4 Mercury-The Messenger of Gods
Amongst all the planets Mercury is nearest to Sun. It revolves round the Sun in 88 days. Its diameter is nearly 3,200 miles. Mythologically Mercury was known as Thoth, Hermes and “The Messenger of Gods”. It was usually portrayed as a youth, flying with wings at his heels, bearing a cadaceus made of olive wood about which were twined serpents, the rod being surmounted with a pair of wings. This symbol represents the essential qualities of the planet, duality, speed and wisdom. According to Hindu mythology Mercury is said to be the son of Moon. Mercurial people generally have a youthful appearance.
The influence of the planet Mercury is neutral, dualistic, cold, moist, sexless and convertible. He gives favourable results when he is in good association and receives benefic aspects. Mercury can rarely be seen with naked eye as he is never more man 28 degrees from the Sun. When he is within 8 ½ degrees of the Sun, he is treated as combust or burnt up and loses great deal of its ability. His influence is best when leaving the Sun. Mercury rules that part of the intellect which is susceptible to cultivation through study, precept, observation and imitation. Mercury influences the nervous system, solar plexus, bowels, arms, mouth, tongue, sense of sight, perception, understanding, interpretation and expression. He deals with travelling, teaching, clerkship, speaking, writing, printing, publishing, literature, stationery, secretaries, book-keeping, correspondence, mailing etc. His day is Wednesday and his metal is liquid metal or quick silver. His colour is green and his gem is Emerald. If Mercury is well placed in the horoscope, the natives make good linguists, orators, writers, reporters, teachers, secretaries, accountants, etc., being fully capable of maintaining any position where adaptability, dexterity, perception, skill, quick wit, imagination and good memory are required. They usually conduct their work in an orderly, methodical, systematic and handy manner being adept at simplifying arrangements. Mercury shows the type of mentality one is endowed with, as he governs the reaction to one’s sense and impressions. Being an intellectual planet, the Mercurian is highly intelligent, ingenious and analytical. He will grasp the subjects very quickly. He gives the native retentive power and reproductive ability. A well placed and well aspected Mercury represents a subtle political brain and intellect, a logician with learning and discretion. A person influenced by Mercury will have curiosity to master occult sciences also. He will be versatile, good in mathematical calculations, engineering, accounts etc. If Mercury is afflicted, the native will be clever, cunning and mischievous, he will turn out to be a great gambler, the worst liar, a conceited showy person, he will pretend as though he knows everything while actually he is devoid of real learning. The affliction of Mercury will also cause excess nervous activity both of body and mind. There is also consequent effect on the health detrimental to the operation of bowels and other organs under the dominion of this planet. Mercury is the chief governor for education and uncle. Mercury owns Gemini and Virgo. He is exalted in Virgo, the highest exaltation point being 15 degrees of Virgo. He is debilitated in Pisces, the lowest debilitation point being 15 degrees of Pisces. The first 15 degrees of Virgo is the exaltation portion of Virgo, 16 to 20 degrees portion is his Mooltrikona and the rest is Swakshetra. The whole of Gemini is also his Swakshetra. Sun and Venus are friends of Mercury, Moon is his enemy and Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are neutral to him.
5 Jupiter-The Great Fortune
Jupiter the mighty planet is called a giant of the solar system. It has a diameter of 88,000 miles. Jupiter takes a little less than twelve years to go once round the Sun. Mythologically, Jupiter is the preceptor of Gods. Old Greeks considered Jupiter as the father of Gods-Zeus. Egyptians call Mm Ammon. Jupiter is said to possess and offer ‘Sathwaguna’. Our fortunes are governed by Jupiter who is the chief governor for money. Jupiter is termed as ‘Greater Fortune’ and is said to be hot moist, sanguine, temperate, social, expansive, masculine and moderate. He governs the blood, liver, veins, arteries and thighs. He rules higher education and signifies judges, councillors, bankers, brokers, theologians, philanthropists, also science, law, reason and comparison. He rules financial dealings, speculation, shipping business and foreign affairs. His day is Thursday, metal gold, colour yellow and gems yellow sapphire and Topaz. Typical Jupiterians are usually termed jovial owing to the fact that Jupiter gives such characteristics as socialiblity, hope, benevolence veneration, compassion, justice, honesty, spirituality, also well developed faculties of proportion, calculation and location. The Jupiterian is usually quick to hit the mark as his symbol is the Archer. In the business world, natives ruled by Jupiter become interested in large popular enterprises and deal much in matters related to lawyers, judges, bankers, brokers and physicians. Science and medicine, insurance and commercial travelling often engage their attention, also affairs of philanthropic, charitable and religious or benevolent import. Jupiter is called the ‘Greater Fortune’ because, unless he is ill placed in the horoscope, he bestows a considerable amount of what appears to be good luck upon natives who are suited for positions of dignity, trust or power in business and social circles. Having a logical, broad mind, considerable self possession, self confidence and determination, they usually inspire confidence and attain responsible positions. Jupiter is fiery, noble, benevolent, fruitful, jovial, optimistic, positive, and dignified planet. He is the greatest benefic. However, much other planets may be ill posited and threaten difficulties to a person, if Jupiter is strong and well placed in a chart, he will enjoy the providential help at least at the last moment to tide over the difficulties and get rid of evil. Jupiter also indicates how far one will respect the elders, preceptors and religious scriptures. Jupiter makes one law abiding, true, honest, sincere and dutiful. If Jupiter is afflicted in the horoscope, the native will be an extremist and unconventional. He will be extravagant and lavish. The other evil effects would be over optimism, false hopes, carelessness, debts, disputes, failure in speculation, gambling, worry through children, false prestige, loss of reputation, mis-judgment and miscalculation, etc. Jupiterians are well built and may have a huge belly. They will have good growth in youth, have muscular body and become so stout as to command respect from others. Jupiter is also considered as significator for children (Santan Karaka). Jupiter owns Sagittarius and Pisces. He is exalted in Cancer, the highest exaltation point being 5 degrees of Cancer. He is debilitated in Capricorn, the lowest debilitation being 5 degrees of Capricorn. First 5 degrees portion of Sagittarius is his Mūltrikona and the rest is hi’-‘ Swakshetra-The whole of Pisces is also his Swakshetra. The Sun, the Moon and Mars are friends of Jupiter. Mercury and Venus are his enemies Saturn is neutral to him.
