Mercury

The planet of communication, intellect, reasoning, learning, and exchange. Mercury governs how you think, speak, write, process information, and make sense of the world. It rules both Gemini (communication and curiosity) and Virgo (analysis and discernment), is exalted in Virgo, in detriment in Sagittarius and Pisces, and in fall in Pisces. Mercury's orbital period is 88 days, and it retrogrades three to four times per year for about three weeks — periods famously associated with communication breakdowns, travel delays, and technology failures. Mercury retrograde is traditionally a time to review, revise, and reflect rather than initiate. In esoteric astrology, Mercury is the divine messenger bridging the rational and intuitive minds. Correspondences: mercury (quicksilver), Wednesday, the nervous system, the color orange, and The Magician card in the Major Arcana.