Lucille Ball

Chapter 4. Mercury in Your Chart

Astrologically speaking, the planet Mercury is the conceptual force. It is a symbol of your mental life and such things as your mind, ideas, analytical abilities, as well as your sense and style of communication. Mercury describes patterns of thought, of learning and of assessing reality. Consequently it affects your self image and the force of your thought. It's what Dr. Timothy Leary calls "laryngeal manual dexterity" - which is the ability to manipulate symbols and artifacts. Mercury also represents the respiratory system. Mercury is youthful and it is the symbol of wit and levity.

Mercury is the symbol of titles and it's appropriate that Mercury is known as: winged messenger, herald, arbiter, scribe of the gods and inventor of writing. He also has many names including Loki, Nebu, Trickster, Piltzintecuhtli and Hermes.

More than ever in this age of multimedia information and disinformation, understanding the limitations and advantages of Mercury's placement in your chart heralds both survival and success. In the next paragraph is a description of just what kind of "mercurial" character you are and can become Lucille Ball.

Mercury in Virgo

HELPFUL CONCEPTS

Have you been told that you'd make a good professional critic? You've an eye for detail and nuance. You could learn to do some great impressions. You're a pragmatic thinker and a problem solver.

You like to deal with the facts. Common sense is one of your assets. Also, you're practical, analytical and logical. It is possible that you would like to collect, categorize and organize everything in the universe.

Mercury Tri-Decile Saturn

CONCEPTS MODIFY DECISIONS

Your infancy and childhood might have been tough. You can overcome it by working to develop your reasoning powers. With effort, in time, you can have deep thoughts and do excellent mental work.

TIP: Read Boost Your Brain Power. It's a total program to sharpen your thinking and age-proof your mind. It's written by Ellen Michaud, Russell Wild and the editors of Prevention Magazine. ISBN 0-87857-975-3.

Learn to say what you mean in spite of your doubts. Make plans to see that your ideas are acted upon. Work your ideas. Develop them toward implementation. Think things through and make sure a response is warranted before you issue a criticism. "No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking." Voltaire.

Mercury Sesqui-Quadrate Uranus

CONCEPTS CHALLENGE LIBERATION

Small and effective action is better than talk. Learn to speak with quick deeds. To make more money, learn to assimilate more information. Read more technical writing. When you feel that your job can be done by a robot or a computer, it is time for you to think about other jobs. You can make more money by becoming more independent in your thinking and progressive in your actions.

You've an intuitive, astute, independent and original mind. For an unusually exciting date, go hear a jazz vocalist. You can become very skilled at public communications, software development, chess, design and engineering.

Others will be stimulated by your unique way of thinking. Genius is within your reach. You are ready to stretch the limits of thinking. Find out what non sequiturs are, then create conversational bridges to deal with them.

You are bound to come up with some original and creative ideas. Be sure to file them and index them and cross reference them and create a plan to put some of them into reality. You are challenged by your own brilliance.

Mercury Semi-Square Neptune

CONCEPTS CHALLENGE FANTASY

Your imagination can work overtime. You can paint pictures with words. You can think on your feet. You can become a super salesperson. Some of your most creative work is done unwittingly, as if you are attuned to a faraway source. You could be an actor, a dreamer, a mystic, a faith healer, a psychic and probably are some combination thereof.

There is something artistic about your voice. Develop your musical and dramatic talents. Learn to deliver your lines with something extra.

Instead of letting your imagination play tricks on you, work to communicate meaningful and significant information. Since you can unconsciously attune yourself to other people's thoughts and motivations, you need to stay centered, balanced and grounded. You are naturally psychic and prophetic. Organization is a key to your success.

TIP: Read Conquering the Paper Pile-up by Stephanie Culp. It will tell you how to sort, organize, file, and store every piece of paper in your home and office. ISBN 0-89879-410-2.

Learn a middle path between fantasy and reality. Be creative without being an escapist. Your imaginative powers are second to none, and you could create for a living. With an extra creative effort, you could turn your richest fantasies into reality.

Mercury Opposite Chiron

CONCEPTS CHALLENGE MENTORING

You are challenged to read and write about holistic health practices. Assume a maverick stance to criticism. Dare to find the right moment to question medical monopolies.