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MERCURY STATIONS RETROGRADE IN ARIESMercury stops in his tracks at 09°35’ Aries (antiscion 20°25’ Virgo) before turning retrograde on the 14-15 March. On the same degree as and thus activating the upcoming Solar Eclipse at 09°35’ Aries on the 29th of this month.
Aries gives us a rather noisy, quick-thinking, discussion-loving version of Mercury, here intuition must be accounted for as we re-think, re-organise, re-work and re-live those ideas and plans. We might also hear about war plans or tactics being suspended or modified by the powers that be.
Gemini and Virgo, both ruled by Mercury, may respond differently to the signs their ruling planet moves through on its journey backwards. Virgo, being an Earth sign, doesn’t take too kindly to Fire signs finding them a little too intuitive and idealistic for their logical, practical approach to life. Gemini, an Air sign, finds the Fire signs very stimulating, adding oomph to their already fidgety nature and intuition to their long-sightedness. Of course, the retrograde movement alters the way Mercury is expressed and makes it more an internal, inward journey rather than an expansive outward thrust.
Astrologer Erin Sullivan explains the retrograde cycle:
“Mercury’s stations always occur when the planet is farthest from the Sun in longitude so when it appears stationary, it is either travelling toward or directly away from the Earth. When Mercury is at its greatest eastern elongation (Epimetheus) it appears as an evening star and is stationary retrograde. It is heading towards Earth in its orbit, symbolically “bringing home the knowledge of experience”. This phase demands careful consideration and retrospection.
When Mercury is at its greatest western elongation (Prometheus) and a morning star, it stations direct, moving away from the Earth in its orbit. This phase of the cycle signals the time when risk and adventure are the prime motivating forces.
The Epimethean phase is a time of reaping results whilst the Promethean phase is symbolized by the need to move away from introspection and experiment, often recklessly, using only inner guidelines.”
A different look at retrogrades
Because they transit so near to Earth during these times, they require us to become more aware and to look more deeply into what that planet really means to us. Particularly so if it touches by aspect any planet or angle in our natal chart. The significance of the planet becomes even more meaningful, and as astrologer J. Wickenburg puts it:
“You could say that its issues are “in your face”, so you can no longer avoid dealing with them.”1
The author also posits:
“All retrograde planets tend to work first through their secondary ruling sign before being able to function creatively through their primary rulers.”2 Accordingly, Mercury embodies Virgo traits, Venus those of Libra, Mars of Scorpio, Jupiter of Pisces and Saturn of Aquarius.
She then goes further to explain that “this is because all planets are at their closest point to our planet when at the midpoint of their retrograde transit, suggesting symbolically that the planet is attempting to call your attention to something important by making its appearance more visible.”
The above view certainly distances itself from that of traditional astrology whereby planets in retrograde motion are considered highly debilitated and likened to someone who has taken to their sick bed. On the other hand, in horary questions, often a retrograde significator indicates the return of the object or person involved in the question. Again, good and bad depending on the context.
Back to my view!
As always, the usual suggestions apply to the Mercury retrograde: great for putting “re” in front of everything, planning, but waiting for the direct station, before acting. Expecting possible delays in transport of all kinds, upheavals in the planning of appointments, electronic equipment going haywire etc. Avoiding signing contracts (where possible, but again contracts are between people so it’s a retrograde season for everyone and if its “bad” for one it may be “good” for the other party).
Hopefully, this Mercury retrograde period will give a pause for reflection in all talks about war in the world and maybe enable us to have a clearer picture of what is actually going on by the time the retrograde period ends.
During the retrograde period the planet will make/receive the following aspects:
Mercury will be combust from 20-29 March, physically conjunct Sun at 04°24’ Aries on the 23 March and immediately afterwards sextile Pluto at 03°27’ Aries the day after. Peregrine, retrograde and combust make for a rather ineffective “warrior” Mercury and the sextile to Pluto could present the opportunity to lash out with cutting words in a moment of rashness.
29-30 March – Mercury enters Pisces and almost immediately meets ups with Neptune (29°59’), another cartload of untruths could overwhelm us as both planets are on the all-or-nothing degree.
07 April – Mercury stations direct at 26°49’ Pisces
15-16 April – Mercury enters Aries once more.
The Sabian symbol for the retrograde station at 10° Aries: “A teacher gives new symbolic forms to traditional images.” Indicating the revision of attitude at the beginning of a new cycle of experience.
For the antiscion at 21° Virgo: “A girls basketball team.” Indicating physical training as a means to inculcate the feeling of participation in a collective culture.
“Slowing down an activity may meet with greater success than doing it quickly.” Linda Lantieri
Got plans for this Mercury retrograde?
Bibliography
Rudhyar D. (1974) “An Astrological Mandala: the cycles of transformations and its 360 symbolic phases”. p 56, 163, Vintage Books Edition, Random House Inc., New York, USA
Sullivan E. (1989), “Planets, The Astrological Tools” edited by Joan McEvers, chapter on Mercury, pp. 97-99. Llewellyn Publications, St Paul, Minnesota USA
https://joannewickenburg.com/retrogrades-in-sr-chart accessed 16 august 2023.
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