Mercury in Pisces and the Upcoming Retrograde: A Mystical Journey in Three Acts

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 2^nd 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 5^th 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