Budha (Mercury)

Mercury is a dual-natured planet and it governs two Zodiac signs, namely Virgo and Gemini. Body parts that are influenced by Mercury are the arms, ears, lungs, nervous system, skin and so on. Mercury stands for logic. People with a strong Mercury in their horoscope possess excellent reasoning and analyzing abilities in their natal chart.

Mercury is the planet of communication and it symbolizes areas related to commerce, trade, accounts, banking, mobile, networking, computers and so on. A strong Mercury signifies success in the above-mentioned areas. Mercury also controls the works related to telephone, telegraphs, e-mails, couriers and other types of posts. Thus, well-placed strong Mercury is seen in the horoscope of writers, astrologers, news reporters, media persons, mathematicians, chartered accountants, lawyers, dealers, brokers, businesspersons, etc. Several successful artists, sculptors and salespersons possess good Mercury in their birth chart.

Mercury is a direct signifier of wisdom coming from the rational thinking of the mind, communication skills, command over speech, wittiness, diplomacy, analytical ability and good intellect among other things. So people blessed and influenced by Mercury are intellectually very sharp and are usually very good and effective with their verbal skills and speech power. They know exactly what to say in a particular situation and in front of a particular person or authority in order to gain favors or get their job done. Such people are very hard to win over with arguments and debates as they are most of the times many steps ahead of the other people and before a person even puts a question to them, they may have already sensed that question coming and so they are ready with the answer as soon as the question is asked, which often leaves the people arguing with them speechless very soon. In short, it is very difficult to win an argument or debate against a person who has been blessed by a strong Mercury. They are so sharp and intellectual that they can easily make the truth look like a lie and a lie look like the truth and so they can be rightly called the Devil’s Advocates if they choose to act naughty.

Basic Astrological facts about Mercury
Gender of Mercury: Neuter gender
Mercury is the karaka or significator of: The Speech
Mercury as relationship signifies: Maternal Uncles
Planetary cabinet status of Mercury: Crown Prince
Temperament of Mercury: Volatile and Versatile
Element governed by Mercury: Earth
Primary quality or guna of Mercury: Rajo Guna or Imperious and Passionate
Caste of the Mercury: Vaishya or Trader
Nature of Mercury: Benefic when associated with benefic planets otherwise malefic
Directional strength of Mercury: In the First House
Directional weakness of Mercury: In the Seventh House

Mercury rules the zodiacal Sign: Gemini and Virgo
Mercury rules the zodiacal House: Third and Sixth houses
Sign of exaltation of Mercury: Virgo
Sign of debilitation of Mercury: Pisces
Determent or weak sign of Mercury: Sagittarius
Mercury’s friends are: Sun and Venus
Mercury’s enemies are: Moon and Mars
Mercury is neutral with: Jupiter and Saturn
Mercury’s Vimshottari Dasha period: Seventeen Years
Nakshatras or Lunar mansions governed by Mercury are: Ashlesha Nakshatra, Jyestha Nakshatra and Revati Nakshatra

Body part governed by Mercury: The Hips
Day of the week governed by Mercury: Wednesday
Direction ruled by Mercury: North
Season governed by Mercury: Sharad or Autumn season
Metals governed by Mercury: Quicksilver or Parad
Gemstone governed by Mercury: Emerald
Substitute gemstones governed by Mercury: Peridot and Green Tourmaline
Colors ruled by Mercury: All shades of Green
Food and flavors governed by Mercury: Things of mixed or varied tastes
Geometrical shape governed by Mercury: A Triangle
Numbers as per Numerology governed by Mercury: 5, 14, 23, 32 and all those that adds up to five, are governed by it

Positive key words for Mercury: Brilliance, Alertness, Articulateness, Versatility & Dexterity. 
Negative key words for Mercury: Skepticism, Nosiness, Indecision, Criticalness & Restlessness.

Body parts, function and diseases governed by Mercury
Mercury rules the nervous system, and as such its placement in a natal chart indicates all mental and nerve related problems nervousness, tension and the inability to relax. The messenger of the gods, it is also the messenger of the nervous system, relaying split second commands throughout the body. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, all the diseases governed by these two signs are automatically governed by Mercury. It rules all the tubing in the body, the channels through which blood, hormones, enzymes and oxygen move. Mercury partially rule the hormones dispensed by the glands in the body. Mercury is involved with the splitting up action and the pancreatic breakdown of sugar into glucose the amount of hydrochloric acid (HCI) in the stomach. This malfunction causes all digestion related problems such as colitis, flatulence, heartburn, diarrhea etc. Mercury is also closely associated with the thyroid, along with its co ruler Taurus. Mercury also rules the Thiamine or vitamin B-1.

Professions governed by Mercury
Mercury is a planet of communication, reasoning, knowledge, travelling, education and all business espcially trading related, it thus governs all profession related to these. Any profession or employment that requirs or is related to memory, intellect, writing, communication, travelling and trade and commerce is giverned by Mercury. It governs profession and career related to any kind of publicity, advertising, propaganda services, telegraph, telephone, astrologers, clerks, accountants, auditors, translators, mathematician, brokers, teachers, lecturers, authors, journalists, editors, writers, interpreters, secretaries, messengers, post office personnels, salesmen, publishers, printers, drivers of bus, cabs and trains etc.