04/02/2025
We all have ways of processing information, and understanding whether you’re an internal or external processor can be a game-changer for self-awareness and communication.
So many conflicts, misunderstandings, and even personal frustrations stem from not recognizing our natural processing style or the style of the people we love and rely on. We expect others to be on the same page mentally and emotionally, but when our processing styles don’t align, it can create unnecessary tension.
In astrology, Mercury, the planet of communication, thought processes, and learning, holds the key to how we absorb, analyze, and express information in our day to day lives. We're going to go over how he ~typically~ processes information by house and sign, but first... What is internal vs external processing?
Some people need to sit with their thoughts, weigh them out fully, refine them, and reach personal clarity before speaking. This is the internal processor!
Others need to talk through ideas externally, bouncing them off others to arrive at a conclusion, unable to fully connect the dots until they hear it out loud.
Neither style is inherently better than another, but knowing where you fall on this spectrum can help you improve your interactions and dynamics with others.
Internal processors are deep thinkers. They prefer to work through their thoughts quietly before sharing them, often needing solitude or written expression to reach clarity. This can make them appear reserved, but in reality, they’re just private in how they work out problems or find a solid resolution.
Feeling rushed into conversations or being put on the spot can feel overwhelming to them because they like to be sure of their words before speaking. They also can get thrown off or confused by too much external input, compounding the time necessary to process something.
Example: An internal processor may need a few hours (or days) to process an argument before they’re ready to talk about it, which can frustrate a partner who wants to resolve things immediately.
External processors think best by speaking. They need to verbalize their thoughts to organize them and gain insight. Conversations, brainstorming sessions, and even just speaking their thoughts out loud to themselves can help them refine their ideas.
Because their thoughts evolve as they speak, they may sometimes say things they don’t actually mean or change their opinion mid-discussion. This isn’t a sign of indecision or inauthenticity, it’s their process in action.
Example: An external processor may talk through five different solutions to a problem before landing on the best one, which can be confusing to someone who assumes they’ve committed to each idea as they say it.
Unfortunately when we aren't aware of this difference in processing the world around us, the internal processor can find the external processor annoying, pushy, or unable to stand on their opinions. The external processor may find the internal processor cold, closed off, unintelligent, or judgmental. The differences in method can trigger projection, defensiveness and misunderstandings if space isn't held for trying to understand the other person's boundaries and needs.
I see this ALL THE TIME in synastry readings, one partner processes in silence, the other out loud, and neither one feels heard or respected. Recognizing these differences, especially through Mercury placements, can drastically improve communication and relationships.
Your Mercury sign, house placement, and the aspects other planets and points make to it all contribute to how you process and communicate information.
Here’s a quick and dirty guide based on Mercury’s placements:
Internal Processors: Mercury in Earth, (Ta**us, Capricorn) and Water (Scorpio, Pisces) signs tend to process internally. They take time to formulate their thoughts in their own time and often communicate best through writing or deep, meaningful conversations with trusted people.
External Processors: Mercury in Air (Gemini, Libra) and Fire (Aries, Sagittarius) signs are more likely to think out loud, brainstorm with others, and thrive in dynamic, spontaneous discussions.
Cancer, Leo, Virgo and Aquarius are excluded from the generalizations of the elements intentionally as they tend to be both internal and external processors based on my observations. Cancer and Leo tend to process internally when emotions are involved but externally when seeking validation. Virgo carefully refines thoughts before speaking but thrives in analytical discussions and with a solid sounding board. Aquarius processing style really depends on the topic or type of issue being addressed.
Internal Processors: 4th House prefers private reflection and shares thoughts only with close confidants. 8th House processes deeply and privately, often needing alone time to work through emotions. 12th House tends to process subconsciously, and may struggle to articulate thoughts clearly until they’ve fully formed.
External Processors: 1st House speaks their mind freely and processes thoughts on the spot. 3rd House is naturally talkative, learns best through conversation and discussion. 7th House processes ideas through dialogue and relationships, often needing a conversation partner to reach clarity. 11th House gains insight through group discussions, community engagement, and social interaction.
2, 5, 6, 9, 10 excluded from generalizations, although Mercury in houses 5 and 9 are USUALLY external processors, many choose to channel it into escapism, art, or other ways to explore the mind to process. 2, 6, 10 depend entirely on support given by the chart for these houses, and can go either way based on how well their needs are met for security, health, and purpose.
Not everyone has an easy relationship with Mercury’s energy. Some placements make communication and processing more difficult, leading to frustration or feelings of being misunderstood.
One of the most unique and challenging Mercury placements I’ve seen in a client’s chart was Mercury in Pisces, both intercepted, and wholly unexpected. This person had an overwhelming need to process externally because of the never-ending maze inside their mind, but they struggled to find the right words to connect with others. They often felt unheard, misunderstood, or dismissed when they tried to express themselves, which led to withdrawal and self-doubt. Without strong transit activation or synastry support, their communication experience felt like trying to navigate a thick fog.
My advice for this person and their partner was to have a shared notebook to journal in together. The other partner had a very strong Mercury and would run circles around the other during periods of disagreements, leaving their partner to just always agree with them and silently build resentment. This forced the "quick" Mercury to SLOW DOWN and write, and think, and lay things out clearly for the other person. This also forced the "disadvantaged" Mercury to express themselves in a space where no one could watch, interrupt, misunderstand, or finish their sentences for them. They could say exactly what they meant, and take the time to edit and erase until they got what they wanted to say out. The RELIEF on both of their faces to be handed a tangible solution that honored both of their needs was really beautiful. Remember, in synastry we often seek out what we need to learn from, or what we feel is "missing" in our energetic signature, so an internal/external processor relationship dynamic is VERY common.
If you have a challenging Mercury placement, finding safe and structured ways to process information is crucial, with or without another person being involved in the process. Don't get yourself overwhelmed still processing last Thursday's event on Tuesday and create a backlog of information that can never be addressed by just bottling it up. Journaling, therapy, and online discussions where you can edit and refine your thoughts before sharing can be incredibly helpful tools.
If you’re an internal processor, challenge yourself to share your thoughts a little sooner, even if they don’t feel 100% polished. People can’t always read your mind, and your insights deserve to be heard. Plus, your loved ones may really be grateful to get a little insight about what's on your mind so they can better understand you, your position, and how to help and support you.
If you’re an external processor, practice giving others space to reflect before demanding a response. Not everyone can keep up with real-time verbal processing, and patience can make your conversations more balanced and effective. Find outlets that don't involve info dumping on one person all the time, it can overwhelm them or make them feel responsible for your "fixing" your thoughts or emotions, even when you're just trying to share what's on your mind.
When we recognize these differences, we foster deeper understanding, patience, and connection in all aspects of life.
So, what’s your Mercury sign and house placement?
Do you resonate more with internal or external processing? And have you ever had a communication challenge because of it? Let’s talk about it!
