Michael Keaton

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 Michael Keaton.

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 Conjunct Venus

CONCEPTS UNITE WITH AFFINITY

Good ideas can spring from any conflict you experience between your thinking and your values. You have a somewhat different approach to love. Educate yourself to the power of charm.

TIP: Upgrade vanity and conceit to beauty and art.

Become more aware of love by analyzing your values. Make an extra effort to communicate with wit, charm and affection. Your most beautiful thoughts need a pleasurable outlet. Michael Keaton, you need to appreciate what is good for you and what soothes your nerves.

You have some tender, lovely thoughts and a clearly defined sense of beauty. You can do very well at creative, expressive and designing activities. You have some great female friends and a can develop a penchant for saying the right thing at the right time.

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 Node

CONCEPTS CHALLENGE INTERCHANGING

Part of the mission that you have incarnated for is to communicate. Expose your mind to stimulating ideas. Cultivate your intellectual interests. Study the past. Talk about the future. Make more social and business contacts. Get involved with public and social planning projects. Gossiping only interferes with your destiny.