Astrology regards Mercury as a symbol of communication, intelligence, and the capacity for rational thought. In the birth chart, the position of Mercury reveals how we express ourselves and interact with the world. People with Mercury in strong positions in their charts tend to have sharp minds and are often gifted in areas such as writing, teaching, and public speaking. On the other hand, if Mercury is retrograde in your birth chart, it can indicate challenges with communication, as well as a tendency to be misunderstood. If you have Mercury retrograde in your birth chart, see Natal Mercury Retrograde for more information on how it may affect you.