 |
| Art by Shijun Munns |
Mercury
in Pisces and the Upcoming Retrograde:
A Mystical Journey in Three
Acts
Sunday
morning, Mercury moved from the innovative air of Aquarius to the
mystical waters of Pisces. The Messenger Planet in Pisces may speak
to our Collective Mind through poetry, music, art, and
spirituality...but if he must speak in terms more defined, the
messages may sound very soft and unstructured. Either can leave us
with more questions than answers. Thoughts had been clearer in
Aquarius, but Mercury in Pisces whispers, ‘unknowing is part of the
integration process’. And though it was a relatively quick journey
through Aquarius, Mercury will don the cloak of the Mystic for
another couple of months. If you feel your mind swimming in a vast
sea in the coming months, you’ll see that you are not alone.
This
is the first of the water signs we’ll be focusing on with Mercury’s
retrogrades this year. The shadow of the retrograde begins on 2-19,
followed by Mercury’s retrograde station on 3-5. Then Mercury
stations direct on 3-28, and moves beyond the retrograde shadow on
4-16. So from 2-19 to 3-5, we might forget a thing or two or
more...but from 3-5 to 3-28, we have a chance to return through those
Pisces degrees and retrieve whatever our minds misplaced (or
misunderstood). Then from 3-28 to 4-16, we integrate that medicine
we re-learned.
Throughout
Mercury’s journey in Pisces (2-10 through 4-17), multiple planetary
transits are re-visited.
Act
I: The Pre-Shadow Introduction
2-19:
Just before entering the retrograde shadow, Mercury meets up with
Neptune in Pisces 16 (‘a flow of inspiration’). Neptune is the
modern ruler of Pisces, so follow that flow and recognize what
inspires you at this time. It will be key to navigating this
journey. Then in Pisces 17 (‘an Easter promenade’), Mercury
enters the shadow (just before the Full Moon) and then forms a
harmonious sextile with Saturn in Capricorn a little later. There’s
a good rapport there to tap into (though quite subtle for a
celebratory display), but the opportunity won’t just fall into your
lap. Saturn makes us work for it. You may even have a feeling of
‘being alone in a crowd’ because while others are celebrating,
you’re distracted with feelings of hopelessness or futility. It
can help immensely to shift your perspective to something more
productive. However, if you’re too distracted in these 2 weeks
before Mercury stations, most of these Mercury transits will be
revisited thrice. Mercury Retrogrades CAN include lucky breaks,
after all.
2-22:
Mercury in Pisces 22 (‘a prophet carrying tablets of the new law’)
squares the traditional ruler of Pisces, Jupiter, who is currently in
the other sign he rules (Sagittarius). This Jupiter square is also
important because he rules both signs in play, and this message is
one of action (though squares often bring some amount of force or
stress). Some mindstuff might need to be cleared out so that new
enlightenment can come in, but it won’t be easy. However, without
the necessary action of this thrice-visited square, some of the more
subtle aspects Mercury is making will likely seem ‘a dream within a
dream’...when actually they are full of opportunity.
2-23:
Mercury in Pisces 23 (‘a materializing medium’) sextiles Pluto
in Capricorn. Here is another chance to tap into a good conversation
between planets, and this one may get deep later on when re-visited.
It may have to do with rewarding opportunities for producing
results...likely through compassionate service. But this is a
sextile, so it can be so subtle that it might be one of the unnoticed
things the retrograde helps to better see.
2-26:
Mercury in Pisces 26 (‘a new moon that divides its influences’)
forms a harmonious trine to the North Lunar Node in Cancer and a
beneficial sextile to the South Lunar Node in Capricorn. The nodes
in these degrees are balancing between repose and restlessness, and
Mercury can provide an opportunity for deep soul insight at this
time.
Act
II: The Retrograde Revision
 |
| Cover Art for 'The Great Stone Face' by Nathaniel Hawthorne |
3-5:
Mercury stations retrograde in Pisces 30 (‘The Great Stone Face’).
The
Sabian Symbol for this degree is ‘A majestic rock formation
resembling a face is idealized by a boy who takes it as his ideal of
greatness; as he grows up, he begins to resemble it’. This is a
symbol of envisioning an ideal and becoming it. What do you
idealize? This image we try to project is much greater than us, but
as we admire and try to emulate it…we take on some of those
characteristics as we grow into who we are meant to become. The rock
formation in this image is created by Mother Nature herself; not by
man. She created it to show who we can be. The boy in this image
gazes up at the stone face in awe. It commands respect in a gentle
and quiet way. It shows a solid character at peace with its
surroundings. There is a sense of immortality to it…an ancient and
enduring truth.
This
is a time to do some inner work on defining goals and ideals in our
lives. We must be clear about it. What do you want? Who and where
do you want to be in this life? With clear intent, we can plant
those seeds in the Pisces New Moon that follows this Mercury
Station...and see our dreams unfold.
The
shadow side of this image that may come up in this Retrograde Station
is when we project the wrong kind of image…one that doesn’t line
up with what we intended. It may be that we are trying too hard to
live up to the ideals that others project upon us…or that we are
unsure and vacillate between what we think we should be for others
and what we really are. The key is to not get caught up in
superficial ideals. Many may look in the mirror at this time and see
only what they don’t like about themselves being reflected back to
them. The more conscious thought you give to the negative, the more
the negative is reflected.
3-14:
Nodal Trine/Sextile, part 2 (Pisces 25) and Interior Conjunction with
Sun (Pisces 25)
The
Sabian Symbol here is ‘the purging of the priesthood’. With this
revision of the Nodal axis, there may be some fated encounters that
help to purify and renew. Renewal comes along with the Interior
Conjunction between Sun and Mercury...as it can be seen, much like a
New Moon, as a ‘New Mercury’. In each Mercury retrograde, there
is this moment of reset for the Collective Mind. This is when
Mercury passes between Earth and Sun and then begins rising before
the sun each morning. New ideas are formed in this time, energized
from the Sun with pure potential. This New Mercury has to do with
renewing vows of integrity, trustworthiness, and compassion.
3-15:
Jupiter Square, part 2 (Pisces 24)
The
Sabian Symbol here is ‘an inhabited island’. This revision of
the Jupiter square has to do with inviting good fortune in through
concentrated efforts. Learning to not just co-exist but to cultivate
harmony with others is part of the challenge this time around.
3-16:
Pluto Sextile, part 2 (Pisces 23)
If
this opportunity passed you by on 2-23, here’s your next chance to
utilize the ‘materializing medium’ degree. The same effect
applies as it did then, though it may have a more internal focus now.
3-17:
Mars Sextile (Pisces 22)
This
was the degree (‘a prophet carrying tablets of the new law’)
where Mercury first met in a square with Jupiter. In this Retrograde
though, the initial challenge turns into a great opportunity with
this Mars sextile. This may come in the form of some much needed
guidance at this time on how to productively act upon your creative
ideas.
3-20:
Saturn Sextile, part 2 (Pisces 20)
The
Sabian Symbol for this degree is ‘a table set for an evening meal’.
The revision of this Saturn Sextile is an opportunity to recognize
things we may have taken for granted and how even the small, and
sometimes overlooked, things can reveal to us how we are provided
with sustainable emotional nourishment on a daily basis. This is not
just about seeing what is laid out before us, but about listening for
what ‘sings’ in our life. This happens several hours before
Spring Equinox (when Sun moves into Aries) that evening, followed by
a full moon that night. Celebrating the beauty of Springtime under
the Full Moon will help to engage in this opportunity to appreciate
the harmony of supportive structures in our lives.
3-24:
Neptune Conjunction, part 2 (Pisces 17)
As
Mercury slows down before his next pause, he comes back to Neptune
for some mystical guidance on this ‘Easter promenade’ degree.
This is the degree where we missed something the first time around.
Maybe we were too focused upon the outward displays of the
‘promenade’ and couldn’t quite see beyond the superficial, but
now the mind meditates deeper inward. In the still moments of the
next few days, Neptune’s message of rejoicing in the renewal of
hope may bring some mystical revelations about life.
3-28:
Mercury Stations Direct (Pisces 17)
 |
| 'Promenade near Argenteuil' by Claude Monet |
This
‘promenade’ degree has a very Phoenix-like effect on our minds
when Mercury pauses to retrieve this medicine. We see, by the end of
this retrograde journey, that it had much to do with resurrecting
dreams, ideals, beliefs, and aspirations. What we find is that it
was all within the whole time...things we thought we’d lost in the
perceived drudgery of time. Yet, here is a moment of timelessness.
The mind is suspended in the vast sea of Pisces...and we realize
we’ve been witnessing a sea change through this inward focus. And
soon, we will integrate this medicine.
Act
III: The Post-Shadow Integration
 |
| 'Drop of the Ocean' by Ruth Meharg |
4-2:
Neptune Conjunction, part 3 (Pisces 18)
The
Sabian Symbol for this degree is ‘a spectacular performance in a
gigantic tent’. To integrate Neptune’s Mystic Medicine, he may
don the top hat of ‘The Greatest Showman’ after we return from
this Mercury Retrograde, and invite us to either engage in or simply
watch an inspiring performance. Something about this spectacle will
show us how to integrate what we’ve learned over the past several
weeks. The creative flow of inspiration went from a leisurely stroll
(a promenade) to an exciting burst of creative expression. And after
the New Moon in Aries (4-5), the sextile opportunities aid us in
putting it to good use.
4-7:
Saturn Sextile, part 3 (Pisces 21)
The
Sabian Symbol here is ‘a little white lamb, a child, and a
servant’. This is an opportunity to integrate the wisdom of
bringing together past and future in the present moment. Being
present in the newness of each moment is important here. Notice the
help you have around you to accomplish your goals. You are not
alone. Seize this moment to integrate your hopes and dreams.
4-9:
Nodal Trine/Sextile, part 3 (Pisces 23)
Mercury
returns for a ‘third-times-a-charm’ to this ‘materializing
medium’ degree, this time with the Lunar Nodes instead of with
Pluto. You may have an opportunity now to materialize something of
this mystical knowledge you’ve gained in a way that is more
group-oriented. You will need some constructive criticism for
growth, and the connection with others will allow you to integrate
and share your gifts in mutual benefit.
4-10:
Pluto Sextile, part 3 (Pisces 24)
To
integrate the Pluto Sextile, we bring the ‘materializing medium’
to ‘an inhabited island’. This was the degree Mercury Rx was in
during the 2nd square with Jupiter. Now Pluto drives home
the message by presenting an opportunity. A deeper transformation
takes place when one co-mingles their talents with community. This
is a soul commitment to realizing your hopes and dreams in new ways.
4-11:
Jupiter Rx Square, part 3 (Pisces 25)
This
‘purging of the priesthood’ degree was where the Interior
Conjunction of Sun and Mercury took place to usher in a New Mercury
cycle. Now Mercury revisits the Jupiter Square here for some
integration through purification of beliefs. With this dynamic,
Jupiter is even stronger as he has just recently stationed retrograde
and wants to expand inwardly on this degree. This symbol is about
overcoming corrupting influences...and Jupiter Retrograde knows
there’s still some limiting beliefs to clear out. Especially for
the accumulation of corrupted beliefs in our Collective Mind, it’s
going to take more than one retrograde to address. It’s an ongoing
process, really. In this integration, you may find that what is
being revealed is the need to purge some unproductive fantasies as
you move forward with renewed vision.
4-16:
Mercury moves past Rx shadow (Pisces 30)
That
inner work we did on March 5th at the Retrograde Station
can now be expressed in more outward manifestations as we move
through the entirety of this degree with Mercury direct. ‘The
Great Stone Face’ is no longer just an ideal...it is now the
solidness of our own character and integrity.
4-17:
Mercury enters Aries...and thus a new stage of the journey of the
Collective Mind begins.
Love
and Gratitude,
Felina
Lune Kavi
