Exalted Planets Series; Mercury in Virgo

Virgo is the sign of purity and has been granted the ability to SEE that which needs to be improved. Virgos are the only ones who can see with such purity what needs to be done in order to bring things back into balance.

Virgos have excellent discernment, which they use to find the right information to create balance.

Wikipedia definition of discernment

'Discernment is the ability to perceive, understand, and judge things clearly, especially those that are not obvious or straightforward.'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discernment

Mercury rules the intellect in astrology and Mercury in Virgo is concerned with the practical use of the thoughts that are generated by the mind which is the function of our intellect. The mind can be our worst enemy if we allow it to get out of control. Mercury is exalted in Virgo because of the applied use of intellectual knowledge. People with Mercury in Virgo can be very useful and helpful, especially to people in great need.

We usually attribute the mind and intellect to air signs in astrology but Virgo is an earth sign, grounding that intellectual energy in a way that it can be practically used. 

Mercury in Virgo individuals see what needs to be done and will make great suggestions of how to do it. They will help people to improve their conditions which can greatly alleviate their suffering. Their insights are often brilliant but also grounded and practical.

They will refine systems and processes so that they work more efficiently. Finding mistakes and making things better but in an atmosphere of modesty and humility, not in competition with others.

Aleister Crowley describes Virgos as:

"The earth in its passive form; fields and pastures, which as it were yield themselves naturally to other influences"

Virgo uses its great power of discernment to help others grow and put things back into balance.

The Hermit tarot card is linked with Virgo. Aleister Crowley states that the man in this card is actually Hermes, the messenger of the Gods, which Mercury symbolises.

"He symbolises the developed mind of man, the PRUDENCE and foresight which causes him to gather up the fruits of his ploughing and sowing and reaping into granaries. Virgo is an earthy, mercurial sign and so represents the fixation of the intellect in practical ways"

When discussing this with my Mother, she very aptly called this; COMMON SENSE!

This definition from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary of common sense is as follows:

'The meaning of COMMON SENSE is sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.'

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common%20sense

And my goodness do we need common sense in the world. Philosophy is great but it doesn't put food on the table. When the shit hits the fan, we need common sense more than anything.

Rather than the mind using us as is the case in most people, those individuals with Mercury in Virgo are more likely to be able to use the mind in a practical way and it will be a great ally in their journey of life and in the lives of others they meet.