Mercury (Buddha)
Astronomically, Mercury is very close to the Sun and as a result – there is no atmosphere around it. Further, one half of Mercury is very hot and the temperature would be around 360 degrees centigrade; the other half is very cold, much cooler than our arctic region during a severe winter.
The time of rotation and revolution is the same therefore, only one part of Mercury will face the Sun and the other part will always remain dark with temperatures below freezing point.
Mercury was born out of association of Moon and Tara, the wife of Brihaspati, the Deva guru. The story is that Moon abducted Tara and took refuge in the Ashram of Shukra. The guru of Asuras. After all the gods appealed for better judgement to Moon, he understood his mistake. A remorseful moon returned Tara to Brihaspati.
Tara was carrying Moon’s child. The child was duly delivered. The child was very beautiful. Tara had disclosed the paternity to Brihaspati who in a Brahmanical forgiving gesture accepted the inevitable.
In western astrology Mercury is considered to be the son of Jupiter and Maia, the daughter of Atlas. He/ She is said to be a friend of Apollo, maybe since it is closest to the Sun.
Some important significations of Mercury as per Uttara Kalamrita are given below.
a) Education
b) Treasury
c) Mathematics
d) Knowledge
e) Speech
f) Infantry
g) Writing
h) Green colour
I) Astrology and Astronomy
j) Commerce
k) Eunuch
l) Skin
m) Worship of Vishnu
n) Atharva Vedas
o) Fond of north-west direction
p) Well-versed in Puranas or major epic
q) Grammar
r) Maternal uncle
s) Yantras
t) Very powerful tantrik
u) Self-control
v) Devotion
w) Navel
x) Child
y) Humility
z) Strong at Sunrise.
It is generally seen if Mercury is strong a good result pertaining to the significations mentioned above will be noticed and vice versa if Mercury is weak.
The effect of Mercury’s placement in twelve houses will vary as per the lordship and planetary placement in each horoscope. However, general indications of Mercury in different houses are given below.
When Mercury is placed in the lagna the native is intelligent, skilled in music and arts, has good numerical ability, can be a good astrologer, is away from vices, and is even respected by kings or people placed in power.
The native will be learned, hard-working, and earn name, fame and money. The native has excellent oratory or writing skills. The native can become a successful trader.
When Mercury is placed in the second house the native has lots of money or wealth, it induces the native to always get involved in good or charitable work.
The native is always happy. The native also gets respect from people in power as well as from his boss. The second house placement of Mercury gives the native good oratory or debating skills.
The native will also have many sources of income.
When Mercury is placed in the third house the native will be business minded and enterprising by nature. He/ She will do well both in a job and in business.
He/ She will be respected by his kith and kin and will also be a doer of good deeds.
He/ She will perform his dharma earnestly. He/ She will have faith in Guru as well as God. He/ She will do his puja earnestly as well as faith. The natives will be endowed with financial abundance.
When Mercury is placed in the fourth house the native will be endowed with many servants or subordinates who will work for him. He/ She will be famous and will be very successful.
The native will always be balanced while speaking. He/ She will be fortunate. He/ She will also be known for his truthfulness.
He/ She will do well with respect to their career as Mercury aspects the tenth house.
The native will also be endowed with a good house and other material comforts.
When Mercury is placed in the fifth house the native will be blessed with children and grandchildren, he/she will be a pleasing personality and looks, he/she will be intelligent, and he will remain happy.
The native shall be rich and will have many modes of income. The native can have gains from investment or from speculation.
The native will do well in studies and can do well in accountancy or the financial management line.
When Mercury is placed in the sixth house the native may gain from maternal relatives. The native may get opportunities to travel.
However, in this house, Mercury can cause issues with siblings, it can make a person jealous and also cruel at times. However, the native will be efficient at work and can also be learned.
The sixth house placement of Mercury can give health-related concerns as well.
When Mercury is placed in the seventh house the native may have good looks. The native may be overly intelligent. He/ She will have a nice character. He/ She will be a learned person.
He/ She will be passionate and would make a good lover. He will be loved and appreciated by women folks.
This placement of Mercury is also good with respect to career. The native may be able to do well in a job or career. The native may also be a gifted communicator.
When Mercury is placed in the eighth house the native may do well financially. The native may have many sources of income.
However, the native may be ungrateful, will have an evil nature and will be overly lustful and may have affairs with many women.
The native may also speak lies and may also have health-related issues. However, this placement of the planet can give sudden or speculative gains.
When Mercury is placed in the ninth house the native will be a blessed soul, he will spend his money for good purposes like providing water or food to the needy.
He/ She may also indulge in many other charitable works. He/ She will be truthful.
He/ She will be able to master his senses.
He/ She will be loved by his father and mother.
The natives will be rich and will have many income sources.
The native will have a strong inclination towards God and will pray earnestly.
When Mercury is placed in the tenth house the native will be rich and prosperous. The native will be lucky, the native will always remain victorious, will have good looks and may have a charming personality.
In the tenth house placement of Mercury is good for professional as well as financial betterment. The native will do well with self-effort and may have many sources of income.
When Mercury is placed in the eleventh house the native will have gains from many sources. He/ She will be without any bodily ailment. He/ She will always be happy.
He/ She will love and be loved by all. He/ She will become a celebrity or a famous person.
This placement of Mercury is good for a career as well as financial growth. The native may also be able to earn well from investments. The native may gain from maternal relatives.
When Mercury is placed in the twelfth house the native travels far and wide. The native may also gain from foreign land. The native will be blessed with many siblings.
However, the native may have high expenses. This placement can also cause health-related concerns. He/ She may indulge in wrong deeds and will remain in control of others. He/ She will always take the side of the enemies of the household.
What does Mercury represent in a chart? 
