An article on Mercury-Ketu Conjunction by a student

Mercury-Ketu Conjunction


On the surface this looks like a very weird conjunction. Mercury rules everything worldly and Ketu on the other hand, rules everything that is in the other world.

Let’s see how this conjunction operates in a chart.


Let’s understand what all does mercury represents in a chart.

a. Business

b. Mathematics/Calculations

c. Intelligence

d. Logic

e. Communication

f. Friends

g. Young people

h. Siblings especially sister

i. Playfulness

j. Organization

k. Money making ideas

l. Nerves and skin


Now, what is Ketu?


When the demon Swarbhanu was decapitated by Lord Vishnu, the head part became Rahu and the remaining body became Ketu. It is also known as the South Node of the Moon. Ketu is the cause for Moksha in this life. While Rahu pulls us towards materialism, and tries to keep us engaged in the Maya, Ketu helps us see beyond the illusion, it helps us break the material bonds. Ketu is a guide for those who are spiritually inclined, but for those who are still neck deep in the material world, he works by creating obstacles, because it does not want you to get more entangled. There is an astrological dictum that says “Kuja vat Ketu” which simply means that Ketu acts like Mars (Kuja). This means that Ketu acts like a fiery energy in the chart. This fiery energy burns the material desires by giving disappointments, and gradually makes one disinterested and detached from materialism. Ketu only wants spiritual liberation which is possible only by drinking the nectar of Self-realization. That is why in astrology, Ketu's period is so traumatic for worldly goals and aspirations. Ketu just hates to be distracted from its goal of liberation. 

Now let us see what all does Ketu Represent in astrology.


a. Spirituality

b. Detachment

c. Intuition/psychic ability

d. Insight

e. Past life expertise

f. Occult sciences

g. Introvert


Now let us see how the two planets will act when they are in a close conjunction


1. Mercury is our decision taking ability, our intellect and Ketu is a headless entity. This can at times cause difficulty in taking rational decisions, it can impact quick decision taking abilities. Hence, this is also known as “Bhram Buddhi Yoga” because the Buddhi (intellect=mercury) is getting Bhramit, i.e it is getting clouded by the illusion of ketu.


2. Mercury is communication and Ketu is headless. So one may speak in ways that are headless, just blabber, talk indiscreetly, excessively. There may be no head and feet to the communication. Or one may speak in a way that may lead to misunderstandings. One may speak without thinking much which may cause a tiff in relationships.


3. It may also cause speech and language problems like aphasia/stutter or stammer/delayed speech milestones etc.


4. These people may also be disinclined to talk much. They may prefer to remain quiet or may prefer written communication over oral communication. This is more so if Saturn impact is there on this conjunction.


5. Mercury symbolises sisters and when closely conjunct ketu, one’s sister may have a close connection from the past life. It may also lead to a sudden break in relationship with the sister or living significations of the house where this conjunction is placed in one’s chart.


6. Because Mercury represents business and money making skills and Ketu represents intuition and past life expertise, these people may know how to make money intuitively. They may be excellent in business dealings.


7. When working positively in a chart, these people like to go into depth of any subject; they are excellent researchers and can forget about day/night/food when engrossed in researching about a subject. They can be very focussed.

It can give an intellectual depth, a mind that thinks differently, different perspectives, out of the league. An unconventional mind.


8. When working negatively, it can cause breaks (Ketu) in education (Mercury). It can make understanding and grasping difficult.


9. Because Ketu represents spirituality and occult, this person may like to communicate (mercury) about spiritual topics. This person can also build a career on communicating (written/oral) about spiritual/occult topics.


10. This person can have an immense interest in studying esoteric subjects (Ketu). They can do very well in subjects where metaphysical interpretations are required – psychology, astrology etc. they can be very curious (mercury) about these subjects.


11. These people may not have a very large friend circle, they may not like to socialize much (mercury = friends, Ketu=detachment)

They may prefer to have friends with whom they can connect on an intellectual plane, with whom they can share wisdom of spirituality. If working negatively, it can also give one friends that may cheat the person, or keep him under certain kind of illusion.


12. Because Mercury represents our thoughts and Ketu is detachment, it may cause a disruption in the flow of thoughts. Suddenly, in the middle of the conversation, the person might forget what he was talking about. This can also cause poor memory, inability to recall/recollect thoughts. It may also lead to confusion and anxiety. These detached thoughts can take form of full blown neurological disorders if this conjunction is further afflicted by malefics.


13. This conjunction is also known to work as the “Devil’s Advocate”. Because these people can be intellectually adepts, they can think about any topic at hand deeply; they can think about it from both sides, in favour and against; pros and cons. These people may be good at provoking an argument, by giving opinions against the popular opinion in the room. They like to go against the tide. They may, therefore, can make excellent lawyers.


14. If functioning positively, these natives can intuitively know certain things. They may not be able to give reasons and logics about how they feel about a certain thing, but they have a very strong “Gut Instinct”


15. Medically, it may cause illnesses like dementia, Alzheimer’s and other neurological deficits. It can also lead to skin diseases like eczema, dermatitis etc


16. Mercury is youthful and playful. Ketu is all serious. This can make these people crack jokes with a stern face. Or maybe crack jokes that have satire involved in them (Movies like Jaane bhi do yaaron :) )


17. Solutions- How to mitigate the negative workings of this conjunction

i. It will be good if these people do not multitask. They should learn to focus on one thing at a time.

ii. They should meditate often which will prevent the scattering of thoughts.

iii. They should speak slowly; thinking before they speak will help prevent misunderstandings.

iv. They should make it a habit to jot down their thoughts on a piece of paper, or make a “to-do” list- that’ll help them keep their thoughts and their minds organized.

v. Studying of occult subjects can help them sharpen their intellect.

--------------------------

Very well written. Thank you for sharing.