Hello Astro Archetype Attuned Friends,
What on Earth and in the Heavens is going on, these days?
you might wonder… and I’ve been asked a lot lately…
Yes, it’s the era of massive awakening and transformational shifts in society on a big scale, and for lots of us personally too, mirrored by our transpersonal ‘friends’ URANUS in ARIES (2011 – 2018) and PLUTO in CAP (2009 – 2023)
But what’s with all the technology and communication glitches (or surprises!) that have sneaked in again lately?
No way? Again?!
The inevitable is happening again:
Mercury doing its retro somersaults again…
Bingo! Another MERCURY Retro phase is coming UP, and already gearing UP, just in time for Spring Break and Easter…!
All in ARIES this time (from 17° back to 4°47′ AR), from March 22 – Apr 15).
M-r happens yearly in the same Element (in FIRE since the last M-r phase Dec 2 – 22, 2017 all in SAG), going backward in the Zodiac, i.o.w., this year in FIRE (next ones in LEO July 25 – Aug 18, and SAG / SCO Nov 16 – Dec 6), 2019 in WATER.
Those of you who’ve read in my MERCURY retro support REport (or even advocacy) over the years know:
M-r isn’t necessarily ‘BAD’ news.
And hey – perhaps an overdue and cosmically well timed adjustment!
In a nut shell, with M-r, the Archetype of MIND is being adjusted, while temporarily operating differently than ‘usually’, to be tuned-up into a ‘New MERCURY’ (hey, what’s that??? Wait, wait, I’ll get there).
Have you noticed?
We’re already in the build-up (or rather: slow-down) phase!
Our good old messenger / trickster friend MERCURY has since March 9 been in the pre-retro ‘shadow’ (i.o.w., technically speaking, crossed the 4° ARIES mark from which it will go direct again on Apr 15).
Next phase:
From today March 15 on, MERCURY goes into stationary (very slowly moving) ‘U-turn storm’.
Next week, on March 22 MERCURY will start its seasonal retro loop which goes until April 15. Yep, Spring Break and Easter (Apr 1) are this year M-r affected!
Definitely a good time for RE-treat (but take it easy on busy holiday prep and getting wrapped up in planning ‘loops’!).
What’s Special about this MERCURY Retro (M-r)?
It sets off Spring and the ARIES month (Equinox is on March 20), and ends with the ARIES New Moon (Apr 15).
But even more so, M-r happens all in ARIES.
UH-AH-Ouch, I hear you ARIES associated people go….
MERCURY is actually quite strong in the first Zodiac sign, and considered its ‘esoteric ruler’, and ARIES rules the head and brain, so that should be ok? Or what?
Hmm, the going ahead type of business might be the issue. Are you being too head strong?
M-r puts the ever so active ARIES mind on the bench to watch the play… RE-flect before you act.
I.o.w., no need to rush into anything… Yet on the other hand, sometimes under M-r unusual opportunities pop up (ARIES style) that wouldn’t otherwise…
So what’s the deal with THIS M-r in ARIES?
The ARIES (ruled my MARS) motto is: “I am. I act.”
A Self-Assertive Warrior Archetype.
Mars Rules Aries, Painting by Johfra Bosschart
The shadow of ARIES is to be too self-driven, and acting before thinking / consulting / negotiating.
Works when in self-assertive survival mode.
M-r adjusts the ego driven mind, and brings it back to be the assistant and tool to Spirit and the Heart.
While other M-r scenarios can adjust the over-thinker / worrier / fence sitter… this one adjusts impulsive words and actions that come from a very primal place in the ego mind that always self defends and re-asserts itself…
B.t.w, with this statement I don’t mean you ARIES SUN readers per se.
In my Astrology practice over almost 2 decades I’ve found that clients don’t necessarily express their SUN sign’s quality, rather their MOON or AC themes. It’s more familiar and habitual to come from those places of conditioning. To express the best SOLAR quality takes consciousness, yet is so fulfilling… i.o.w. it would be good to be pro-active in conscious, enlightened self-interest, for you ARIES SUN friends. And this M-r phase can help you (maybe not initially, but as it processes through.
Ok, back to our M-r in ARIES theme for all of us:
Yes, it does affect whatever you have in ARIES (SUN, MOON, Planets, Nodes, AC / MC), and shows up in the area of life related to the ARIES House in your chart.
When in doubt and you’d like to find out get in touch with me. I can look it up if you’re already my client, or set up your birth chart if you give me your birth info.
This could be a good time to (RE)visit otherwise hidden themes in your life, in an Astro session.
44 min Flash Focus sessions are also available – for only $ 44!
(Not only) to kick off M-r in ARIES (March 22 – Apr 4)
M-r in ARIES: Back to the Beginning
The first half of M-r is the Epimethean phase, RE-minding us of ‘old stories’ – which doesn’t have to be a ‘bad thing’ to overcome, it can be an inspiration. And, as always, we learn so much from history / herstory.
So, how about brainstorming (not only, but esp. under the M-r ‘storm’): “In the Beginning, my mind was…”?
And M-r in ARIES can bring us on a deeper level to the self-inquiry:
Where does this thought, where does Thought, where does Mind originate?
M-r in ARIES is an excellent time to (RE)discover the authentic and original Mind.
Under this M-r we’ll be RE-minded of Beginnings – where things started, how we were going about things when all was fresh and new and innocent. Maybe there’s a lot to learn from that.
There is a 7-Phase Sequence to every MERCURY Retro Cycle:
- Pre-retro shadow,
- Pre-retro stationary / ‘storm’,
- Mercury technically retro,
- Mercury direct again,
- Post-retro stationary / ‘storm’,
- Post-retro shadow,
- Out of shadow.
MERCURY went into so-called pre-retro ‘shadow’ on March 9, which means it passed for the first time the Zodiac point (4º47’ AR) from which after the retro phase it will go direct again. Certain ‘foreshadowing’ themes of what can come up during the upcoming M-r are played out. Can we watch them without getting involved in the game?
Also a good time to be as fluid as quicksilver, responsive to higher intelligence, and trust the ‘messenger from the future’, via intuition and precognition, perhaps already have a clear(ifying) and heartfelt communication around ‘neglected’ themes.
MERCURY Retro in the Starters
Today March 15, MERCURY enters its stationary ‘storm’ period (moves very slowly), a.k.a. ‘U-turn’ mode.
This is a time to also slow down the regular fast and busy mind that likes to multi talk / task and tends to make quick assumptions and acts on them (ARIES).
‘Regular’ communication affairs might start to become ‘tricky’, ‘complicated’, ‘chaotic’, and ‘messed up’, but only from the perspective of the ego that needs to be in control via the rational mind. MERCURY in zigzag mode suggests being in flux and at ease, while swiftly (ARIES) and intelligently changing course when necessary.
The actual retro phase (March 22 – Apr 15) turns the mind inwards, backwards, and out of its confines, like a snake biting its own tail while shedding its skin.
Under M-r., ‘usual’ thinking and communication patterns are being questioned, and it appears at times as if there was a trickster or little devil at play, while in fact we have a chance now to see the mental devil / trickster that’s been there all along, camouflaging and going unnoticed, and is often to be found in the detail or fine print, and one number can change the whole outcome. The challenge is to not get frustrated when things don’t turn out the way you thought they ’should’, according to rational, preconceived plan.
During M-r, experiment with, practice, and hopefully also integrate for later going with the flow of things in an intuitive way, and taking everything as a learning experience.
That also means changing your mind when you get the impulse / signal for an alternative course of action, being open to and curious about ‘detours’ that might lead to unexpected turns, and making unusual connections, rather than going with comfort, routine, and habit. Well, shouldn’t be so difficult with fast moving ARIES.
Rather than getting wrapped up with linear, habitual, and often self-limiting ways of dealing with information and communication channels and modes, a now necessary and inviting alternative approach can open you up for serendipity, synchronicities, and lots of fun.
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
Jon Kabat-Zinn
For all these reasons, stay as mobile (like quicksilver, the MERCURY metal), adaptable, and unplanned as possible, so that you are able to surf Mercurial waves when the wind comes up. MERCURY is a very light, youthful and fresh (esp. in ARIES), fun-loving punster and Coyote / prankster energy that looks at the fun AND meaningful (hermetic knowledge, derived from Hermes / Mercury) side of unusual twists and turns, and, in the role of the ‘magician’, even likes to facilitate those. Aligning with that mode makes you happier these days.
So bring on these spontaneous twists, unintentional new found puns, and fun realizations!
At the same time, be mindfully present and clear rather than impulsive (ARIES shadow).
When it comes to making a decision and committing to something long-term consider that it’s not likely ready to be definite yet, because during M-r always new information streams in which changes our outlook on things. Often, after the M-r phase we have more information that gives a different picture, based upon which a decision makes more sense. If we did decide prematurely and aren’t flexible to back off again, we might say, “Oh, if I only had known…. I wouldn’t have decided…” And then you might have to untangle certain complications.
As always with MERCURY retro, clarify communication whenever possible:
- Say things several times in a different way / language to make sure there’s no misunderstanding in a fast / distracted context.
- Ask questions that intuitively come to mind (which might clarify an otherwise held assumption!).
- And PLEASE choose the most direct medium and tool that’s available (in person rather than over the phone, and phone rather than email), which helps with a clearer and more holistic communication, because more ‘channels’ are involved and signals are conveyed in person rather than on the phone, or via mutual messaging / e-monologue.
And who knows what else might come up and be addressed as you take the opportunity to actually talk?
If you become mercurially frustrated, could it be because you needed to learn something about the nature of human mind and its extensions, like technological equipment which now, more than usually, seems to have ‘a mind of its own’… Consider that computers, phones, and tech gadgets are only servants and tools, and that their efficiency depends on the (hopefully detached, savvy and inventive) mind of their ‘master’. You don’t want to become a stressed-out slave of coordination and communication.
It also might become apparent during M-r that our tools and technical equipment magically morphically mirror the mind WE are in, even ‘simply’ by breaking down and being ‘on strike’ when we humans need ‘a break’ anyway. Give your tools and tasks proper mindful and single-minded attention, one at a time, instead of attempting to multi task and ‘efficiently’ orchestrate everything simultaneously.
The electromagnetic field of computers and the human mind dialogue in an interface. To keep it all smoothly operational, don’t impose any potential extra stress onto your nervous system nor on your computer (ruled by MERCURY and URANUS, its ‘higher octave’).
Also, be aware how your mental experiences suggest being relaxed and mindful, assuming nothing, dropping your (under M-r evident, otherwise hidden) expectations and assumptions, and foremost, trusting the infinite intelligence of the universe, ‘even’ as it might take you on wild and ‘crazy’ journeys that you apparently haven’t signed up for.
Under M-r talk to people from the past who come to mind and whom you haven’t heard from in a long time (or new people whom you have just met and intuitively ‘clicked with’).
M-r also tends to bring back unfinished communication business from the past, esp. from previous M-r phases (last ones in Aug / Sept and in Dec 2017).
What happens quite often under M-r is that we might receive a potentially interesting message for others that’s worth passing on – to whom it may concern, to be delivered to someone else who needs that information! So, keep collecting communication karma cookies, by being the messenger (without an agenda)!
Gibbons at Play Painting by Xuande Emperor, 1427 (!)
Rather be mindful, and observe the phenomenon mind from a ‘meta’ level.
Like, by asking yourself: Why am I really saying this? Who’s the one thinking and talking here?
If we don’t do that from time to time we out trick ourselves and might subconsciously ‘sabotage’ our plans and constellate circumstances that make us back off from our mental concept, so that we need to check what we’ve been doing with our brain – or rather, what the brain has been doing with us.
The Buddhists call the day-to-day mind that busies itself with all kinds of ‘chatting’ and inner stories, lists, and dialogues, the ‘Monkey Mind’ which, like a monkey, jumps from one tree (of interest and attachment) to the next, and is never quiet, unless we observe the movement, and thereby naturally calm it, in meditation.
M-r is an excellent opportunity to be mindful (rather than having one’s mind full), and to assume or return to a meditation practice (or even ‘just’ experiment with it), and thereby shift your paradigm about the nature of mind.
The Thinker, by Rodin (in front of the Rodin Museum in Paris)
With any MERCURY retro, and also this one in ARIES it’s a precious opportunity to get out of the head, check in to see who’s that thinker, tap into pure awareness, and SEE WHAT IS.
As always, the MERCURY retro cycle starts with the ‘Epimethean’ phase (first half – until Apr 1) where old (epic) stories, memories, and patterns show up for a REason (yet unknown, REvealing itself in the journey).
With the ARIES energy of M-r, it’s good to stay in ‘Beginner’s Mind’, and invite a world of synchronicities, look at things again, in a fresh way, and: get retro-actively inspired (by the past, by something overlooked).
Liberating ‘Golden Boy’ Prometheus surrounded by the Zodiac Belt (Rockefeller Centre NYC).
At the half-way point of the M-r phase (ironically on Apr 1 – yep!), MERCURY crosses paths with the SUN – a ‘NEW MERCURY’ (like New Moon as in: monthly SUN – MOON conjunction) – which happens 3 times a year:
So, it’s time to REgenerate the mind (MERCURY), more conscious, following Spirit and the Heart (SUN).
It is also called the ‘Point of Enlightened Insight’.
URANUS (the Awakener Archetype), these years in ARIES is also in the vicinity of MERCURY retro. Plus, on the DAY of MERCURY going direct again (Apr 15) will be the late AR New Moon with URANUS!
Here’s to a bright, liberating energy for break-throughs into more freedom, esp. freedom from mental patterns, and to freedom for a whole new way of showing up and being present with what IS (ARIES).
Check out what’s new and exciting! And how YOU are NEW in every moment!
The second half of M-r (Apr 1 – 15) is the ‘Promethean’ phase, where new insights and new consciousness can be creatively carried forward.
MERCURY’s Square Dance with MARS and SATURN
This M-r in ARIES forms as its main aspects a square with MARS (ruling planet of ARIES) then in CAP (where MARS is strongest – think marathon runner or mountaineer) – exact on Apr 4.
And also, 3 times in fact, MERCURY goes into square with SATURN in CAP: Pre-retro was on March 10, again under M-r on Apr 5, and lastly on Apr 25 when MERCURY is out of post-retro ‘storm’, yet by then SATURN will have just (Apr 17) turned retro.
What’s the message of these AR – CAP squares?
Rather than rushing into anything, based on what the Mind tries to convince you of (urgency, do it now!), and banging against walls ‘from the outside’ consider your energy resources (MARS in CAP) and the timeliness of it all (SATURN). It might be a really good time – after having done your RE-search, and come to a calm RE-solve.
But hey, give yourself permission to say NO if needed.
So, what’s the MERCURY Retro Timeline?
‘Simply ‘ listed here, without much explanation.
Admittedly more for the ‘Astro Insider’ – but maybe it helps you as a guideline, in connection with the points above.
March 9: Pre-retro ‘shadow’ started.
March 10: MERCURY in AR in square with SATURN in CAP (# 1).
March 15: Pre-retro ‘storm’ starts.
March 19: MERCURY in AR conj. VENUS.
March 20: Spring Equinox – the SUN enters AR.
March 22: MERCURY goes retro (until Apr 15) at 17 – 5° AR. The MOON will be in MERCURY ruled GEM that day, square NEPTUNE. Take it easy on confusing things, and definitely don’t take things at face value.
Apr 1: MERCURY retro conj. the SUN in AR – Point of Enlightening Insight.
Apr 4: MERCURY retro in AR square MARS in CAP.
Apr 5: MERCURY retro in AR square SATURN stationary in CAP (# 2).
Apr 15 MERCURY goes out of retro at 4°47′ AR, same day as the New Moon in late AR with URANUS.
Apr 17: CHIRON enters AR (first time, until Sept 25), and SATURN in CAP goes retro (until Sept 6)
Apr 24: Post-retro ‘storm’ ends.
Apr 25: MERCURY stationary in AR square SATURN stat. / retro in CAP (# 3).
May 4: Post-retro ‘shadow’ ends.
Here are my Seasoned & Seasonal
MERCURY RETRO TIPS & TOOL KIT for Everybody 🙂
…valid for the whole MERCURY Retro phase, of pre-retro ‘shadow’, ‘storm’ (March 15 – 22), the ‘actual’ retro phase (March 22 – Apr 15), and extending into post-retro stationary ‘storm’ (until Apr 24), and post-retro shadow time (until May 4):
1) Be easy on yourself, as you get into the groove of things.
It usually takes a week or so to adjust to the different mode. Hopefully, you’re taking the pre-retro shadow phase easy, rather than being ‘hit’ by the wild ‘storm’, or stationary stuckness (can be either and both, in paradoxical trickster fashion), from mid-March on.
2) Be mindful, and lead from what’s here-now.
There’s a tendency for the mind to be distracted and all over the place (amplified by MERCURY in ARIES, not far from URANUS), to loose and misplace things and thoughts that later have to be RE-trieved again. Avoid getting scattered and disorganized, collect the mind ‘pieces’, be present (YES, here-now, ARIES it is!) with any situation and function ‘at hand’, and don’t loose sight of what practically works and matters. The apparent priority of urgent ‘little’ things and ‘small stuff’ can easily be a distraction and waste of energy.
Practice coming back to the here-now.
3) Retro is an inwards / backwards oriented energy.
Would be a good time to RE-treat, and RE-visit meditation and mindfulness.
Also an excellent chance (if not necessity) to deal with ‘old unfinished business’, ‘loose ends’, and to clear communication themes from the past, often carried over from a previous M-r time (last ones were Aug / Sept 2017 in VIR / end of LEO which was all about self awareness, and living from love / bringing our love into service and daily practice, and in Dec 2017 in SAG – what’s the bigger vision).
4) Every M-r phase is a great time to actively pursue basically everything that starts with ‘RE-‘.
Like: re-assess, re-align, read, re-treat, re-pair, re-boot, re-group, re-consider, re-arrange, re-place, you name it…
The RE-ason for me pointing out all these RE-activities:
During M-r (which also has a karmic undertone), we less likely get away anymore with being sloppy, and with procrastinating or neglecting RE-sidual communication issues with people from the past. They come up like a mirror. Talk about what RE-ally matters – in an inspiring, generous, and fun way.
5) Choose the clearest and most direct mode of communication available.
Phone rather than messaging / email (YES!), meeting in person rather than phone / text, to make sure an actual dialogue happens (rather than just your factual monologue, with the assumption you know what they think, or they know what you think).
Consider communicating in several ways and via different media, to make sure the message comes across. Keep in mind that because people’s minds can be all over the place now, communication might be scattered and incomplete, or prone to assumptions: “I thought you got my email!!!”, or actually a monologue: Are you just thinking out loud as you talk, or are you actually suggesting something to me?
6) Be mindful how you communicate with others.
Put yourself in their position, and take ownership and responsibility for your mental processes, rather than blaming and judging (possibly based on lack of communication).
7) Be clear and precise with commitments and agreements.
Double check whether you have been understood correctly, and RE-peat / RE-phrase back to them too. Avoid signing an agreement before you have all the necessary information (often only after MERCURY retro is over!).
8) Mercury Retro RE-minds us…
…that direct connection with another as an authentic and lively dialogue opens up the opportunity to meander and touch on other subjects than the originally intended purpose of the communication. Which can eventually lead to an even more important outcome or direction than anticipated. Check out in hindsight why you actually needed to talk to that person…
9) Under M-r, the odds for fabulous unexpected synchronicities are 99%:
As we act more intuitively and out of the ordinary, we let the spontaneous intervention of the Universe show us our interconnectedness! Way cool and fun!
10) M-r is a good time to RE-connect with people you have lost sight of.
With the ARIES flavour, be clear and authentic, and connect with people and interests that are fun and fresh and active. In any case, trust your intuition, and let yourself be surprised by what shows up (ARIES) when you speak to them.
11) The themes and areas of life (partners, children, career, groups, etc.) that THIS retro phase brings up for YOU…
…depend on the Planet/s and House/s that M-r activates in YOUR personal birth chart, in other words where ARIES is situated.
I’m happy to check that our for and WITH you.
Maybe it’s time to come for an update / cosmic tune-up for your inner alignment and guidance anyway?
Flash Focus Sessions are ON (not only) for M-r, from March 22 – 04/04:
44 min only $ 44 (instead of reg. $ 88).
12) When ‘glitches’ occur, be fluid and flexible like quicksilver (MERCURY’s metal), think “shift happens”.
Don’t judge yourself or others for not being on the same page as you, and turn the paradigm around:
What could be the opportunity in this mishap? And what’s actually funny about this?
RE-frame your way of thinking about things. And entertain the possibility that you might have subconsciously ‘arranged’ a wild alternative to the original ‘plan A’ which – who knows? – might lead to something new and better and more fun than what the ‘normal’, ‘usual’, ‘regular’, and apparently most ‘efficient’ mind-in-rut-mode could have come up with?
13) Enjoy those unintentional puns, slips, and new connections in the mind, be creative and brainstorm – esp. together with your MERCURY Retro friends 😉
14) Enlightened Insights, anyone…?
Guess what? The Day of Enlightened Insight – when M-r meets the SUN on the exact half-way point of the M-r phase is on Apr 1 this year!
15) If you would like to know…
- Whether you are a member of the RETRO CLUB (born under MERCURY Retro, as yours truly),
- In which part of life the Retro Trickster would likely play tricks on / with you,
- How to play creatively WITH the energy,
….feel welcome to get in touch with your Astrologer.
© 2018 by Melanie Lichtinger
ASTRO CONSULTATIONS:
Serving you with astrological guidance and perspective, pointing you to YOUR INNER ‘COSMIC COMPASS’.
Please find upcoming Astro~Experiences as well as offers, plus almost daily updates (more frequently than here on the Blog), incl. YouTube videos, on my FB Page:
Astrology for Self Realization.
Welcome!
This is to empowered and liberating ways of working with the ancient and timeless gifts of Astrology!
Tags: 2018 Mercury Retrograde, April 2018, Astro Blog, Astro Charts, Astro Consults, Astrologer, Astrologer Victoria, Astrology, Astrology Consults, Enlightened Insight, March 2018, Melanie Lichtinger, Mercury, Mercury - Mars, Mercury - Saturn, Mercury retro in Aries, Monkey Mind, Trickster
MERCURY in ARIES at the retro mid-point, connecting with the SUN on Apr 1 = Day of Enlightened Insight (for more about the whole M-r phase check out the blog post).
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