In the Heart of the Sun

Mercury Retrograde, Explained:

Mercury’s orbit around the sun is approximately 88 days. It is the quickest moving planet, with the most variability in speed and direction. 3 times a year, Mercury turns retrograde- appearing to move backward through the zodiac from our vantage point on Earth. The apparent motion of this quick-moving planet can bring confusion, delays and misunderstandings.

Mercury is the messenger of the planets- delivering information from the underworld to the heavens, and everywhere in between. Ruling all things related to communication, technology and transportation, Mercury’s retrograde cycle can make all of these areas of life go haywire.

Mercury’s Journey through Pisces:

Tomorrow marks the halfway point of Mercury’s retrograde cycle, as it enters the heart of the Sun at 6°55’ Pisces. Mercury is purified and reborn as it passes through the Sun, and for a moment, we have access to insight and clarity.

Mercury’s journey through Pisces has been, and may continue to be, an emotional one. Pisces is sensitive, empathic, and spiritual. Mercury in Pisces has a difficulty staying grounded in the present moment- it is often nostalgic for the past, or looking forward to the ideal. Deeply intuitive, Pisces picks up on the psychic vibes from its environment. If you have felt especially emotional or ungrounded the last couple of weeks, take note of who and what is around you- what you are feeling may not even belong to you.

While tomorrow is a turning point, we still have 2 weeks until Mercury stations to go direct at 28°12 Aquarius.

Mercury Retrograde Checklist:

-Stay patient and flexible: give yourself plenty of time to get to where you need to go, and assume everyone else will be running late.

-Check in with how you are feeling: and cleanse your energetic body as needed- epsom salt baths, burning sage, spending time near water…

-Revisit old projects, meditate, journal, engage in anything that reconnects you with your creative self.

-Practice non-attachment: you have little to no control over most things in life, and the less you try to control, the more likely you will get through this moment as unscathed as possible.

-Remember that everything is temporary. Everything.

The Dream Space

Every day the Sun, Moon and planetary bodies are all moving and expressing various energies. The Sun represents our pure consciousness- it is where our attention is. In the sign of Aries, our attention and awareness is on our self and our identity.

However, the next few days will combine not just the energy of the Sun in Aries, but the energies of the Moon, Mercury, Venus and Neptune all in the sign of Pisces. Mercury stationed direct last Thursday after its 3-week retrograde, and will remain in its shadow period until April 16. As Mercury stations direct it hovers at a particular degree point- and at the moment it is in line with Neptune, the planet of illusion and unreality. As Mercury begins to pick up speed this week things will slowly begin to reveal themselves.

In addition to Mercury and Neptune- Venus and the Moon are also in Pisces. Venus entered Pisces last week and will remain there until April 20. While Venus is in Pisces, the energy is one of unconditional love: intuitive, non-linear, and devotional love. This love can lack boundaries and can be self-sacrificing, but it is a space of deep compassion and empathy.

Wherever the Moon is, that is where our emotional awareness is. The Moon in Pisces brings feelings of romance, sensitivity and tenderness. The Moon will only be in Pisces until Wednesday night- but with all of the other planetary energy in this sign, emotions can run deep.

This is a time of patience, of slowing down, and treating others with kindness. Things may still feel fuzzy, confusing, or uncertain… but this will all pass. Be with your feelings, let them pass through you, and breathe deeply.