Mercury: The Shape-Shifting Intellect Born Of The Moon's Desire

The god of mischief, intelligence, discrimination, and intellect is one of the most impressionable deities; whosoever it sits with, it becomes that.

In Vedic lore, it is known as Budha, whose color is green and provides the necessary intelligence for our thoughts to manifest. Its nakshatras—Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, and Revati—have different roles to play both in our way of living and after it, for salvation. Its basic element is airy, to multiply and to communicate. It has its roots in all arts, business, and science and excels with whosoever it comes into contact with.

Budha was born as an illegitimate child of the Moon and Tara. Tara was the wife of Deva Guru Brihaspati (Jupiter). Chandra became infatuated with Tara and, through his influence, she eloped with him. Their union resulted in the birth of a radiant and intelligent son. This son was Budha, the planet Mercury.

It always remains close to the Sun, which shows the manifestation of clarity of thought and its brilliance.

The Greeks associated the planet Mercury with Hermes. Hermes was the messenger of the gods, known for his speed, eloquence, and role as a conductor of souls to the underworld. He was also the patron of travelers, merchants, thieves, and orators. His swiftness mirrored the fast orbit of the planet.

The Romans adopted the Greek Hermes and renamed him Mercury. He retained many of the same attributes as Hermes, also serving as the messenger of the gods, the god of commerce, eloquence, communication, travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery, and thieves.

The planet's name in English and many other languages is derived from the Roman god. Mercury’s sustainable energy is channeled through the Hindu deity, Vishnu, the sustainer of existence. For experiencing the auspicious energy of Mercury, one should chant Shri Vishnu Sahasranamam.