Conscious Parenting using Astrology - Mental Processing

Mental Processing, the Moon and Mercury


By Babette Lacy


Mercury is associated with our ability to learn, communicate and process information. The moon is our inner world, our emotions, our internal self. Together they allow us to process information mentally and emotionally, intellectually and intuitively. The speed a planet is traveling as we are born impacts the strength of the planetary influence. We rate the travel of Mercury as fast if it rises before the sun in a natal chart, or slow depending on if it is after the sun in a natal chart. We rate the travel of the moon as fast or slow depending on whether it is traveling faster or slower than the average moon speed. So a person can have a fast Mercury and a fast Moon, fast Mercury and slow Moon, slow Mercury and fast Moon, or slow Mercury and slow Moon.


We tend to want to put labels on everything, including our children. They get labeled fast or slow, a quick study or not (“oh, he or she is kinda slow”). They may have a fast processor or a slower processor, it is a little like computer speed. Everyone processes information in a different way, and it will certainly have to do with speed of Mercury and the Moon in the natal chart. I am concerned with the labeling of children in general, sometimes a label is applied at a very early age and it tends to stay with a person throughout a lifetime. Our formative years are so important to the image we have of ourselves for the rest of our lives. I’m particularly concerned with the high use of medications that are being prescribed for children that have been labeled ADD or ADHD. I would want to know if my child is a fast fast and is being diagnosed by a slow slow.


The glyph for Mercury looks like Venus with antennae. To see if Mercury rises before the Sun in a chart, we look at the Ascendant line in the chart. This is the position that would be 9:00 on a clock (see the chart for the glyph of Mercury, it is next to this line). If you rotate all of the planets clockwise to this point, you can see if Mercury would cross this line before the Sun (fast), or after the Sun (slow). The sun is the glyph that is a circle with a dot in the center. To obtain a chart, you can go to your local metaphysical bookstore, contact a professional astrologer, or go to an internet site that provides free charts (I like www.alabe.com).


The sign influences how Mercury and Moon (intellect and intuition, mental and emotional) function as well. Again, Mercury is our way of thinking and communicating, so this relates to mental processing. When we look at the sign Mercury is in, the fire signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius) are about action, they will be quick, especially Aries. They want to move into the action of doing something about the issue at hand, whether they have thought through it completely or not. The air signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) are known for their intellect, they will process rapidly. They will study in depth and need to know all about something that interests them. They want to explore all the angles, they love to learn. The earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) are logical, practical and grounded. They will think through how pragmatic something is, how purposeful and realistic it is. They may seem to be a little slower because they will be more apt to look at the consequences of the action and decision. The water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) are the emotional signs. They will use their intuition, “how something feels”, more than logic and intellect. When this is developed it is very accurate, they are in tune with the subtle energies.


When you combine the planet with the signs element, you begin to see how your child processes information. For example, my oldest daughter and I both have fast fast. Her Mercury is in Gemini, an air sign, making her very fast. In any given conversation, she will be two or three subjects ahead of me.


Let’s look at the moon and your child’s emotional processing. When we evaluate the sign the Moon is in, the fire signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius) as you can imagine have fiery emotions. They may be quick to anger and just as quick to get over it. They will be more likely to tell you all about sources of irritation. They are likely to be acting out more about issues that are of concern, they want to do something about it. When the Moon is in an air sign (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) your child will apply their knowledge (air is intellect) to an emotionally charged situation. They will think through it, they will ask a lot of questions. Sometimes air signs seem a little more distant emotionally for this reason. The earth sign Moons (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) are the ones that tend to be level headed emotionally. They are practical and grounded emotionally. They may be less likely to be shaken by their emotions. If the Moon is in a water sign (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) you will have a highly emotional child. This child needs your understanding and emotional support. They need tools for dealing with their emotions. They will also be very in tune with the emotions of others, often taking on the emotions of others.


When we look at the element (fire, air, earth, and water) a planet is in, it gives us a generality. It gives us a broad picture of how a person will react, however, each sign will react uniquely as well. Each chart is absolutely unique, just as each individual is entirely distinctive. As a parent, using astrology as an additional tool allows you to have a depth of understanding that is more complete, well rounded, and extensive. Astrology is a powerful way to create a profile of an individual, it can help you determine your child’s strengths or particular learning style. It can also help you assess learning challenges your child may be facing. Astrology as a diagnostic tool empowers a parent to be there for a child in the way they require their needs to be met.






Babette Lacy is a Professional Astrologer, Teacher and Guest Speaker. She offers private consultations in person as well as over the phone. Babette teaches astrology classes beginning each fall. She is a member of five professional organizations. Babette can be reached at stargazerbabe@hotmail.com