On January the 8th, Mercury will move out of its sign of detriment. While it gains minor dignity by Term in Capricorn, this is still an improvement over its previous position. For much of its transit through Capricorn, Mercury will remain peregrine, lacking essential dignity and behaving like a drifter, often causing more harm than good when given the opportunity to act.
The cold and dry environment of Capricorn seems ideal for Mercury’s equally cold and dry nature. In earthy Capricorn, Mercury, the natural planet of articulation, becomes more practical. Under Saturn’s rulership, Mercury confines its interactions. The structure provided by Saturn can be highly beneficial for the planet of analysis. However, Capricorn is a cardinal sign, meaning the connections Mercury forms tend to be fleeting, quick, or subject to constant restarting.
As mentioned above, during most of Mercury’s time in Capricorn, Mercury will be peregrine. This means that Mercury’s peregrine state makes it more prone to expressing negative rather than positive qualities when given the opportunity to act. In this state, Mercury, as the ruler of detail, may get lost in it—constantly distracted by external stimuli and unable to deliver clear and focused messages. As the planet associated with deception and the natural ruler of magicians, Mercury, while being peregrine, will struggle to perform its “magic tricks” effectively, possibly pulling something unexpected from the proverbial black hat instead of the intended rabbit.
During this peregrine period, it’s not ideal to initiate agreements, transactions, or any “give-and-take” endeavors, such as starting a business. At this time, “magic tricks” are prone to being exposed, making them less convincing. On the flip side, thought processes may accelerate, moving at a dizzying pace, though often without the desired clarity or direction.
On January 19, Mercury will form a sextile aspect with Venus, the planet of unity, and Saturn, the planet of boundaries. Specifically, Mercury will first form a sextile with Saturn, followed by a sextile with Venus, which will have recently separated from a conjunction with Saturn.
While sextiles are generally considered “easy” aspects, as they connect planets sharing a similar elemental quality (e.g., hot or cold), the outcome of an aspect ultimately depends on the motivations of the planets involved or, more technically, their receptions.
In this case, Venus and Saturn will be in Pisces, a sign where Mercury is in its detriment and fall, creating challenges for Mercury rather than aiding it on its journey. Venus, exalted in Pisces, will be at its strongest, while Saturn (Mercury’s ruler) will be peregrine, lacking dignity. Symbolically, unity and pleasure (Venus), along with restriction and reality (Saturn), will obstruct the thought process, analysis, or expression (Mercury), rather than supporting them.
Feautured Picture: Rubens, Peter Paul, Mercury and Argus, 1635-38
The Classical Astrology 