Mercury symbolises mentality: your intellect and mental outlook, the way you think and communicate. Mercury, as Hermes, is the emblem for the magus, the wise counsellor, divine messenger -- and prince of thieves!

This fast-moving planet stands for ideas, methods and information, especially as expressed through communication and media. Through its rulership of your hands, Mercury indicates your manual dexterity and mechanical skills.

In modern times, we tend to "meet" people's Mercury first. Many people make a connection for the first time through e-mails, for example. Mercury rules whether we are flowery in our speech or written words, concise in our choice of words, or business-like even in our personal communications.

On a personal level, look to Mercury in the chart to reveal how individuals get their point across, how they study, and how they process information. Mercury by sign shows individuals' style of communication. By house, Mercury reveals where natives seek to have a voice as well as which areas of life they tend to intellectualize and give a lot of thought to. Mercury colors the planets it aspects with a desire for communication and exchange of information. Similarly, the planets Mercury aspects affect the way an individual communicates.

Mercury also governs transportation: how you get where you're going, both physically and mentally. Are you a hare, or a tortoise? Mercury's position in your chart will tell all.