The Prince among Planets
Mercury is a planet with rich mythology and symbolism in various cultures. In various Hindu stories, Mercury (Budha) is believed to be an illegitimate son of Moon and Tara and is considered a prince among the planets. He is said to have four hands and hold a sword, shield, mace, and var mudra. He is also depicted as wearing a gold crown and yellow clothes and riding a lion.
According to Matsya Purana, Lord Brahma made him a planet due to his intelligence. In the Mahabharata, Mercury is said to be married Manu’s daughter Ila and had a son named Pururva.
In astrology, Mercury is the ruling planet of the zodiac signs Gemini and Virgo and is said to be exalted in Virgo. This means that it is considered to be particularly powerful and effective when it is in this sign. In classical Roman mythology, Mercury is the messenger of the gods, known for his speed and swiftness. This association is reflected in the fact that the planet Mercury orbits the Sun in the fastest orbit of any planet, taking only 88 days to complete one orbit. It spends about 7.33 days in each sign of the zodiac. Because of its proximity to the Sun, Mercury is difficult to observe with the naked eye and can only be seen for a brief period after the Sun has set before it follows the Sun below the horizon.
Mercury is associated with a number of principles and characteristics. It represents communication, mentality, thinking patterns, rationality and reasoning, adaptability, and variability. In terms of life areas, it governs schooling and education, the immediate environment and relationships with neighbors, siblings, and cousins, transportation over short distances, forms of communication such as post, email, and telephone, journalism, writing, information gathering skills, and physical dexterity.
In medical Astrology, Mercury is believed to be related to the nervous system, the brain, and the respiratory system. It is also said to have an influence on digestion, skin, and tongue.