The Mercury Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

The Mercury Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

Note: In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

There are three pairs of visible planets that have antithetical functions to one another; Venus and Mercury are one. Mercury's functions include discrimination, wisdom and legacy. Although not apparent on the surface, its functions are antithetical to Venus'. Carnality, passion, and materialism are more of the domain of Venus; whereas, Mercury deals with cerebral, levelheaded, and non-materialist matters. Venus is the passionate hero; Mercury is the wise sage. Both antithetical qualities are needed in nature, for their differences keep nature in harmony. 

Mercury’s exaltation degree (the point at which it becomes manifest) is at 15 degrees of Virgo. Summer is cooling down and fall is a mere two weeks away. Planets get their characteristics from the seasonal environments in which they are born. Late summer, a time of reaping, commerce, reflection, and relaxation, nurtures Mercury at its birth. This season, where we begin to see the results of our actions and reap what we have sown, imbibes Mercury with mercantile savvy (at a time of selling crops), discrimination (and choosing the best of them), understanding, and legacy. It provides Mercury with the qualities we use to transfer resources, power, and legacy to another day, season, and generation. Mercury rises in Virgo, which is the opposite of Venus’ rise in Pisces (the opposite of Virgo). Virgo is also the opposing sign of Venus' manifestation and the reason why these planets are antithetical to one another.

As Mercury nears winter, it comes of age in this range from 15 degrees of Sagittarius to 15 degrees of Pisces. Here, it allows the day, year, and human life to retain what was achieved in order to sustain itself through the coming night, winter and death. Because of Mercury, the next day, year and life can draw from and build on what came before. Mercury thrives most during this quarter of non-productivity with its job of keeping an intact legacy from one productive period to another. At this time, it passes on knowledge and wisdom to future days, years, and generations. Here, we move into the peak period of rest and rejuvenation; the annual harvest is vigorously being distributed; and an elder is about to close out her life while her children start to retire, and her grandchildren begin the peak of their lives, employing her legacy. Mercury sustains nature while Venus sleeps. Without Mercury, we would always be reinventing the wheel and starting from square one. We would never be able to build on past achievements in order to makes larger achievements. There would always be a repeating of mistakes.  Mercury is essential for building on past achievements in order to reach higher achievements. Where Venus ends, Mercury begins. Where Venus creates, Mercury refines. Venus is the carnal and material, where Mercury takes us to the subtle and sublime. 

About two weeks before spring begins, Mercury has completed its production. It is ready to bestow and distribute its harvest, or results, of its productive season through its functions of discrimination, wisdom, and legacy throughout nature. At this time, Venus begins to wake up, and the dawning period of a day, year and life will begin again. This quarter for which Mercury gives its results runs from 15 degrees of Pisces to 15 degrees of Gemini. A huge chunk of this quarter is the beginning of the productive life cycle for a workday, annual growing season, and birth and childhood period of a human. This is when humans wake up with new inspiration based on what came before; start to sow the seeds of last season for a new productive season; and are conceived, born, and nurtured with Mercury’s wisdom of old. 

In the late spring, when Mercury reaches its anti-climax point of death at 15 degrees of Gemini, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to sleep until it will rise again. This quarter spans from 15 degrees of Gemini to 15 degrees of Virgo. Venus, the vessel, has matured to adulthood; it holds the full capacity of consciousness, allowing nature to complete the tasks of the soul's urges. People are ready to realize gains and independence. This is the time of year when a growing season is at its peak and ready to show promise.  In the human lifetime, we are most capable and experiencing the prime of life and all the things the world has to offer while creating and procreating. Mercury rests with its indifference, etherealness, prudence and wisdom while Venus reestablishes desire, carnality, abundance, and foolishness. 

Where Venus’ efforts create nature’s wild passion and vitality, Mercury carries the worthy legacy of Venus' efforts for another productive period. Venus is foolhardy; Mercury is discriminating. Venus is vigorous; Mercury is frail. After Mercury is nourished in the late summer and fall, and productive in the late fall and winter, it distributes its results of discrimination, wisdom, and legacy through the late winter and spring season, so nature can learn from its mistakes and builds on its past achievements for a more intelligent, wise, and refined world. When Mercury rests in the late spring and summer, life is productive, abundant, and free, creating a new world of ideas and products. Late summer then has Mercury rising to be nourished during the collection of life's gains and wisdom to be distributed throughout nature at the beginning of life’s non-productive period in the fall. 

Image source: By user:Tomisti ([1]) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Venus Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

The Venus Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

Note: In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

Venus primarily represents a vessel for consciousness, such as the body. It provides a healthy body for one's soul, beauty throughout nature, and vigor to accomplish one's tasks in life. Without Venus, one could not have a body to hold the soul on Earth, nor have enough energy to complete tasks, nor experience inner or outer beauty. 

Venus becomes manifest at 27 degrees of Pisces (commonly known as Venus' exaltation degree) just as spring is about to commence. The season a planet is born into nurtures the planet with that season’s own characteristics. Spring bestows Venus with its qualities of warmth, beauty, and new life. It is a time when fresh bodies are born into nature.

Once spring is complete, Venus then goes forth into summer, using these attributes to lift nature up, gracing it with beautiful vessels to hold nature’s abundance. Also thanks to Venus, there will be plenty of energy for all the work that needs to be done. By this time, Venus comes of age in the range from 27 degrees of Gemini to 27 degrees of Virgo, and gives the day, year, and human life what they need for a peak productive period. The productive part of the day is in full swing in the afternoon, the annual growing season is at its peak baking under the hot summer sun, and an adult is at his/her most vigorous and able to accomplish his/her tasks. Venus allows the consciousness of nature to express itself via vibrant, strong, beautiful bodies. Without Venus, there would be no vehicle or physical form for consciousness in nature to express itself. Life would be flat, ugly, unrefined, and lazy.  

At 27 degrees of Virgo, Venus has completed production and is ready to bestow and distribute its harvest, or results, of its productive season through its functions of vigor and aesthetics in nature. At this time, the harvest of a day, year and life will be well underway with they daily work ending, the annual harvest being gathered up, and the intense adult life of raising children and physical work winding down. One will begin to see the benefits of one's labors from the productive part of life. This quarter for which Venus gives its results runs from 27 degrees of Virgo to 27 degrees of Sagittarius. A huge chunk of this quarter in the grand life cycle is the first quarter of the non-productive period of a workday, year, and human life. One will see what they have reaped from his/her sowing. Vigor and health will decrease in nature as the ripe incarnations are distributed according to their value. 

When Venus reaches its anti-climax point of death at 27 degrees of Sagittarius, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to rest and recuperate until it will rise again at its manifestation. This quarter will span from 27 degrees of Sagittarius to 27 degrees of Pisces. It is a time when people will sleep from exhaustion of the day’s work and play, when the fields will lay barren, and humans will die when their body can no longer endure to hold their soul. They will commit the final acts of the day, year and life before being brought back to another cycle of productivity and work.

Venus rises to allow nature to have a vehicle for its consciousness and provides it the vigor to complete its tasks. After it is nourished in spring and productive in summer, it distributes its results of ripe bodies and food in the fall. Nature can thus be sustained throughout the non-productive seasons. When Venus rests right before winter, when life dies, hibernating in the abyss. Venus rises again for nourishment right before spring, just before spirits are ready to reincarnate within various bodies that get the work of a day, year and lifetime done. 

Image Source: By Henri-Pierre Picou - http://www.artrenewal.org/pages/artwork.php?artworkid=7062, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10733654

The Jupiter Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

The Jupiter Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

Note: In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's​ life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

​Of the seven visible planets, t​here are three pairs that have antithetical functions to one another: Sun and Saturn, Venus and Mercury, and Mars and Jupiter. (The Moon has a unique function that is not antithetical to any other planet, but is an extremely important planet in astrology as it is the archetype of the manifest universe.)

Jupiter's functions include pleasantness and wealth. Its functions are antithetical to Mars'. While Mars is lean and mean, Jupiter is fat and easy going. Mars is progressive, Jupiter is conservative. Mars is about survival, while Jupiter allows one to enjoy life with it comforts. Without Jupiter, we would​ never enjoy the results of our hard work or get any downtime. 

Jupiter becomes manifest at 5 degrees of Cancer (commonly known as Jupiter's exaltation degree) when summer is just starting out. This is also the opposing sign of Mars' manifestation and the reason why these planets are antithetical to one another. The season a planet is born in determines how that planet is nurtured. Summer nurtures Jupiter at its birth with an environment of pleasantness, abundance, and productivity. This season of comfort and plenty imbibes Jupiter with pleasantness, products, and wealth. It provides Jupiter with the qualities we use to enjoy the fruits of our labors during the fall harvest. 

By the time Jupiter comes of age in the fall, the range from 5 degrees of Libra to 5 degrees of Capricorn, the planet gives the day, year, and human life what they need to relax and enjoy themselves during the first half of the non-productive cycle. The non-productive part of the day begins; the annual harvest is brought in; and an adult has made his/her contributions to society, is ready to supervise others, and go into retirement. In this quarter, Jupiter is geared toward non-productivity with its functions of pleasantness, comfort, and wealth. Jupiter fattens life up in order that life may be enjoyed and sustained until another productive season can begin. Jupiter sustains Mars’ past innovations and efforts. Without Jupiter, life would always meager and harsh. There would be no resting on one's laurels or stopping to smell the roses. Life would also be unforgiving, with a lack of reserves and support. Jupiter is essential for enjoyment, sustainability, and comfort. 

In winter, Jupiter has completed production and is ready to bestow and distribute its​ harvest, or ​results, of its productive season through its functions of pleasantness, comfort, and wealth throughout nature. At this time, the sleep period of a day, year and life will come to fruition. This quarter for which Jupiter gives its results​ runs from 5 degrees of Capricorn to 5 degrees of Aries. A huge chunk of this quarter in the grand life cycle is the peak of non-productivity for a workday, annual growing season, and adult period of a human. This is when humans sleep, fields lay barren, and humans die.

In the spring, when Jupiter reaches its anti-climax point of death at 5 degrees of Aries, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to rest and recuperate until it will rise again. This quarter spans from 5 degrees of Aries to 5 degrees of Cancer. It is a time when Mars inspires people to innovate. People are ready to wake up and start another productive day at school or work. This is the time​​ of year when a new growing season is kicked off.  In the human lifetime, we​ are nourished and supported by our parents in order that we may be productive in our adult years. Jupiter rests while Mars reestablishes innovation and purpose. 

Where Mars wakes and sleeps early, Jupiter is the late riser and late sleeper. Where Mars’ efforts create nature’s wealth, Jupiter gathers those fruits and uses them to sustain us through nature’s non-productive periods. Mars is harsh and revolutionary, while Jupiter gives comfort and cushion and keeps things conservative. After Jupiter is nourished in the summer and productive in the fall, it distributes its results of pleasantness, comfort, and sustainability through the winter, so nature can make it through the non-productive cycle of life and be ready for a new fertile season. When Jupiter rests in the spring, life is invigorated and inspired to produce again. Summer then has Jupiter rising to be nourished for sustainability, pleasantness, and conservation in the peak of life’s abundance. 

Image description and source: Bronze bust of Jupiter, Roman copy (2nd century AD) after Greek original (2nd half of the 4th century BCE. khm.at 

The Mars Archetype: The Functions of its Life Cycle

In astrology, the combined unique functions of the seven visible planets, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, create a fourfold life cycle. This cycle is comprised of nourishment, production, distribution, and rest. Each of these planets expresses each of these four stages in its respective cycle, setting up a fractal-like pattern reflected in the whole (nature's​ life cycle) and each part (the life cycle of each planet).

Mars' functions in the life cycle include initiation, inspiration, innovation, and purpose. From these key concepts, it is clear that one needs Mars to get anything started and to leave old ways behind. Without Mars, one would​ remain adrift in a sea of purposelessness and archaism.

Mars becomes manifest at 28 degrees of Capricorn (commonly known as Mars' exaltation degree) when winter is well underway. The environment a planet is born in determines​ the attributes it will espouse. Winter nurtures Mars in its infancy with an environment of freezing temperatures, barrenness, and lack. This season of survival imbibes Mars with its attributes of meanness, leanness, discipline, inspiration, and the will to live. It hardens Mars with the qualities we need to sustain ourselves through harsh winters.

By the time Mars comes of age in the range from 28 degrees of Aries to 28 degrees of Cancer, the planet gives the day, year, and human life what they need for a productive period. The productive part of the day begins, the annual growing season is started, and a child is infused with inspiration and purpose. In this quarter, Mars is geared toward productivity with its functions of discipline, inspiration and self-preservation. Mars breaks down the past so a new productive and innovative future can be established. Without Mars, the current state of affairs would flounder in the past, and new innovations would not see the light of day. Mars is essential for people to adapt to life's changes ​​by turning toward inspiration and purpose.

At 28 degrees of Cancer, Mars has completed production and is ready to bestow and distribute its​ harvest, or ​results, of its productive season through its functions of inspiration, drive, and​ purpose throughout nature. At this time, the purpose of a day, year and life will come to fruition. This quarter for which Mars gives its results​ runs from 28 degrees of Cancer to 28 degrees of Libra. A huge chunk of this quarter in the grand life cycle is the peak productivity period of a workday, annual growing season, and adult period of a human. 

When Mars reaches its anti-climax point of death at 28 degrees of Libra, it has completed its life cycle and is ready to rest and recuperate until it will rise again. This quarter will span from 28 degrees of Libra to 28 degrees of Capricorn. It is a time when people are not inspired to innovate. People are enjoying the harvest of the day by relaxing at home or enjoying some entertainment. This is the time​​ of year where we​ exchange​ gifts and shop more than usual. In the human lifetime, we​ retire​ and enjoy the fruits of our lives. It is all about resting on one's laurels. 

Mars is the early riser and the early sleeper. With the larger life cycle that Mars plays one-seventh of a part in, it rises to inspire and invigorate nature to break away from the old and establish the new. After it is nourished in winter and is productive in spring, it distributes its results of inspiration and purpose in the summer, so nature can be revitalized for a productive season. When Mars rests in the fall, life relaxes and we ​enjoy the fruits of its hard work. Mars rises again for nourishment in the barrenness of nature​ as life itself sleeps or ​dies in the winter. 

Image description and source: https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e4-19f1-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99