According to Greek myth, Mercury (or Hermes, whose name derives etymologically from the piles of rocks which marked trails and guided travelers) was the messenger of the gods. He carried orders from Olympus to the mortals on Earth. The child of the illegitimate union of Zeus with Maia, Mercury was born “unknown to the immortal gods” and had to win his place among them by trickery, cleverness, and cunning. This is why he became the vagabond deity of travelers and wanderers. 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.

This planet symbolizes the principle of independence and self-sufficiency, as well as a principle of transformation. It is distant from others, seeking to stand out from the herd. Although this need for freedom and change may symbolize an appeal for evolution beyond the bounds of physical limitations, it may also correspond to an escape from emotional demands which feel suffocating.

Your intense fear of being swallowed up psychologically causes you to react to certain emotional demands by making yourself remote or running away. You need a lot of space and frequent change. In a relationship, you are seeking a certain degree of intellectual excitement. Without it, you feel as though an unbearable, suffocating boredom sets in.

Finding an intelligent alternative to the routine set by the rigid forms of the past is extremely different from rebelling against any form of authority, in the settings of family, school, business, or society. One of the major problems you have to solve is how to wield your freedom, in your emotional relationships, as well as your relationships with society.

As the moon orbits the earth, it is constantly in the shadow of the earth, meaning that it is dark. This makes it seem like it is the mother figure to the earth, which is why it is associated with the mother. The moon is a symbol of the mother because it is always in the shadow of the earth and it changes its appearance. It is also sensitive and it influences people. People who are sensitive often have a lot of imagination and they remember things. They are also sentimental.

The Tenth House is important in your theme, because 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.

Fernanda Vives has written a detailed article on the ninth house in your theme. The article discusses the general meaning of this area of the sky and provides advice on how you can use it in your work.