Its very true that we do not see a lot of great mercury's. Its starved by 1 planet, moon, so thats 3 in 12 charts about, a bit less cuase in some charts moon will starve it badly but it will be in cancer. Its delighted by Venus, venus can never aspect, but i can join, but it has two signs to delight mercury in, so thats about 3 in 12, evens out the score with moon. Then saturn will starve in 1 in 12 charts. Sun will delight in 1 out of 12 charts when mercury is in leo, and it will agitate and delight in 1 out of 12 charts. So mercury is half a planet ahead on friendship vs starvation agitation. So no, we dont see a lot of great mercury's. And that shows, look at how may people find themselves struggling in wrong situations that were never properly examined?
Indeed, this is a primary lesson to be learnt!
Perhaps this is how universe lays the net to catch up on working out the bad karma otherwise who would want to get caught 😀
Over the years I have come to see mars as more significant in regards to friends. In western astrology, its mercury of course. And in many contexts it is. If you get together to play games, its mercury, if you do mutual interst things together, play together, its mercury. But friends on a more serious note of doing things for the other when in need or important or to be helpful, is Mars.
I think that this is when looking at the Jaimini Cara Karaka comes in extra handy. Examining the AmK gives a better clue as to the individual’s friends. Interestingly enough mine happens to be Mars, which may make me have a skewed view on the subject.
My friendships have always been short lived, coming on strong for a time and then time separates us (Mars with Sun). Our paths just go in separate directions. I also happen to have a great delighted Mercury in own sign. So my personal observations are based on being young and being very social or at least trying to be and assimilating to my friends. But as I got older and became more aware of having the need to stand on my own, I’ve gotten more comfortable being on my own. So I can be friendly to see where there are good opportunities, but at the end of the day, I want my space. Having friends has been more draining for me throughout. I only became aware of that once Saturn matured.