02/10/2025
2025 is a mercurial year.
We can see this in many different ways. First, numerologically: 2025 is reduced to 9 (2+2+5), which is the number of the Hermit in the Tarot, which is associated with Virgo, a sign ruled by Mercury. This is the form of Mercury as an elder, an adept who has achieved transformation and illumination and engages with the world as if from on high, performing some subtle, compassionate alchemy. Mercury would also delight in the nature of the number 2025 itself—it’s has the square root of 45, and the next year that will have a square root is 2116. Likewise, 2025 is the start of the second quarter of this century—as if it were the second quarter of a sports game, it’s started with a bang.
Second, this is the year of the Earth Snake in Chinese Astrology. While technically, the Spleen, the Yin organ related to both the Earth element and the Snake, is ruled over by Saturn in Chinese Astrology, the Spleen is very mercurial, said to rule over transformation and transportation—Mercury themes. Earth is the element of the center, ruling over the changes between the seasons and the pivotal moments between them when folks tend to get sick. Likewise, the Snake itself is distinguished by its cunning and capacity to molt, features that Mercury excels in. Perhaps the seasons that Mercury goes retrograde could be indicators of when these moltings or major adaptations will be occuring, and certainly this spring, when Mercury and Venus go retrograde amidst eclipse season, will be a major one—the pieces are already falling into place for that. The Hermit card could be a helpful guide to meditate upon.1
Additionally, through the first half of this year, Jupiter, who spends about 12 months in a sign, is in Gemini, which is also ruled by Mercury. Jupiter depicts where we find expansion, growth, and wisdom, in a manner that encompasses, harmonizes, and makes things whole. Although Jupiter is technically in detriment in Geminim and thus, this quality of expansive whole-making is weakened, it can still be achieved by diving into the small details of life, finding tiny moments for playful growth.
Notes from my Substack - link in bio!