Mercury is… in what exactly?
Mercury is in Retrograde, and what does this mean exactly? This means from the Earth’s vantage point, that Mercury appears to be moving backward. This is just an optical illusion, as a star does not actually travel in reverse on it’s elliptical path. This optical illusion occurs when the Sun is moving at a faster trajectory than Mercury, when the planet Mercury’s movement slows down and Earth’s relative motion is faster, it appears that Mercury is moving backward. This is the same optical illusion that sometimes occurs at a stop light when you are slowing down and another car comes up quickly next to you, it can almost appear you’re moving backward. You are not of course – it’s just an illusion. However Astrology is based on our perspective, so when Mercury appears to be moving backward in the zodiac, all of Mercury’s significations and representations also experience some back-tracking and reversals.
When Mercury is in Retrograde – astrologically – this means that anything Mercury represents or signifies may experience reversals, upsets, back-tracking, delays, or disruptions during this time. Because Mercury is a planet that moves quickly around the zodiac, and because Mercury represents important life topics such as: communication, data, thoughts, scheduling, transportation, computers, and even vehicles you can imagine that these disruptions can be quite a headache!
This current Mercury Retrograde is occurring in the sign of Aries and will be squaring Pluto, as well as conjunct the Sun & Venus during it’s retrograde.
This Mercury Retrograde will feature Arian themes such as: quick or hasty decisions, rash or impulsive actions, aggressive thoughts or actions that you may come to regret, saying or doing things you should have thought about before saying or doing, and moving too quickly through things. Aries energy wants to get things started, but now may not be the time for new enterprises. This might be the time to take the extra time to think things through, or read things over a second time. This may be the time to ‘sleep on it’ as the phrase goes, before making a decision.
Pluto’s square will bring out intensity in this retrograde – you may find yourself delving deep into thoughts that surprise you. There could be an intensity or serious focus to discussions or consequences – even if there doesn’t need to be. Take this time to introspect and focus on yourself and what your inner self is asking instead of using this energy to try and change or control someone else’s thoughts. Intensity during the retrograde can be a good thing or a bad thing. It can intensify the energy of those around you and your interactions and communications with others, or it could be a time for deep almost spiritual introspection.
During Mercury’s path it will encounter the Sun again by conjunction. This means that in the sky, the Mercury and Sun will be aligned. This does not necessarily bode well for Mercury making him “Combust“. In traditional astrology, this means the planet is debilitated by being burnt up by the Sun’s rays. Being too close to the Sun can be a bad thing for a planet, it can be hidden or burnt by the Sun and therefore inhibiting it. During the time frame that Mercury is Combust, things may be the most chaotic or frustrating, it could be a time where rash decisions and actions are happening and causing upset, impulsive conversations or even confrontations could have poor outcomes – especially being right smack dab in an Eclipse Season – and this would be the worst time to start a new endeavor. From about April 6 – 16, we will experience the most frustrating of the Sun’s burning.
Thankfully near the end of Mercury’s Retrograde, we will have a slight reprieve with a conjunction with Venus. This will provide at least a bit of aid and assistance from Venus – however Venus herself is in a poor condition and isn’t able to provide too much help to Mercury. Venus is in the sign of her detriment in Aries and inclines Venus toward less harmonious behavior and more brash, up front, and independent behavior. Mercury may only receive slight help from Venus due to her condition, but hopefully this will mean at the end of the retrograde we will see a bit of aid by way of harmony, kindness, sociability, and relationships with others.
Well… If I’m not an Aries, will this still affect me?
Absolutely! This will impact anyone. This branch of astrology is what is known as ‘mundane’ astrology (although it’s anything but mundane!). Mundane Astrology focuses on where the planets are currently and how they impact society as a whole, the world in general, and all of us living her. Mundane Astrology includes things like Solar and Lunar Eclipses, planetary ingresses, retrogrades, and many other planetary happenings! I try to make posts on notable transits and happenings in the sky, see the link below for access.
Mercury’s retrogrades will still impact you, even if you were not born with the Sun (your ‘Zodiac Sign’) in the sign of Aries. This will likely show up in the Whole Sign House you find Aries in in your own personal birth chart, you may experience the effects of the retrograde the most in this area of your life – however if you do have personal planets, such as the Sun, in Aries, you are more likely to feel the retrograde more strongly than other people as Mercury will be tap dancing all over your planets!
If you’re wanting to know more about how the retrograde will affect you specifically – a current events reading is a great way to see what’s currently happening in the sky to impact your life, and when those things will pass. It can be a great way to prepare and see the light at the end of the tunnel if you’re going through a rough time.
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