Mercury Mahadasha
17 years in the Vimshottari cycle
Mercury Mahadasha lasts 17 years. It is the ninth of nine dashas in the Vimshottari order, coming after Saturn and before Ketu. Mercury stands for intellect, trade, communication and learning. Skills, writing, business and negotiation tend to carry weight, and results often depend on how well you keep learning and keep your word.
Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, so the houses it rules shift with your Moon sign: the 3rd and 6th houses for Aries Moon, the 2nd and 11th houses for Leo Moon. Each Mahadasha is split into nine Antardashas starting with Mercury itself, and each one blends Mercury with another planet.
Your Moon sign, the placement of Mercury in your birth chart and current transits decide how this dasha plays out. Use the nine sub-period pages below, then pick your Moon sign for a version tailored to it.
Mercury Mahadasha: the nine Antardashas, in order
Frequently asked
How long is Mercury Mahadasha?
Mercury Mahadasha lasts 17 years in the Vimshottari system, which runs on a 120-year cycle. It follows Saturn Mahadasha and is followed by Ketu Mahadasha. When it starts depends on the Moon's position at your birth.
What are the Antardashas in Mercury Mahadasha and how long is each?
There are nine, in order: Mercury 2 years 4 months 27 days, Ketu 11 months 27 days, Venus 2 years 10 months, Sun 10 months 6 days, Moon 1 year 5 months, Mars 11 months 27 days, Rahu 2 years 6 months 18 days, Jupiter 2 years 3 months 6 days, Saturn 2 years 8 months 9 days. Each length is the Mahadasha years × the sub-period planet's years ÷ 120.
Is Mercury Mahadasha good or bad?
Neither on its own. Mercury stands for intellect, trade, communication and learning, and the result depends on the houses it rules for your Moon sign, its strength and placement in your chart, and transits.
Does my Moon sign change Mercury Mahadasha?
Yes. The Moon sign decides which houses Mercury rules and so which life areas the dasha works through. Astrika reads natal chart, dasha and transit together before answering.