What Your Mercury Sign In Astrology Can Tell You About Your Communication Style

Mercury is the planet of communication, information, travel, and technology. It's the planet closest to the sun in our solar system, and as one of the "inner planets," it's thought to be a significant one in someone's birth chart. Not only does Mercury clue us in to our own mental processes (i.e., how we think, how we take in information, and even our sense of humor), but it can also tell us a lot about how we communicate.

After all, some people are chatty Kathys while others are more quiet, introspective types. Knowing your Mercury sign—but also other people's Mercury signs—can help you communicate effectively and honestly.

Aries is known as the headstrong Ram of astrology, and if you have your Mercury in Aries, your communication style will be reflective of that fiery, self-willed attitude. As astrologer and holistic psychiatrist Kayse Budd, M.D., tells mindbodygreen, people with Mercury in Aries often have a reactive mind and communication style.

They can be impulsive in terms of their decisions and speech, being easily (and quickly) excitable—but also easily frustrated, according to Budd. These folks will have lots of ideas and be ready to act on them courageously without much second thought, she adds.

Much different from Mercury in Aries, those with their Mercury in Taurus are slow thinkers, preferring to take their time and ponder their decisions rather than jumping the gun. As Budd explains, they can take a while to respond or communicate in general and can also be stubborn.

Taurus is also known to be one of the more possessive signs, and when you apply that to Mercury, it can result in possessively holding on to thoughts or ideas, with a certain unwillingness to change their mind.

Mercury rules over two signs: Virgo and Gemini. So if you have a Gemini Mercury, communication and taking in information are likely natural inclinations for you. As Budd explains, this Mercury sign is fast, fast, fast. They're "talkative with rapid speech and thought," according to Budd, who notes this is a strong and desirable placement to have in your birth chart.

These folks have a quick wit, make good storytellers, and are often intelligent and charming. "They can talk to almost anyone about almost anything," Budd tells mindbodygreen, noting that they have a very high verbal IQ.

The first of the water signs, Cancer is intuitive and emotionally sensitive, and having Mercury here makes one an intuitive thinker. Paradoxical? Perhaps. But this Mercury sign simply prefers to make decisions and take in information based on their emotions.

As Budd explains, their thoughts and communication style will be heavily influenced by the emotions they feel, and they also feel a particular interest in the past and their own memories. (In fact, they actually have good memories for this reason.)

When you think Mercury in Leo, think passionate expression. This placement has no problem taking the spotlight to share an amazing story, amp up excitement, or gas themselves (or others) up.

According to Budd, these folks are dramatic thinkers and communicators, passionate storytellers, and charming communicators. They may, however, have a tendency to boast or brag, she notes, as well as self-reference (aka bringing the conversation back to themselves).

Mercury feels right at home in Virgo, being one of the two signs it rules, along with Gemini. According to Budd, those with Mercury in Virgo are extremely analytical, organized, dutiful, and practical. You can definitely count on these folks to be punctual with both thought and communication.

As Budd explains, this is a strong placement to have but can make someone almost overly functional to the point of mental strain. They're likely to excel in analytical, rule-based systems like math and are generally intelligent.

Libra just wants to keep the peace and achieve harmony, and if your Mercury is in Libra, this will show up in how you think and communicate. As Budd explains, these people have very balanced perspective, seeing things from multiple angles—and thus, are prone to indecision.

Nevertheless, this is a placement that considers all sides of the story and prioritizes fairness. Libra is also ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty and pleasure, so with Mercury in Libra, these people "often have beautiful communication [express] things in a lovely or pleasant way," Budd says. They may be poetic and/or have a talent for writing, for example.

Scorpio is deep, intense, and a touch mysterious, and those with Mercury in Scorpio are indeed deep and intense thinkers and communicators. As Budd tells mindbodygreen, they are often passionate, even if they don't show it. They're also drawn to help themselves and others transform on a deep level.

"They're very psychologically minded and gifted, intuitive and passionate," she says, adding that on the shadow side they may be overly fixed, obsessive, jealous, and possessive. However, they are persistent, with a very hard time stopping once they set their mind to something.

People with Mercury in Sagittarius are positive, upbeat, cheerful, and good at manifesting, according to Budd. They're always looking to the next thing, whether it's a big philosophical question or learning more about any of their more niche interests.

As Budd explains, spirituality and philosophy are natural inclinations for this astrological placement, and they'll also be skilled at learning new languages or communicating with (or about) other cultures. They can have an "always sunny" attitude, even when things are not so sunny—which can be great for motivating others if it doesn't get into toxic positivity territory.

Anytime Mercury is in one of the earth signs, you can predict a grounded and practical approach to thinking and communicating, and Capricorn is no exception. As Budd explains, this Mercury sign is firm, fixed, organized, and orderly in their mind and in their speech.

They have linear thought processes and are "very unlikely to change their minds once it is made, though they can take a while to come to a conclusion," Budd notes. They're also often unable to consider multiple perspectives, according to Budd, who says this makes them one of the more naturally closed-minded signs for Mercury.

If you want a big-picture thinker, look for someone with an Aquarius Mercury. As Budd explains, they have a highly expansive mind and can change their mind easily and unpredictably. And yes, while they are big-picture thinkers, don't be surprised if they miss the smaller details.

According to Budd, Mercury in Aquarius is one of the most open-minded Mercury placements (along with Libra and Pisces Mercury), "though their perspectives tend toward the humanitarian and revolutionary." As she explains, these folks are individualists who fight for the underdog.

Last but never least, we have Mercury in Pisces. These are the intuitive and vague thinkers/decision makers, with very fluid minds, according to Budd, who explains that they tend to be compassionate, spiritual, and unity-oriented.

With this Mercury placement, she says, people will pay attention to the downtrodden, homeless, animals, or anyone who may need protection. They're gentle communicators and may literally have soft and delicate (even "low volume") speech, Budd explains. And while they may come off as shy, they are often imaginative and could have writing or singing abilities.