Mercury Transit in Virgo

Virgo is Budha's own sign, and Mercury reaches exaltation here at fifteen degrees. The moolatrikona runs from sixteen to twenty degrees, and the stay lasts about eighteen days. Parashara gives Mercury no stronger seat.

Virgo governs the abdomen, daily work, service and health. An exalted Mercury gives precision, method and clear analysis. Accounts, editing, diagnosis and detailed planning all go best here. Faultfinding rises alongside the precision.

The nakshatras are Uttara Phalguni, Hasta and Chitra. Uttara Phalguni, under the Sun, opens with steady counsel. Hasta, under the Moon, is the most skilful stretch and suits craft, healing and work of the hands. Chitra, under Mars, closes with design and building.

Classical gochara counts Mercury well in the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth and eleventh from the natal Moon. Leo, Gemini, Aries, Aquarius, Sagittarius and Scorpio Moons receive it in those houses. Virgo Moons hold it in the first, and Libra Moons carry it in the twelfth, where detail slips.

An exalted Mercury shows a person the quality of their own attention. Faults noticed in others during these days are faults the mind has learned to see. Turning the same precision onto one's own work is the practice of the stay, and set the accounts in order.

• Recite Om Bram Breem Braum Sah Budhaya Namah on Wednesday.
• Set accounts, records and health matters in order during Hasta.
• Apply the same standard to your own work first.