MERCURY ARCHETYPE - Part 1
Mythology and Basic Astrology
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MERCURY ARCHETYPE – Part 1 – MYTHOLOGY and ASTROLOGY   Â
Mercury is a complex character in mythology and archetype in astrology.
This article will touch upon two areas of Mercury:
-> The character he is in mythology
->The overall archetype of Mercury as the ruler of two astrological archetypes:
Gemini / 3rd house
and
Virgo / 6th house.
MYTHOLOGY - MERCURY
In mythology, Mercury is embodied in the character of Hermes in Greek mythology, and the Roman god Mercury, himself. Mercury/Hermes is a multifaceted figure, representing various aspects and traits that come together to form his archetype.
Mercury is often depicted as the messenger of the gods, responsible for communication, travel, and commerce. He possesses incredible speed and agility, serving as the link between the divine and mortal realms. As the messenger, he carries messages and commands between the gods and humans, acting as an intermediary and facilitating communication.
Mercury is also associated with intellect, wit, and cunning. He is depicted as a clever and quick-thinking figure, often depicted with wings like an angel, or wearing a winged hat and sandals, symbolizing his swift and agile nature. This embodiment of mental agility and adaptability represents the archetype of the trickster, someone who challenges conventions, plays pranks, and breaks boundaries to bring about change or to reveal hidden truths.
Furthermore, Mercury is associated with commerce, trade, and financial gain. He is the patron deity of merchants and travelers, overseeing exchanges and negotiations. This aspect of Mercury embodies the archetype of the entrepreneur, representing the ability to navigate and prosper in the world of business and economic endeavors.
Mercury's archetype is also closely tied to the realm of transformation and transition. He is the guide of souls to the underworld, helping them navigate the journey from life to death. This aspect symbolizes his role in guiding individuals through life's transitions and transformations, serving as a psychopomp (mediator between the unconscious and conscious realms), leading them to new beginnings or realms of understanding.
Overall, the archetype of Mercury is characterized by his role as a messenger, his intellectual prowess, his association with commerce, and his ability to guide and facilitate transitions. Through mythology, Mercury embodies the essence of communication, agility, adaptability, and transformation, making him a complex and influential archetypal figure.
EVOLUTIONARY ASTROLOGY – MERCURY ARCHETYPE
In evolutionary astrology (EA for short), the archetype of Mercury represents the principle of communication, intellect, perception, organization and learning. It governs the realm of thought, mental processes, identifying things, arranging it all in the mind, using language, and the exchange of ideas.
The EA archetype of Mercury rules over two astrological archetypes:
-> Gemini/3rd house/Mercury
and
-> Virgo/6th house/ Mercury
They are all interconnected via Mercury’s overarching rulership, yet reveal specific themes and evolutionary potentials, each in their own category.
First, let’s briefly look at overarching Mercury in the EA paradigm. Then, let's explore each of the two archetypes under Mercury’s rulership -- Gemini/3rd house and Virgo/6th house. We’ll examine each individually and see how they relate with one another.
Mercury’s overarching representation is about the intellect, communication, learning, and the ability to process information. It symbolizes the conscious mind and how we perceive and interpret the world around us. Mercury also represents curiosity, adaptability, and the capacity to gather, discern and disseminate knowledge. It is associated with the duality of the mind, and represents the logical, analytical, left side of the brain. Mercury likes to keep very busy, gather information, organize, and share.
Mercury archetype as Gemini --
Gemini is one of two zodiac signs ruled by Mercury.
Gemini is a mutable, yang, air sign associated with versatility, curiosity, adaptability, and communication. Gemini seeks to gather information from various sources and enjoys sharing knowledge and ideas with others. The Gemini archetype is personal, subjective, and represents the mental structure which Soul intended for a person. Gemini encourages the development of intellectual and communicative skills.
Mercury archetype as 3rd house --
The 3rd house is ruled by Mercury and affiliated with Gemini. It represents communication, learning, early education, siblings, local travel, and our immediate environment. This house highlights the way we interact and exchange information with the people and environments around us. It encourages us to expand our knowledge and develop effective communication skills within our immediate social circles.
In EA, Mercury/Gemini/3rd house are all the same archetype rolled into one.
The planet, sign and house represent various areas of life, which I will get into more so in part 2 of this blog series on Mercury.
Next, we have the second archetype, which Mercury rules – Virgo/6th house.
Mercury archetype as Virgo--
Virgo is an earth sign, mutable and yin in nature, ruled by Mercury. Virgo represents analytical thinking, attention to detail, practicality, organization, and service-oriented attitudes. Virgo seeks perfection and efficiency, constantly seeking improvement and refinement. This archetype encourages the development of discernment, critical thinking, and practical skills. Virgo's quest for self-improvement and attention to detail aligns with the evolutionary journey of self-awareness and personal growth. Â
Mercury archetype as 6th house --
The 6th house is ruled by Mercury and affiliated with Virgo. It relates to daily routines, work, service, health, and personal growth. This house emphasizes the need for organization, routine, and efficiency in our daily lives. It highlights the importance of developing skills, refining work habits, and maintaining a healthy body and mind. The sixth house encourages us to find fulfilment through service to others and through aligning our work with our higher purpose.
In EA, Mercury/Virgo/6th house are all the same archetype rolled into one.
We can explore the planet, house and sign expression of the archetype later in part 2.
When we examine these categories of the Mercury archetype collectively – Gemini/3rd house, Virgo/6th house, and Mercury itself -- we see a common thread of interpretation, learning, communication, and refinement. The evolutionary journey involves developing intellectual abilities, gathering knowledge, and sharing it with others (Mercury as the busy bee collecting data and being a messenger in service to others).
In summary, EA holds Mercury as the ruler of two archetypes:
→Gemini / 3rd house / Mercury = astrology’s constellation of the Twins
→Virgo / 6th house / Mercury = astrology’s constellation of the Goddess
These two astrological archetypes nestled under the ruler of Mercury intertwine to guide us on a journey of learning, effective communication, and personal growth. By embracing the qualities represented by these archetypes, we can cultivate our intellect, refine our skills, and contribute to the world in meaningful ways.
All of us have the opportunity explore and develop our inner and outer Mercury attributes.
If you’d like to know more about the many facets of Mercury in your personal astrology, I can help you.
I invite you to contact me for an evolutionary astrology reading.
* I am at your service.*
*How may I help you?*
               😊
Stephanie Miller-Smith — Stellar Terra  -- Astrology for Growth & Transformation
email: support@stellar-terra.com
website: www.stellar-terra.com
Thank you for reading.
Stay tuned for part 2 in this Mercury series.
I hope you found value from this article and enjoyed it.
Namaste.