Sign InMercury and the Ascendant in harmonious aspect
In this article, we explore the favorable relationship between Mercury and the Ascendant, whether it's a beneficial conjunction, a sextile (60°), or a trine (120°).
Technically speaking, the Ascendant corresponds to the sign rising in the East, marking the transition from night to day. It thus forms an axis with the Descendant. The Ascendant indicates the beginning of the first house, associated with looks, behavior, dressing and conducting oneself, as well as appearance, health, and vitality. This is why, as soon as the birth time is known, an astrological chart analysis gives it great importance. Furthermore, any planet closely connected to the Ascendant deserves special attention, as in the case of angularity, it often figures among the main dominants.
Let's now look at Mercury. This planet, the closest to the Sun, symbolizes our mind, our analytical ability, and our way of communicating. Mercury evokes the god from Latin and Greek mythology (Hermes), the messenger of Olympus, known for his mischief, cunning, and multiple talents. Ruler of Gemini and Virgo, Mercury can manifest in two slightly different ways.
Under the influence of Gemini (associated with literature and writing), it is lively and talkative, while in Virgo (more related to sciences and numbers), it emphasizes rational and analytical aspects. Depending on its configuration and its position in sign and house, Mercury will highlight these characteristics to varying degrees.
Regarding the favorable link between Mercury and the Ascendant, it reveals a personality drawn to the aforementioned areas. This results in a cerebral person, comfortable with words, both in writing and speaking. In some cases, this connection indicates an interest in commerce, exchanges, or sciences.
Finally, an Ascendant influenced by Mercury confers dexterity, which can manifest in certain activities or sports such as auto racing, tennis, golf, billiards, or archery, for example.
In order to better explain this aspect, we are mentioning several well-known personalities (here Michel Houellebecq (trine), Marguerite Yourcenar (sextile), Arnold Schwarzenegger (favorable conjunction), and Charles Dickens (trine)). This article deliberately isolates the aspects so as to better describe them. For this reason, it claims on no account to be a psychological analysis of the celebrity in question, for whom many other articles are available in the "Focus" section.
It is possible to find thousands of other horoscopes having Mercury and the Ascendant in favorable aspect (or any other aspects), with the online tool search. The planets, positions in sign and in house as well as the orb, are configurable.
Michel Houellebecq
Considered as one of the contemporary masters of French literature, Michel Houellebecq stands out for his unique writing style, often described as metalanguage. This stylistic choice, characterized by an apparent indifference to form, gives him the freedom to meticulously describe the customs and foibles of our society. In his case, Mercury is found in Aquarius and in the 8th house, associated with the secretive realms of sexuality and symbolic death.
The position of Mercury, ruler of the Ascendant Gemini, has undoubtedly naturally guided him towards writing as his main form of expression. Precociously brilliant and already considered gifted in school, he lacked confidence and experimented with various activities before initially turning to journalism.
It is in this profession that he was able to satisfy his thirst for knowledge and his taste for anecdotes. He then turned to novel writing, seeking to break free from conventions further, with the support of his Mercury which grants him great originality and freedom with respect to taboos. Endowed with a keen sense of observation and an unmatched caustic wit, Michel Houellebecq does not hold back.
It is also pertinent to note that his Mercury forms a quincunx with the Moon in Virgo. Although a minor aspect, it gains importance due to Mercury's rulership of Virgo. Configured in this way, the planet harmoniously completes the Mercury-Ascendant Gemini duo. This explains his choice to forge a character that is rather introverted and shy, but which is of course much more astute and enterprising than it appears.
Michel Houellebecq
You can also read the Astrotheme astrological portrait of Michel Houellebecq.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Michel Houellebecq:
Marguerite Yourcenar
The author of The Abyss and Memoirs of Hadrian undeniably embodies the quintessence of the renowned intellectual, completed by her status as an academician. In her natal chart, Gemini plays a predominant role, housing no fewer than four planets. At the heart of this constellation, Mercury, exceptionally powerful because it is in its own sign, forms a conjunction with the Sun and is sextile to the Ascendant.
Coming from a very good society family, the young Marguerite Yourcenar benefited from a free and enlightened education, conducive to culture and travel. In her early years, she was fortunate enough to lead a bohemian life, dreamed of by a woman of letters, enjoying life while sprinkling her journey with a few short stories and a novel.
It wasn't until her departure for the United States, motivated by the imminent approach of war, that she gave a new dimension to her projects. There, she taught French literature and art history, which later led her to display her erudition in more ambitious novels, like those that made her famous.
Let's not forget that she had the Ascendant in Leo, giving her a taste for grandiosity and the life of heroes. She also did not disdain honors, having been the first woman elected to the French Academy.
Marguerite Yourcenar
You can also read the Astrotheme astrological portrait of Marguerite Yourcenar.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Marguerite Yourcenar:
Arnold Schwarzenegger
At first glance, some might be surprised to find that Arnold Schwarzenegger, an actor so imbued with testosterone and former Governor of California, has a Mercury in close relation with the Ascendant. Yet, this is the case; the very powerful planet is positioned at this angle at the time of his birth.
Mercury flourishes there, positioned in Cancer and forming a perfect trine with the Midheaven, as well as with a Jupiter in Scorpio in the 5th house.
This configuration suggests that Arnold Schwarzenegger's success owes much to his mental agility, effective communication, and intelligence, combined with a sensitivity characteristic of Cancer, far more than to his muscular hero's appearance, as seen in John Milius's Conan the Barbarian in 1982 or James Cameron's Terminator in 1984.
Nothing, however, predestined him for an extraordinary destiny: he was born in Tyrol, far from film circles, and grew up under the authority of a strict, even tyrannical father. Young Arnold was not particularly gifted at school either.
This is where Mercury's practical talent began to manifest itself. By assessing his strengths, Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to bet on on bodybuilding and enter competitive events in the sport. We know the rest, which led him all the way to Hollywood.
Today, some even argue that Terminator, the film that propelled him into the spotlight, had predicted the advent of artificial intelligence.
His success is not limited to cinema, as Schwarzenegger also made a resounding name for himself in politics, within the Republican party. Elected Governor of California in 2003 and then re-elected in 2006, he demonstrated undeniable talents, all while engaging in the fight against climate change, a rather unusual position for a member of this party.
He demonstrated that with an Ascendant well-aspected by Mercury, one always has more than one string to their bow. His successes in bodybuilding, cinema, university teaching with the creation of a political think tank, business – by timely withdrawing from the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain, of which he had been one of the founders – politics, and environmentalism are proof of this.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
You can also read the Astrotheme astrological portrait of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Arnold Schwarzenegger:
Charles Dickens
Delving into the world of British writer Charles Dickens, we discover a deeply committed novelist. His style, steeped in realistic romanticism, fits seamlessly into the literary landscape of the 19th century, a period marked by social upheavals triggered by the beginnings of the Industrial Era.
At the heart of these concerns, Charles Dickens focuses primarily on the fate of the underprivileged, particularly children and women, thus becoming an early advocate for their rights.
This modern inclination resonates harmoniously with the Aquarius nature of his Sun, while his Virgo Ascendant drives him to identify with the most modest.
However, Mercury, the ruler of the chart, is found in Capricorn, in trine with his Ascendant. Under the double influence of the Earth element, he shapes his novels as social documents, offering the reader a dive into a stark reality.
When he explores the theme of poverty, we feel the deep source of his inspiration, drawn from his family's experiences in his youth.
Incidentally, the influence of his Venus in Pisces, conjunct Pluto and square Neptune, subtly transpires in the expression of the feelings of his most memorable characters. Perhaps the most striking example is the poignant story of Pip and his tormented love for Estella in Great Expectations, published in 1861. This work, which has moved generations of readers, has subsequently inspired a multitude of film adaptations.
Having become a classic of English literature, often adapted to film and stage, Charles Dickens has earned his place among the greatest.
Charles Dickens
You can also read the Astrotheme astrological portrait of Charles Dickens.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Charles Dickens:
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