The Astrological Glyph For Mercury
The astrological glyph for Mercury is a crescent on top of a circle which, in turn, rests upon a cross. The cross represents matter, the circle represents spirit, and the crescent represents the Moon.
In astrology Mercury is associated with ‘mind’, ‘mental activity’, intelligence and wisdom, so it is thought that the glyph is symbolic of how we receive ‘mental impulses’ from both our physical environment (the cross of matter) and our Soul (the circle of spirit). The crescent, similar to a cup or bowl, represents our capacity to receive. It is then up to us as individuals to discern which impulses to act upon.
The history of Mercury in astrology dates back to ancient times. It is believed that the planet Mercury was named after the Roman god of commerce and communication, who was also known as the messenger of the gods.
The earliest known reference to Mercury in astrology is found in the Babylonian astrological texts, known as the Mul.Apin. This is believed to be the earliest use of the planet in astrology.
In ancient Greek and Roman astrology, the planet Mercury was seen as a strong indicator of communication and language, and was associated with the power of persuasion. It was believed that this planet had a powerful influence over the mind and was a key factor in determining one’s character and destiny.
In the Middle Ages, Mercury was seen as a symbol of intellect and wisdom, and was associated with the power of discernment. The planet was also said to be a messenger of the gods, and its position in a person’s chart was thought to indicate their ability to interpret messages from the gods.
Today, astrologers use Mercury to analyze the way a person thinks and communicates. They look at its position in the birth chart and how it interacts with other planets to gain insight into the individual’s capacity for communication and understanding. They also use it to analyze the way a person expresses themselves and their ability to make decisions.
In modern astrology, Mercury is still seen as a powerful indicator of communication and language, but it is also used to analyze a person’s ability to think critically and make decisions. It is believed that its position in a person’s chart can provide insight into their capacity to think logically and come to reasoned conclusions.
The history of Mercury in astrology is a long and fascinating one. It has been used for centuries to gain insight into a person’s mind and character, and its power and influence are still seen today.
Thoth in Ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians believed that Mercury was the planet that brought the gods’ messages to Earth, and it was also seen as the planet of travel and trade. Mercury was thought to be the ruler of duality, and it was seen as the mediator between the material world and the spiritual realm. It was associated with both the conscious and unconscious mind, and its influence was believed to be both positive and negative.
Although mercury was recognized as important, it was not regarded as a God. The ancient Egyptians did not have a messenger god in their pantheon, and instead relied on other gods and goddesses as mediators.
The god Thoth, for example, was often seen as a messenger of the gods, as he was responsible for delivering messages from the gods to the people. He was also associated with communication between the gods and humans. The god Anubis was also associated with communication, as he was seen as a guide for the dead into the afterlife.
The goddess Isis was also associated with communication between the gods and humans. She was seen as a protector and mediator between the two realms. The goddess Hathor was also associated with communication, as she was seen as a patron of music and song, and was often seen as a mediator between the gods and humans.
Hermes in Ancient Greece
In Ancient Greek mythology, the messenger of the gods was known as Hermes. He was the son of Zeus and Maia, the daughter of Atlas, and was the god of boundaries and transition, as well as the patron of travelers, merchants, and athletes.
Hermes was also known as a trickster god, playing pranks on humans and gods alike. He was known for his cunning and ingenuity, and was often associated with the god Dionysus.
Hermes was the fastest of the gods, and his sandals allowed him to fly. He was often seen as a messenger between the gods and humans, delivering messages from the gods to people on earth. He was also known to guide the souls of the dead to the underworld.
His symbols were the caduceus, a staff with two intertwined serpents, and the petasus, a winged hat. He is sometimes depicted with wings on his sandals and helmet.
Hermes was an important figure in Greek and Roman mythology, and he is still seen as the messenger of the gods. He was the equivalent of Mercury in Ancient Greek mythology, and his many roles made him one of the most important gods of the pantheon.
Messenger Gods in Other Traditions
In the Hindu pantheon the god Hanuman is a powerful, monkey-like deity who is known for his strength, courage, and loyalty. He is also associated with speed and agility, similar to the Roman god Mercury. Additionally, Hanuman is believed to be a messenger of the gods and is often seen as a mediator between humans and gods. He is also sometimes known as Saram.
In Judaism, Christianity and Islam, a Divine Messenger with a similar role to Mercury is Metatron. Although not a god, Metatron is a powerful angel in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths. He is often referred to as the “Highest of Angels” and is believed to be the closest angel to God. He is also known as the Angel of Presence, the Angel of the Covenant, and the Angel of Life.
Metatron is mentioned in the Book of Enoch, which describes him as a heavenly scribe, recording the deeds of people and angels alike. According to the Book of Enoch, Metatron is also the angel of life, who helps guide souls to the afterlife.
In Jewish mysticism, Metatron is said to be the agent of God’s direct will and the mediator between the physical and spiritual realms. He is also seen as the teacher of the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition.
In Christianity, Metatron is seen as a messenger angel who stands in the presence of God and is the highest ranking of the angels. He is also seen as the guardian of the Tree of Life and is believed to be the angel who carried Jesus to Heaven following the resurrection.
In Islam, Metatron is known as the ‘trustworthy spirit’ and is believed to be the angel who revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad. He is also seen as the angel of death, who helps guide souls to the afterlife.
Although Metatron is a powerful spiritual being, and like Mercury is seen as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, he is not directly associated with the planet mercury, as in the Roman tradition.
Mercury in Ancient Rome
In Roman mythology, Mercury was known as both a planet and a God. He was very important to the Romans as the God of communication, eloquence, science, technology, the arts, commerce, luck, travel, and commerce. He is the son of Jupiter and Maia, the daughter of Atlas.
Mercury was known as the god of travelers and merchants, and would often be seen in those roles. He was also known as a trickster god and was associated with thieves and liars. He was often depicted with a winged hat and sandals, and was said to be able to move quickly between different places and realms. His symbols included the caduceus, the winged sandals, and the staff.
In addition to being the messenger of the gods, Mercury was also associated with wisdom and intelligence. He was the patron of orators and poets, and was said to be able to teach humans the secrets of language and writing. He was also believed to have taught the Romans music and dancing.
Mercury was thought to be able to bring good luck, and would often be invoked to help traders, travelers, and merchants in their business dealings. He was also believed to be able to protect travelers from danger.
In Roman mythology, Mercury was an important figure and was highly respected. He was seen as a symbol of communication, eloquence, wisdom, luck, and travel. He was also associated with the science and technology of the time, and was seen as a protector of travelers. Our contemporary astrological impressions of Mercury originate in myths of his Roman namesake, as the association is thought to be held deep in our collective unconscious.
The Astrological Symbology of Mercury
Mercury represents the way we think, communicate, and express ourselves. It is the planet of ideas, education, and travel, and is also associated with the way we interact with others, which is why it is also symbolic of commerce and business transactions. In recent times Mercury has also developed a strong association with technology.
Mercury symbolizes how we think, process information, speak, and act. It indicates the way we make decisions, how we present ourselves to others, and how we express our thoughts. It is also associated with our ability to multitask and to stay organized.
Mercury may also represent our relationships with others: how we interact with people, how we understand them, and how we learn from them. It is often associated with being a mediator or a go-between in relationships.
When it comes to our health, Mercury is said to represent our mood, energy levels, and digestion. It is associated with diseases of the nervous system, and it can also indicate our mental and physical health, as well as our ability to heal.
In astrology, Mercury is associated with all forms of communication, from written to verbal. It can indicate our ability to learn and to be creative. When it is in a positive aspect, it can indicate good luck, and it can help us to be more successful. However, when it is in a negative aspect, it can indicate confusion, misunderstandings, and miscommunications. Remember nothing is set in stone in astrology, and though our own free will we can transcend any tendencies that show up in our birth chart.
In short, Mercury represents communication, our relationships, our health, and our ability to succeed. By understanding its condition in our birth chart, we can better understand the tendencies it is pointing to, and how to use them our advantage.
The Esoteric Meaning of Mercury
In Esoteric Astrology Mercury is the personality ruler of Gemini and Virgo, and the Soul ruler of Aries.
The esoteric meaning of Mercury can be difficult to comprehend, as it relates to several different spiritual and metaphysical concepts. In its simplest form, Mercury is seen as a symbol of communication, mental agility, and personal transformation. It is associated with the Greek god Hermes, who was considered to be the messenger of the gods, and is often depicted as a winged figure carrying a staff or caduceus.
In astrology, Mercury is associated with communication, intelligence, and the ability to learn quickly and adapt. It represents the power to think, write, and speak clearly and effectively. People with a strong Mercury influence are often good at problem-solving, multitasking, and making decisions.
In esotericism, Mercury is seen as a symbol of transformation and the power to change. It is believed to be the planet of transformation and rebirth, representing the journey from ignorance to knowledge. It is associated with exploration and the search for new experiences and understanding.
Mercury is believed to be the planet of the magician, governing occult knowledge, divination, and communication with other realms. It is seen by some as the planet of magicians and shamans, and is associated with the power to manifest one’s desires. Mercury is commonly associated with The Magician card in the Tarot.
In Esoteric Astrology Mercury is thought to be responsible for the formation of the Rainbow Bridge between lower and Higher Mind, and our path to enlightenment.
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Ruth Hadikin
Her defining talent is bringing deep insight, clarity and simplicity to complex subjects - in particular Esoteric Astrology and the teachings of The Tibetan through the work of Alice Bailey.
Ruth has traveled extensively in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, USA, Australia, Kenya, Egypt, India, Nepal and Tibet. She has lived in England, Scotland, Spain and the USA.
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