Mercury, planet of communication, rules two signs in the zodiac, Gemini and Virgo.
This month on May 2nd, Mercury entered Gemini where it remains until July 8th.
The sign of Gemini rules all forms of communication; the written word, chatter and gossip, gathering information, sharing ideas, quick wit and debate.
The media world is Gemini’s playground but it’s writing where Gemini excels. Two of the world’s most famous singer-songwriters are Gemini born a year apart, Bob Dylan (b. May 24 1941) and Paul McCartney (b. June 18 1942) and there are twice as many Gemini authors as other signs. Here are a few notable examples:
Walt Whitman (b. May 31 1819), Thomas Hardy (b. June 2 1840), Arthur Conan Doyle (b. May 22 1859), Thomas Mann (b. June 6 1875), Dorothy Sayers (b. June 13 1893), Ian Fleming (b. May 28 1908), Harold Robbins (b. May 21 1916), Joyce Carol Oates (b. June 16 1938), Raymond Carver (b. May 25 1938), Margaret Drabble (b. June 5 1939), Salman Rushdie (b. June 19 1947) and Ken Follett (b. June 5 1949).
One of the most recognizable Gemini author’s is the school girl Anne Frank (b. June 12 1929) whose wartime diary is one of the most famous books in the world. Plus, if you like cooking, then no doubt you’re one of many people who has bought one of Gemini Delia Smith’s cookbooks (b. June 18 1941). She is the UK’s best selling cookery writer having sold more than 21 million copies.
Whilst Mercury, the writer’s planet, is in Gemini, here’s your chance to start writing, whether in a daily journal, blogging on a website or writing a letter to a loved one.
WHAT MAKES A WRITER?
If you believe there’s a writer in you, what are the main pointers to look out for in a natal chart? Most importantly, look at the placing of your Mercury by sign, house and aspect.
Sign:
Any Mercury sign can be a writer but depending on which sign it resides in, this alters what you’re drawn towards writing. Here’s a quick guide to the signs by element to get you thinking about what type of writing would suit your Mercury sign:
Fire signs – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius: adventure, children’s books, travel books
Earth signs – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn: practical information, serious or historical novels, non-fiction
Air signs – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius: mass-market, tabloids, journalism, popular literature, chick lit
Water signs – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces: romance, self-help books, poetry
Aspects:
Soft aspects (trines, sextiles) to Mercury flow easily and can be supportive for writing, although there is a risk that you’re going to be too laid back and lack discipline. Hard aspects (squares, oppositions) to Mercury are more of a challenge but they give you the grit and determination to succeed. Here are some helpful planets that can aid your writing ability when they’re in aspect to your natal Mercury:
Mercury/Moon – the Moon is one planetary body that rules the subconscious and Mercury adds a voice to the inner world of the imagination. Mercury/Moon aspects are brilliant for everyday observations. Plus, if you’re going to be a writer and it’s what you do on a daily basis, then the Moon is key as it rules the rhythm of everyday life.
Mercury/Venus – when these two planets are linked, there’s often an enhanced poetic ability and a love of the beauty of words.
Mercury/Jupiter – Jupiter expands what it touches, adds luck and good fortune and rules the world of publishing.
Mercury/Saturn – Writers write and you need to be dedicated and determined especially if you want to write a novel. It’s unlikely to happen overnight and Saturn helps keep you focused and on track.
Mercury/Neptune – When the planet of dreams and enchantment connects with Mercury, find your creative muse and the words flow.
Houses:
Check which houses are strong in your chart and have key planets either residing in them or linking to them. The following houses are helpful if you wish to pursue a career as a writer:
- 3rd house – communication
- 9th house – publishing
- 5th house – creativity
- 10th house – your career/vocation
Finally, there has been some research done by astrologer Michel Gaugelin which found that a 12th house Moon is a common signature in writer’s charts. This is the ability to hide away in your ivory tower and it makes sense that writing favours the introvert rather than the extrovert.
Gaugelin also discovered that an angular Jupiter (Jupiter in the 1st/4th/7th/10th houses) was a popular feature in the charts of journalists and playwrights.