Caught Between Two

Sometimes we can find ourselves caught between two, whether it’s two love interests, two job interests, two different projects or ideas, and you may wonder how that happens astrologically. The planet Mercury and the signs and houses he naturally rules – Gemini and Virgo, the 3rd and 9th houses – are the ones usually in play. When you’re caught between two love interests, this can be something that is present in the natal chart with Mercury in the 5th house (of love) or 7th house (of relationships), Mercury conjunct (aligned with) Venus (planet of love) or your 5th or 7th house rulers, the 5th or 7th house cusps in Gemini or Virgo, or Leo (sign of love) or Libra (sign of relationships) on the 3rd or 6th house cusps. This can also temporarily come into play through progressions, with the progressed Sun, Moon, or Venus in Gemini, Virgo, the 3rd or 6th houses, or aspecting your natal Mercury, or with progressed Mercury in Leo, Libra, the 5th or 7th houses, or aspecting your natal Venus, 5th or 7th house rulers, or 7th house cusp. You can also see your progressed 5th or 7th house cusps in Gemini or Virgo. Transit Mercury in the 5th or 7th houses or aspecting your natal Venus or 5th or 7th house rulers can also bring this energy temporarily, as well as return charts.

When it’s professionally, you may find natal Mercury in your 2nd house (of money), 6th house (or work), or 10th house (of career), or aligned with your natal 2nd, 6th, or 10th house rulers or natal Saturn (natural ruler of career) or in Capricorn (natural ruler of career). Your 2nd, 6th, or 10th house cusps may fall in Gemini or Virgo. In progressions, you may see progressed planets in Gemini or Virgo in your 2nd, 6th, or 10th houses, or your progressed Mercury in Taurus (natural ruler of the 2nd house) or Capricorn, in the 2nd 6th, or 10th houses, or aspecting your natal 2nd, 6th, or 10th house rulers, 10th house cusp, or natal Saturn. You can also see your progressed 2nd, 6th, or 10th house cusps in Gemini or Virgo. Transit Mercury in the 2nd, 6th, or 10th house can also bring temporary energy, along with transit Saturn aspecting your natal Mercury, and again, can see it in return charts.

In general, the natal house cusps that fall in Gemini and Virgo and where your natal Mercury is located get this dual energy, and you can find you’re split in two a lot with whatever those houses rule. If you have Gemini on the 4th house cusp, you may find homes in two places or live in two locations your whole life; if Mercury is in your 11th house, you may always have two best friends; if Virgo is on your 9th house cusp, you may focus on two different advanced degrees or have two different passions in life. This can come into play temporarily with any progressions in Gemini or Virgo, and with any progressed Mercury aspects that occur.