The influence of Mercury

Mercury promotes decisive action, clear and rapid thinking, and a confident, direct approach. The facility for rapid thought needs to be tempered with an effort to accommodate others who may need time to take in or consider these ideas.

Mercury tends to consolidate the steady, reliable and often methodical approach to life typical of the Taurean individual. If Taureans find themselves in a rut, it may be helpful to look to other astrological influences to assist with moving forward

Mercury, as Gemini's ruling planet, has a considerable influence on the mind, especially in the area of relationships and stress, tension and nervous anxiety. While the influence of Mercury in encouraging an already strong desire to communicate with others may be advantageous, its influence in the area of tension and nervousness can promote the lows that cause trouble.

Mercury's influence is on the mind, where it increases Cancer's determination to think more positively, often supplying the extra boost of energy to do so. At other times, Mercury' influence may be felt as an increase of negative or catastrophic thinking, or nostalgic sadness. It may be beneficial to look to other solar influences to help restore a positive frame of mind.

Mercury can serve to enhance Leo's emotional energy, organizational skills and powers of concentration. However, in other circumstances it may combine with tendencies towards stubbornness and encourage a dictatorial stance.

Mercury, Virgo's ruling planet, is the major influence, especially on the mind where it increases innate analytical abilities and understanding of how things work. In less favorable circumstances Mercury can reinforce mental anxiety, a tendency to get bogged down in detail and an inability to see the bigger picture.

Mercury influences Libra's mind and can act as a buffer against the tendency towards procrastination or laziness. Mercury can enhance the communication skills of the Libran, especially in the area of objectivity which many Librans find so difficult. At other times, Mercury may combine with a proclivity for indecision and laziness and result in fence-sitting rather than tackling an issue.

Mercury combines with Scorpio's intuition to boost rationality and the ability to apply logic or common sense to a situation, as well as increasing a sense of purpose. The influence of Mercury can also push the Scorpio towards obsession about a goal, though if details are considered fully, and emotional health monitored, things tend to work out well.

Mercury influences the mind and encourages intellectual stimulation, although Sagittarians should watch the tendency to get carried away with their own ideas. It is best to avoid making decisions when the mind is very active and to wait until the dust has settled before leaping into action. Things often look very different in the morning, especially if the details are properly taken into account

Mercury influences the mind and helps strengthen Capricorn's well-established disciplined and methodical approach, especially long-term planning, as well as increasing the capacity for shrewdness. However, in other circumstances, Mercury can combine with the proclivity for the expression of pessimism which increases the possibility of being emotionally cut off from others

Mercury's influence may dampen your tendency to be disruptive in certain circumstances and assist you to regain perspective or bring a balance to your tendency towards extreme reactions. Unless indicated in your birth reading, Mercury is not likely to have a negative influence.

Mercury can have a positive influence on the Piscean mind and may increase objectivity enabling a focus on practical outcomes, which is likely to involve enhancing the lives of others in some way. In other circumstances, Mercury may combine with proclivities to worry, or to take the line of least resistance and become inconsistent in dealing with everyday matters. The position of Mercury in the birth reading must be carefully observed so that Pisceans can take advantage of its positive influences on the mind to strengthen their ability to be assertive