MERCURY ☿
Mercury is the fastest, hottest and smallest planet of the solar system. It travels very close to the Sun. Mercury is the messenger, the God of learning, communication, travel and trade. He is also a healer and a magician - his mercurial nature gives him power over all the elements and the ability to affect change in accordance with the will. He is a trickster God as well though and master of deception, so his wheelings and dealings may not always be what they seem.
Astrologically, Mercury represents the faculties of the rational mind, learning, communicating, intellectual perception and understanding. He rules abstract thought processes and rationalization. He signifies social interactions, siblings and friends, as well as business transactions and networking. Mercury integrates and makes sense of experiences and impression we gather from the world around. He also governs travel and transport and helps us adjust in new a new environment.

KEYWORDS: Mercury - Messenger of the Gods, God of travel, trade, crossroads, healing, communication, learning, thinking, mental faculties, intellectual perception, reasoning, logic, analysis, gathering of information, synthesis, wit, trickery.

Deities: Hermes, Hanuman, Thoth, Lugh

Quality: Active, excitable, changeful, cold, moist, moderately fruitful

Colour: Orange, yellow, multi-coloured, metallic

Metal: Mercury

Day: Wednesday

Star-Sign: Gemini/Virgo

Part of Body: Lungs, Mind, Nerves

Challenge: Intellectual understanding

Drive: Perception

Negative Expression: Intellectually biased narrow-mindedness, superficiality

ASTROLOGY
Know thyself - for character is destiny. To know one’s abilities, one’s passions as well as one’s limitations and to be true to them is the key to a happy life, for it will be a life guided by purpose.
There are many things in life we cannot change. But the key to success lies not in the hand of cards we are dealt at birth (or in the stars), but in how we face with each challenge life throws at us. Astrology does not determine fate; on the contrary, it holds the keys to becoming masters of our own destinies.
Astrology is the key to self knowledge. It can give us insight into the essential nature and patterns woven into the structure of the personality. The natal horoscope is a map of the heavens drawn for the time and place of an individual's birth. It charts the positions and distribution of the planets in the signs of the Zodiac at birth, as well as their relationships to each other. Together they form an intricate web of interactions, the blueprint that indicates potential abilities and weaknesses. But time does not stand still, and the personality changes as the soul journeys along its path of self-discovery and individuation. Astrology also maps these cycles of time which may trigger challenges, change and growth - the voyage of transformation. In astrological jargon they are called ‘transits’.

PLANETS
The planets are the wandering stars that travel around the Zodiac and in astrological terminology include Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Modern astrology has added Uranus, Neptune and Pluto to the list. The ancients regarded them as a pantheon of deities whose dynamic interactions had their repercussions in our world. People worshipped and honoured the Gods with rituals and ceremonies or prayed for their divine support in their various endeavours: to win a battle or a maiden's heart, or grant a plentiful harvest and send good weather. Modern astrologers tend to 'psychologize' these deities and regard the planets as parts of the personality.

USE
Planetary incense consists of various herbs, gums and resins blended to create an aroma that reflects the ambiance of each planet. They are magically charged with an infusion of herbs collected from the corresponding parts of the Glastonbury Zodiac in accordance to the phase of the moon and the appropriate times of the year.
In ritual settings they can be used to invoke the zodiacal or planetary archetypes. Attune in meditation with their lessons or energies to gain a better understanding as to how they manifest in your life. Burn the zodiacal incense, space aroma or candle corresponding to the natal sun sign in order to strengthen it while under a difficult transit, or, if you are familiar with your horoscope, you can work with the aromas that correspond to a transiting planet or area of the chart that is being transited in order to better understand and integrate their lessons.
Of course, Astrological incense and space aromas, candles and perfumes can enjoyed be used for pure pleasure and make wonderful birthday presents.

HOW TO BURN INCENSE:
Place a self-igniting charcoal disc on a fire-proof surface, well away from flammable objects. The charcoal disks can be ignited simply by holding a match or lighter to the rim. Be aware that these discs may occasionally spit and sparkle profusely upon ignition. Allow plenty of air to flow around the charcoal to ensure that it burns evenly. Some people prefer to open the window while the charcoal is igniting as it gives off quite a bit of smoke. Once the charcoal disc has finished sparkling it will start to glow, usually first on one side, then slowly spreading over the whole disc. When the entire disc is glowing red hot it is ready to use and you can place a little pinch of incense on top. As the disk glows through, the fire will concentrate in its centre. You may occasionally want to scrape off the ashes to expose the glowing centre and add fresh incense as desired.

CARE FOR YOUR INCENSE:
Incense keeps well and often improves with age if kept in a cool and dark place. Charcoal, on the other hand, does not, as it has a tendency to absorb moisture from the air. Once the packet has been opened, keep it in an airtight container to preserve its self-igniting properties.

CAUTION
Keep incense and charcoal out of pet’s and children’s reach. Charcoal discs are highly flammable. PLEASE BE CAREFUL when igniting your charcoal disc. Once the disc has been lit do not touch it, as it will cause a burn. Make sure your incense dish is fire proof and does not conduct heat to the surface on which it stands. Glass (even glass ashtrays) will break. Do not dispose of the remaining ashes in a waste paper bin or plastic garbage bin as it may cause a fire. Do not hold the disc in your hand while lighting or burning.