Education and learning are lifelong processes. Your approach to developing your intellect is multifaceted, but there are special indicators in your astrological chart which help you understand the best ways to develop your mentality. Improving and strengthening communication skills is also part of developing your mind, since connecting to others is certainly improved if you can effectively illustrate your point of view!

Although the energy of Mercury is traditionally considered to be the main indicator of your mentality, there are also other qualities which are part of your mental and intellectual self. First, let's look at Mercury, which is the energy through which you link your thoughts and ideas with others. When you want an audience, you can be quite magnetic in your manner of speaking with Mercury in Leo. You can also be an attentive listener when you are interested in anyone or anything, and definitely enjoy being entertained. You're a woman who commands attention through your elegant style and presentation. Sometimes, though, your own opinions can get in the way of learning something new or different. It is rare that anyone will ever be able to convince you to change your mind unless you want to do so, although you may not be able to take "no" for an answer when you're on the other side of the picture!

Your imagination is easily stimulated with Mercury in sextile aspect to Neptune. Self-expression flows readily, and writing, music, painting and photography can all be worthwhile avenues for you to express your ideas and view of the world. You may be an excellent mimic and talented actress.

You are a perceptive thinker with Mercury conjunct Pluto, and can be rather intense when you're focused on something or someone. An excellent researcher, you like to probe beneath the surface for the information you need and may be fascinated with subjects like psychology, metaphysics or life science.

The energy of your Moon also has a mental component. The Moon is the realm of thought, the process of subconscious thinking, and plays a strong role in intuitive thinking. You like to learn about things that get your energy moving. Through your Aries Moon your learning filters are more stimulated by exploring ideas which are challenging and require some creative thinking. You also prefer to learn at your own pace and may not like the idea of being held back because somebody else has not quite reached your level of understanding.

Jupiter also plays an important role in learning, stimulating you to look ahead into the realm of possibility, beyond the horizon of the now. Through the energy of Jupiter, you share what you know with others. As a woman, you are likely to feel most at home when you use this energy to encourage and support others, but you can also apply this to yourself! Your philosophical approach to life and learning may be very much like mother taught you with Jupiter in Cancer. Your adherence to some of the attitudes which shaped earlier generations has great value for you, and you may have a keen understanding of the importance of learning from history. Sometimes, however, your emotional attachment to your philosophies can get in the way of the essence of how and what you believe.

The idea of being unusual seems quite fine to you, since you feel much more like yourself when you're expressing your individualism. With Jupiter conjunct Uranus you have a very high level of perception and need to trust your first impressions. Your religious beliefs or spiritual ideals may play an important role in your life, and you may be more attracted to a spiritual path which allows room for your individual growth at your own rate.

The purpose of Saturn is to provide clarity, structure, form and discipline - elements which are certainly important to learning. Saturn functions primarily as your inner teacher. Mothers are the most influential Saturnian models in western society. They provide the structure, guidance and support for their children in the realms of learning, socialization or personal growth. Once you enter society as a child, teachers play the Saturnian role. But the role of mothers and teachers in relationship to Saturn is to help you define the structure upon which you will build your life. Then, you "own" your Saturn, and know how to discipline and focus your own energy.

You can be a resourceful student and quite adept in research and investigation with Saturn in Scorpio. You may learn better and perform at your peak when you feel safe and well-protected. Circumstances which leave you feeling exposed are threatening, especially if you're working on something important or developing a creative project or idea. You prefer to work in relative secrecy and may not appreciate having your efforts exposed without your permission. Life science, medicine, psychology and metaphysics are good areas for your study and focus.

The areas of your chart which are connected most strongly to mental and intellectual development are the 3rd, 9th and 11th Houses. The 3rd House of your chart deals with communication and the development of concepts.

It's easier for you to communicate and share ideas about things which stimulate your emotions with Cancer ruling your 3rd House. You may also have a high memory capacity, thinking in terms of whole pictures. However, you may not really be a good student, because you would prefer to "absorb" information; it seems so much easier that way. You do absorb a lot, but when you need facts, may regret that you neglected to fire up the old brain cells. With the Moon ruling your 3rd House, you are most likely to share your ideas with people who feel familiar and safe. You also prefer to communicate with passion and feeling. Stale numbers may never appeal to you.

The energy of Uranus in your 3rd House adds a special ingenuity to your thinking. You love projecting yourself and your thoughts into the future and may be quite inventive and visionary. Although you may be a rebellious and revolutionary thinker, you are a natural scientist, always seeking the yet undiscovered truth. Maintaining your concentration can be difficult, and you need ample opportunities to work at your own pace. However, some structure will help you avoid scattering your mental energy. Leaving room for your spontaneous urges to get up and go is very important, and anyone who is in relationship with you needs to understand that you can change your mind or decide to do something at a moment's notice.

Your 9th House shows your approach to higher learning, which is usually accomplished through a college or professional degree program. Subjects like philosophy, religion, political science, cultural pursuits and the like are strongly associated with this facet of your development.

You may take education seriously, and are likely to prefer learning things that have a realistic basis with Capricorn on the cusp of your 9th House. A practical approach is much more suitable than abstract learning. You may be very much the "show me" type of woman who prefers to have evidence for all the theories. With Saturn ruling your 9th House, you are a prime candidate for academia, and might fit into the academic pattern quite nicely, including becoming a teacher. Regardless of your aims, your education needs to provide a reasonable option for making a living. This energy also stimulates a somewhat orthodox approach to religion and philosophy, although you may have a strong affinity for nature religions and ritual.

There are no planets in your 9th House, indicating that extended education in a formal setting may not be your highest priority. Although you may be quite philosophical or approach life itself as a learning experience, you may have interruptions in formal education or may find that you learn in different ways than those found in more academic settings. To further understand your approach to education study the meaning of the sign on the cusp of the 9th House explained above, and reflect on the energy of Jupiter and its sign and house placement as indicators of the development of your higher mind.

Through the 11th House you learn from peers, and connect with your community. The 11th House involves your special interests, too. This is very much the school of life, because this is also the area which relates to developing your goals.

Your desire to have the things you want and to experience a life of true security begins with your dreams. With Pisces influencing your 11th House, your dreams play a major part in accomplishing your aims. Your ability to envision what you want from life can be quite empowering. And if you can do something which confirms the probability of making your dreams happen, then you can be even more successful. Although you have to start with the dream, at some point you need to touch the physical reality. It's like career day at school. You may think, "I'd like to be a doctor." But until you follow a doctor around for a few hours and get a sense of what it would be like, you may wonder if it actually fits. By making some physical connection to your dreams, you can become a masterful creator of your life. Neptune's rulership of this house adds a desire to make a difference in the world to your goals. You know that you can be part of the change which will add meaning and compassion to the experience of life.

The influence of your Moon in the 11th House draws your attention to the need to be involved with others. Your goals, interests, hobbies and professional development may be more enjoyable if you're sharing them with special friends. You may feel a strong connection to your women friends and may even have a special affinity for political issues which are connected to women. Your work will be more satisfying if you feel that it helps you accomplish some thing deeply meaningful, instead of just spending your time making money doing a job which means nothing to you personally. So, when you're setting your personal goals, take your feelings about your choices into consideration. Listen to your soul's voice.