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One of the nine grahas

Mercury (Budha)

Intellect and exchange. Mercury governs how you think, speak, trade and analyse — the translator between mind and world.

Key facts
Sanskrit nameBudha
Signifiesintellect, communication, business, analysis, skill
Own signGemini and Virgo
Exalted inVirgo
Debilitated inPisces
Dasha length17 years

What Mercury governs

Mercury signifies intellect, communication, business, analysis, skill. Its strength is read from the sign it occupies, the house it sits in, the company it keeps and the aspects it receives — never from one factor alone.

The Mercury dasha

In the Vimshottari system Mercury runs for 17 years. It governs the nakshatras Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Revati, so a Moon in any of those begins life inside a Mercury period.

What does Mercury signify in Vedic astrology?

Mercury signifies intellect, communication, business, analysis, skill. It is exalted in Virgo and debilitated in Pisces, and runs a 17-year Vimshottari dasha.

Related

See Mercury in your own chart.

Reference tells you what it means in general. Your chart tells you what it means for you.

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