Mercury is the fastest moving planet, the quicksilver messenger service mediating between above and below. It rules mental processes, travel, communications, language, writing, adaptability, and the intellect. To the Romans, Mercury was the god of both merchants and thieves. The planet has a cool, ambivalent, unreliable quality akin to the trickster figure, who sets pitfalls for people in order to reveal their foolishness and keep them on the right path. There is a puckish, teasing tendency that exposes falsehood and conceit. As a planetary entity, Mercury is androgynous, containing all opposites within himself. He is therefore a free operator, independant of a polar opposite, although he does have n antagonistic relationship with Saturn.
*Symbols*
In alchemy, Mercury plays distracting tricks that force the alchemists to pay closer attention.
Mercury's relationship with Saturn is symbolized alchemically by a child (Mercury) killing a dragon (Saturn), initiating the Great Work by dispatching the forces that imprison the prime matter of the Soul.
Mercury is associated with Sahasrara, the Crown Chakra, which exists in potential only, being located above the head.
Sahasrara is only activated when the mage has fully awakened the Kundalini and achieved transcendental cosmic consciousness.
*Correspondances*
Principles: Mediation, Intelligence
Element: Air
Colors: Orange, Yellow
Day: Wednesday
Polarity: yin/yang
Zodiac Signs: Gemini, Virgo
Numbers: 8, 12
Tarot Cards: the Magician, the eights
Sephirah: Hod (Glory)
Chakra: Sahasrara (Crown of Head)
Metal: Quicksilver
Alchemical Processes: Circulation, Mediation
Deities: Hermes, Mercury, Thoth, Quetzalcoatl, Viracocha, Kulkulkan
Archangel: Raphael
Angel: Michael
Planetary Intelligence: Tiriel
Planetary Spirit: Taphthartharath
Creatures: Coyote, Monkey, Raven, Ibis, Fly
Stones: Opal, Topaz, Tourmaline, Carnelian, Peridot
Incense: Anise, Lavender, Gum Arabic, Storax
Trees: Hazel, Acacia, Myrtle, Mulberry
Healing Plants: Wormwood, Digitalis, Mandrake, Valerian, Skullcap, Parsley, Caraway
Body Parts: Ears, tongue, nervous system, hands, feet, lungs, spinal cord, thyroid
Body Functions: mental and nervous processes, hearing, speech, respiration, coordination
Malfunctions: Inpairment of nerves and motor functions, speech impediments, dyslexia
Virtues: Communication, mediation, sound judgment, diplomacy.
Vices: Trickery, coldness, stinginess, mental cruelty
Keyword: Mercurial
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