MERCURY-GLYPH

The common Mercury Glyph looks like this:

My perspective is that the Mercury Glyph looks like a child with horns.

As Taurus is the Zodiac Sign Associated with the Bull, I feel the horns of Mercury symbolize the headstrong, stubborn, bull-headedness of a Child.

A Child often throws temper-tantrums to acheive his goal and relieve his frustrations. Yet, Mercury is the 'Messenger of the Zodiac'. Mercury is very social and communication-oriented. So how can the 'Messenger of the Zodiac' be likened to a difficult, argumentative child?

Without its horns, the Mercury Glyph would be the Venus Glyph that almost everyone knows  --  the universal sign for the Feminine. Venus is the ruler of Taurus (incidentally) and Libra, and symbolizes love. In Taurus  --  love of material things, comfort, and pleasure. In Libra  --  love for people and relationships.

As Mercury is the most one-to-one communications-oriented Planet, I believe it represents ALL types of communication  --  difficult and nice. While Venus represents loving relationships founded in goodwill and mutual empathy, Mercury also addresses the way people communicate at not-so-nice levels  --  as well as cooporative ones.

A Child is not always rational, nice, or good-tempered. Adults often communicate on this level, regardless of their age. Mercury represents the Child within us all, the one who gets his point across  --  one way or the other. Mercury is about results, not finesse. Unlike Venus  --  who does not say anything, if she can't say something nice  --  Mercury states his case and delivers his message.

It's this basic honesty (albeit at times, total lack of tact/respect) that gives Mercury the willingness and ability to deliver his message regardless of the circumstances. In ancient times, Kings' Messengers ran for miles to deliver messages during times of War. And like the steadfast Mailman  -- who delivers his Mail in wind, hail, sleet, or snow  --  Mercury delivers his message at any cost, in all environments.

These stubborn, steadfast qualities make Mercury the 'Messenger of the Gods'. And perhaps part of the reason some people are inclined to 'kill the Messenger'!