraction, abundance and prosperity. She is associated with the lush fertile greenness on our planet, and the life giving force it provides to animals and humankind.

Venus expresses love in the world by drawing to her the prima materia to bring Spirit into physical form. She provides warmth and substance. She holds, cares and preserves the seed: the embryo form of beauty gestating in our earthly world. As an archetypal figure Venus embodies the power of spirit to attract and animate matter. Venus represents our ability, as spiritual beings having a human experience, to manifest the beauty of spirit through our corporeal selves and by working with material resources in the world to create tangible objects of practical beauty.

The glyph for Venus, sometimes called the “Mirror of Venus,” is the circle of spirit over the cross of matter. It represents the infusion of spirit into the material world through cosmic love. Martin Schulman in his book Venus, The Gift of Love explains with spirit presiding above matter, the law of what is above pouring into what is below can manifest. Spiritual essence is always elevated above physical existence. When the two are connected and integrated in our life we experience beauty. If we identify too much with the cross of matter, we distance our self from our own spiritual nature. If we identify too much with spirit, we have difficulty grounding our self and finding outlets for spirit to express itself through our physicality.

Venus is the ruling planet of the sign of Taurus. Through Venus we connect to the world around us via our physical body and its senses. Glenn Perry in The Zodiac as a Developmental Stage Model correlates Taurus with the very early stage of life when we develop an awareness of our body and its functions. We begin to develop some level of control over it while experiencing pleasure through its senses. We become aware that the world external to our self can be unpredictable, changeable, frustrating, and even unsafe. In response, we develop an urge or need to feel secure, safe, and to seek stability and constancy. We develop an appreciation of and attachment to objects that provide us with a feeling of security. We want to acquire and possess them as our own, so we can feel permanence and stability, peace and serenity.

Venus determines our natural instinctual physical needs and desires. She defines our ability to experience comfort and contentment in the physical world. She reveals our natural talent for experiencing pleasure. She indicates the tangible possessions and material goods we are attracted to for the abundance and security they represent to us. She defines what we find valuable. She represents what we appreciate and love for the beauty and physical connections they provide in our life.

Venus rules prosperity and our capacity for enjoyment. She gives us the power to draw towards us what we desire. She encourages us to validate and fulfill our personal needs and desires for sensual and sexual gratification. She wants us to receive pleasure, to delight in the good things of life, and feel good about it. If we do not feel prosperous we may become jealous, possessive and greedy. If we are too attached to the material world we can become vain, self-indulgent and lazy. If our Venus urge is denied or unfulfilled we can become covetous, lustful and even vindictive.

Venus rules the early stages of sexual attraction and union. She determines our personal desires and receptivity to a potential sexual partner. In a woman Venus represents what is important to feel feminine, sensual and attractive. Venus is often projected in a man’s chart. It represents what he needs in a woman to feel attracted to her and help him understand his anima, his own Venus energy. The first stage of sexual attraction involves personal magnetism, pheromones and hormones. The unconscious biochemical attraction or repulsion we feel towards others is the initial “Venus phase” of a relationship. When we experience the right “chemistry” and are attracted to another, we experience an urge to gratify our Venusian needs and experience pleasure. The Venus phase of a relationship usually lasts 6 months to a year, one cycle of the planet Venus through the zodiac. Once this early stage of relationship is over, other forces and drives must come into play for a relationship to continue and blossom.

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Reclaiming our Identity through Healing our Wounds

The Centaur Chiron

Chiron in the astrological chart reveals our own unconscious sense of wounded-ness and fears that we may be hurt again. We carry our personal Chiron wounds from old experiences of rejection, abandonment, deprivation, abuse and loss. Although the Chiron wound is experienced personally, it is a universal aspect of being human. An agent of healing, Chiron brings our awareness to matters we need to address. Chiron represents our potential as a Sacred Healer, once we move through the fear and heal ourselves from our own devastating pain and hurt.

Chiron entered the sign of Aries on February 18, 2019. Chiron moving into the sign of Aries for the next eight years directs us to face our fears of asserting our independent selves, moving out into the world and engaging with life, and being spontaneous and decisive. We may look outside ourselves for guidance, approval, and permission in life. We may waver when making decisions or taking action, out of fear of displeasing others or causing conflict. Our minds can keep us stymied as we overthink a situation, and entertain all kinds of scenarios about what might happen.

Instead of succumbing to outside influences, we can align with our own values, our own truths, and then act accordingly. As we seek to heal and become whole, we can gain the self-confidence to live our life boldly and vibrantly. Chiron in Aries will help us address our fears and heal so, like the Nike slogan, we can “Just do it!”

Questions to help you explore Chiron in Aries:

  • How self-aware are you? How well do you know yourself?
  • What are your priorities in life, your wants and desires? How can you satisfy them?
  • Who do you want to be, or become?
  • Do you let yourself express your individuality, or do you try to “fit in?”
  • In what ways does fear keep you from being true to yourself?
  • How do you hold back and compromise your desires in order to “stay safe?”
  • Where can you assert yourself in more confident, straight-forward and wholesome ways?
  • How can you be a champion for yourself and your own life?
  • Where can you take decisive action in order to move forward?
  • Release regrets, don’t look back. See each day as a fresh start, a new beginning.
  • How can you use excitement and courage to create your life anew?
  • Use enthusiasm and self-confidence to be your own brave Spiritual Warrior in life.

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Saturn, Ruling Planet of Capricorn

The sign of Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn, the Lord of Karma, who keeps us on the path of spiritual evolution. Saturn keeps us on track, or holds us back when we deviate from our spiritual path, depending on your attitude. Discipline comes from the word disciple, who is someone who follows a master. When we exercise self-discipline, we follow the master that is our Higher Self, and we keep on our highest path.

Saturn demands that we “come down to earth” and “get real.” It teaches us we reap what we sow. Saturn asks us to have integrity: to be morally accountable and honorable in our word and deed. We learn to take responsibility for what we have created in our life when we experience consequences for our decisions and actions. This is not the same as taking blame, or being blamed for something and made to feel guilty. Instead it means we step up and embrace the opportunity and do the necessary work. It requires action and diligence. By assuming responsibility for our life we achieve a measure of control over our fate.

In Greek and Roman mythology Saturn was known as the God of Time. In astrology Saturn rules cycles of time, the timing of events, aging and the maturation process. It represents wisdom gained over time. Saturn asks us to give up the illusions of youth, to show restraint, and grow up. Saturn teaches us maturity through patience. We gain strength through perseverance and determination as we work through obstacles by making repeated efforts. We are rewarded for our consistent, diligent efforts with respect. In time we gain a reputation as a wise, mature authority.

The planet Saturn takes 2.5 to 3 years to move through a sign. Saturn moved into its own sign of Capricorn on December 21, 2017. It will complete its transit of Capricorn and move into Aquarius on December 18, 2020. Over the coming two years Saturn in Capricorn will challenge us to take responsibility for being our own authority, and make our own decisions in life. Where in your life do you need to be more practical, realistic, and prudent?

In the next two years, issues we have with parental and authority figures and institutions may crop up. We may experience conflicts with our fathers or families, bosses, or government or political systems. We may feel we are not getting the respect we deserve. Honor yourself and have integrity in your words and deeds. Set your own goals and create the structure and organization you need to achieve them. Be committed and set priorities. Make wise use of your resources. Work diligently. Use patience and work with the cycles of time; do not expect immediate results from your efforts. In due course you will earn a reputation of being a wise mature adult, who is an authority in your own right through the experience you have gained.

     “Saturn represents that which nails us to the cross of matter, holding us in the world of form.”

                                                           – Anne Whitaker

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Jupiter, Ruling Planet of Sagittarius

The planetary ruler of Sagittarius is Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system. Jupiter was known by astronomers in ancient times and was associated with the mythology and religious beliefs of many cultures. In Babylonia the planet Jupiter represented their god Marduk. In Greek mythology Jupiter is called Zeus, the father of the gods. The Romans named the planet after their chief god Jupiter, who was the guardian and protector of all the other gods. Jupiter is sometimes referred to as Jove. The words ‘jovian’ and ‘jovial’ mean happy or merry, moods ascribed to the favorable influence of Jupiter.

In astrology Jupiter symbolizes expansion, opportunity and growth. In the astrological chart Jupiter represents good fortune, prosperity and blessings, benevolence and grace. It is the force that urges us to seek the freedom to expand our horizons and find a greater connection to the wide world. It shows us how we can build trust and faith in ourselves, and how we can develop inner strength and confidence.

Jupiter helps us create a vision of what we can manifest in this life. It urges us to look towards the future, to set a direction, and aim high with our goals. It encourages us and helps us prepare for future possibilities with enthusiasm and optimism. It uplifts us and connects us to the greater universe. It is the “cosmic cheerleader.”

Jupiter and Sagittarius rule serendipity, an unexpected outcome that results from taking action. Once we have set our goal, Jupiter urges us to make a leap of faith, take action, and let go of our expectations for a specific result. When we trust in serendipity, Jupiter is free to grace us with more luck and benevolence than we might have expected. Wherever Jupiter falls in our chart is where and how we can best experience serendipity working in our life.

When you develop a vision and set goals, stay open and receptive to other possibilities and outcomes. Trust that far-seeing Jupiter can see something better for you down the road.