Mercury is the messenger of the gods. He is the instinctive foe of the settled who see him as an outcast roaming on the outskirts of society: a pariah, a thief, and a swindler. As ruler of the sign of Gemini, the Twins, he symbolizes the brother-the alter-ego who teaches us as much as we teach him and is associated with adolescence, a period of intense intellectual discovery. Mercury thus symbolizes lively, sparkling wit, mobility in any form, mental exchange, and interaction. As a result, a person strongly ruled by Mercury is quite likely to be clever and skillful. If Mercury is “afflicted” in one’s chart, their intellectual velocity may sometimes become mere mental hyperactivity. In any case, these skills are a great resource in the social realm. You communicate easily and effectively, orally or in writing. Your ability to unite and transmit would be a good resource in diplomatic or commercial endeavors.

You display considerable receptivity and availability. You feel a need for unity, a need to be related. You are also deeply aware of the importance of dreaming, and, negatively, may be prone to delusions. At certain times, you are overwhelmed by a feeling of subtle confusion related to a need for “something else.” When your well-being is disturbed this way, you either yield to a sort of passive, apathetic dissatisfaction, or lose yourself in the search for an imaginary world, perhaps to escape or plunge into bliss.

As the heart of the solar system and the gravitational center of the travels of the earth and the other planets, the sun is the primordial light, the source of all warmth and life. It has been worshipped by humanity from the dawn of civilization. It has symbolized the absolute power kings and despots yearn for and emulate. Various subordinates—aka planets—revolve around it. In terms of psychological symbolism, the sun corresponds to the center of an individual, the factor that rules your psyche. Its luminous aspects are usually associated with knowledge and consciousness. As a creator of life, it is related to the image of the mother and the influence of motherhood on an individual’s consciousness and ideals. As a result, the sun’s position in a birth chart always indicates the way in which an individual will relate to your goals and ideals, what your ambitions and aspirations might involve. A person whose chart is strongly “solar” usually identifies very positively with motherhood. Your personality is friendly, energetic, and creative, with high ideals and a firm determination to accomplish them. You take your own superiority and authority over others for granted, and you have a natural ability to command the attention and admiration of an audience. You are a born leader who enjoys being in the limelight and may behave somewhat theatrically or with dramatic exaggeration. You have definite artistic leanings. The sense of your ideals is evident to you and may lead you to be somewhat self-focused. If ill-directed, your deep aspirations may lead to such faults as egotism, selfishness, or greediness for power.

The tenth house is an important area of the sky in your theme, as it contains several planets, including the one which rules your rising sign.

traditionally, this part of the sky chart was related to profession, ambition, power, honors and recognition, and eminence. metaphorically, it was also related to the father, the law, the spinal column, etc.

the north node, the gateway into the tenth house, corresponds to the vertical line connecting the zenith to the nadir. the north node can be opposed to its partner, the south node, the lowest point on the map of the sky. as the highest point, it symbolizes your elevation, your social position. you are sure to derive some power from your social eminence, such as money, prestige, or privilege, but you also have duties to fulfill. when this area is the site of significant activity, it does not mean that you will automatically have a high social eminence. it means that you will invest a great deal of energy in acquiring a form of social power. because the energy is somewhat vague, you will have to become aware of the various desires, needs, and ideals which are motivating and inspiring you. as a result, you will probably become conscious of how closely your social destiny is linked to your family’s reputation. indeed, all you can give society is what you have managed to make of yourself from the raw material you received from your background.

when the tenth house is especially significant, it means that the use of power deriving from social rank is problematic for you. your attitude toward both accomplishment and failure may be somewhat obtuse. as a result, you should always be asking yourself why you aspire to a certain career or profession, what your learning is worth, what meaning you want to give your relationship with society, what you are ready to give of yourself, and what you want from society in exchange.

Baylor Barbee observes that the eighth house is an area of the sky which is especially important in your theme.