Mercury

Mercury - Budha

In this blog, we will be delving into the properties of Mercury.

• English Name: Mercury
• Sanksrit Name: Budha
• Represents: Intelligence, speech, and learning
• Nature: Benefic/Malefic
• Colour: Dark olive
• Stone: Emerald
• Rulership: Gemini and Virgo
• Exaltation: Virgo
• Debilitation: Pisces
• Dasha: 17 years
• Ruling deity: Vishnu avataras

Mercury represents intelligence, speech, and learning. The ability of a person to think, speak and learn is governed by this planet. The position of Mercury in the sky and the planets' placement in the native's horoscope governs these aspects of the native's life.

Mercury can be both a benefic as well as a malefic. He is normally benefic. However, if he is associated with a malefic, he will be a malefic. The word associated means that the rashi in which Mercury is located also has some other malefic. Sun, Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu are considered to be malefics. When Mercury is a benefic and strong, he will be beneficial. A weak malefic tends to be negative and can be troublesome.

The colour for Mercury is dark olive and the stone used to strengthen Mercury is emerald. Emerald is normally set in gold ornaments and worn by people. However, it must be noted that stones of the correct carat must be used, alongwith the correct metal and type of ornament, otherwise the effects can be negative. Consult a knowledgeable astrologer who can study the native’s horoscope and based on the relative placement of planets and several other factors, and take an informed decision on the subject.

Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo. If Mercury himself is placed in one of them, he tends to be strong. If any other planet is placed in Mercury's house, the relative strength of the planets must be gauged in conjunction with the relative strength of Merrcury.

Mercury is exalted in Virgo and debilitated in Pisces. The degree where Mercury is placed needs to be examined to check whether he is deeply exalted or deeply debilitated. Accordingly the degree of the effect can be predicted.

The dasha period for Mercury is 17 years. This implies that the effect of Mercury on the native during this period will be maximum. The native’s prospects during this period can be predicted with a fair degree of accuracy based on the properties of Mercury.

The ruling deity for Mercury is various Vishnu avataras. This information will be particularly useful when giving remedies.

Keep in mind the properties of Mercury as well as other planets before making any sort of prediction.