Aries Mercury Retrograde

It's all an illusion

A mercury retrograde is an optical illusion. The planet stations, appears to stand still, but it does not rotate in the opposite direction. As Earth cruises past it, Mercury appears to our eye to be moving backwards. It is not. Could you imagine if Earth just stopped and switched directions! If it means I could age backwards for a bit...well then let's have at it -- but that's not gonna happen.

Aries Mercury Retrograde

As mercury appears to be 'backtracking,' we get a chance to also backtrack with the energies associated with Mercury in the sign and house that it is trekking through in our charts. Each sign in your birth chart occupies 0 to 29 degrees. The 2024 Aries Mercury Stations to go retrograde on April 1 (yep -- April Fool's Day!) at 27 degrees. It will back track to 15 degrees, station again on April 25th and head forward over the same degrees. The retrograde period is April 1-25th.

To complicate matters more...Pre and Post Mercury Retrograde Shadow...and why

You've probably heard about the pre and post retrograde show. These are telling times. The pre-shadow is from March 18th - March 31st. This is when Mercury first went over those retrograde degrees. During Mercury retrograde, you may be dealing with issues that reared their heads or started to show themselves during this time. The post-shadow period can be thought of as the time period where if you haven't settled those matters, the universe may be working her magick and making you deal with them. Post-shadow is April 26-May 12th.

In true Aries fashion...but what does this mean for me?

Mercury in Aries is sharp, sharp like a knife. It doesn't dive in deep to explore all the possibilities. It sees a point, responds and moves on. There is no sugar coating going on here. Direct and to the point. Can you see where this could go a bit awry?

By referencing your rising sign below, see the house of your chart affected by the Aries Mercury Retrograde and some possible key themes that may arise for you. I pulled a tarot card to help guide you though the retrograde as well.

Aries

The Mercury Rx for you is in the 1st house, the 'Who am I' house. You may be reworking your image, focusing on your appearance or maybe your name is changing (marriage). This is a time when you turn inwards to ask who are you in this new stage of life? And, more importantly, how will you be presenting yourself going forward? Your tarot guide is the 6 of cups. This is a sentimental card that takes us down the path of nostalgia. Five cups are overturned, but one is upright, standing strong and true. The overturned cups are memories we still hold within us. Look at how you've grown, all the lessons you have learned, but this upright cup, this holds all the new possibilities. The cup is here for you to refill your emotional reserves during the Mercury Rx and to remind you to be true to yourself.

Pisces

Mercury Rx has arrived in your house of survival. Where your money, possessions and self-worth are located. But also here lies people who help you every day, maybe your nanny, or a banker/financial advisor or even a friend. This area of you life is up for review and your tarot card for guidance is the 5 of pentacles (coins). Fives in tarot appear when we are feeling contraction, where we need self tending and lessons are being learned. Is worry keeping you up at night? Do you have the resources you need - and let's get right to it - the money. In our society, we tie self-worth to our possessions and how much money we have. (I wish we didn't, but let's just state the obviousness of living in a patriarchal society). Mercury rules communication, our thinking and transactions. Have you recently made some transactions that now have left you a bit worried? When the five of pentacles shows up, we need to take a look at what the shadows are whispering to us. Is there a lack of resources, are you feeling rejected? Sometimes it can be hard to see the light out of the tunnel and we may dwell in this void. You may start to have the 'woe is me' feelings of helplessness and victimhood. But there is medicine in this card and you are in your second house. There is still hope and support available to you, and it may be closer than you think. Who is someone you can trust to reach out at this time. They are close to you. Shake that shadow free from you.

Aquarius

Welcome to the neighborhood - 3rd house, Mercury Rx. The house of communication, mental concentration and short journeys. If any rising sign needs to watch it's tongue, it's you! Aries in Mercury is quick to comment - but your comment might not land very elegantly right now. Let's quiet that voice and take it inside. The tarot guide for you is the Star. When Major Arcana cards show up, we do not take action. They move us from one phase of life to the next, we just surrender to their energy. I, personally, love this for you. Let the magic of the Star, of the cosmos, to flow into you and connect with your inner voice for inspiration. As old layers strip from you, this is a time for balance between work and play, to visualize your path ahead. Inspiration is around you, take note of the glimmers that strike, write them down. Take the Rx as a time to absorb all the intuitive hits and serendipitous moments.

Capricorn

The roots, the roots, the roots are on fire and now you are left with ash -- Mercury Rx in your 4th house of family, your home and security for your inner child. You have stood stubbornly in your convictions, but where has it gotten you? When it comes to family, it's time to put down the sword. Your tarot guide is the 10 of swords. Tens are at the end. It's the death of one cycle before we begin anew. What have your learned? What do you want to keep and what release? So much is swirling in your head. Tough experiences lead to transformation and the ten of swords shows you a way forward, although it seems hazy and off in the distance. You will be pushed to your limits and forced to come up for air. You can come out of this with newfound strength, but that strength will require a sacrifice or an internal release.

Sagittarius

Mercury Rx in your 5th house of play, creativity, romance, children and the ego. The 5th house is where we usually give, but in an Rx, do you need to take a little more for yourself? This is a great time to focus more on your creativity - for yourself. What fuels your soul, not what you can put out to appease your ego or others. Your tarot guide is the Queen of Pentacles (coins). We embody the energy of the court cards. How can you wear the Queen's robe and let her show you the way? She balances multiple commitments but prioritizes what is truly meaningful in life. This is a time to tend to your body, put your feet in the grass and fill your soul cup. What talents and gifts can you nurture right now? How can you design the life you always dreamed of?

Scorpio

Write a prescription with the Mercury Rx as your 6th house of health gets a visitor. Have you been over-extending yourself? Good news, your tarot card is the 3 of cups. Write yourself a prescription for more fun. Let your heart be your guide, connect with your soul family and allow yourself to absorb this dynamic energy. It may activate your deeper connection to your spiritual and psychic gifts. If you absolutely have to stick to a schedule -- it is still Mercury Rx, set an extra alarm.

Libra

All relationships under review, whether personal or professional. Your tarot anchor is the Death card. Surrender to the energy of transformation as it moves you to the next phase of life. Your relationships will not be the same after this Rx. Take inventory of your relationships. Those without purpose will fade. Those that no longer feed our wants, needs or desires will dissolve or be forced to evolve. Priorities become clear when distractions are stripped away. Some relationships will be moved to a new position. Energy never dies, but it can change shape.

Virgo

An 8th house Mercury Rx is not for the weak. Are you questioning who can be trusted? This house holds all the topics we don't like to discuss - death, merged assets. It holds our intimacy with others. Mercury in Aries cuts like a knife. Your tarot guide is the 7 of wands. All the what-if scenarios in your mind, cutting deeper, causing distress. How can you hold your own strength and composure? You have been through many highs and lows, take time this Rx to fortify your inner strength. The universe is rebalancing and you are resilient.

Leo

Mercury Rx in the 9th house of higher knowledge is calling for an edit. Review, revise and reassess what you put out into the world. Are your words being received the way you intended. Of any sign, foot in mouth seems most likely a scenario you should try to avoid. Your tarot guide is Justice. An energy to surrender to. See the situation for what it is versus what you feel it should be. Can you be objective? Avoid getting into trouble with the law or settling any lawsuits during this Rx, you may not like the outcome.

Cancer

It's your reputation on the line. Your social status is getting a review with the Mercury Rx. Make sure it's you doing the reviewing and not someone else. Your tarot guide is the Emperor and what a strong Aries card. You are here to make a dent in the world, and Mercury Rx is a perfect time to make any revisions before you go public again. Leaders bring harmony and peace to the world, not conflict and separation. Guide others with your heart and your mind.

Gemini

Your group chat is up for review. The 11th house hosts your hopes, dreams and wishes, your legacy and friendships. Your tarot guide card is the Lovers, an energy to surrender to. In your 11th house, this can be deeply platonic friendships. These soulful friendships the Lovers' card refers to will feel like you've been together for lifetimes. Are these friendships good at honoring and celebrating each others wins, dreams and stories? Has one person been dominating the room? Does this friendship need revision?

Taurus

Mercury retrogrades through your 12th house of the subconscious. Your tarot guide is the Magician. A perfect anchor card to help you through the Rx. The Magician represents all the skills and talents hidden within you, waiting to come out into the physical world. Where are these skills and talents hidden, in your subconscious. The 12th house is often thought of as our mental prison. Mercury in Aries is quick, it makes a decision and acts. This Rx, take a pause before you react. Anger often masks grief. If you've been harboring secrets, be mindful that this retrograde may bring them into the light.

April Astrology 

April starts off with a bang with the Mercury Retrograde on April Fool's Day. We also have a solar eclipse on April 8th in the sign of Aries. As if the retrograde wasn't enough, the universe is digging in it's heels making sure we are on the right path. April is definitely a month watch!

Be kind to yourself and others.

I always love to hear how the skies are treating you. Please leave a comment below. I love hearing astrology in action. Interested in exploring your birth chart more, book a reading. Click the link in the menu.