A planet is considered to be strong when in its home sign, one which it is said to rule. This helps direct and refine its energies to higher levels of purity and power. Mercury in Virgo is, therefore, a strong period in which to analyze and criticize with great precision. Taken to its extremes, however, this can become a narrowness of thought that kills imagination and abstraction. Mercury in Virgo often works best after original ideas are born in rough form that can then be polished and refined.

Those born with Mercury in Virgo usually have very sharp minds that readily comprehend complex patterns and fine details. Success, though, comes when this narrow view is balanced with awareness of the big picture and higher orders of reality. The best thinkers are able to move comfortably among various perspectives to give the widest understanding possible.

Those born with Mercury in Virgo include the highly regarded basketball coach Phil Jackson, law professor Alan Dershowitz, Lyndon Johnson, Yasser Arafat, writers H.P. Lovecraft and Truman Capote, astronaut Neil Armstrong, chef Julia Child and spiritual teacher Sri Aurobindo.

The world of music offers composers Claude Debussy and George Gershwin, and singers Bobby Short, Whitney Houston and Madonna. Acting Mercury in Virgos include Dustin Hoffman, Peter O'Toole, Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Melanie Griffith, Steve Martin, Michael Douglas, Chevy Chase, Lucille Ball and Mae West.