☽ Mercury (Budha) in Vedic Astrology
Mercury (Budha) is the planet of intellect, communication, commerce, and trade in Vedic astrology. As a benefic planet, Mercury governs intelligence, wit, and business acumen. Ancient Vedic texts provide detailed observations about Mercury's movements, transits through nakshatras, and various phenomena that were believed to influence earthly events.
Mercury's position and appearance were carefully studied by ancient astrologers to predict events affecting trade, commerce, health, and the welfare of people. These observations form an important part of classical Vedic astrological texts.
Mercury's Emergence and Phenomena
Mercury never reappears after his conjunction with the Sun without any unusual phenomenon. He will cause some sort of trouble through water, fire or wind, thus threatening people and causing extraordinary rise or fall in the prices of food grains.
Mercury's Transit Through Nakshatras
Sravana, Dhanishta, Rohini, Mrigasira, Uttarashadha
When Mercury transits through these asterisms, there will be no rain and diseases will break out.
Five Asterisms from Ardra
When Mercury is passing through any of the five asterisms commencing from Ardra, people will suffer on account of clash of arms, hunger, fear, disease, drought and worries.
Six Stars from Hasta
During Mercury's transit over the six stars reckoned from Hasta, cattle will suffer; oil, ghee, honey, jaggery and the like will rise in price; but there will be plenty of food-crops.
Uttaraphalguni, Krittika, Uttarabhadrapada, Bharani
If Mercury in his transit should cut through these stars, all creatures will be afflicted with diseases caused by the seven constituent elements of the body: muscle, bone, blood, skin, semen, fat and marrow.
Aswini, Satabhishak, Moola, Revati
When Mercury passes through these stars, the trading class, physicians, sailors, substances derived from water such as pearls and conchs, and horses will suffer destruction.
Purvaphalguni, Purvashadha, Purvabhadra
When Mercury cuts through these asterisms, people will suffer from hunger; war will break out, and there will be danger from thieves and diseases.
Mercury's Seven Courses (Gaits)
In Parasara's Tantra, seven courses (or gaits) have been declared for Mercury as distinguished by the several asterisms. Each course has specific characteristics and effects on the people and the land.
| Course | Asterisms | Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Prakrita | Swati, Bharani, Rohini, Krittika | 40 |
| Misra | Mrigasira, Ardra, Magha, Aslesha | 30 |
| Sankshipta | Pushya, Punarvasu, Purvaphalguni, Uttaraphalguni | 22 |
| Theekshna | Purvabhadra, Uttarabhadra, Jyeshta, Aswini, Revati | 18 |
| Yoganta | Moola, Purvashadha, Uttarashadha | 9 |
| Ghora | Sravana, Chittra, Dhanishta, Satabhishak | 15 |
| Papakhya | Hasta, Anuradha, Visakha | 11 |
Effects of Mercury's Courses
Prakrita Course: The people will command good health; there will be sufficient rain, good crops and general happiness.
Sankshipta and Misra Courses: The effect will be mixed.
Other Courses: The effects will be reverse (negative).
Mercury's Motion and Effects
Direct Motion
When Mercury's motion is direct, he does good to the people.
Exceedingly Retrograde
His over retrograde motion brings on famine by destroying the wealth of the country.
Retrograde Motion
When he is retrograde in his motion, he will bring on war in the land.
Decayed Motion
When his motion is decayed or weak, he engenders fear and disease.
Mercury's Visibility and Effects
Pausha, Ashadha, Sravana, Visakha, Magha
If Mercury be visible in these months, he will cause fear and panic in the land.
But if he should be eclipsed by the Sun during these months, he would produce good effect.
Kartika and Aswayuja
If Mercury be visible in these months, there will be risk of war, danger from thieves, fire, diseases, water and hunger.
Mercury's Eclipse and Emergence
When Mercury is eclipsed, towns will be besieged and when he emerges out from the Sun, the siege over these towns will be raised. According to another view, there will occur the retaking possession of these towns only when Mercury is seen in the west.
Mercury's Color and Appearance
Beneficial Mercury
When Mercury is of golden hue or of parrot colour or resembles the colour of the Sasyaka gem, or if his disc be glossy and big in size, he will prove beneficial to the people.
Malefic Mercury
If Mercury be otherwise (not of the above colors or appearance), he will prove malefic.