“The Ascendant and the Lights Describes Who We Are as Mercury Defines Us”

The one thing I have learnt in the study and application of the art and science of astrology is that no matter how one has attained their information and knowledge, whether by self study, real classroom discussions, or by the internet, one needs to work with what one has learnt to recognize how much of the information we have absorbed and comprehended.  Memorizing formulas and aphorisms may give us the basis and foundation of the subject matter, but understanding the groundwork of where it came from, to the point where it is today, allows us to go forward and discover new realms of understanding and exploration we never saw before.  My first teacher and my first home study course, both agreed that the first thing one does in delineating a chart is to look at the ascendant to describe the individual, and to see how the first house colors and expresses the energies of the Sun and the Moon.  The Sun allows us to see the essence, and the Moon the emotional and caring qualities, and the ascendant allows us to see what the person cares for, or wants us to know. 

Most of the time this definitely works, and at other times it seems a little off with the individual in question, not having the confidence or conviction of the liabilities or assets described by the chart.  This puzzled and perplexed me as I always was taught to integrate the aspects and signs before coming to a conclusion, but by making this first observation, it should give us a clue to build on and to develop the whole picture.  In some charts the person did not seem to fulfill the promise it indicated, and why not?  I could not understand why some of the traits where well developed as shown in the charts and not as well developed with others, although one could see the assets and liabilities subtlety being expressed through the individual, even if the person could not see it.  What caused this I wondered?  The more I analyzed the chart, the more perplexed I became, and until I began to look at Mercury and the conditions it is in.  Going back and applying the essential dignities and reapplying the old traditional methods I began to see a pattern emerge which really surprised me.

The condition Mercury is in, seem to determine how well we understand and adapt ourselves to situations that constantly challenge us into new directions and growth.  I had to remind myself that Mercury is a neutral planet that assimilates the qualities of the planets surrounding it, representing the rational mind, thinking, communications, verbalization, education, besides travel and transportation.  In some signs and zodiacal houses, it rules and has its exaltation and joy in.  According to bounds, it has certain degrees in each sign that it would be safe in and is allow to be it self, even if the sign is not conducive for the planet to operate at its full potential.  Mercury is essential to communication and if it is in a sign which is not conducive to conversing to others, is it not possible that we are not able to communicate our self worth, abilities and liabilities to our own being for further understanding of who we really are?  This made sense to me, and when I began to apply it to myself and friends, it was mind blowing.  This explains why people with similar aspects, but in different degrees of the sign expressed their characters and personalities differently and were more or less successful in their own eyes, not necessarily fulfilling their potential in life.

This does not mean that Mercury indicates success in life, but it does indicate how well we absorb information and how well we disseminate this information to help our growth and success in whatever endeavors we choose.  Our ability to communicate to others translates to how well we communicate and understand ourselves to be able to work around our liabilities and to use our assets to our advantage for happiness in this life.  It is not important, the state Mercury is in our chart, what is important is to understand how to use our Mercury in whatever state it is in, to achieve our highest potential.  Knowing what Mercury lacks is being forewarned, and as I have always been adamant about, that being forewarn is being forearm for any situation, one encounters.  Success is to understand who you really are, and working with who you are to your best ability, brings joy and contentment.  To reiterate, the lights in your chart and your ascendant describes you, but the state Mercury is in defines who you are and allows one to use its energy to achieve happiness, and joy.