Mercury’s Four Cyclical Phases and the Four Different Ways of Thinking (Updated August 2023)

Mercury’s four cyclical phases around the Sun and how it reflects four distinct mental styles

Mercury symbolizes our mental capacity and attitude, shaded in different hues by each sign, with the House indicating the main focus and development in life. We can further extract from the mental matrix based on Mercury’s position and cyclical phase around the Sun at the time of birth. An observation by astrologer Marc Edmund Jones, and later repurposed by Dane Rudhyar, the distinct four phases of Mercury reflect four different psychological temperaments.

Because of its proximity to the Sun, Mercury is never away from the Sun more than 28° zodiacal degrees. Mercury also spins within the Earth’s orbit. The blue planet will never be between the Sun and Mercury. Thus, from a geocentric point of view, Mercury never makes an entire 360° cycle around the Sun. Instead, it makes a phenomenal two cyclical phase called the inferior conjunction and superior conjunction, each one having its two-fold phases. Within the inferior conjunction, cycles include the P****romethean Direct and P****romethean Retrograde Mercury phases. The E****pimethean Direct and E****pimethean Retrograde cycles are within the superior conjunction.

Each period is based on the cyclical position of Mercury within the Earth’s orbit and its proximity to the Sun. The inferior conjunction is when Mercury is between the Earth and the Sun or in front of the Sun. The superior conjunction positions Mercury on the far side of the Sun, where it is blocked by the Sun from the Earth’s point of view. Each one can further describe our mental speed, capacity and bias.

To understand your natural Mercury temperament, look to your natal chart and see where the planet sits relative to your Sun. If your Mercury is ahead by sign or degree from the Sun, you’re an Epimethean Mercury. Then see if it has an Rx for retrograde. Without it, you’re an Epimethean Direct.

For example, my Mercury (without the Rx) is at 15° in Sagittarius, ahead of my Scorpio Sun at 22°, which means I have a Mercury in superior conjunction to the Sun and endowed with an Epimethean Direct temperament.

Another example is if you have an Aquarius Mercury Rx at 3° and your Sun in Aquarius is at 21°, you would fall under the inferior conjunction or Promethean Retrograde temperament with your Mercury behind your Sun by degrees.

To note: each phase reflects the natural disposition of those born in a particular Mercury cycle. With effort, we can still apply each one as our own.

Promethean Mercury—Inferior Conjunction

Coined Promethean Mercury, the inferior conjunction, is when Mercury wedges between the Earth and the Sun and rises before the Sun. The Promethean type can be compared to the symbolic phase of the New Moon with fresh starts and ideas—a fresh way of being. From a geocentric view, the face of Mercury is in shadow. Like the rebellious mythological Promethean who stole fire from the Gods, those born in this cycle characteristically express an independent mind and desire to detach from the ideals and conventions of thought. The mind operates on natural compulsion and focuses on self-agency and creative will.

Two phases within Promethean Mercury and How Your Mind Operates

Promethean Retrograde refers to the beginning cycle—restless, bold and intuitive. Your mind desires to rebel and extract from social conventions and mores. You’re tuned to an internal compass, seeking liberation and freedom from the known. It’s akin to cardinal energy, a new cycle of pure potential moving to an impulsive beat. Driven by compulsion, you set out unafraid to boldly go where no one has ever gone before. The downfall is the inability to maintain a steady pace or foresee the outcome and consequences.

When Mercury is stationary, turning direct, it is the phase coined Promethean Direct. This part of the cycle places Mercury closest to the Earth, reaching the furthest distance from the Sun. Behind a more mature, refined lens and with less deliberation, your mind eagerly desires expression to the exterior world.

Unlike the introspective PR, radical views are projected and expressed outward in the social scene, directing and leading future-oriented changes. Your mind has developed a vision which can reach intended goals and inspire others. We can observe the Promethean Direct temperament in politicians, reformers and those who want to articulate their ideas.

Epimethean Mercury –Superior Conjunction

After the inferior conjunction, Mercury speeds up, moves quicker than the Sun and is at the greatest distance from the Earth. The Sun is now between Mercury and the Earth in superior conjunction. With a great deal of mental soaking, the mind works more objectively, deliberately and analytically before it forges ahead. A Mercury disposition pressed on goals, results and considers the whole of convention, evaluating and reforming the status quo. Logic and experience take over intuition and impulse.

The Epimethean Mercury. The Two Phases, Epimethean Direct and Retrograde and how Your Mind Operates

Epimethean Retrograde

A cycle when Mercury stations retrograde, right up towards the inferior conjunction, it’s the shortest phase. It is also when the planet and Sun move toward each other, creating a solar vibe to the Mercury Epimethean Retrograde cycle. There may be a sense of individuated calling, as if a special light beams on those born under this cycle. Typically there is a feeling of certain social discontent.

Your mind is introspective and philosophical, examining the past with answers and meaning sought within. Your thoughts and ideas stand awkward in society, holding a view of both the past and the future with a desire to recreate the current narrative. This position of Mercury is the idealist and the visionary to the Promethean intuition or impulsive beat.

Epimethean Direct

About five days later, after the superior conjunction, Mercury reaches up to match the Sun’s speed and slows down. Intuitive flashes give way to careful deliberation, and views are extracted from the context of a social group and historical content.

At this point, Mercury is the smallest, but it is the brightest point in the cycle, seen as an evening star, which symbolizes the mind impressed with meaning. The lived experiences are applied, and a broader scope is considered. It is a ripening process that considers others and involves relative thinking. With that, less risk is taken, and more is weighed out as impulse is replaced by flexibility and an analytically open mindset. Goals are held long-term through detached and observant thinking. Endowed with wisdom, it is a mind which belongs to gurus and teachers. However, the downfall can slide to cemented ideas, arrogance and the irony of being close-minded to one’s perspective.

Source:

The Four Faces of Mercury By Michael R. Meyer

http://www.khaldea.com/planets/merc_type.shtml

@astro.wild.child