I was watching a video yesterday by an Astrologer whose practice and knowledge level seems to be similar to mine, the main differences being that she makes content, has no issue talking to people, and charges people for readings. In general, I like her content, especially because she is a Black woman and Astrology is definitely a field that needs more diversity. It may surprise you to know, if you have certain conceptions of the types of people who would be into Astrology, that it's very white male-dominated. That is changing, which is a good thing, and this person I follow is a part of that movement.
The video she made piqued my interest, because it's about neurodivergence, specifically how to spot it in someone's birth chart. She uses the term "neurospicy" and of course talks about Autism And ADHD, however she does briefly mention anxiety and depression, so I guess that's a start. It frustrates me though how people talk about literal disabilities like they're just these cute quirky personality traits. Anyway, that's a topic for another day.
Since this is already something I've been thinking about, I immediately wanted to look at charts of people who have official diagnoses from things like Autism and ADHD to other forms of neurodivergence, as well as other disabilities that impact their daily lives. Someone claiming a disability isn't enough to be included here, just to keep it fair. That being said, of course thorough self-identification is valid.
In her video, she talked about Mercury-Moon aspects, a retrograde Mercury, and Mercury under the beams of the sun, with the emphasis being on Mercury-Moon aspects. Why is this? Because Mercury is the way you think and communicate, your analytical mind, and how you process information. The moon can also be communication, passing messages, how you think and move through the world but more on an instinctual, intuitive level. A retrograde Mercury would behave differently than expected, maybe slower to process information, and may communicate in unexpected ways. Mercury under the beams of the sun is being burned up by the sun, there is no protection from the heat of the sun. This means that Mercury is weakened and someone's thinking and communication may be impacted by that.
She is missing a few major significators, potentially because she's missing the connection to the actual disabilities she's talking about, or maybe just because it's a shorter video and she would address it in a longer one. One of those is the 12th house. This is because disabilities, institutionalization, marginalization, being isolated and excluded from society are found in the 12th house. This house also represents all forms of mental illness, which qualifies as neurodivergence. There could also be a link to the 6th house if the disability was acquired by accident or due to another disability related to the physical body. And lastly, the other main thing she missed is harsh aspects with the malefics, especially the malefic contrary to sect. So, if it's a day chart, Mars or if it's a night chart, Saturn.
So, using my chart as our first example, I have a strong Mercury, since it is at home in Gemini. But it is retrograde and under the beams of the sun. It's also receiving a direct square from the malefic contrary to sect, Mars. Mars is direct and in the dominant position. Mercury is conjunct Venus, which is also retrograde and rules the house my moon is in. Saturn is also squaring my Moon by degree.
Now, I'm going to take a look at some other charts. First, let's start with people who have diagnoses but have been able to integrate into society. They're considered high-masking or high-functioning. Their capacity may fluctuate over time, but these are the people who are most likely to think they aren't disabled.
Our second example has their Mercury in its own sign of Gemini, it's direct and moving fast, meaning they weren't born near a retrograde. It is under the beams of the sun, so it is receiving that form of maltreatment. It is in the 9th house of religion, spirituality, higher education, law, and other cultures. So, it is in one of the houses associated with how someone thinks and the pursuit of knowledge, which applies. However it is not in one of the houses associated with disability, illness, or isolation. This makes sense for this person. There is no connection between Mercury and the Moon for this person, and Mars (the malefic contrary to sect) is not aspecting it. Mars is sextiling their moon, but this aspect is weak. Saturn is squaring their moon (interesting because I have this aspect in my chart as well( but their moon is exalted in Taurus. Their moon is in the 8th house which can indicate mental health struggles and trauma.
Our third example has mental health diagnoses. They are disabled now, and actually lost their career because of their disability. However, they were able to be a functional member of society for many years, which is why I decided to include them. They also happen to have Mercury in Gemini, and it's not retrograde but it's moving slow. This means they were born near a retrograde, either just before or just after one. Mercury is not under the beams of the sun, but it is conjunct Mars, the malefic contrary to sect. Their moon is not being harmed by either malefic and has no connection to Mercury. However, it is slow-moving as well, and is in its fall in Scorpio.
Our fourth chart has Mercury in Capricorn in the 9th house along with both benefics (Venus and Jupiter). Their Mercury is direct and fast-moving, so they weren't born near a retrograde. Venus and Jupiter are direct as well giving them an extra boost. Their Mercury is not under the beams of the Sun. Saturn, which is the malefic of sect is sextiling these placements from the 7th house. Since Saturn rules Capricorn and Aquarius, this links this person's 9th and 10th houses, meaning Saturn governs their Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter. This means this person does have a Mercury-Moon connection. Additionally Saturn and Mars are squaring this person's Moon.
The rest of our featured chart examples are for people who are obviously disabled, not necessarily for their neurodivergent conditions, but no matter how "high-functioning" they supposedly are or how much they mask, they cannot just blend into society. They all try, though, to varying degrees of success, and this of course fluctuates throughout their lives depending on capacity and acquired skills. This is the category I would be in if I didn't use my chart as the first example.
Now let's look at our fifth example, someone who is disabled, and needs ongoing support, yet who has had some success and was labeled as "high-functioning" when they received their neurodivergent diagnosis as an adult. This person's Mercury is not retrograde, but it is slow, meaning they were born near a retrograde. It is not under the beams of the Sun. Their Mercury is in the 10th house, a very strong angular house, very visible, and it is being squared by their exalted Moon in the 7th house. Mars, the malefic contrary to sect is sextiling their Mercury, and their Retrograde Saturn (malefic of sect) is opposing it.
Next, for chart six, let's look at the chart of someone born physically disabled with multiple neurodivergent diagnoses, who needed a lot of support throughout life. This person's Mercury is direct and moving fast in its own sign of Gemini. It's in this person's 6th house, which makes sense given their physical disabilities that required hospital visits, surgeries, transplants, and a mountain of daily medications. This person was also a daredevil, and accident-prone because of it. Their Mercury is under the beams of the Sun and squaring their Moon in the 9th house in Virgo, the other sign Mercury rules. There's your Mercury-Moon connection, very strong in this chart. Since this person's Sun is in the 6th house, this is a Night Chart, making Saturn the Malefic contrary to sect. Saturn is conjunct this person's Moon and squaring their Mercury.
Now, for chart seven, let's look at an example chart of a person who is physically able-bodied but who struggles significantly because of the diagnosed neurodivergent condition they received in childhood as well as a lack of support. This person has Mercury in Taurus in the 10th house, it's direct and moving fast, and it is conjunct Venus, who is in her own sign. This is a very strong Mercury, and it is not under the beams of the Sun. However, Mars, the Malefic contrary to sect is conjunct Mercury and Venus. This person has the Moon in Pisces in the 8th house, sextiling their 10th house placements. This means there is a Moon-Mercury aspect in this chart. Their 8th house Moon can contribute to mental health struggles as well.
Example chart eight is for someone who was born with a disability and has diagnosed conditions they rely on medication for, in addition to neurodevelopmental disabilities. This person has Mercury in the 6th house in Sagittarius, which is the sign of its detriment. Mercury is in a bad house, the house associated with illness, injuries, and physical health. It is direct and moving fast, though, and it is not under the beams of the Sun. It is also in the same sign as Saturn, the Malefic contrary to sect. Their Moon is sextiling these placements by whole sign, meaning there is a Mercury-Moon connection in this person's chart.
Next up, chart 9, let's look at the chart of someone who was born disabled with both diagnosed and undiagnosed neurodivergent conditions. This person has goals they take very seriously, and they clearly want to help others. It is very easy for this person to feel responsible for others and take on more than they can handle as a result. They are prone to burnout and need breaks between projects. This person has the Sun, Mercury, and Venus all conjunct in Gemini in the 7th house. Mercury and Venus are both retrograde and under the beams of the Sun. Mercury is just barely out of the 1º range to be considered as in the heart of the sun, which actually elevates this placement, but regardless, it has considerable strength since it is in its own sign with a benefic and in an angular house. Mercury is in opposition to Saturn and in a square with Mars, with Mars being the malefic contrary to sect. Their Gemini placements, including Mercury, are also in a sextile with their 9th house Leo Moon, meaning this chart does have a Mercury-Moon connection.
For chart ten, let's check out the natal chart of someone who is disabled, born premature, and was suspected of having a neurodevelopmental condition in childhood, but due to their existing disability and ableism, the adults in this child's life determined not to give this person another label, putting their own comfort over the child's needs. There is no Mercury-Moon connection in this person's chart. Mercury is stationing, so they were born at a Retrograde. Mercury is also in their 12th house and receiving a square from Mars and a sextile from Saturn. Their Moon is in a Mutual Reception with Mars and squaring Saturn.
The second to last chart (example eleven) I have is someone who again, was born disabled. They have struggled significantly with certain aspects of learning and their life milestones are delayed, taking long gaps between each endeavor. This person has Mercury, the Moon, and Venus all in Gemini in the 9th house, so there is a connection between the Moon and Mercury in this chart. Mercury is direct, and it is just barely under the beams of the Sun. Saturn is squaring Mercury, Venus, and the Moon, and Mars is sextiling them.
Lastly, for chart twelve, let's look at an individual who was born with disabilities and has many other disabled family members. They have a very strong will and want to achieve their goals. It takes them much longer to obtain degrees, for example, but they don't give up no matter how long it takes. Their Mercury is direct and moving fast, and it isn't under the beams of the Sun. Mars isn't aspecting it, and Saturn is aspecting it by trine, which is a flowing aspect but Saturn is the malefic contrary to sect in this case. Mercury is in a trine with their Moon, and Saturn is trining it as well. Mars isn't aspecting the Moon, however Mars is in this person's 1st house which represents them and their physical body. Additionally, since they are a Cancer rising, their 6th house Moon is averse to their ascendant. The 6th house, as discussed earlier, deals with someone's physical health so this person having the Moon here is fitting.
So, that's it. I could keep going, but there are some clear patterns here. This is a very small chart sample, but it does back up some of her findings as well as confirm my thoughts. Additionally, there is a pattern of 9th house placements that I hadn't considered as a possible influence, but it makes sense. I talked about the 6th house and 12th house as being disability-related houses. Traditionally they are seen as houses that are disconnected from daily life, as are the 3rd and 9th houses. This is because if you are running errands or practicing religion or divination (3rd house), injured or sick (6th house), taking a long-distance journey or receiving messages from the divine (9th house), or struggling with your mental health or institutionalized (12th house), you're not fully present in the world around you. I didn't consider the 9th house and its association with how you think, your pursuit of knowledge, your worldview, your belief system all being connected with neurodivergence. It's all very interesting. It wasn't surprising to me that Mercury wasn't always connected with the Moon (but it often was), that it wasn't always Retrograde (but it often was) or that it wasn't always under the beams of the Sun (but it often was). As I suspected, the Malefics tend to play a part, maltreating Mercury, the Moon, or both. I suspect that the more significators someone has with Mercury or their Moon, the more challenging life is for them. And it isn't always because of their neurodivergent conditions. It can be for other reasons. For example, I am a twin, and my brother is not disabled. He has the same chart as me, so how those placements show up in his life is completely different than how they show up in mine.
Anyway, I hope this makes sense to whoever decides to read it! I hope y'all find it interesting. I definitely enjoyed looking into this and writing this post. Thanks for reading!