Mercury in Gemini

"Under the influence of Mercury, you make the figure of a single frog on the hour of Mercury, with Mercury rising, in an emerald stone, whoever carries it will offend no one. To the contrary, everyone you meet will speak well of you and say good things about your works." Picatrix Book 2, Chapter 10

For Social Graces and Reputation

In his dignities, Mercury influences eloquent speech, calculation, divination, writing, gambling, business transactions, and much more. Mercury is often known in his many forms as “the Messenger of the Gods”. In this election, Mercury rises in his day, his hour had just passed only two minutes before this election began. Although the planetary hour is preferred by most practitioners of astrological magic, both day and hour most of all, the planetary day alone is very suitable.

This election was tested over a year ago using a different talisman with exceptional success. A personalized talisman was made for a friend with the purpose of getting a Mercury-related job. She quickly got the job, and later looked back on how the events transpired. The chain of events that led to the desired job began the week I offered to create the talisman and actually happened shortly after it was created! This is not uncommon with astrological talismans. The invisible forces that govern the cycles of time, made visible in the configuration of the heavens, are the key to this form of magic.

Election Standard

Page 112 of Picatrix says, “In the hour of Mercury, Mercury rising in the first face of Gemini make images to sharpen the memory and intellect in knowledge and wisdom and to acquire grace from men.” This face of Gemini has a powerful effect on the talisman’s owner.

"If, under the influence of Mercury, you make the figure of a single frog on the hour of Mercury, with Mercury rising, in an emerald stone, whoever carries it will offend no one. To the contrary, everyone you meet will speak well of you and say good things about your works." (Page 109)

Mercury in the first Face of Gemini (0 to 9.59 degrees) is exceptionally strong, specifically recommended for this planet in Picatrix the most of any particular sign. Although Mercury is highly effective in Virgo and in any part of Gemini, there is something special about this Face. Mercury is dignified here by Rulership, Triplicity, and Term.

In traditional astrology, the planets, as are the signs, are equally divided into masculine and feminine, diurnal (day) and nocturnal. Sacred geometry and divine numbers are at the root of traditional astrology; seven is a divine number and is indivisible. Mercury is the “neutral” planet, having the ability to assume masculine or feminine functions, diurnal or nocturnal, benefic or malefic. All of this depends on his position relative to the Sun, and his aspects to either benefic or malefic planets.  In this case, Mercury is diurnal, the morning star rising before the Sun, and has passed from Direct Station almost two weeks prior (the period after a retrograde is complete).

Part of the strength of the Moon in an election is determined by its speed. The faster it moves through the sky the more it is able to accomplish its objectives quickly, and the same applies to Mercury. Retrograde is a guarantee the planet will fail in its objectives. Here, Mercury is eagerly gaining speed and strength, quickly approaching the one-degree-per-day mark. Many Hellenistic and medieval astrologers considered a planet stationing direct as “like a sick man recovered and full of hope”, although Picatrix does not mention it, assuming the reader to be skilled with the astrology of the medieval period.

The Moon is incredibly fast at 15.1 degrees and enters the 8th house, dignified by Triplicity. The Moon’s sign ruler Saturn, governing ultimate outcomes, is unfortunately retrograde but retains enough strength by being in the angular 10th house, the second most powerful house. The moon also makes a trine to a very powerful Venus in Taurus and is received by her, meeting all the requirements of Picatrix Book 2, Chapter 3 on page 70, which states, “If you find both the Moon and the lord of her house favorably placed, the working will be good in all things and well completed, and you will obtain what you desire, and the end will be good. This will be even more so if the lord of the ascendant is a fortune and is in the ascendant or another of the angles, or if it is a malefic and favorably placed.”

How They Were Made

Astrological talismans are born the moment they take their final form.  This election was a time window of 25 minutes, starting the moment Gemini began its rise on the ascendant.  Because I eagerly planned and anticipated this election, I had gathered suitable objects made of silver, brass (one of Mercury's metals) and gemstones ruled by Mercury such as emerald, hematite and green jasper.

A beautiful frog pendant made of brass was engraved with the symbols of Gemini and Mercury and suffumigated with Mercury's incense from Liber Razielis. Picatrix says that "under the influence of Mercury, you make the figure of a single frog on the hour of Mercury, with Mercury rising, in an emerald stone, whoever carries it will offend no one. To the contrary, everyone you meet will speak well of you and say good things about your works."

The Chart

Election: 4:45 to 5:10 AM, 16 June 2022