posted August 12, 2016 03:04 PM            

I’ve heard of this debacle quite a bit, and having an Aquarius Mercury myself, couldn’t help but delve into this debacle as I tried to figure out the answers behind the claim above: Mercury is exalted in Aquarius. Everyone who has some sort of astrological knowledge should know that Mercury is exalted in Virgo, but some people claim that Mercury is also exalted in Aquarius, which I find strange in all honesty.

Of course, having an Aquarius Mercury myself and knowing how ego-bound Aquarians can be like their lion-like counterparts, one would assume that I jump at it and be like, “Yeah, that’s right, Mercury is exalted in Aquarius! I’m smarter than all you dumb b….” Of course, I wasn’t like that, and I have my reasons for not being that way.

The answer is that Mercury ISN’T exalted in Aquarius. Yes, Mercury performs outstandingly well in the eccentric, original sign of Aquarius (not to toot my own horn, actually yes to toot my own horn), but it is not exalted in this sign. One simple reason why is this: Mercury is not a revolutionary planet. It is a basic planet, not because it is somehow underhanded in terms of Uranus, but because it isn’t a planet that is meant to deal with super-complex, worldly issues that Aquarius can solve. We can see how this plays out by referring to the sign that it rules: Gemini. Mercury is a planet that just holds information that is scattered about, floating about endlessly. If you know a Gemini or someone with at least Mercury in Gemini, they seem to be quite knowledgeable regarding a variety of topics. They collect little tidbits of knowledge from all sorts of topics that fascinate them and have this sort of curious wit to them in which they use to go about collecting knowledge, something that they feed off of.

Aquarius is like Gemini, being an air sign and being quite intellectual like the twins themselves. They have an outstanding desire for knowledge, mainly based off of the idea that they resent ignorance whilst some of them being coupled with an intellectual superiority-complex (it can get really bad really easily). However, as I said before, Mercury is not exalted in Aquarius. First and foremost, Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, which is a powerful, revolutionary planet that is willing to go against trends and normal social standards in order to implement new, revolutionary concepts that have a great deal of benefit towards humanity and the group as a whole. Unlike Gemini, Aquarius Mercury can have a tendency to be closed-minded. This is not closed-minded in which they are not open to other’s opinions (unless you’re dealing with a really stubborn one), but in which they are EXTREMELY knowledgeable in topics regarding their interest. That doesn’t seem so bad, but the negative side to this is that if they are trying to do something they aren’t particularly interested in, they may actually do quite horrible. It’s like advanced knowledge meant for specifics.

To add on, Aquarius is an air sign. Virgo, the sign in which Mercury is actually exalted in, is an earth sign. The reason why Mercury is exalted in Virgo is because Virgo is practical and realistic. Aquarius may have the lightning fast mind that can create revolutionary concepts that can alter humanity as a whole, but Mercury is not a planet that is meant for doing such, which is why Virgo fits the bill perfectly. Virgo can take all that information that’s floating about in Gemini’s world (a.k.a. Mercury) and compartmentalize it into the most organized fashion while applying it in a practical, realistic way. The ability for Mercury in Virgo to find a simple, practical solution to a problem that could easily become a catastrophe is why it is indeed exalted in Virgo.

This can also be proven by looking at the sign it falls in, which is Pisces. Pisces has a hard time grasping information because the information itself tends to become distorted easily. Just imagine the information floating about in Gemini’s world (please don’t tell me to make a reference again) being met with Neptune. That doesn’t work, because good old Neptune will scatter the energy even further, distorting some of it while at it, which as a result, makes it difficult to deal with concrete facts. Pisces Mercury tend to be abstract thinkers, in which they think in the spiritual, artistic world in comparison to reality, which Mercury best works in. Aquarius is an AIR sign, as stated before. Air signs tend to get caught up in ideas that can be unrealistic by the definition of unpractical, which is why Virgo works better in Mercury. This isn’t to say that Aquarius Mercury are less intelligent, but it is to say that Virgo is better at dealing with the issues of Mercury in contrast to Aquarius, which just hyper-speeds everything up in Mercury and turns one’s brain into a lightning storm. Virgo is realistic, practical, and organized while at it, making it the perfect sign placement for Mercury.

That’s why Mercury is not exalted in Aquarius. You Virgo Mercuries can have fun with this one by teasing with your Aquarius Mercury friends (if you have any that is), but don’t get too carried away. Mercury might not be exalted in Aquarius, but Uranus is a great power on its own, and you might just find yourself zapped by its eccentricity before you know it.

posted August 12, 2016 03:52 PM            

I can see where you are coming from, and I too find it interesting that mercury is exalted in fixed air aquarius. especially when you think of mercury and its energy, being very adaptable, changeable and restless, so very mutable in its natural expression as well as its ruling signs.

I feel like mercury assimilates its environment and then is able to process it mentally, thus being able to communicate what its learn or express itself with others verbally, being able to connect with others through experience or knowledge. that's why when placed in pisces/sag, jupiters natural rulers, they do not assimilate ina constructive, or logical fashion, but its more vast and far reaching. theres a nebulous and intangible expression to those signs that are more visual, storytelling and symbolic. This is out of mercury's element which excels at structured logic, details, truth and tangible means it can organize and connect with to others, its a curious planet, so when it comes down to actually processing and swallowing a ton of knowledge, virgos memory and practical structure is no doubt at home in mercury. mercury is aimless in pisces and sag and drifts off into abstract concepts which can be a beautiful thing, but not considered the best for mercury's potential.

and I think that's what it comes down to when seeing mercury in aquarius, is the potential behind mercurys energy placed in aquarius. it accelerates the mind, adds flashes of brilliant insight and will add a dose of cold logic that is naturally drawn to science and radical ideas. its Aquarius's potential of genius and new ideas/thoughts/creations that puts mercury in a good place. despite Aquarius being stubborn and wholly fixated on their own thoughts.. it still can stir up the mind and inspire new thoughts to outdated trends and I believe this is why mercury could be considered exalted despite the negative influences it could also have.. ive noticed that mercury in leo can be rather subjective in what it learns so it can come across as slow or ditsy, its more playful if anything. so I can see how its in fall in leo and exalted in aqua since Aquarius is a pretty intelligent sign in itself.

posted August 12, 2016 07:50 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Electro DGX:
(Sorry Faith, the crown must go lol)

---

posted August 13, 2016 04:29 PM            

But I do believe that due to Uranus, Aquarius can impart a certain flash of genius to Mercury, a certain flight of the imagination that gemini and Virgo Mercury may not have. And also due to Saturn rulership of Aquarius, Aquarian Gemini can get very grounded and practical in way that is more airy than Virgo and Capricorn Mercury.

posted August 13, 2016 05:06 PM              

quote:

---

Originally posted by Belage:
Nicely said. But I didn't agree until you brought up the fixity of Aquarius. Changeable Mercury is not as its best in a fixed sign.

But I do believe that due to Uranus, Aquarius can impart a certain flash of genius to Mercury, a certain flight of the imagination that gemini and Virgo Mercury may not have.

---

I actually agree with you, lol. I also disagreed initially, until the fixed aspect was brought to light.
-----------

Of course, I am biased with my Mercury in Aquarius, but some of the exalted placements are somewhat baffling to me, I must confess. My husband has Mercury in Virgo, conjunct my Moon even, and I find his communication style very exasperating (i.e. too much is withheld, or slow to be expressed). That may be due to the fact that his is square his natal Saturn, though.

posted August 14, 2016 11:07 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by yota13:
TL;DR: Uranus is the higher octave of mercury. They both rule intellect. Virgo is a perfectionist and Aquarius is a genius, two different birds. By the way, one of the fastest formula one drivers of all time- Ayrton Senna, had mercury in pisces retrograde.

---

posted August 15, 2016 01:08 AM            

Mars is exalted in Capricorn because over time, the energy can be honed. But naturally, Mars in Scorpio and Aries get more things done.

Moon is exalted in Taurus because it is aware of what brings security but lots of Taurus moons can be out of touch with their feelings, leading to being in emotionally abusive relationships.

Your arguments don't make as much sense because Jupiter is exalted in cancer (cardinal) but it rules over two mutable signs.

To imply that Virgo Mercury is exalted is to say mercury in Virgo is somewhat unnatural. And that's hardly true. Virgo are so comfortable at analyzing that being analytical is soothing.

posted August 15, 2016 03:25 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by theunknown:
Exaltation means that it has the potential to be good. Doesn't mean it's good.

Mars is exalted in Capricorn because over time, the energy can be honed. But naturally, Mars in Scorpio and Aries get more things done.

Moon is exalted in Taurus because it is aware of what brings security but lots of Taurus moons can be out of touch with their feelings, leading to being in emotionally abusive relationships.

Your arguments don't make as much sense because Jupiter is exalted in cancer (cardinal) but it rules over two mutable signs.

To imply that Virgo Mercury is exalted is to say mercury in Virgo is somewhat unnatural. And that's hardly true. Virgo are so comfortable at analyzing that being analytical is soothing.

I view exaltation as naturally next to best, and can have potential to be the best (rarely so).

---

I must agree with you. This is my husbands chart:

Aries Sun 1H (Aries on steroids-and not in the good way..)
Taurus Moon 2H (been the RECIPIENT to many abusive relationships. He is also an enabler)
Cap Mars 10H (doesn't get shi* done unless threatened)
Pisces Venus 12H (very lofty ideals about what love really is. His ideal love doesn't exist among humans)

Lots of good stuff happening there. On paper...
I love him to death but he has more issues under the surface than anyone I've ever met.

I believe, and am a living witness to, that harder aspects in a person's chart can be very beneficial with time, as long as person is willing to do the work.

posted August 15, 2016 03:28 AM              

As for Mars in Aries. I have it, but I wonder if it can be too impulsive, sometimes?

posted August 15, 2016 03:37 AM              

people are coming up with philosophies over the planets, but lets use rocks for an example.

theres a blue rock, a red rock, a brown rock, a gray rock. when you hold each rock- it has a certain vibration that after an hour your body tunes into it (just theoretically but that might also be true for gems)

the blue rock makes you feel a different way than the other ones. lets say the blue rock calms you down. people will say its good to wear the blue rock for swimming so you can have a calm swim. and the red rock is good for hiking because it picks up your blood pressure and makes you excited. but the thing is some people like to be excited when they swim. and some people like to hike slowly and stay calm.

if that helps with anything, i just want to share my knowledge

also we can dig deep into the base of understanding. what gives a planet its "effect'' on us, which is different for each planet? such as mars being energy venus harmony. what gives it that? it can only be one thing: its constitution. each planet is made of different elements.

what if there was 2 planets with the exact same disposition of elements. whether a planet is really "best" in a certain sign would take much observation. a person would have to feel the planet in each sign or house.

what they dont know is that having the sun in aquarius and the 11th is a super power. the energies overlap and make it twice as strong but also lacking in variety.

so in that sense some planet positions are stronger when the signs combine in a special way. sign with houses

but to merely say that any one sign is about harmony. each sign is just an opposite direction of imagination that exists. not really but, theres just 4 key factors, water (which has nothing to do with litteral water, it's just a symbol for fun)

the signs have no ties to the actual physical things we used to describe them.

------------------

lets say what we termed "water" signs is x. fire is y. earth is z, air = w. x is just one of the components of the centripital energy (two celestial rings). we named them elements but they are not elements. to redefine them to be literal for modern science, we'll call them merely "ways" of energy behaving.

posted August 15, 2016 07:35 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by theunknown:
Exaltation means that it has the potential to be good. Doesn't mean it's good.

Mars is exalted in Capricorn because over time, the energy can be honed. But naturally, Mars in Scorpio and Aries get more things done.

Moon is exalted in Taurus because it is aware of what brings security but lots of Taurus moons can be out of touch with their feelings, leading to being in emotionally abusive relationships.

Your arguments don't make as much sense because Jupiter is exalted in cancer (cardinal) but it rules over two mutable signs.

To imply that Virgo Mercury is exalted is to say mercury in Virgo is somewhat unnatural. And that's hardly true. Virgo are so comfortable at analyzing that being analytical is soothing.

I view exaltation as naturally next to best, and can have potential to be the best (rarely so).

---

posted August 15, 2016 07:51 AM            

That's really unimaginative.

Like saying Jupiter is exalted in Sagittarius. Well it's gonna be STRONG in Sag, of course, but exaltation is supposed to have some creative twist to it. It's supposed to make you think.

posted August 15, 2016 11:13 AM              

I always thought that Mars in Capricorn was better than Mars in Aries and Scorpio.

posted August 15, 2016 12:15 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Faith:
So you're saying astrologers are just toying with us, labeling things "exalted" when they are really more like "handyman's special" ?

---

I mean it really depends on the planets. Lindsey Lohan is the perfect example of the not so great Mars in Capricorn, but this mars has a reputation because Saturn builds. I don't mean to dump down capricorn but it is really true. I struggle a lot to get things done due to overplanning.

Every single pisces venus I know (so just really anecdotally) had some troubles with relationships at the very least before finding a life time partner. But venus in libra and taurus are just so natural, they know when the relating process is off. Their senses of beauty are light, abundant and yet classy.

The idea that somehow a virgo struggles a bit more to feel at home with their analytical process is silly, if you have met a virgo or anyone with virgo mercury for that matter.

posted August 15, 2016 03:53 PM            

My reasoning for Mercury being exalted in Virgo was because of Mercury's focus. Virgo brings Mercury down to reality and allows for Mercury to take these ideas and execute them in the most realistic and practical way possible, which is why I think it works best. Aquarius is an Air sign like Gemini, so often the Aquarian may be a genius, but my reasoning for why it wouldn't be exalted in Aquarius is because it gets stuck up in the ideas and may not be able to put them into reality in a practical matter. If consistency between placements of signs is your reasoning, Pluto is supposed to be the higher-octave of Mars and Mars in Scorpio is not exalted, so why would Aqua Mercury be exalted if Uranus is Mercury's higher octave? Keeping consistency between sign placements I feel causes confusion and problems, especially considering Venus in Pisces.

As for theunknown, I feel that the contrast comes from our vastly different views on exaltion in itself. What I keep seeing is that although you say that an exalted placement has the potential to be good, you keep pushing how it struggles more so than the placements of domicile, which I felt Faith argued against with her description of Jupiter (not that she did it directly). Furthermore, the example you used with Jupiter being exalted in Cancer but ruling over two mutable signs doesn't make sense because Saturn's Domicile and Exaltion are both in Cardinal signs (Capricorn and Libra, detriment in Cancer and fall in Aries). The same goes for Uranus, being domicile over Aquarius but being exalted in Scorpio, both fixed signs.

I've always seen exaltion as the placement that nullifies the negative traits the most from those of domicile and can efficiently apply the traits of the planet in the best way possible, considering the planet at hand. Mars is exalted in Capricorn because Saturn's influence gives it control; it knows when to stop using energy on a goal and when to put it to use and keep going. Aries Mars is often too impulsive and has too short of an attention span to stay focused on a long-term goal if results don't turn up, and Mars in Scorpio can be prone to focusing too much energy on something that can be considered "wasteful" in the long-run. MiC, on the other hand, has the ability to differentiate what is worth the energy and what is not, making it the best placement for Mars.

That's how I see it anyway.

posted August 15, 2016 05:50 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by yota13:
If your 'theory' is based purely off observation, then it is a hypothesis, not a theory.

A theory is falsifiable and can be tested. To support your theory, please design an experiment and keep detailed notes of your procedure with a log of events included. Make sure to use a control group.

I'm not against bucking conventional wisdom, but usually more substantial evidence is brought forward. We are not here to disprove your claim, you are here to prove yours. There is a difference between sounding scientific and being scientific. The "I'm right because I say so" holds no water at the college level.

---

Okay then, yes, it is a hypothesis because it is based purely off of observation. Regardless of what it is, I do not recall saying such a thing where I was "right because I say so." This is simply a post where I posted my thoughts regarding the exalted placement of Mercury, and everyone has the right to discuss such. What I'm saying is that if I have enough reason to believe that the claim I made is wrong, then I will give it up.

posted August 16, 2016 11:13 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Electro DGX:
I'm surprised as to how many people are disagreeing with my ideas on the exaltion of Mercury. It may be due to how many people like to praise Virgo Mercury as being the best placement for such and my desperate reasoning to figure out why. Of course, if I find evidence enough for me to consider my theory disproved, then I can give Faith her crown back lol.

My reasoning for Mercury being exalted in Virgo was because of Mercury's focus. Virgo brings Mercury down to reality and allows for Mercury to take these ideas and execute them in the most realistic and practical way possible, which is why I think it works best. Aquarius is an Air sign like Gemini, so often the Aquarian may be a genius, but my reasoning for why it wouldn't be exalted in Aquarius is because it gets stuck up in the ideas and may not be able to put them into reality in a practical matter. If consistency between placements of signs is your reasoning, Pluto is supposed to be the higher-octave of Mars and Mars in Scorpio is not exalted, so why would Aqua Mercury be exalted if Uranus is Mercury's higher octave? Keeping consistency between sign placements I feel causes confusion and problems, especially considering Venus in Pisces.

As for theunknown, I feel that the contrast comes from our vastly different views on exaltion in itself. What I keep seeing is that although you say that an exalted placement has the potential to be good, you keep pushing how it struggles more so than the placements of domicile, which I felt Faith argued against with her description of Jupiter (not that she did it directly). Furthermore, the example you used with Jupiter being exalted in Cancer but ruling over two mutable signs doesn't make sense because Saturn's Domicile and Exaltion are both in Cardinal signs (Capricorn and Libra, detriment in Cancer and fall in Aries). The same goes for Uranus, being domicile over Aquarius but being exalted in Scorpio, both fixed signs.

I've always seen exaltion as the placement that nullifies the negative traits the most from those of domicile and can efficiently apply the traits of the planet in the best way possible, considering the planet at hand. Mars is exalted in Capricorn because Saturn's influence gives it control; it knows when to stop using energy on a goal and when to put it to use and keep going. Aries Mars is often too impulsive and has too short of an attention span to stay focused on a long-term goal if results don't turn up, and Mars in Scorpio can be prone to focusing too much energy on something that can be considered "wasteful" in the long-run. MiC, on the other hand, has the ability to differentiate what is worth the energy and what is not, making it the best placement for Mars.

That's how I see it anyway.

---

Just the fact that you can say all this brilliant stuff at your young age proves Mercury is exalted in Aquarius.

There is only the minor issue of your fundamental premise being wrong. A trivial matter, because this is phenomenal writing.

Crown please.

posted August 16, 2016 11:29 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by theunknown:

hahaha, not so harsh Faith.

---

I was laughing when I wrote that, but I'm sorry it came off sounding harsh.

quote:

---

Originally posted by theunknown:
I mean it really depends on the planets. Lindsey Lohan is the perfect example of the not so great Mars in Capricorn, but this mars has a reputation because Saturn builds. I don't mean to dump down capricorn but it is really true. I struggle a lot to get things done due to overplanning.

---

We can find instances where all exalted planets seem to be in their fall, just because the person is altogether falling.

Lohan's Mars is heavily aspected: http://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Lindsay_Lohan

The exact semisextile to Sag Uranus might explain her erratic behavior, at least as she's portrayed in the media. For all we know, she accomplishes a lot in her spare time that she gets no credit for.

quote:

---

Originally posted by theunknown:
Every single pisces venus I know (so just really anecdotally) had some troubles with relationships at the very least before finding a life time partner.

---

Almost every human being I know had trouble with relationships before finding a life partner.

quote:

---

Originally posted by theunknown:
The idea that somehow a virgo struggles a bit more to feel at home with their analytical process is silly, if you have met a virgo or anyone with virgo mercury for that matter.

---

My husband has Mercury in Virgo; I'm not going to criticize his thinking just to make a point here, but I'll just say that his thinking has its pros and cons, just like the thinking of everyone else.

I actually don't understand what your point is, in saying this. If exaltation means, there is a struggle (as you argued earlier), and here you are saying Virgo Mercury people don't struggle, then I guess you are saying, Mercury is not exalted in Virgo.

posted August 16, 2016 12:08 PM            

My Mercury in Gemini would argue that Mercury is exalted in Virgo because Mercury is *not* domicile in Virgo. We haven't found virgo's true ruler yet. Bot in the role of Hermes being associated with commerce in general and the grain trade in specific, Mercury is going to play nice with virgo's eventual ruler.

As for exalted in Aquarius... Somebody please find that Picard on the bridge meme. He's saying "Fixed air? What the heck is fixed air?"