CHAPTER X.

MERCURY, THE PLANET or REASON

MYTHOLOGICALLY Mercury is represented as
a "Messenger of the Gods" and this is in line
with the occult facts, for when infant humanity had
been led astray by the martial Lucifer spirits and
fallen into generation' it became necessary for the
other divine hierarchies to take steps looking to a fu-
ture regeneration and to further that object the Lords
of Venus were brought to the earth to educate hu-
manity in such a manner that love might be substi-
tuted for lust and men might thus be induced to
aspire to something higher. While the Lords of
Venus dealt with mankind in general the most pre-
cocious among them were taken in hand by the Lords
of Mercury, whose wisdom-teaching is symbolically
embodied in the caduceus or 'staff' of Mercury, con-
sisting of two serpents twining around a rod and
representing the solution of the riddle of life:
"Whence we have come, Why we are here and
Whither we are bound, ' ' showing the pupil the spiral
path of involution by which the divine spark has
buried itself in matter, also the spiral path of evolu-
tion by which humanity will eventually again reach
the Father's bosom, and the short road of Initiation
192

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 193

represented by the central rod around which the
serpents twine. But to understand these Mysteries
requires mind and reason. Mercury then is the men-
tal educator of men and its place and position in the
horoscope shows the status of the person's mind for
whom it is cast.

Being the Messenger of the Gods to the other
planets Mercury has no voice of its own and is even
more dependent for expression upon the aspects of
other planets than the Moon which rules the in-
stinctual mind. So Mercury is really a focus through
which the faculty of reason finds expression in the
human being to act as a brake upon the lower nature
and assist in lifting us from the human to the divine.
Many may and do feel deeply, they may also have
valuable knowledge, but they will be unable to give
expression or share it with others if Mercury is lack-
ing in aspects. Even a so-called evil aspect of Mer-
cury helps to bring out what is within and is there-
fore better than none.

When Mercury is so placed in relation to the
Sun that it goes before the luminary it has the effect
of materially brightening the mind, for the Sun rep-
resents the Ego and it may therefore be said that
then its path is illuminated by the lamp of reason.
On the other hand if Mercury is so placed that it
rises later than the Sun and thus follows behind the
luminary the Ego learns more by afterthought than
by forethought for it walks comparatively speaking

13

194 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

in the dark and must learn a great deal of its lessons
by experience.

As we have found that it is difficult for a number
of young students to determine when Mercury goes
before or behind the Sun we may say in farther elu-
cidation of that subject:

When Mercury is in a lower degree of the same
sign as the Sun or in any degree of the previous sign
then as a matter of course he rises before the Sun. To
illustrate : If the Sun is in twenty degrees of Cancer
and Mercury is in five, ten or fifteen degrees of that
sign or if he is in any degree of Gemini, then he rises
before the Sun.

But if he is in twenty-five degrees of Cancer
which is a higher degree of the same sign, or if he is
in any degree in Leo which is the succeeding sign to
Cancer, then he rises behind the Sun and loses part
of his good influence.

A retrograde Mercury is also a detriment to the
faculty of reason. But in the year of life when Mer-
cury by progression again turns direct, the reasoning
faculties will improve correspondingly. Mercury is
strongest in the airy signs, Gemini, Libra and Aquar-
ius, but he is exalted and therefore most powerful in
Virgo. Mercury has special rule over agents and mes-
sengers, salesmen, postmen and other common car-
riers, people engaged in advertising or printing, liter-
ary men, writers, reporters, secretaries, clerks, stenog-
raphers and typewriters, commission men and other
middle men, demagogues, confidence-men and thieves.

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 195-
MERCURY IN THE TWELVE HOUSES.

$ 1 Mercury in the Ascendant, or First House makes
the person quick-witted and sharp according to
the nature of the sign rising and the aspects
of the planets which he receives. The fiery signs
and the airy signs have the strongest influence
in that respect. In Aries and Leo he is more im-
pulsive than when rising in Sagittarius, but
Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are best. When
Mercury is rising in the watery signs Cancer and
Pisces the intellect is dull, but rising in Scorpio
where it is fired by the martial energy and armed
with the venomous sting of the scorpion it has
a somewhat similar influence to that of Mars in
Scorpio though not quite so pronounced.

£ 2 Mercury in the Second House is good for gain
through mercurial occupations especially where
the person is employed by someone else so that
he appears in a true mercurial capacity as agent,,
messenger, clerk, writer or whatever else.

$ 3 Mercury in the Third House and well-aspected
has wonderful influence on the mental qualities
of the native. It makes the mind serene and op-
timistic, inclined to study and research work.
It gives fluency as a speaker and success by short
journeys or travel and makes the relations of
the person harmonious with his brothers. When
Mercury is afflicted in the Third House it in-

196 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

dines to worry and pessimism, trouble and an-
noyance with sisters and brothers and when on
short journeys.

3 4 Mercury in the Fourth House gives instability
to home conditions. It signifies the homeless
wanderer who is always moving from place to
place unless a good aspect to Saturn comes in to
steady him down. This is, however, a good as-
pect for people engaged in mercurial positions
which require a stationary residence, such as li-
brarian, or literary men engaged in newspaper
work, employees in printing establishments, com-
mission houses, agencies and kindred occupa-
tions. If Mercury is afflicted by Saturn the home
conditions of the person will cause him a great
deal of worry.

% 5 Mercury in the Fifth House centers the mind
upon education, amusements, courtships and
children. If Mercury is well-aspected by Saturn
or Jupiter it gives depth to the mind and makes
the person successful in enterprises connected
with education, publishing or public amuse-
ments. Good aspects from Mars or Venus give
success in courtship but the adverse aspects of
the planets make the nature cruel; he is incon-
stant in affection toward those he professes to
love, inclined to worry over affairs of his
children, and superficial as a teacher. A good
aspect from the Sun is an excellent indication

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 197

of success in a government position, in an educa-
tional capacity.

£ 6 Mercury in the Sixth House makes the mentality
too active for the person's own good, for he is
extremely ambitious and therefore liable to over-
tax himself to the detriment of his health, and
the disability of the nervous system is most likely
to express itself by a digestive disorder in the
region governed by Virgo, the sixth sign, viz:
the intestines. Such people are supersensitive
to the conditions of others which affects their
health, it brings much trouble and worry in
dealing with servants or subordinates. They are
fond of the study of hygiene and diet and meet
with considerable success in the practice of the
chemistry of foods, particularly if Mercury is
well-aspected. Adverse aspects of Saturn to a
Sixth House Mercury make a chronic invalid of
a most melancholy mind. The adverse aspects
of Mars and Uranus are fruitful sources of sui-
cide through brooding over disease.

$ 7 Mercury in the Seventh House and well-aspected
makes the person popular in literary and scien-
tific circles. It is a good position for public
speakers and all who are engaged in mercurial
activities of a public nature. But if Mercury is
afflicted the Seventh House position brings a
great deal of hostile criticism of a public nature
and is liable to involve the person in litigation

198 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

either to defend himself against libel from others
or on account of libel committed by himself. A
well-aspected Mercury in the Seventh House also
indicates a successful marriage to a relative or
an employee, but when Mercury is afflicted either
the person or the marriage partner is of a nag-
ging nature so that the married life is spoiled
by constant quarrels and disputes on account of
fickleness and faithlessness.

§ 8 Mercury in the Eighth House when well-aspected
gives gain through literary or scientific occu-
pation, agencies or other mercurial positions pro-
vided they are carried on in partnership with
someone else. This position also indicates that
the person will receive a legacy and it is a good
indication of the financial success of the mar-
riage, but if Mercury is afflicted its position in
the Eighth House indicates financial troubles
of the marriage partner and litigation probably
in connection with a legacy left to the person.

$ 9 Mercury in the Ninth House and well-aspected
gives love of religion, science, letters and law,
a studious mind capable of delving deeply into
profound problems of life and being, philosophic
and philanthropic, desire to travel if need be to
the ends of the earth in pursuit of knowledge.
This position gives facility of speech and writ-
ing and success in religion, philosophy, law and
science. The mind is broad, flexible and adapt-

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 199

able, therefore the person is liable to change his
views on the various subjects which he has stud-
ied several times in his life, but there will always
be a good reason for adopting another viewpoint.
If Mercury is afflicted in the Ninth House
he makes the person exceedingly unstable oi
mind, changeable as a weather vane in all his
pursuits and activities. Such a person will never
stay by anything long enough to try it out and
therefore he will meet with a series of disasters
all through life. Probably he may journey from
one place to another in search of success but he
will never find it until he learns to concentrate
his energies upon one thing. This position is
also a fruitful source of trouble with the law or
legal affairs.

g 10 Mercury in the Tenth House, well-aspected,
• shows adaptability and resourcefulness such as
enables the person to cope with all the contin-
gencies of life. It makes a successful lecturer,
publisher or writer and is also favorable to suc-
cess in one of the occult occupations. If Mer-
cury is placed in one of the airy signs the power
of expression is much enhanced. Frequently
people with Mercury in this position have sev-
eral occupations, but usually they succeed best
in a subordinate capacity.

$ 11 Mercury in the Eleventh House brings a great
many acquaintances among literary, scientific or

200 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

other mercurial people, but none of them are
sufficiently steadfast to be relied upon unless
Mercury is very well aspected. This position has
a tendency to make a person critical and cynical.
It sharpens his intellect, however, and gives him
a good flow of language.

g 12 Mercury in the Twelfth House, if well as-
pected gives a mind peculiarly fitted to delve
into the mysterious, occult or secret things. This
is especially the case if Mercury is between the
Sun and Midheaven, that is to say if Mercury
goes before the Sun or rises earlier than that
luminary, for then all the light that is in the
spirit seems to shine forth and make the person
intellectually keen and bright. Therefore this
is a good position for detective work as well as
scientific or occult research work. Chemists of
great ability have been produced under this as-
pect for such people have the faculty of going
into the most minute details in things which
seem microscopic and unimportant to others.
When Mercury is in the Twelfth House and
afflicted, especially by Saturn or Mars, also when
combust or behind the Sun there is danger that
the mind may become clouded and insanity may
result. It may also be noted that the affliction
will differ according to the way Mercury is as-
pected. If by Mars or Uranus the subject may
be exceedingly violent, if by Saturn he will be-

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 201

come melancholy, but whatever the nature, if
Mercury is afflicted in the Twelfth House some
form of limitation will restrain the spirit, for the
Twelfth House is the house of limitation and
confinement.

Deafness is also the result of this position
of Mercury when severely afflicted by Saturn.

MERCURY IN THE TWELVE SIGNS

T Mercury in Aries makes the person very ar-
gumentative, fond of disputes, quick at repartee,
with a tendency to exaggerate though not neces-
sarily by design. If well-aspected he is broad-
minded and tolerant of the opinions of others,
of a studious nature and quick to grasp things
and ideas, neat and orderly. When afflicted Mer-
cury in Aries makes people leap before they
look, the mind is vacillating and there is a gen-
eral recklessness over the person who is then very
unreliable and devoid of all sense of responsi-
bility.

b Mercury in Taurus gives a mind that is not
very soon made up but when it has once arrived
at a conclusion it is almost as difficult to change
as the laws of the Medes and Persians. However,
being based upon thought and reason the judg-
ment of these people is also extremely reliable.
They believe thoroughly in the ancient adage
,that "Silence is golden" and are therefore close-

202 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

mouthed. They are good counsellors and can
be depended upon to keep a secret. At the same
time they are not recluses, but have a pleasant,
sociable disposition. They are fond of fun and
recreation, they love music, art and literature,
so they are thoroughly likable people if Mercury
is well-aspected. But if Mercury is afflicted they
become what the Scotch call "dour," also ob-
stinate, stubborn, secretive and avaricious.

% n Mercury in Gemini makes a person fond of
change and travel. He is always ready to inves-
tigate some new thing, or go to some other place
for a change; in short, almost anything that is
new appeals to him. At the same time if Mer-
cury is well-fortified they will gain greatly by
this fluidic state of the mind for they are shrewd
and penetrating in their judgment so that they
know a good thing when they see it and are not
prejudiced by preconceived, set opinions. There-
fore they are good business men and their ability
to see a point makes them particularly good law-
yers. They also succeed well as traveling sales-
men.

$ IB Mercury in Cancer gives a clear intellect, a
good memory and superlative adaptability, so
that they can fit into any place or occupation
they may find and also adapt themselves to the
opinions and ideas of others. They love praise
and flattery, therefore they are careful not to do

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 203

anything whereby they may forfeit the good
opinion of others.

$ SI Mercury in Leo gives a positive, strong and
persevering intellect with high ideals and aspir-
ations which scorns to stoop to low and mean
acts, despises equivocation, blunt and outspoken,
quick-tempered, but kind-hearted and sympa-
thetic. People with Mercury in Leo well-fortified
have good organizing ability and make capable
leaders. They love children and are also fond
of pleasure. When Mercury is afflicted in Leo
it makes the person fickle and inconstant in his
affections, an unsuccessful gambler and specu-
lator, a low and sensual nature.

$ TIE Mercury in Virgo is at the zenith of his power
for there he is exalted, consequently when well-
aspected it gives a clear, logical, scientific mind,
eloquence and the ability to express oneself
fluently in a number of languages. It gives the
person a comprehensive, discriminating outlook
upon life, his conclusions are usually practical
and to the point because he also, like the Tau-
rian Mercury, looks before he leaps. In short
this characteristic is in a degree true of all the
earthy signs. When Mercury is afflicted in Virgo
it makes the man irritable, petulant and selfish,
always looking for flaws in everything he comes
across. People with Mercury in Virgo make ex-

204 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

cellent dieticians and chemists. They also have
an unusual dexterity.

$ =^= Mercury in Libra, when well-aspected gives
a broad, well-balanced mind with a love of art
and music and an uncommon ability of expres-
sion. It brings success as a public speaker and
sometimes as a singer. When Mercury is afflicted
in Libra it indicates trouble by lawsuits through
partnerships and an unfaithful marriage part-

TTL Mercury in Scorpio gives a shrewd mind, a
keen aspiration, a quick wit and a sharp tongue
with biting sarcasm that can sting like the scor-
pion. The disposition is bold and stubborn,
headstrong and difficult to get along with. But
these people are extremely re.sourceful, daunt-
less and able to overcome difficulties which would
crush others. They are attracted to the occult,
as a needle is drawn to a magnet. When Mer-
cury is afflicted they are subject to disappoint-
ment in everything they undertake, quarrelsome,
skeptical and cynical, always holding opposite
views to others.

t Mercury in Sagittarius. This is one of the
strongest positions of Mercury and if he is well-
aspected it gives an exceedingly noble mind of
a religious and philosophical turn, a mind which
scorns the shackles of conventions where they

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 205

interfere with freedom of thought and speech
yet does not fly into paths that are contrary to
the commonly accepted standards of moral usage
and conduct. It always confines itself within
the boundaries of law and order and people with
Mercury in this position are therefore greatly
respected in the community. Mercury in Sagit-
tarius makes the person fond of travel to see the
sights and scenery of nature and to investigate
the customs of strange people. They are also
fond of animals and pets. When afflicted it in-
clines to lawlessness, dishonesty, sophism and a
twisted character.

V3 Mercury in Capricorn gives a critical and pen-
etrating but somewhat suspicious mind with a
thoughtful and diplomatic disposition. These
people make splendid spies and detectives, hav-
ing the ability to ferret out secrets in the most
uncanny manner. They also have the persist-
ence of Saturnians derived from the sign Capri-
corn so that they never give up until their object
has been attained. This position also gives a
love of science, particularly chemistry, and they
are much attracted to the occult, yet practical
and very thrifty. They hold on to what they get
and always have something on a rainy day.
When afflicted Mercury in Capricorn makes the
person miserly, cruel, hard, malicious, vindictive
and spiteful.

206 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

$ £? Mercury in Aquarius gives the Uranian quali-
ties of originality and independence and an un-
conquerable love of liberty to the mind so that
people with Mercury in this position are apt to
repudiate all the social conventions and live ac-
cording to their highly idealistic conceptions.
They often take no heed of fashion and dress
in a style entirely their own. They advocate
ideas on social subjects which are a thousand
years ahead of the world's development, among
them the theory of soul-mates and affinities
which is causing so much trouble in the world
today because its advocates have not yet grown
to the spiritual stature where they can separate
it from sex and live the true Uranian love-life
which is altogether spiritual. The foregoing de-
lineations apply particularly where Mercury is
aspected by Uranus and the people described by
them are the extreme product of Mercury in
Aquarius. All who have this position, however,
are very intellectual, they have high ideals and
aspirations, a love of popular science and mathe-
matics and are usually attracted to the occult
sciences also, especially to astrology, for they
have a fine faculty of reading the horoscope.
They are kind, sociable and fond of friends with
the result that they usually attract large num-
bers of intellectual people to their circle of ac-
quaintances. When afflicted this position makes

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 207

the person disloyal and ready to prey upon his
friends, or criticise and slander them.

£ M Mercury in Pisces the occult watery sign,
seems to endow the mind with a certain psychic
faculty which is not so much intuition as imag-
ination. They think or imagine that something
must be so and so and it is a startling fact that
they are usually correct, but this ability brings
them dangerously near to mediumship if Mer-
cury is afflicted or when Neptune the higher oc-
tave of Mercury is in the Twelfth House. There-
fore this is rather a dangerous position. If Mer-
cury is afflicted by Saturn this position in Pisces
makes the person liable to gloom and the mind
will be subject to constant worry with a turn
toward melancholy. Usually, people with Mer-
cury in Pisces are of a kindly and benevolent dis-
position. This also is a good indication that suc-
cess may be attained in chemistry and as a diet-
ician by preparation of health foods.

MERCURY IN ASPECT WITH THE OTHER PLANETS

O P 6 $ Tlie Sun in parallel or conjunction to
Mercury. These are the only aspects ever formed
and are good for the memory and mentality pro-
vided Mercury is not closer to the Sun than three
degrees, for then he is "combust" and his good
qualities are burned up in the Sun's rays. It
is most fortunate to have Mercury rise before

208 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

the Sun at Birth for he is then the Lightbearer
who holds the torch of reason before the Spirit
which in the horoscope is symbolized by the
Sun. When he rises after the Sun the mentality
is not nearly so keen (unless other good aspects
favor).

$ P 6 * $ Venus parallel, conjunction or sextile to
Mercury. Venus and Mercury are never more
than 76 degrees apart, therefore they can only
form the conjunctions, parallels and sextiles, but
neither the trine, square nor opposition.

These aspects make the person cheerful and
companionable with a good-natured disposition
and a desire for society. They also give ability
for music and poetry, especially if in the As-
cendant, and are a general indication of success
in salesmanship for such people are very suave,
affable and persuasive.

J P 6 * A $ The Moon in parallel, conjunction,
sextile or trine to Mercury gives a receptive
mind and a retentive memory, two very rare
qualities and therefore these aspects, particu-
larly the sextile and trine, are good indications
of success in life, especially in one of the mer-
curial occupations, literary, clerical or traveling.
People with these configurations are usually very
verbose, particularly if the conjunction or trine
occurs in airy signs or a sign of voice, for then
the power of expression reaches a superlative

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 209

degree and such people become able linguists and
elocutionists, but unless there is some steadying
influence people with configurations of Mercury
and the Moon are not reliable because of their
tendency to change their minds repeatedly in
the most unexpected manner. They are inclined
to look upon the bright side of life and are fond
of pleasure, particularly travel.

n # $ The Moon square or opposition to Mer-
cury gives a poor memory and lack of mental
stability with a tendency to indecision and
worry, liability to brain storms and hysterics.
These characteristics make the person unpopu-
lar and as the saying is, ' ' unlucky. ' '

# A s> Saturn sextile or trine with Mercury
acts as a brake upon the flighty mind and gives
it a seriousness, depth and concentration which
is of inestimable value in life. The forethought
and profound reasoning ability indicated by
these aspects insure success in whatever voca-
tion the person may pursue. The patient per-
sistence which permits no temporary failure to
stand in the way of ultimate success, the caution
and diplomacy make such people invincible in
the long run. Therefore they generally become
prominent in connection with some serious en-
terprise such as secret societies, the church or
even in politics or government affairs. They are
in demand for high positions in great undertak-

14

210 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

ings where a steady hand is required on the
helm. But they do not usually shine publicly
for they are very quiet, subdued and serious in
their manner and demeanor; besides they are
absolutely honest and fairminded, hence they
make the very finest judges obtainable.

f? 6 P $ Saturn conjunction or parallel to Mer-
cury gives depth to the mind, and forethought,
together with all the other good qualities enu-
merated as resulting from the sextile and the
trine if Mercury is otherwise well aspected, but
not in so full a measure, or at any rate the
person does not seem to be able to externalize
them as readily, hence does not meet the same
assured success as given by the good aspects.
He also suffers from the tendency to melancholy
denoted by the square or opposition, especially
if the aspect occurs in one of the common signs
or in Capricorn, and if in Gemini it interferes
sadly with the dexterity. Such people drop
everything they take into their hands. These
aspects also give an embarrassing timidity and
if Mercury is afflicted the undesirable qualities
enumerated as resulting from the square or op-
position may be looked for.

T? n <9 % Saturn square or opposition to Mercury
makes the person subject to trouble and delays
all through life. He is thwarted on every hand
by slander and secret enemies and this condition

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 211-

in time makes him bitter and sarcastic with the
additional result that he is shunned by all who
can possibly get away from him and that in time
leads him to become a recluse who shuts himself
away to brood over his troubles. Such a person
sometimes becomes subject to melancholia of a
most piteous character. These aspects also make
the person cunning and untruthful. They give
the same desire to study the occult conferred by
the good aspects, but there is the great differ-
ence that while the good aspects of Saturn and
Mercury incline him to the study of occultism
from unselfish motives, the bad aspects impel
him to ferret out nature's secrets for personal
power or gain.

6 P * A $ Jupiter conjunction, parallel, sextile
or trine to Mercury is one of the finest assets in
life, for it gives a cheerful, optimistic disposi-
tion with the ability to always look upon the
bright side of things and keep up the spirits in
hours of adversity. The mind is broad, versatile
and able to reason correctly and to form a re-
liable judgment by careful deliberation. These
people never give a hasty decision ; they require
time to think over whatever is presented to them,
but once they have reached a conclusion that
will be found incontrovertible. They are suc-
cessful in law or literature and much respected
for their honesty and sincerity. These aspects

212 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

are particularly fortunate for people who travel
for business or pleasure, for they will reap both
benefit and enjoyment from a migratory mode
of life; it will make them "healthy, wealthy and
wise" beyond the average, and loved by every-
body for the vital vibrations they radiate upon
whoever they meet.

Jupiter square or opposition to Mercury
gives a vacillating and wavering disposition so
that the person cannot make up his mind when
more than one course of action is open, hence
people with these aspects often lose their oppor-
tunities through procrastination and lack of
judgment, and they must therefore be classed
as failures in life. They are liable to scandal
and slander because of treacherous associates.
They should not travel, for it will bring them
loss and trouble. They should also be extremely
careful in making contracts or agreements to do
or deliver certain things at a specified time, for
they will probably be unable to fulfill the re-
quirements and thus trouble and loss will result.

* A $ Mars sextile or trine to Mercury gives
a keen, sharp, ingenious and resourceful men-
tality. It makes the person enthusiastic over
any proposition which appeals to him and he
has also the ability to enthuse others and impress
them with his views ; an indefatigable worker
in any cause which arouses his sympathies, but

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 213

he is no visionary, he is interested only in con-
crete matters. These people love argument or
debate, and they have an inexhaustible fund of
wit and good humor, sometimes blended with a
vein of sarcasm which always strikes its mark,
yet never viciously or maliciously. They also
have remarkable dexterity and are able to turn
their hands to whatever task is required and
do it with a speed, facility and expedition that
is astonishing, to say the least. They cannot do
anything slowly or by halves; whatever they
undertake must be done with a rush, and they
put their whole energy into it so that they may
accomplish the task and do it well, hence these
aspects give success in life, in almost any line
of endeavor these people may select, but prob-
ably most in literature or the mechanical arts.

' $ 6 P $ Mars conjunction or parallel to Mercury
gives the same mental energy, enthusiasm and
dexterity as the definitely good aspects, but
whether they are used for constructive and good
purposes or for destructive and evil ends de-
pends upon the aspects, house position and sign
which they occupy. If the configuration occurs
in a sign where either or both are strong and
well-placed, as Mars in Aries or Capricorn or
Mercury in Gemini or Virgo, or if they are for-
tified by good aspects from the Sun, Venus and
Jupiter, Mars conjunction or parallel Mercury

214 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

will operate similarly to the sextile or trine, at>
stated in the foregoing paragraph, which see.
But if Mars and Mercury are in one of the
watery signs (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces), or if
either or both are afflicted by Saturn, Uranus
or Neptune, the conjunction or parallel of Mars
and Mercury will give the same evil tendencies
as the square or opposition which are defined in
the next paragraph.

£ O 8 % Mars square or opposition to Mercury
makes people quickwitted, sharp and alert, quick
tempered, impulsive and excitable, liable to jump
at conclusions and act before they think with
the inevitable result that they are always getting
themselves or other people into trouble, hence
they are dangerous associates. They are born
prevaricators and utterly incapable of making a
straight statement. It is just as natural for them
to color or exaggerate their statements as it is
to breathe. They are vitriolic in their wrath
and their tongues are more poisonous than the
bite of a rattlesnake, hence they are either feared
or hated by those who are unfortunate enough
to be bound to them by environment; all who
can shun them. They are bullies who are bound
either to rule or ruin wherever they are, and
they allow no obstacle to stand in their way
which can be removed either by force or slander.
They are the acme of selfishness, swagger and

MERCURY, THE PLANET OF REASON 215

consummate egotism. The foregoing tendencies
may of course be modified by other aspects, but
if they are not, such people are a menace to
society. If either Mars or Mercury are placed
in the Sixth or Twelfth Houses or in any other
position so that the bad aspect acts upon the
health, there is a liability to nervous prostration,
brain fever or insanity.

# A $ Uranus sextile or trine to Mercury gives
an original, independent and eccentric mind im-
patient of the fetters of fashion, tradition and
convention. Such a person is strenuous in his
efforts to hew a path for himself in complete
liberty. Therefore this is the hall-mark of the
pioneer in thought and invention, the sign of
genius. Their ideas and ideals are exceedingly
lofty, progressive and inspiring, in fact too much
so in the opinion of the average man or woman
who looks upon their actions as vagaries, the out-
come of a diseased mind. Nevertheless they have
plenty of friends on account of their kindly and
sympathetic nature and these aspects are good
for a literary or scientific pursuit, also for in-
vention, particularly those which have to do
with air or electricity.

: d P $ Uranus conjunction or parallel Mercury.
If Mercury is otherwise afflicted the conjunction
and parallel are to be judged as bad aspects and
read accordingly, but if Mercury is otherwise

216 THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS

well placed and aspected the delineation given
for the sextile and trine will apply.

1$ G 8 $ Uranus square or opposition to Mercury
is the hall-mark of the true crank or anarchist
who has extreme ideas to tear down the social
structure and undertake radical reforms. People
with these configurations are given to ranting
and raving in public and their language is usu-
ally as cruel as the measures they advocate.
Whatever ability they possess is usually turned
to an erratic purpose and they are often forced
to make sudden changes on that account.

V? 6P# A S Neptune conjunction, parallel, sextile
or trine to Mercury gives a mind peculiarly
adapted to the occult art, particularly if the
conjunction occurs in the Third or Ninth Houses
or the trines are from the watery signs Cancer
and Pisces. Such people usually succeed in oc-
cult science and often develop a supernormal fac-
ulty. They are particularly good as magnetic
healers.

tp D <? S Neptune square or opposition to Mercury
gives a chaotic mind, liability to lack of memory,
indolence and a disposition to dream the time
away. There is a restless desire for fame and
an inability to fit in anywhere. Such people are
liable to fraud, deception and slander, also to
suicide.