What's So Mercury About Freddie?

One face of the god Mercury.

Freddie Mercury, the voice of Queen, would have been 65 today. 

I've occasionally wondered how he chose the name Mercury and what the astrological connection would be – because of course there is one. So to celebrate his birthday I looked at his chart.

First of all, he has Sun and Mercury in Virgo, which is ruled by the winged one of course, but I think the truly mercurial bit of Mr Mercury is in the other one sign Gemini.

From astrodatabank. I wish
we had the birthtime.

His North Node (destiny) conjuncts Uranus (rebellion) in Gemini, ruled by Mercury. Gemini is, of course, one of the dual signs, so it's no surprise that Freddie swung both ways. As for the dressing up, I associate Uranus-ruled Aquarius with cross-dressing. Click here for some pictures that tell the story.

The god Mercury protects thieves, gamblers and tricksters. He plays the fool but he is also a magician; a good description of Freddie himself.

I've noticed that Capricorn Sun or Moon often bestows a really big voice. Just listen to the four octaves going whee in this clip. (Brian May's not too shabby either.)