What is Mercury?

• The planet closest to the Sun in the solar system

In mythology, Mercury's guardian deity Mercurius (Latin: Mercurius) / Hermes is the messenger who delivers news between the gods in Roman mythology, and is also the god of commerce.

• Mercury in astronomy

The smallest planet among the 8 major planets of the solar system, and the one closest to the Sun. Its orbital speed is the fastest in the solar system. Because of this swiftness, it was named in the West after Mercury, the fleet-footed messenger of Roman mythology, and its symbol is ☿.

• Mercury in ancient Chinese astrology

In ancient China it was called Chen Xing (the Hour Star); by the Western Han period, the astronomer Sima Qian, author of the "Book of Celestial Offices" in the Records of the Grand Historian, observed that Chen Xing appeared grey and linked it to the "Five Elements" doctrine, pairing the colour black with the water element, and so it was formally named Shui Xing, the Water Star. —–Wikipedia

• Mercury in Western astrology

It governs a person's thinking patterns, information gathering, and communication. By extension it covers the way we absorb and learn new things, as well as business models.

• Does "Mercury retrograde" have anything to do with Mercury?

When Mercury appears to "move backwards" from the viewpoint of an observer on Earth, that is called retrograde motion. In reality, the planet has not changed direction at all; it is simply an optical illusion caused by differences in orbital speed between planets. This illusion occurs whenever an outer planet is moving more slowly than the Earth. It is just like driving on the motorway, where you get the illusion that a car travelling more slowly than you is moving backwards.

The "Mercury retrograde" that astrologers so often talk about will, depending on where each retrograde falls, offer you advice about your life during that period. For the specific advice for each retrograde, consult your own astrologer.

 

What can I learn by understanding someone else's Mercury — or my own?

If the Sun sign shows us what a person cares about, values and longs for, then the Mercury sign lets us see their thinking patterns, their communication style, and even the topics that interest them. From there we can infer how they gather information, how quickly they take to new things, how they make decisions, and the underlying tone of how they think about events. Through language we get a glimpse of another person's thoughts, mind and even soul — and especially in a relationship that is still in its early stages, Mercury is an important reference point for understanding someone and building a good bridge between you.

If you know a bit more about the birth chart, you will know that other placements in the chart (houses, aspects) also shape a person's qualities. For instance, I have a friend with both the Sun and Mercury in Leo, yet he comes across as gentle and modest, someone who speaks in a mild, unhurried way. That is mainly because his chart also has a Taurus Ascendant, and although the Sun and Mercury are both in Leo, they both fall in the 4th house — so to those of us who are friends on the outside, we don't feel the commanding presence of a Leo Sun and Mercury. But once he starts talking about serious business, that measured, unfolding delivery is enormously persuasive; before you know it you find yourself thinking he is extremely capable and wanting to do exactly what he says. That is very much the Leo Sun-and-Mercury quality (and incidentally, I hear he is something of a leader at home too, ha).

Most people who study astrology are not doing it to become astrologers; they want to understand themselves, and then to understand others, and ideally to apply that knowledge in daily life — to gain an edge at work, in their relationships and in their love lives. Very often, with someone we don't know well (a client, say, or a friend we've only just met), it isn't appropriate to come straight out and ask for their birth time. For one thing, many people genuinely don't know their exact birth time and won't go to the trouble of looking it up; for another, even if they do know, they may not want to tell someone they barely know, since it is quite private information and asking out of the blue is not really the done thing.

So in theory, knowing someone's entire chart is of course best; but in practice, in ordinary dealings between people that information isn't easy to come by (and forcing the issue isn't advisable either). Yet we still need more to go on — we want more information so we can work out how to get along with each other, and at work and in business it becomes all the more necessary to grasp how the other person thinks and judges.

There are a few reasons for choosing the Mercury sign as your way in for breaking the ice in business.

First: Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun, so its position is either the same sign as the Sun sign, or the sign immediately before or immediately after it.

For example: for someone with the Sun in Pisces, Mercury can only be in "Pisces" (the same sign as the Sun), the preceding sign "Aquarius", or the following sign "Aries" — which immediately narrows your guess down to three options.

Second: for the same reason as above, a person's Mercury can only fall in three of the four elements (earth, air, water, fire), and the qualities of these elements are very distinctive. Since Mercury governs speech, communication and thinking logic, the elemental quality of a person's Mercury comes through very readily in the way they talk to you — their tone and their content — so it is very easy to work out.

 

Below is a list of the qualities Mercury shows in each element, for your reference:

• Fire qualities (Mercury in Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)：urgent, quick, confident, impatient, decisive, enthusiastic, spontaneous, guileless
• Earth qualities (Mercury in Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)：slow, down-to-earth, practical, full of common sense, stubborn, conservative, reserved
• Air qualities (Mercury in Aquarius, Gemini, Libra)：rational, calm, strongly logical, objective, articulate, nimble
• Water qualities(Mercury in Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)：sensitive, feeling-led, imaginative, full of emotion, indecisive, delicate

Applying this to the example above, a client with the Sun in Pisces has these options for Mercury:

1. Pisces, a water sign

2. Aquarius, an air sign

3. Aries, a fire sign

 

Once you have marked out the range of options, you can then use the way this Pisces client speaks to work out where their Mercury sign is; from there, based on their Sun sign and the likely Mercury sign, you can get a rough sense of how to steer the conversation so that it goes smoothly.

For example: if the Sun sign is in a water sign (Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio), then Mercury can only be one of three possibilities — fire, air or water. A water Sun combined with an earth Mercury simply cannot occur. So unless other planets in the chart are exerting an influence, people with the Sun in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio will generally, in the way they communicate, speak, express themselves and think, show either the spontaneous, guileless decisiveness of fire, the calm rational articulacy of air, or the sensitive delicacy of water — and rather less of the earth element's stubbornness and conservatism.

Here are the element combinations of Sun sign and Mercury:

When the Sun sign is in	The element Mercury falls in
A water sign Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio	✔Fire, Air, Water ❌Earth
A fire sign Aries, Leo, Sagittarius	✔Fire, Earth, Water ❌Air
An earth sign Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo	✔Fire, Earth, Air ❌Water
An air sign Aquarius, Gemini, Libra	✔Water, Earth, Air ❌Fire

How to look up your Mercury:

• Mercury sign lookup table: https://www.taipeidaniel.idv.tw/articles-astrology-mercurysign.htm
• Astro.com https://www.astro.com/horoscope/zh or any other website that can cast a chart — enter your birth data, and once the chart appears, it will show your Mercury sign.
• Ask your astrologer.

 

Below are the traits that may come through in someone's speech when each of the twelve Sun signs is paired with a different Mercury sign. Although the actual details still depend on the configuration of the whole chart, this way of observing is recommended for situations where you have no way of knowing the other person's chart; if they are willing to give you their birth data, then of course analysing the chart as a whole is still best. After all, in many business and social settings, depending on how close you are, it is hard to come right out and ask someone for their birth data — and that is exactly when the method below lets you make a preliminary read with limited information.

 

Below are the traits that may come through in someone's speech when each of the twelve Sun signs is paired with a different Mercury sign. Although the actual details still depend on the configuration of the whole chart, this way of observing is recommended for situations where you have no way of knowing the other person's chart; if they are willing to give you their birth data, then of course analysing the chart as a whole is still best. After all, in many business and social settings, depending on how close you are, it is hard to come right out and ask someone for their birth data — and that is exactly when the method below lets you make a preliminary read with limited information.

【Cardinal / Fire Signs】

Sun in Aries ( 3/21 ~ 4/20 )

Aries Sun + Pisces Mercury — "the most sensitive Aries"

Traits:
Mercury in Pisces puts the emphasis on emotions and feelings in communication, and combined with the impatient, passionate quality of the Aries Sun,
their emotions run high when they talk. Once they get excited, they easily just pour out their "feelings" without a second thought,
their speech is not particularly logical, they say whatever their emotions lead them to, and they very easily get carried away and drift off topic.
Quite a few people who have talked with a Pisces Mercury come away feeling, "He (the Pisces Mercury) talked to me for ages and said a lot,
but I still can't quite work out what he was actually saying......"
leaving the listener unsure what the point of the explanation was supposed to be.

Key conversation techniques:
Because Mercury is in detriment in Pisces and cannot properly perform the functions Mercury is meant to (it takes deliberate practice later in life), people with this placement tend to have unclear thinking and vague expression. Since they are not good at thinking things through or communicating in an orderly way, conversations tend to go one of two ways:
1. They avoid communicating — they say nothing and express nothing, and you need patience and technique to draw them out so the conversation can flow. This is also the Aries placement most likely to sulk in silence; they need coaxing before they are willing to speak up.
2. They talk without a point, rambling all over the place.

Whichever type you are dealing with, you must not let their overly scattered thinking pull you along. You have to bring them back to the topic at the right moments, help them summarise their train of thought, and if necessary even guide them towards a decision — otherwise you can easily spend a lot of time and never get to the point.
If you are the Aries Mercury yourself, when thinking something over it helps to type or write out every thought in your head, then come back to your notes once the heightened emotions have passed and analyse and summarise them. This helps rein in and organise thinking that has spread too wide.

Icebreakers:
Talk with them about feelings and impressions; when discussing something, start from how they feel about it.

What to avoid:
Never let them lead you by the nose — bring things back to the point.

 

Aries Sun + Aries Mercury — "the most self-directed Aries"

Traits:
Fast-talking, mostly unfiltered speech, prone to cutting in, sharp and direct. Clear-cut attitudes, unafraid of argument, quick to decide.

Key conversation techniques:
The way these people talk really does feel very "Aries" — urgent, fast, confident, impatient, decisive, passionate, straightforward, ingenuous; these fire-element qualities are especially vivid in them. Many people with both Sun and Mercury in Aries are brimming with confidence. The younger ones mostly have that fearless, straightforward "new-born calf that doesn't fear the tiger" quality, and the older ones still keep a childlike innocence. They are also a smart, quick-reacting bunch — nimble-minded and fast learners. Since both Mercury and the Sun fall in impatient Aries, they also dislike people who are slow and wishy-washy.
With Mercury and the Sun in Aries, their subjective sense is very strong; they will show it outright when a topic doesn't interest them. They are very afraid of being "misunderstood", so don't question the content of what they say or you can easily end up in a pointless argument. What they say is what they mean, and they judge quickly — a straight-down-the-middle approach is recommended.
If they are your boss, manager or client, answer the moment they ask you something. Lay everything on the table and never go round in circles or waffle back and forth, or you'll only end up annoying them.

Icebreakers:
Get straight to the point.

What to avoid:
Hemming and hawing, going round in circles, going back and forth, not answering questions directly, arguing with them.

 

Aries Sun + Taurus Mercury — "the steadiest Aries"

Traits:
Unhurried and methodical, practical and stubborn in their thinking. Of all the Aries types, this group decides more slowly and more cautiously,
and hates being rushed.

Key conversation techniques:
Compared with the previous two kinds of Aries, the Taurus-Mercury Aries is the steadiest, most cautious and most tactful of the bunch.
Taurus Mercury leans towards visual thinking, so it is best to make your language visual when communicating. If they are your business contact, manager or boss, show them the actual object, or bring photos and images to go with your explanation — they will grasp what you mean far more quickly. Also, because Taurus Mercury considers things more thoroughly and thinks practically, they are relatively slow to decide; if the idea you are putting forward is new to them, do give them time to digest it slowly.
This Aries placement is on the stubborn side and won't throw themselves headlong into something new just to try it out. Persuade them from a practical, realistic angle, and remember not to keep pushing them to decide on the spot. Be patient and earn their trust — haste makes waste.

Icebreakers:
Tie the topic you want to discuss to concrete benefits or to taste and aesthetics, ideally with pictures to open the discussion.

What to avoid:
Cramming in too many new ideas at once, keeping the topic too abstract and vague, pressing them to decide quickly.

 

【Cardinal / Water Signs】

Sun in Cancer ( 6/22 ~ 7/22 )

 

• Cancer Sun + Gemini Mercury — "the liveliest Cancer"

Traits:
Nimble-minded and eloquent, talkative and quick on the uptake, able to infer a great deal from a single hint — tap them on the head and their heels ring;
they can chat about absolutely anything, with outstanding expressive ability and a strong personal verbal style.

 

Key conversation techniques:

The quickest-reacting of the Cancers, and the one with the most entertaining verbal style. Rather than disagreeing outright, they prefer to back themselves up with "I tend to agree with / understand so-and-so's view". At times this can give the impression that they can't articulate their real thoughts in any depth, and that they have little opinion of their own — which also has to do with their reluctance to argue and their wish to avoid conflict.

Icebreakers:

They are highly curious and very interested in what other people are up to; since they love exchanging information, catch their curiosity with gossip and interesting titbits.

What to avoid:

A heavy, solemn atmosphere in the conversation.

 

• Cancer Sun + Cancer Mercury — "the shyest Cancer"

Traits:
Talks freely among people they know well, but is extremely shy about speaking in public. Speaks in a roundabout, indirect way.

Key conversation techniques:

With people they aren't familiar with, they find it hard to say what is on their mind and speak very indirectly, easily giving the impression of "going round in circles". Even when they disagree inwardly they won't say so outright, and they express care in a very roundabout way. Generally speaking, unless they are in a situation where they need to hit back to defend themselves, Cancer Mercury speaks as gently and unprovocatively as possible. Without familiarity and rapport it is hard to hear their real thoughts directly. Some Cancer Mercuries won't contradict you to your face but will quietly voice their real views behind the scenes (a lot of trouble starts this way). Gentleness, friendliness and praise are essential for softening their defences.

When Cancer Mercury expresses how they really feel, they focus more on conveying their own feelings and emotions than on logic and facts — but those feelings are simply the genuine emotions of the moment, and they pass.

Icebreakers:

They are the most nostalgic of the Cancers, so finding common ground and calling up past memories makes a good topic. Encourage them to express their real feelings freely, be tolerant of emotionally charged remarks, and make them believe it is safe to be genuine in front of you. Once the emotions have been let out and the inner turbulence has settled, gently appeal to their feelings as you explain.

What to avoid:

Contradicting them. Even if a Cancer Mercury's words are full of emotion, don't rush to contradict or explain, because what they say may not be factual but it is true as a feeling. If a Cancer Mercury is contradicted just as they open up, they may never tell you what is in their heart again.

• Cancer Sun + Leo Mercury — "the most confident Cancer"

Traits:

A louder voice, a broad-brush verbal style that can even be somewhat forceful; not very good at hiding what's on their mind or holding words back, with vivid joys and sorrows.

Key conversation techniques:

They care about face. Their expressions give them away, so you can tell what they really think just by watching their face. Their word is their bond — once they promise something they will always follow through, and if they can't, it stays on their mind. They speak in a casual, unguarded way with little calculation, and are the most straightforward of the Cancers; they value loyalty, and once they count you as one of their own they will have your back completely, sometimes so enthusiastically that boundaries disappear. They long for what they say to become the centre of everyone's attention.

Icebreakers:

Talk about what they are proudest of, express admiration, and thank them for the loyalty and effort they give.

What to avoid: Not taking promises seriously, not doing what you said you would.

 

【Cardinal / Air Signs】

Sun in Libra ( 9/24 ~ 10/23 )

• Libra Sun + Virgo Mercury — "the most rational and decisive Libra"

Traits:
An exceptionally sharp and refined placement, one of the most intelligent of all Mercury configurations: clear-headed, well-ordered, with strong organisational skills and strong logic. Talking with a Virgo Mercury is usually easy, because they can put things clearly and logically — even when explaining something complicated they make it perfectly clear, so you understand it at once and see it at a glance.

Key conversation tips:

Mercury in Virgo people have strong reasoning and analytical skills. When you talk with them, you quickly understand what they are asking for. But because their thinking is so meticulous and they weigh every detail, they tend to be conservative when making decisions. When a Mercury in Virgo person presses you about all the details, remember not to get impatient — this is a crucial part of how they reach a decision. Some Mercury in Virgo people get hung up on overly trivial matters, or are too harsh on themselves and on others. In those moments, it may help to talk with them about efficiency and practicality, and remind them that time is also a form of cost.

Many Mercury in Virgo people are timid and shy with strangers and in unfamiliar settings, so it takes some effort to help them settle in and relax. Don't be too enthusiastic or forceful the first time you talk with them; remember, haste makes waste.

Ice-breaking tips:

Topics such as work, health, self-study and personal growth, and further education are the ones they tend to find interesting.

Taboos:

They are on the shy side, so don't be too enthusiastic during your first exchange — give them time to warm up to you slowly.

• Sun in Libra + Mercury in Libra "The most tactful and elegant Libra"

         Characteristics:

        They express themselves gently, politely, tactfully and skilfully, and they watch the other person's mood and reactions. Their communication style is smooth, and when they don't want to state their own opinion directly, their words become ambiguous. They easily hesitate when making decisions.
They speak with poise and grace, and you will rarely hear an inelegant word from them — of all Libras, they are the ones who pay the most attention to refinement in speech. They think things through carefully and leave themselves room to manoeuvre in conversation, so they never speak in absolutes; but by the same token, it is relatively hard to get a definite answer out of them, and they are the most indecisive of all Libras. Mercury in Libra people are not the sort who are smooth with everyone yet have no opinions of their own. On the contrary, beneath all that social finesse lies a heart that takes the principles of fairness and justice very seriously — you could describe them as "carrying a complete book of law in their heart." Because they value harmony in relationships, they are also skilled at mediation, negotiation and arbitration.

Key conversation tips:

Choose your words with refinement. They like to consider every aspect of a relationship before drawing a conclusion, so giving them room to deliberate is essential.

Ice-breaking tips:

Mercury in Libra people are very good at conversation, so you hardly need any ice-breaking techniques.

Taboos:

Lying, crude words and behaviour, and dressing inappropriately.

• Sun in Libra + Mercury in Scorpio "The most incisive Libra"

         Characteristics:

         Shrewd, with strong insight and intuition, they are the most straightforward and direct of all Libras, and the sharpest. They are stubborn and hold firmly to their own views; changing their mind is no easy task. They have the social finesse and friendliness of Libra, yet at the same time their words cut straight to the point — so blunt, sharp and frank that they hardly seem like a Libra at all (if the situation doesn't allow them to tell the truth, a Mercury in Scorpio person will simply stay silent; refusing to lie is part of their nature). They are also the most principled group among Libras: once you cross a line they consider unforgivable, unless something changes the situation, you are basically finished in their eyes.

Key conversation tips: This is the most stubborn placement among Libras — a few words won't be enough to sway them or change their mind. However, their judgement is easily affected by their emotions. What's more, Mercury in Scorpio people are extremely sensitive to any message someone is trying to conceal in their words, so never try to deceive them.

Ice-breaking tips:

They are deeply feeling, so topics that stir an emotional resonance in them work best. But be careful not to discuss overly private matters while you are still not close — Mercury in Scorpio people guard their own privacy fiercely. This is a placement that does not trust people easily; building a deep connection takes time.

Taboos:

Lying, and being fond of gossip.

【Cardinal / Earth Signs】

Sun in Capricorn ( 12/22 ~ 1/20 )

• Sun in Capricorn + Mercury in Sagittarius "The most humorous Capricorn"

         Characteristics:

        They are the group among Capricorns who most seek spiritual freedom, and their way of speaking and doing things is rather different from the stereotypical rigid, rule-abiding Capricorn;
        they speak directly and frankly and dislike beating around the bush. They are unwilling to submit to a system if it means going against their own beliefs. They think fast, have a strong sense of justice, and act on their ideas the moment they have them,
        with the ability to keep revising their plans as they carry them out. They hate monotony, boredom and blindly sticking to convention, yet they can still abide by mainstream norms. Their weaknesses are a tendency to aim too high, to talk more than they do, and to lecture others, with a rather showy way of speaking.
        They are the Capricorns with the most humorous and entertaining way of talking.

 

Key conversation tips:

They have very high standards for professionalism, both for themselves and for others. If you want to appear before them as an authority, examine yourself strictly first (your outward image, your choice of words, and so on) — any slip-up can easily cost you their trust.

They also demand a great deal of themselves, and they readily apply their own standards to other people. Unless you are absolutely certain of yourself, remember not to boast in front of them. Some Mercury in Sagittarius people like to lecture, but that doesn't mean they disagree with you — don't insist on arguing back while they are holding forth.

In communication they dislike getting bogged down in too many in-depth details; too much of that makes them impatient. Rather than deep detail, they much prefer talking about future development and possibilities, even if those are still a long way off.

Mercury in Sagittarius people love to play the teacher, so admitting your own shortcomings in front of them and asking for their advice with genuine humility is also a good strategy.

 

Ice-breaking tips:

Talk about future possibilities and potential; ask for their advice with an open, humble attitude.

 

Taboos:

Repeating the same thing over and over, fussing too much over details, and speaking in a long-winded, indecisive way. Boasting about yourself, or arguing back when they are voicing their opinions.

• Sun in Capricorn + Mercury in Capricorn "The most cautious Capricorn"

         Characteristics:

         They speak cautiously — so cautiously that they are slow and measured. They are extremely careful about every decision, thinking it over again and again,
         and will only speak once they have considered it from every angle. With less life experience they can be clumsy at expressing their ideas, saying things that don't quite convey what they mean, and slower to learn and react.

 

Key conversation tips:

Conservative, practical and cautious, yet ambitious and driven — that is the hallmark of Mercury in Capricorn. They are relatively comfortable with social norms, so it is harder to get them to do anything that goes against the mainstream. At the same time, this placement carries the most of Capricorn's conservative, stability-seeking qualities, so most of them long to climb steadily, step by step, within some settled and secure system, with a strong desire to rise above the crowd.

Mercury in Capricorn people think in a thorough, rigorous way and see things with great subtlety, thinking several steps ahead. They are the most careful and cautious of all Capricorns, and also the relatively conservative and stubborn ones. Mercury in Capricorn people value reality and material things; concrete material returns give them a sense of security, and they are more interested in topics that can be put into practice and bring real success.

 

Keys to breaking the ice:

There are quite a few workaholics in this placement, so talking with them about work is one way to break the ice.

Taboos:

Unconventional opinions, things that benefit others but not themselves, and empty talk.

 

• Sun in Capricorn + Mercury in Aquarius "The smartest Capricorn"

         Traits:

        Highly logical but expresses themselves in leaps; thinks from a macro perspective, values the big-picture core points, and prizes rational judgement.
        Some Mercury in Aquarius folk love to argue with people — stubborn, yes, but they can be won over by sound reasoning.
        Generally speaking, Capricorns are a group that can adapt to and endorse systems fairly well, but Mercury in Aquarius thinks in a more rebellious way.
        Rather than being the sort who plods along the old system, they are more like founders who reform from within the establishment.
        As for whether that rebellious streak leads them to reform an outdated organisation or simply leaves them out of place in it,
        that depends on how socialised the person is and how sophisticated their interpersonal skills are.
          

Key conversation tips:

They have very much their own ideas, and although those ideas can be quirky, their ability to execute is strong: they calculate precisely what should be done at what moment. Compared with other Capricorns, they care less about how others see them, insist on walking their own path, and have tremendous perseverance.

Before making a decision they weigh up the whole situation carefully, and once the decision is made they commit wholeheartedly to winning.

They say only as much as the evidence supports, and they do what they say. They can be blunt to the point of being hurtful (they don't really consider how the other person will feel on hearing it). They are very open to being persuaded by rational argument, but that argument must come with factual evidence, or be reasoned from evidence that is rock solid.

Ice-breaking tips:

Get straight to the point and ask them to lay out their thinking rationally; discuss the matter on its merits.

Taboos:

Trying to persuade them without real evidence; emotionally driven remarks.

 

【Fixed / Earth Signs】

Sun in Taurus ( 4/21 ~ 5/21 )

Sun in Taurus + Mercury in Aries "The Quickest-Reacting Taurus"

Traits:
Fast-talking; a seemingly offhand remark that goes straight to the heart of the matter; sharp and direct. Clear-cut in attitude, forthright, unafraid of argument, and quick to decide.

Key conversation tips:
Their subjective sense of things is strong; they tend to stick to their own view and judge from their own personal experience, and if they disagree with a topic the reaction will be big.
It is best not to contradict them head-on, or you will fall into pointless bickering. Simply express your own thoughts and opinions honestly and gently, and don't get caught in the binary trap of "you're wrong, I'm right." Don't try to talk them round with verbal tricks either — being clever will only backfire. A Sun Taurus was never going to change overnight; you need patience, communicating gradually, and appealing to their interests.

Ice-breaking tips:
Come straight out and ask for their view on the matter.

Taboos:
Not answering their questions directly, arguing with them, beating about the bush.

Sun in Taurus + Mercury in Taurus "The Most Persevering / Stubborn Taurus"

Traits:
Unhurried and methodical; pragmatic and stubborn in their thinking. Slower to decide, and they hate being rushed.

Key conversation tips:
They look unruffled, but views built on their own life experience are hard to shift. Don't expect to change their thinking in one go — respect the fact that these views are the accumulation of their life experience; dismissing them hastily looks, in their eyes, like dismissing their whole life experience. You must give down-to-earth examples so they can understand, and give them time to digest. They are slow to accept new things and place great weight on factual results. Often, offering lots of examples, complex data and theoretical models won't win a Mercury in Taurus over (they dislike overly complicated, fiddly detail); a blunt, simple fact beats eloquent argument — that's the better strategy. Above all, don't keep pressing them to decide on the spot. Be patient in earning their trust; haste makes waste.

Ice-breaking tips:
Give examples — and make them examples close to everyday life.

Taboos:
Completely dismissing their original view, topics that are too abstract and vague, pushing them to decide quickly.

 

Sun in Taurus + Mercury in Gemini "The Most Nimble Taurus"

Traits: Quick-witted and articulate, able to infer a great deal from a single point, fast-thinking, and the opinions they offer are all very practical. Strong at getting things done.

Key conversation tips: The fastest-reacting of the Taureans; many bulls with this placement are hugely talented, and the advice they give is usually both practical and fast. They are good at extrapolating from one thing to another, can grasp the key point quickly, and offer concrete, workable suggestions. They are usually very articulate, speak fluently, and even carry a touch of witty humour, which makes them feel easy-going yet dependable.
Ice-breaking tips: Get straight to the point and talk about practical, valuable information — new technology, business trends or money-management ideas — and pairing that with witty humour will draw them in even more. They appreciate nimble conversation; if you can respond quickly and toss the topic back and forth, they will be far more interested in engaging.

Taboos: Avoid pointless arguments — when they feel a topic has no value or they can't be bothered to discuss it, they may simply change the subject or fob you off. Also, overly rigid or stiff conversation easily loses their interest; they much prefer nimble, thought-provoking exchange.

 

【Fixed / Fire Signs】

Sun in Leo ( 7/23 ~ 8/22 )

• Sun in Leo + Mercury in Cancer "The Most Roundabout Leo"

         Traits:
         Talks freely and at length in front of people they know well, but is very shy speaking in public. Their remarks are indirect and roundabout; some can be rather long-winded / prone to grumbling.

 

Key conversation tips:

They are good at telling things gently and gradually, letting their own ideas seep into you. They speak in a roundabout, indirect way, are full of the desire to express themselves, and their content tends towards fiddly detail, which can sometimes come across as nagging. Because they are rather afraid of saying the wrong thing, a lot of what they mean is never said outright — they keep hinting at their real meaning instead. In decision-making they are conservative and shy, but when emotionally worked up they can also act impulsively.

 

Ice-breaking tips:

They are the most nostalgic of the Leos, so finding common ground that stirs up memories of the past is a good topic. They speak very tactfully, so you need to catch their hints and read between the lines.

 

Taboos:

Contradicting them. Even when a Mercury in Cancer speaks full of emotion, don't rush to contradict or explain, because what they say may not be factually true, but it is true as a feeling. If a Mercury in Cancer is contradicted just as they share what is really on their mind, they may never tell you their innermost thoughts again

• Sun in Leo + Mercury in Leo "The Most Natural-Leader Leo"

         Traits:
         Rather loud, with a broad-brush style of speech that can even be a little forceful or flamboyant. They can't really hide what's on their mind, nor hold their tongue, and their joys and sorrows are vividly on show. The moment they open their mouth they draw everyone's eyes.

 

Key conversation tips:

Their speech has a strong dramatic effect — this is the most performance-hungry placement among the Leos, and they long to attract other people's attention through words. So when they speak, their voice, expressions and gestures are all very rich; they have enormous presence. Some people may feel their way of speaking is slightly flamboyant or over the top.

This placement also hopes to become an opinion leader; the way they talk easily gives the impression of "just listen to me and you'll be fine!" They care about face, get carried away in a crowd, like to make their presence felt, and want to be an opinion leader. If you need to give them advice, give a Mercury in Leo plenty of face first and then offer your opinion in private — never, ever embarrass them in front of everyone. They also enjoy stimulating mental activity, so they easily take an interest in speculative topics; but rather than wanting to make a killing through speculation, for them it's more about treating that information like clearing levels in a game.

Ice-breaking tips:

They like fun, exciting topics.

Taboos:

Challenging their opinion in public; not giving them face.

 

• Sun in Leo + Mercury in Virgo "The Boldest-Yet-Most-Meticulous Leo"

         Traits:
         A very sharp and finely detailed placement — one of the most intelligent of all Mercury placements. Clear-headed and well-ordered, with strong organisational ability and strong logic.
         Talking with a Mercury in Virgo is usually very easy, because they can put things clearly and logically; even when setting out something complicated they can explain it so clearly that you understand it at once, seeing the whole picture at a glance.
         As for topics, they like to talk about work and health, and many Mercury in Virgo people also enjoy self-study and personal growth, and are keen on further education.

 

Key conversation tips:

Mercury in Virgo has strong powers of reasoning and analysis, and in conversation you quickly learn what they are after. But because their thinking is so thorough and they consider every detail, they tend to be conservative in decision-making. When a Mercury in Virgo keeps pressing you about every detail, remember not to get impatient — this is a crucial part of how they make decisions. Some Mercury in Virgo people get hung up on excessively trivial matters, or are too hard on themselves and on others; at such times it may help to talk to them about efficiency and practicality, and remind them that time is a cost too.

Many Mercury in Virgo people are timid and shy with strangers and in unfamiliar settings, so helping them settle in and relax takes some effort. On a first meeting, don't be too enthusiastic or pushy — remember, haste makes waste,

 

Ice-breaking tips:

Topics such as work, health, self-study and personal growth, and further education are ones they easily take an interest in.

 

Taboos:

They are rather shy, so don't be too enthusiastic at your first exchange — give them time to warm to you gradually.

【Fixed / Water Signs】

Sun in Scorpio ( 10/24 ~ 11/22 )

• Sun in Scorpio + Mercury in Libra "The Gentlest Scorpio"

• Sun in Scorpio + Mercury in Libra celebrities: Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, Joaquin Phoenix

         Traits:

         Well-spoken and gracious, they shine in social settings and know how to show off their charm. They are the most tactful, diplomatically-worded of all the Scorpios, and also the gentlest.

         They excel at finding the point where everyone's interests balance out and identifying the best solution, so people with this placement are usually skilled negotiators who create win-win outcomes. The downside is a tendency to hesitate and miss opportunities.

 

Key conversation tips:

Well-spoken and gracious — you will rarely hear a crude word come out of their mouth. They are the most tactful, diplomatically-worded of all the Scorpios, and also the gentlest.

They have a strong moral compass and pursue fairness, impartiality and justice — you could say they carry a whole law library in their heart. Because they value harmony in relationships, they are also skilled at mediation, negotiation and arbitration.

They always leave themselves room to manoeuvre in conversation, so they never speak in absolutes — but that also makes it relatively hard to get a definite answer out of them.

 

Ice-breaking tips:

Mercury in Libra people are excellent conversationalists, so you hardly need any ice-breaking techniques.

 

Taboos:

Lying, coarse speech and behaviour, dressing inappropriately.

• Sun in Scorpio + Mercury in Scorpio: "The Most Deeply Hidden Scorpio"

• Sun in Scorpio + Mercury in Scorpio celebrities: Katy Perry, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden

         Traits:

Sparing with words, shrewd and sharp, with extremely strong powers of observation, insight and intuition. They are experts at spotting what others are trying to hide, decisive, highly focused, and will dig to the bottom of anything that interests them.

 

Key conversation tips:

The most mysterious and most deeply hidden of all the Scorpios. When they are unsure of a situation they tend to stay quiet, even coming across as invisible or on the fringe — but they are extremely shrewd people with especially strong intuition about others. Trying to hide or cover anything up in front of them is very difficult: Mercury in Scorpio can always tell something is off from a single glance or gesture, or even from a feeling they can't quite put into words. When dealing with them, honesty is the best policy (lies are easily seen through anyway); being frank and truthful is actually what earns their trust. They are also a group with very clear likes and dislikes, holding unshakeable faith in whatever they believe — changing their minds is no easy task. But once something genuinely interests them, they will want to get to the bottom of it.

 

Ice-breaking tips:

They value emotional connection, so topics that resonate with them emotionally work best — but be careful not to bring up overly private matters when you don't know each other well, as Mercury in Scorpio people guard their own privacy closely. This placement does not trust easily; building a deep bond takes time.

 

Taboos: Lying, and expecting them to change their views overnight.

• Sun in Scorpio + Mercury in Sagittarius: "The Most Far-Sighted Scorpio"

• Sun in Scorpio + Mercury in Sagittarius celebrities: Gordon Ramsay, Charles de Gaulle, Marie Curie

         Traits:

The most blunt and straightforward communicators among the Scorpios. Highly independent, freedom-loving, and full of adventurous, challenge-seeking spirit. They are very confident in the values and beliefs they hold, but can also be arbitrary and act on impulse.

Under the influence of Mercury in Sagittarius, this placement speaks directly and frankly and dislikes beating around the bush. They think fast, have a strong sense of justice, act on ideas the moment they have them, and are able to keep adjusting the plan as they go.
They hate monotony, boredom and rigid rule-following, yet can still abide by mainstream social norms. The downsides: they tend to aim too high, talk more than they do, enjoy lecturing others, and can be showy in their speech.
They are the most direct speakers among the Scorpios, and the quickest to let impatience show on their face.

 

Key conversation tips:

They set a very high bar for professionalism, both for themselves and for others. If you want to come across as an authority in front of them, examine yourself rigorously first (your outward image, your choice of words, and so on) — any slip-up can easily cost you their trust. The Sun in Scorpio + Mercury in Sagittarius combination in particular is very good at spotting other people's holes.

They also demand a lot of themselves, and readily apply their own standards to others, so unless you are absolutely certain of your ground, never boast in front of them. Some Mercury in Sagittarius people enjoy lecturing, but that doesn't mean they disagree with you — don't argue back for the sake of it while they are holding forth.

In conversation they don't like getting bogged down in too much detail; too much of it makes them impatient. Rather than deep detail, they much prefer talking about future developments and possibilities, even distant ones.

Mercury in Sagittarius loves playing teacher, so admitting your own shortcomings in front of them and asking their advice with humility is a good strategy.

 

Ice-breaking tips:

Talk about future possibilities and potential; ask for their advice with an open mind.

 

Taboos: Empty vessels making the most noise; arguing back while they are giving their opinion.

 

[Fixed / Air Signs]

Sun in Aquarius ( 1/21 ~ 2/19 )

• Sun in Aquarius + Mercury in Capricorn: "The Most Practical Aquarius"

Sun in Aquarius + Mercury in Capricorn celebrities: Shakira, Princess Charlene of Monaco, President Reagan

         Traits:

           Independent, rational, strongly self-directed and goal-oriented. They tend to challenge tradition in their thinking while also paying attention to down-to-earth feasibility, with a mind geared towards planning and organisation.
           They speak cautiously — cautiously to the point of being slow and deliberate — and are extremely careful with every decision, thinking it over again and again from every angle before saying it out loud. With less life experience they can be clumsy at expressing their ideas, saying things that don't quite land, and slower to pick things up.

 

Key conversation tips:

The least eccentric of the Aquarians, and also the most cautious. "Least eccentric" here is relative to other Aquarians' rebelliousness: a Mercury in Capricorn Aquarius factors in "what practical benefit is there for me in following this mainstream value?" If playing by the current rules gets them real benefits, this placement doesn't mind going with the flow.

This is also the most cautious and the most ambitious of the Aquarius placements, and once they have decided something is right they are very hard to persuade otherwise — unless you can produce strong, hard facts, or unless circumstances simply overpower them; in the face of reality they will bow their head for the time being.

This is likewise the Aquarius placement with the most rigorous thinking and the finest attention to detail, and they think several steps ahead. As they get older they also tend to become more conservative and set in their ways. They value reality and material things — tangible material returns give them a sense of security — so they take more interest in topics that can actually be put into practice and bring concrete success.

Ice-breaking tips:

They are independent and firm by nature, and mostly prefer to do things their own way, so when communicating with them, respect the points they insist on, let them keep their independence, don't force them to accept ideas they aren't yet familiar with, and respect the lessons drawn from their experience — all of it accumulated over a lifetime. Also, there are plenty of workaholics in this placement, so talking shop is another good way to break the ice.

Taboos:

Things that benefit others but not themselves; empty talk.

 

• Sun in Aquarius + Mercury in Aquarius: "The Most Confident Aquarius"

Sun in Aquarius + Mercury in Aquarius celebrities: Jennifer Aniston, Cristiano Ronaldo, Paris Hilton, Oprah

         Traits:
           When the Sun and Mercury fall in the same sign, the qualities of that sign are usually intensified. Strongly logical but leaping in how they express it, big-picture in their thinking, focused on the overall direction and core points, and reliant on rational judgement. Some Mercury in Aquarius people love to debate; stubborn as they are, they can be won over by sound reasoning, which makes them very open to new ideas.

Key conversation tips:

They can articulate their offbeat, one-of-a-kind ideas fluently, and are skilled at building logical arguments from a big-picture perspective. Their words carry a convincing air of authority, yet without much personal bias or emotion — they come across as both well-reasoned and objective. They are good at grasping the crux and the underlying patterns of a situation without being distracted by details, and they are highly rational decision-makers, so playing the emotional card has almost no effect. They enjoy making friends as a way to spark ideas off each other.

Ice-breaking tips:

They are also highly rational and skilled at thinking, so during a conversation you can try raising some challenging questions that get them genuinely engaged in thinking about the topic. Expressing your own views rationally is very important when communicating with them; as long as your viewpoint has its own internal logic, even if it's somewhat unconventional, it can spark their interest in you and make them want to get to know you.

Sun in Aquarius with Mercury in Aquarius people are full of curiosity about novel and innovative things, so during a conversation you can share these interesting matters or questions to spark their curiosity.

Taboos:

Don't use emotional pressure or mainstream values to push them into something — it will trigger their rebellious streak. They are the most independent and self-directed group among Aquarians, so don't try to interfere with or control the pace of the conversation.

。This is also a placement with a strong sense of justice, fairness and equality, so they will visibly push back against opinions or behaviour they see as unjust or unfair.

• Sun in Aquarius + Mercury in Pisces — "The Most Sensitive Aquarius"

Famous Sun in Aquarius + Mercury in Pisces people: Tom Hiddleston, Robin Williams, Abraham Lincoln

         Characteristics:

           Gentle, sensitive and compassionate, with a rich imagination — an imagination that breaks out of the box, letting them escape the usual ruts of thinking to seek innovative ideas.
           They are also the warmest, most humane of the Aquarians, and the most able to accept differing opinions, concepts and ideas.
           The downside is that they emphasise emotions and feelings, so they easily drift off topic or express themselves unclearly. They hold on too tightly to their own ideals/beliefs (so idealistic that they overlook real-world feasibility), and sometimes unconsciously project their own views onto others. They dislike unchanging routines, and if this isn't managed well they may lack patience and stability.

 

Key conversation techniques:

Because this is a weak placement for Mercury, people with this position tend to have unclear thinking and vague expression. Since they aren't good at thinking or communicating in an orderly way, conversations may go one of two ways:

1. Because they aren't good at it, they simply avoid it — they don't speak up or express themselves, and you need some skill to draw them out.

2. They talk without a clear point, rambling from one thing to another.

Whichever type you're dealing with, when you talk to them you must not let their overly scattered thoughts carry you away. You have to pull them back to the topic at the right moments, help them summarise their line of thinking, and when necessary even guide them into making a decision — otherwise it's easy to spend a lot of time and never get to the point. That said, since the Sun in Aquarius still sits in a thinking-oriented air sign, quite a few people with this aspect can, through reading, reflection and practice in conversation, get the knack of expressing what's on their mind.

 

Ice-breaking techniques:

Focus the conversation on what you have in common. Listening, responding and empathising are the three keys to communicating with them. Sun in Aquarius, Mercury in Pisces people long to pour out their feelings. Talk with them about feelings and emotions; when discussing something, start with how they feel about it. They also like open-ended questions, so guiding them into discussing these helps get them talking.

Taboos:

Never let them lead you by the nose. They are an emotional bunch, and the conversation goes wherever their feelings take it — sometimes it wanders off somewhere very far away, so pull it back to the point at the right moment.

【Mutable / Water Signs】

Sun in Pisces ( 2/20 ~3/20 )

• Sun in Pisces + Mercury in Aquarius — "The Most Clear-Eyed Pisces"

• Famous Sun in Pisces + Mercury in Aquarius people: Rihanna, Steve Jobs, Justin Bieber

         Characteristics:

           This placement is the combination among Pisceans with the most innovative thinking and the most logical mind. They are very good at observing and analysing, and can quickly grasp new concepts and technologies. Most of them think independently and hold views that differ from the crowd.

          Sun in Pisces + Mercury in Aquarius people have a rich imagination and creativity, and at the same time an independent, scientific mind. They are logical but express themselves in leaps; they think on a macro level, value the big picture and the core points, and place importance on rational judgement. Some Mercury in Aquarius people enjoy debating, and although stubborn, they can be won over by sound reasoning.

          Influenced by Pisces, they can usually sense other people's emotions and feelings very well, though the cool rationality of Mercury in Aquarius may leave them clumsy at expressing their own feelings.

Key conversation techniques:

They have original insights and unusual ideas, dare to think and dare to speak, and are good at analysing things from a macro perspective, showing more originality and unconventional thinking in both thought and communication. They are also good at looking at problems from different angles and seeking innovative ways to solve them, while placing great importance on personal independence and autonomy.

When asked for their opinion, they tend to "first disagree, then explain". Younger Sun in Pisces, Mercury in Aquarius people can be so blunt it startles you.

 

Ice-breaking techniques:

Lead with feeling, then with reason, and then invite them to take part. They may habitually say no first before offering their own view, but they really can be persuaded by rational arguments.

 

Taboos:

Letting a discussion that was supposed to be rational degenerate into an emotional fight; don't judge their unusual ideas by mainstream, traditional values.

 

• Sun in Pisces + Mercury in Pisces — "The Most Innocent and Romantic Pisces"

Famous Sun in Pisces + Mercury in Pisces people: Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Cindy Crawford

 

         Characteristics:

People with both the Sun and Mercury in Pisces are usually keenly receptive, emotionally rich and creative, with strong sensitivity and intuition, so most of them have quite a gift for creative and artistic work. In communication, they are good at expressing themselves in an intuitive, emotional way, and emotions and feelings are the focus of their conversations — but they aren't very good at sticking to the facts of the matter and easily drift off topic. In terms of expression, they either avoid communicating altogether or ramble on unclearly, speaking in a roundabout way rather than saying things directly. Still, their empathy and compassion produce those heart-warming words that make the other person feel "you really understand me", making them a balm for the soul.

At the same time, Pisceans with this placement sometimes express themselves less than clearly because they are overly emotional, or are so self-protective that they don't easily reveal what they're thinking. Compared with their strong receptivity, their rational logic is weaker: they easily forget things, get muddled and make mistakes. Compared with logic and reality, what they care about more is feeling, empathy and compassion, and their view of things is full of idealistic colour. Their idealism and their avoidance of complicated reality also make them more easily deceived (or prone to deceiving themselves).

 

Key conversation techniques:

This placement carries very strong emotional colour in its expression (you can clearly feel their emotions when they speak). Although they have the Mercury in Pisces traits of unclear thinking and vague expression, they still have a very strong desire to express themselves. There are two modes of expression: 1. They talk without a clear point — the conversation is boundless, wandering from one thing to another, saying whatever comes to mind. 2. They express themselves indirectly, conveying things tactfully through silent language (eye contact, body language, facial expressions).

What to watch out for with this placement is that many of their real thoughts get submerged in a flood of scattered talk. Besides not letting their overly scattered thoughts carry you away, you must pay very close attention to what their eyes, gestures and micro-expressions reveal, and to the subtext in their words — their real thoughts are often hidden there. When making decisions they tend to procrastinate and avoid, they like to leave themselves a way out, and they go with the flow.

 

Ice-breaking techniques:

Talk with them more about feelings and emotions; when discussing something, start with how they feel about it. They are easily influenced by the immediate situation and will unconsciously be led along by the atmosphere of the moment.

 

Taboos:

Although things will drag on forever if you don't keep an eye on the schedule, pushing too hard will make them run away outright.

 

• Sun in Pisces + Mercury in Aries — "The Most Forward-Charging Pisces"

Famous Sun in Pisces + Mercury in Aries people: Albert Einstein, Shaquille O'Neal, Aamir Khan

         Characteristics:

They tend to speak their mind without reserve, are articulate, and good at expressing themselves and communicating. Sharp and direct. Their attitude is clear-cut and they make decisions quickly.
Sun in Pisces, Mercury in Aries people combine sensitivity, intuition and a capacity for action. They usually have strong creativity, curiosity and a positive drive to get ahead, enjoy trying new things and have an adventurous spirit.
In communication, they tend to speak frankly and express themselves directly, showing strong confidence and enthusiasm, though at times they can also be too rash or lack patience. In terms of thinking, they tend towards quick decisions and quick action —
they are a group who put words into action immediately. They are also easily swayed by feeling and intuition, and sometimes lack deep thought and rational analysis. Overall, Sun in Pisces, Mercury in Aries people are energetic, adventurous, direct and creative,
but they also need more rational thinking and patience.

 

Key conversation techniques:

A sharp tongue but a soft heart — they say what's on their mind and express their emotions directly, without holding back. They aren't very patient and dislike long-term planning; they make decisions quickly but tend to run away when facing difficulties. It's common for them to be full of enthusiasm and positive affirmation in the moment and then end up doing nothing at all. When that happens, take the initiative to find out what difficulties they've run into — once the obstacles are cleared away, stirring up their enthusiasm again can restore their momentum.

Ice-breaking tips: They don't really need much ice-breaking, but do watch out for them agreeing in the moment and then backing out or avoiding it afterwards.

Taboos: Say what you mean directly, but be mindful of their feelings.

 

【Mutable / Air Signs】

Sun in Gemini ( 2/20 ~3/20 )

• Sun Gemini + Mercury Taurus: "The most patient Gemini"

• Famous Sun Gemini + Mercury Taurus people: Johnny Depp, Naomi Campbell ("the Black Pearl"), John F. Kennedy

         Traits: This combination shows a cautious, practical and patient attitude. Your thinking is flexible and quick — you grasp new concepts fast and can express them in plain, clear terms.
You pay attention to practical details and real-world considerations, and you hold firmly to your own views. Caution and patience are how you handle things; you like to work through plans step by step.
When it comes to communication, you're good at using simple language to explain complicated matters — you're the most patient of all the Geminis.

Key conversation techniques:

They lean towards visual thinking, so it's best to make your words as image-based as possible. Don't throw too many new ideas at them at once — give them time to digest. Their thinking style is the most conservative and practical of the Geminis, and they're better at listening than at speaking. They're also the most methodical group among Geminis: they weigh a lot of feasibility details, so they decide more slowly, and they care more about whether something can actually be carried out than about whether it's interesting. Approach your pitch from a practical, realistic angle — rather than asking them to accept a brand-new plan all at once, they're far more receptive to fine-tuning within an existing blueprint. Be patient in earning their trust; haste makes waste.

Ice-breaking tips:

Bring images along to open the discussion, give plenty of examples to spark their thinking, and ideally lay out concrete step-by-step plans.

Taboos:

Keeping the topic too abstract and vague, skipping any discussion of concrete details and feasibility, and instead pushing them to hurry up and decide.

 

• Sun Gemini + Mercury Gemini: "The most quirky and quick-witted Gemini."

Famous Sun Gemini + Mercury Gemini people: Angelina Jolie, Marilyn Monroe, Anne Frank (author of The Diary of a Young Girl)

       Traits:
With both your Sun and Mercury in Gemini, you show quickness, cleverness and versatility in how you think, speak and act. Your mind moves fast,
you understand new concepts and respond rapidly, and you're highly associative — you connect ideas quickly and find innovative ways to solve problems.
Most of you are good with people, able to build rapport easily with all sorts of individuals, and you have excellent powers of expression. Your verbal style is lively, humorous and witty,
and your naturally curious nature about so many things gives you a rich store of knowledge and wide-ranging interests, so you can easily find common ground across wildly different topics and spark an interesting conversation.

Key conversation techniques:

This placement fits everyone's image of Gemini as "quirky, clever and quick-witted" best of all. They're skilled at reading the occasion, the situation and the person to decide what to say — still as a maiden one moment, swift as a hare the next, speaking one language with people and another with ghosts, and multi-talented with it. Their openness to new things is high, but much of it stays at the "happy to hear you out" stage; when it comes time to decide, their many-sided nature shows — they gather information from different angles and never listen to just one source. In making decisions, rather than overturning everything, they prefer to stay flexible, trying new things by recombining and fine-tuning what's already there.

Ice-breaking tips:

They're very good at conversation, so they don't need much ice-breaking — just give them enough information to do their own research.

Taboos:

They like flexible, adaptable approaches, so give them as many options as possible — even leave some scope open so they can put their own combination together.

 

• Sun Gemini + Mercury Cancer: "The most emotionally sensitive Gemini"

Famous Sun Gemini + Mercury Cancer people: Donald Trump, Nicole Kidman, Lana Del Rey

         Traits:
This placement brings more feeling and emotional quality into your language. You're highly sensitive to shifts in your own and other people's emotions, and you often pick up on subtle emotional changes.
Your personal feelings also easily colour how you think through problems, judge situations and make decisions. Most people with this combination are sentimental about the past, place great value on their bonds with family and close relationships, and are willing to give a great deal to those close to them.

Key conversation techniques:

Strong intuition, strong compassion — other people's stories easily stir their emotions. Their memory is excellent, and trivial little things most people would forget stay vivid for them. Sensitive and tender-hearted, they can end up living inside other people's thoughts and getting caught in self-contradiction — but this is also the placement that is most considerate of others.

Ice-breaking tips:

They enjoy nostalgic topics and talk of the past — chat about their younger days to stir up memories, and if you already have a certain rapport, family or relationship matters work too.

Taboos:

This placement has a very strong memory, so any inconsistency between what you said before and what you say now is easily spotted — and once they spot it, they mostly won't say anything, but their trust in you will drop.

 

• Sun Virgo + Mercury Leo: "The most confident Virgo"

Famous Sun Virgo + Mercury Leo people: Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Tim Burton

Traits: A louder voice and a broad-brush verbal style — even somewhat forceful or flamboyant. They can't really keep things bottled up or hold their tongue, and their joys, angers and sorrows are all vividly on display. The moment they speak, they draw everyone's attention.

Key conversation techniques:

These are the most confident and optimistic of the Virgos. Mercury in Leo eases Virgo's tendency to over-focus on detail and pass judgement, bringing in far more cheerful energy; this is also the Virgo placement most willing to take risks and strongest on getting things done.
That said, the Mercury-in-Leo quality also means they don't like having their views contradicted. Mercury in Leo really needs their opinions to be valued by others — they even want their opinions to carry influence — so when a disagreement turns into a debate they come on strong, and they'll work hard to win you over.

Ice-breaking tips:

They need their thoughts and opinions to be taken seriously, so ask them for their views on things.

Taboos:

Challenging their opinions in public, or making them lose face.

 

• Sun Virgo + Mercury Virgo: "The most meticulous Virgo"

Famous Sun Virgo + Mercury Virgo people: Keanu Reeves, Prince Harry, Amy Winehouse

Traits: A very sharp and finely detailed placement — one of the most intelligent of all Mercury configurations. Clear-headed and methodical, with strong organisational ability and strong logic.
Talking with a Mercury-in-Virgo person is usually easy, because they can put things clearly and logically; even when explaining something complicated they make it plain, so you grasp it at once and see it at a glance.
Topic-wise they like talking about work and health, and many Mercury Virgos also enjoy self-study and personal growth, and are keen on further training.

Key conversation techniques:
Mercury Virgos have strong powers of reasoning and analysis, so in conversation you quickly learn what they're after — but because their thinking is so thorough and they weigh every detail, they tend to be conservative in their decisions. When a Mercury Virgo presses you for detail after detail, whatever you do, don't get impatient: this is a crucial part of how they reach a decision. Some Mercury Virgos get tangled up in overly trivial matters, or are too hard on themselves and on others; that's when it may help to talk to them about efficiency and practicality, and remind them that time is a cost too.
Many Mercury Virgos are timid and shy with strangers and in unfamiliar settings, so it takes some effort to help them settle in and relax. Don't be too enthusiastic or pushy in a first conversation — remember, haste makes waste.

Ice-breaking tips:
Work, health, self-study and personal growth, further training — these are the topics they take to easily.

Taboos:
They're rather shy, so don't come on too strong in your first exchange; give them time to warm up to you gradually.

 

• Sun Virgo + Mercury Libra: "The most talkative Virgo"

Famous Sun Virgo + Mercury Libra people: Beyoncé, Zendaya, investment guru Warren Buffett

Traits: Gentle and courteous in expression, they watch the other person's mood and reactions, and communicate smoothly. When they don't want to state their view outright they speak equivocally, and they easily hesitate when it's time to decide.

Key conversation techniques:

They speak with poise and grace, and you'll rarely hear an inelegant word from them, because they care a great deal about how the listener feels. They're smooth talkers who don't tend to say outright what they're thinking, and they leave themselves room to manoeuvre in conversation, so they never close a door completely — which also makes it relatively hard to get a definite answer out of them.
They have a strong moral sense and pursue fairness, impartiality and justice; because they value harmony in relationships, they're also good at mediating, brokering and arbitrating.

Ice-breaking tips:
Mercury Libras are very good at conversation, so ice-breaking techniques are hardly needed.

Taboos:
Lying, coarse words and behaviour, dressing inappropriately.

 

【Mutable / Fire Signs】
Sun in Sagittarius ( 11/23 ~ 12/21 )

• Sun Sagittarius + Mercury Scorpio: "The Sagittarius with the deepest insight into human nature"

Famous Sun Sagittarius + Mercury Scorpio people: Miley Cyrus, Bruce Lee, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Walt Disney

Traits: Sparing with words, shrewd and perceptive, with strong insight and intuition, and great powers of concentration; when something interests them they'll dig all the way to the root of it.

Key conversation techniques: This is the most mysterious of the Scorpio placements, and the one that keeps itself most hidden. When they're not sure what's going on, they're mostly quiet and reserved — even a little invisible, off to one side — but they are extremely shrewd people with especially strong intuition about others. Trying to hide or cover something up in front of them is very difficult: a Mercury Scorpio can always tell from a glance, a gesture, even an indescribable "vibe" that something is off about your manner. When dealing with them, honesty is the best policy (lies are easily seen through anyway) — being frank and truthful is actually how you earn their trust. They're also a group with very clear likes and dislikes; changing their minds isn't easy, but once something does interest them, they'll want to get to the bottom of it.

Key to breaking the ice: Come clean and you'll be treated leniently — and get them interested.
Taboos: Don't disguise your real intentions.

 

• Sun Sagittarius + Mercury Sagittarius: "The most forthright Sagittarius"

Famous Sun Sagittarius + Mercury Sagittarius people: Britney Spears, Scarlett Johansson, President Emmanuel Macron, Jay-Z

Traits: They seek spiritual freedom and dislike restraint; they speak directly and frankly and don't like beating about the bush. Quick thinkers with a strong sense of justice, they act on an idea as soon as they have it, and they're able to keep revising the plan as they go. They hate anything static, boring or hidebound, yet they can still abide by mainstream norms. Their weaknesses: they easily aim too high, talk more than they do, like to lecture, and can be showy in speech.
They're the fastest and most flamboyant type of Sagittarius.

Key conversation techniques: They set a very high bar for professionalism, both for themselves and for others. If you want to appear before them as an authority, first hold yourself to a strict review (your outward image, your choice of words, and so on) — any slip-up and you'll easily lose their trust.
They demand a lot of themselves too, and readily apply their own standards to other people, so unless you're absolutely certain of your ground, don't boast in front of them. Some Mercury Sagittarians like to lecture, but that doesn't mean they disagree with you — when they're holding forth, don't deliberately argue back.
In communication they don't like getting bogged down in too much deep detail; too much of it makes them impatient. Rather than deep detail, they'd much rather talk about future development and possibilities, even if those are still a long way off.

Key to breaking the ice: Mercury Sagittarians love to play teacher, so admitting your shortcomings in front of them and asking their advice with an open mind is a good strategy.
Taboos: Focusing too much on trivial details, or pushing back on their advice when they're offering it.

 

• Sun in Sagittarius + Mercury in Capricorn: "The Coolest-Headed Sagittarius"

Famous Sun Sagittarius + Mercury Capricorn people: Taylor Swift (singer), Brad Pitt, Billie Eilish, Stalin

Traits: Speaks with caution — so cautiously that it comes out slowly and deliberately. Extremely careful about every decision, thinking it over again and again and considering it from every angle before saying a word. With less life experience, they can be clumsy at expressing their own ideas, saying things that miss the mark, and slower to pick things up.

Key points for talking with them: This is the most down-to-earth Sagittarius, the one most able to bring ideals down to the ground and actually push them into action, and also the most driven (ambitious) of the Sagittarians. Mercury in Capricorn lets those free-flying Sagittarian ideas become real — they are rarely all talk and no action. Their thinking is careful, practical, strongly logical and full of stamina; most of them make excellent organisers and managers, and they easily take on the image of the dependable senior figure or wise elder within an organisation.
They are also the most persevering of the Sagittarians, able to put in long stretches of effort in pursuit of the goal they hold in their heart. This is a placement where passion and endurance run side by side: on the road to their dreams, sheer persistence wins them their own holy grail. The flip side is that they can overthink and get stuck splitting hairs over things that don't matter.

Icebreaker key: This placement has a very strong desire to learn — as long as the topic sparks that desire to learn, breaking the ice is easy.
Taboos: Empty talk, and pouring cold water on their ideals (please don't do this before you know each other well).

 

*More on the placements of Mercury through the signs will be updated over time. If you'd like a further consultation, you're also welcome to join my official account and leave a message — I'll offer you more detailed, professional advice on astrology and your career path.

Astrology is a fairly complex field, and Mercury's influence on a person depends on many factors. Beyond the sign and the planet itself, it is also affected by the house ruler, the aspects between planets, and more. If you need deeper analysis, advice on what's troubling you right now, or a reading of your current transits and forecast for the year — in other words, if you need a more precise analysis — you're very welcome to message me to book a one-on-one birth chart consultation (ask to your heart's content~ ask away~)

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