It takes on the energy of the sign it is in. Never far from the Sun it can only be in the same zodiac sign as the Sun or the sign either side.

Mercury is the innermost and smallest planet in the solar system, orbiting the Sun once every 88 days.

Mercury is our messenger and the planet that represents the mind and how we communicate what we are thinking. It's the mental process. We speak of people being 'mercurial' which says they are quick, and Mercury is the fastest moving planet after the Moon, speeding through a sign in approximately 3 weeks.

Sign
The style we communicate in is shown by the sign  Mercury is in. Signs are like costumes of actors (planets).

Retrograde
Three times a year it goes retrograde. This is a time for reflection, revising, going back over things and recognising the patterns of our lives. Its a time to question and to meditate. What are you being asked to learn?

Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde, these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!

It's also not a good time to sign contracts (unless you have to), buy computers, telephones and other electrical goods.

The Archetype
Mercury is known as The Trickster, The Networker, The Messenger. Geminis and Virgos have to connect with information and share the news. There are many journalists and writers who are Gemini.