Mercury Retrograde in Aries: The Importance of Being Purposeful
Retrograde pre-shadow begins on 3-8
Mercury Stations Retrograde on 3-22 @ 7:19pm CDT
Sun-Mercury conjunction on 4-1 @ 12:52pm CDT
Mercury Stations Direct on 4-15 @ 4:21am CDT
Retrograde post-shadow ends on 5-3
Mercury stationed today in the 17th degree of
Aries, and has officially entered the realm of retrograde since 7:19pm CDT tonight…inclining
the collective Mind to pause and consider what we’ve been thinking and
communicating these past two weeks of the retrograde pre-shadow. Thoughts may shift from ‘What do I need to be
doing?’ to ‘Who am I being?’. This is an
inward shift…it sets us on a journey to recall important things we might have
overlooked (or, perhaps, ignored while we were busy concentrating on what lessons
from the Deep were resurfacing from Jupiter’s retrograde shift in Scorpio). Planetary stations are like cosmic calls for
meditative focus, and Mercury’s stations are so noticeable that there’s almost
a comic timing to each ‘pregnant pause’.
Oh, you needed your computer to work flawlessly right now so you could
go full-speed ahead on what you’re working on?
Mercury, in true Heyokah fashion, might interrupt your plans to shift
your focus to something that needs your here-and-now attention. Or…you are trying to schedule something with multiple
people? If it’s necessary at this time…please
go ahead (don’t listen to those who warn about scheduling Mercury Retrograde
appointments…avoiding interactions for three weeks is ridiculous). But if it’s not the right timing, be prepared
for things to not work out as planned or need a reschedule. And really, check yourself when you get
frustrated about that. What’s that all
about? Do make time to notice what is
shifting in your mind during these times.
There are important pieces of the puzzle that can be picked up in this
time that lends itself well to revision, re-thinking, and rediscovery. We’re all going through our own mental shifts
at these times, so be gentle with yourself and others (okay, try your best). Mercury in Aries can incline a bit…or a lot…of
impatience during times of pause and delay, and communications can get snappish.
I was born with Mercury (Direct) in Aries in the same
degree as my Sun…so immediate self-expression and improvisational quick-thinking
(and often thinking or communicating ahead of myself) is my baseline M.O. On bad days, when stress is overwhelming, my
communication can be impulsive (add Scorpio Moon emotional overwhelm to the
mental stress mix, and my expression of that fire-water steam has the capacity
to reach volcanic levels). These are
things I have had to learn to temper with love (Venus in Pisces) and
peacekeeping action (Mars Retrograde in Libra).
I have learned, over many Mercury Retrogrades, to appreciate these stationary
times of stillness and inward reflection.
If this Aries Woman can develop patience (imperfect as this patience is),
anyone can. Even if it’s the kind of
patience that develops immediately after awareness of impatience…that’s often
the case for me…being aware of how those thoughts manifest is a step in the
right direction.
We live in a world that is so often dominated by
expressions of go-go-go and me-first, sometimes to the point of aggression. This is not what Aries is really about, but
every energy has its shadow expressions.
Aries is about those trust-your-gut instincts to protect, encourage, and
inspire what is essential for our survival (not just for ourselves but for our
whole world). It is also about passionate
and initiating energy. These are some of
the reasons why Aries is said to be ruled by Mars, the Warrior. It’s important to recognize these times when
our focus shifts away from that outward striving and takes us on a trip into an
otherworldly mindscape.
Also of importance is that if you happen to be between the
ages of approximately 30-80…you are likely to experience this particular three
weeks of Mercury Retrograde in Aries (and the shadow periods before and after) bringing
up that undeniable ‘purpose’ within you:
that thing you must do because your soul is here for it and it will not
be ignored or you will feel the distinct burn of mental chaos. Yes, that’s Mercury travelling over your
natal Eris in Aries. Three hits of it coming
into your awareness between March 8th and May 3rd, and
you’ll have a better grasp on what that essential purpose is for you
personally. At least I hope so. Eris energy is best welcomed as an honored
guest. Denying her an invitation never
worked out so well in her mythic storyline.
While Eris (Discordia) is often well known for the chaos she instigates
when scorned, there is much more to this Feminine archetype than meets the
fearful, patriarchal eye that paints her as a hysterical Crazy Woman. Sister to Ares (Mars), this Warrioress joined
him in battle…not for the fight, but for the cause. She represents pure purpose and operates with
the protectivity of the Cosmic Order like a fierce Mama Bear. Her Wild Woman power cannot be denied.
Venus, representing the Sacred Feminine, is currently in Aries…in
her wise evening star phase within the larger cycle of Venus in Aries that
began last spring and ends this autumn.
This means that the Sacred Feminine within us all has been learning
through this Aries energy the powerful expressions of the Wild Woman, the
Warrioress, and the passionately protective Creatrix during this cycle. We have recently stripped down these
archetypes to their essence and transformed them for our collective
enlightenment into expressions that rebirth and reclaim that feminine
fire. Venus is approaching a conjunction
with Eris now, which will be exact on March 25th…so Eris’s essence
is intertwined with Venus’s expression during the first part of this Mercury
Retrograde as well. Get to know Eris and
your own expression of her energy better in this cycle. Learn the purpose and necessity of Chaos and
how it reflects the purpose and necessity of Order. In doing so, you’ll be faced with your own
essential self and your soul purpose.
Much as we want to know it and activate it, we also fear it. Perhaps this Mercury Retrograde is a good
time to face it as well as embrace it.
Love and Gratitude,
Felina Lune Kavi
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