Astronomical facts about Mercury
Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun in our Solar System. Its orbit is one of the most eccentric among the planets. As seen from the Earth, Mercury never gets more than 27 degrees away from the Sun. It has a diameter of about 4,879 kilometers. Its distance from the Earth varies from about 77 million to about 222 million kilometers. From Sun its distance varies from 47 million 70 million kilometers. Mercury takes 88 days to make one orbit around the Sun and it takes 58.65 days to complete one rotation on its axis. Its surface temperature ranges widely between -168°C to 427°C. Its average geocentric motion per day is 01°23'. Mercury has no natural satellite of its own. Mercury retrograde period is about 20 to 24 days and it gets retrograde approximately every four months.

Mercury in Hindu Mythology
Mercury is the son of the Moon. Moon conquered the three worlds and performed the Rajsu yagna, the sacrifice which gives lordship. Many gods and goddesses served him; having achieved this glory he became arrogant. The Moon was the chief disciple of Jupiter, the guru of the celestials, and was also the favorite of Tara, Jupiter's wife, who was attracted to him by his character and beauty.

Once when Jupiter was away Tara and Moon eloped. Jupiter returned home, found his wife gone, soon discovered her whereabouts, and several times sent messages to the Moon requesting his wife's return. The Moon, however, repeatedly refused to comply with these requests, maintaining that Tara had accompanied him of her own accord and would leave only when she was satiated with him. These replies so infuriated Jupiter that he communicated them to his disciple Indra, the chief of gods who sent an ultimatum to the Moon.

When Moon refused to yield again, Indra began a war. Venus and the asuras (demonic celestials) took the side of Moon in this war, because of the ongoing enmity between Jupiter and Venus, while Lord Shiva, took the side of the devas. The war dragged on so long that the Great Rishis began to fear that the end of the world was near. Brahma asked Moon to return Tara. This the Moon did, but he returned her pregnant.

When Jupiter learned of this he was furious, and asked her for abortion. Tara had to did that but the baby which was a boy survived and he was radiant like gold. Seeing the child's splendor both Jupiter and Moon hankered after him, and both claimed paternity, demanding that Tara declare the true father's name. Tara was too embarrassed to speak. Finally, when Brahma questioned her in private she admitted that the Moon was the father of that wonderful child, who was the planet Mercury.

Body parts, function and diseases governed by Mercury
Mercury rules the nervous system, and as such its placement in a natal chart indicates all mental and nerve related problems nervousness, tension and the inability to relax. The messenger of the gods, it is also the messenger of the nervous system, relaying split second commands throughout the body. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, all the diseases governed by these two signs are automatically governed by Mercury. It rules all the tubing in the body, the channels through which blood, hormones, enzymes and oxygen move. Mercury partially rule the hormones dispensed by the glands in the body. Mercury is involved with the splitting up action and the pancreatic breakdown of sugar into glucose the amount of hydrochloric acid (HCI) in the stomach. This malfunction causes all digestion related problems such as colitis, flatulence, heartburn, diarrhea etc. Mercury is also closely associated with the thyroid, along with its co ruler Taurus. Mercury also rules the Thiamine or vitamin B-1.

Professions governed by Mercury
Mercury is a planet of communication, reasoning, knowledge, travelling, education and all business espcially trading related, it thus governs all profession related to these. Any profession or employment that requirs or is related to memory, intellect, writing, communication, travelling and trade and commerce is giverned by Mercury. It governs profession and career related to any kind of publicity, advertising, propaganda services, telegraph, telephone, astrologers, clerks, accountants, auditors, translators, mathematician, brokers, teachers, lecturers, authors, journalists, editors, writers, interpreters, secretaries, messengers, post office personnels, salesmen, publishers, printers, drivers of bus, cabs and trains etc.

The Mantras for Mercury:
Beej Mantra of Mercury:
Om bram breem broum sah budhaya namah

The Mercury Stotra:
Priyam gukaalikashyamam rupenaam prathimam budham soumyam saumya gunopetham tham budham pranamaamyaham

Gayatri Mantra of Mercury:
Om gaja dhwajaaya vidmahae sukha hastaaya dheemahi tanno buddhe prachodayaat

Remedies for Mercury if it is malefic in Horoscope.
1. Worshiping the ruling deity of the Mercury, Lord Vishnu.
2. Recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra.
3. Fasting On Wednesdays.
4. Reciting of Mercury Mantras as mentioned above.
5. Charity: Donate green beans, gram and vegetables on Wednesdays to Eunuchs.
6. Pooja: Ganesh pooja.
7. Rudraksh: Wear four mukhi (four faced) Rudraksh.
8. Do not eat non-vegetarian food on Wednesdays.
9. Do not consume alcohol on Wednesdays.

(It is not necessary to perform all the listed remedies; you can choose few of them)

Details About Other Planets
Sun in Astrology, Moon in Astrology, Mars in Astrology, Jupiter in Astrology, Saturn in Astrology, Venus in Astrology and Rahu & Ketu in Astrology