Mercury in Aries. Fire-mind is fast and innovative. It is an independent thinker, talks quickly and likes to think up new ideas and put them into action. Lower Aries mind is hot-headed and aggressive, it attacks without discrimination. Judgment is poor because the lower emotional impulses are stronger than mental control. When the mind is illumined, it can see the broad picture unencumbered by personal agendas and is an assertive and intelligent instrument. It gives the power to communicate messages dynamically, so that those who hear will obey and follow.

Mercury in Taurus. Earth-mind works methodically. It places importance on traditional knowledge and learns in a slow, step by step manner. But once learnt, nothing is forgotten. Lower mind is fixed and stubborn. It sticks to old ideas and dislikes learning anything new. It is wielded like a blunt club to fight and bash the opposition. The result is mental conflict and a tendency to agonise. When the mind is illumined, vision is clear and unencumbered by desire so that the light of understanding shines through. This gives the power to persevere in the search for truth until the right answer is found. This mind is an instrument of light and wisdom that conveys soul messages in a powerful, creative way.

Mercury in Gemini. Air-mind works lightly, quickly, flexibly and intelligently. It loves conversing and networking, is a fast talker and thinker, and likes collecting knowledge and data. Lower mind is restless and superficial. It likes to touch the new, the interesting and play with life, bringing it into conflict with other minds because of its duplicity. When the mind is aligned with soul-wisdom, the intuition unfolds so that it is able to receive divine ideas. This mind is wise, loving and understanding and can convey higher truths and inspirational messages. Many great spiritual teachers and orators are born with this combination.

Mercury in Cancer. Water-mind learns by osmosis - it drinks in information. It places importance on communication within the family and has a need to communicate emotional issues. Lower mind is easily disturbed. It is vague and has difficulty building clear thoughtforms. This brings it into conflict with others because the truth of any matter, or reality, can become obscured by emotionalism. When the intelligence is developed and the mind is illumined through spiritual disciplines, it is transformed into a lighted “house”, an instrument that is both intelligent and intuitive - a very effective instrument through which to help the needy in the world.

Mercury in Leo. Fire-mind is bright and engaging. Grand and broad-minded, creative and intelligent this mind is powerful when it communicates. Lower Leo mind is arrogant, controlling, over-dramatic and attention seeking. It continually tells itself and others that it has a divine right to rule. Roaring this out to the world brings it into conflict with other powerful egos. Illumination occurs when this mind is freed from the self-aggrandising ego. With intuitive light pouring through, it is a superb mental instrument to help guide and lead people. Communicating messages upon the ray of power, those who hear will obey and follow - it is the regal and dignified mind.

Mercury in Virgo. The earth-Virgo mind works precisely and exactly. This is the discriminating mind, but it can also be too critical and obsessed with a need for detail. Lower Virgo mind is focused on material acquisition and operates within a very narrow perspective. It is judgmental, querulous and makes a fuss over unimportant details. This brings it into conflict with other minds that retaliate, finding its imperfections in turn. As the mind is illumined, its boundaries broaden so that there is greater vision and wisdom. Virgo is intelligence, and the hidden Christ that is associated with this sign is the intuition or pure reason. This the higher Virgo mind demonstrates.

Mercury in Libra. The air-Libra mind is intelligent. Always secking balance, it wants to be fair and just. A charming communicator, it is delightful to listen to. However, lower mind is unstable, over-busy, restless and swings to extremes. Lacking depth, it procrastinates, frets, dwells upon that which is frivolous, sensuous and superficial. This brings it into conflict with other duplicitous minds. As it becomes illumined and the intuition unfolds, its abstract reasoning powers are heightened. Mind then is a diplomatic, discerning, judicious and peacemaking instrument; a superb instrument for legal, counselling and diplomatic work.

Mercury in Scorpio. The water-Scorpio mind works secretively and focuses intensely. With a need to grasp hold of the truth, it delves to the core of things. It has a long memory, holds onto grudges and can sting when it speaks. Lower mind sees people and life as a battleground. It is ultra-defensive, reactive and lethal on attack with cruel thoughts and words. As the mind is illumined and the intuition unfolds, it is able to observe life from above the emotions, giving the power to see reality and the truth as it is. This is a warrior-mind that will fight injustices in the world powerfully with pen and word.

Mercury in Sagittarius. The fire-Sagittarius mind is visionary. It wants to learn, understand and grow. A born philosopher, it places importance on freedom of speech and is quick to give its opinion. Lower mind is careless with facts. It pontificates loudly, to all who listen. It harms, wounding others through too-blunt speech. This brings it into conflict with other minds that in turn, will judge. As the mind is illumined and the intuition unfolds, it becomes wise, creative and visionary; a mind that is philosophical and reasoning. With this mind we have the power to draw many to the Spiritual Path through what we say, preach and write.

Mercury in Capricorn. The Capricorn earth-mind is practical, cautious and systematic. It is very efficient in analysing problems and can quickly finding practical, workable solutions. With the wisdom of experience, it is a careful thinker and communicator and places importance on credibility and veracity. Lower mind hungers after material power. It is coercive, calculates, plots, deceives and connives to satisfy its material ambitions. This mind is illumined through altruism and the study of higher teachings and practice of spiritual disciplines. When it is illumined by the soul, it carries the power of truth in its words that can influence many.

Mercury in Aquarius. Exalted in Aquarius, this mind works intelligently and brims with original and unique thoughts. It is inventive and rebels against the old and traditional. Communicating with friends and groups is something it loves to do. But lower mind likes to demonstrate its superiority. Detached from the emotions, judgmental and dogmatic, it is not sensitive to people's feelings. It says what it thinks. This brings it into conflict with other minds that are just as judgmental in their assessments. As soul radiance proceeds and mind aligns with heart, it gives the ability to think with the heart and love with the mind. The combination of intelligence, wisdom and an awakened intuition produces one of the finest minds possible.

Mercury in Pisces. The water Pisces-mind is poetic, imaginative and intuitive - it can tune into other people's thoughts. But lower mind is vague, deluded and confused. Emotionalism affects the thought processes so there is difficulty building clear thoughtforms and distinguishing reality from fantasy. When this mind has been illumined with soul-light, it thinks and sees clearly, it dwells in the truth and in reality. This type of mind is able to communicate Christ love, wisdom and healing power to alleviate suffering.