Here comes the first Mercury retrograde for 2024! It occurs entirely in fire sign Aries. What will this retrograde do for us?
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The Basics - What is Mercury retrograde?
A retrograde occurs when a planet appears to be moving backwards from our vantage point here on Earth. It isn't actually moving backwards, it just appears that way. Mercury turns retrograde most often, about 3-4 times per year, and lasts for several weeks. When a planet retrogrades, what that planet rules tends to be thrown off, along with what the sign it's retrograding in rules.
With Mercury retrograde, we experience a shadow and a storm. The shadow period starts when Mercury first hits the point in the Zodiac it will turn direct at, and ends when it last hits the point in the Zodiac it will turn retrograde at.
Most people don't feel the effects of Mercury retrograde until it enters the storm period though. The storm period of Mercury retrograde is when Mercury is moving at its slowest, less than 40 minutes per day. Mercury is a fast-moving planet and hates it when it's moving slowly. There's usually two storm periods, one around the time Mercury turns retrograde, and one around when it turns direct.
With Mercury retrograde, we experience a shadow and a storm. The shadow period starts when Mercury first hits the point in the Zodiac it will turn direct at, and ends when it last hits the point in the Zodiac it will turn retrograde at.
Most people don't feel the effects of Mercury retrograde until it enters the storm period though. The storm period of Mercury retrograde is when Mercury is moving at its slowest, less than 40 minutes per day. Mercury is a fast-moving planet and hates it when it's moving slowly. There's usually two storm periods, one around the time Mercury turns retrograde, and one around when it turns direct.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries 2024 Key Dates:
- This retrograde begins on April 1st 2024 @ 6:14PM ET/3:14PM PT and ends on April 25th 2024 @ 8:54AM ET/5:54AM PT.
- The shadow period for this retrograde is March 18th - May 13th 2024.
- There are normally two storm periods, and the storm periods for this retrograde are March 27th - April 9th 2024 and April 16th - May 4th 2024
Mercury Retrograde Effects:
This Mercury retrograde occurs entirely in Aries, a fire and cardinal sign that is full of energy, drive, and enthusiasm. This means we can have way too much energy and enthusiasm and not know what to do with it, or we don't have the ability to do what we want to with it, which leads to massive frustration and annoyance. We can lash out quite easily, and are so prone to irritability and aggravation that we're constantly at odds with each other. We need to do a better job at having a healthy outlet for frustrations, and controlling our energy in a more productive way.
Aries wants to jump right into something, and doesn't usually think things through very well. Aries has great gut instincts which usually protects it from the consequences for that - but that can be missing during Mercury retrograde, and the consequences do in fact find us. So, we have to avoid being impulsive and impatient and not give in to that, and make sure we're thinking things through first and doing any homework before we take action.
This retrograde does come with one very auspicious event: an Aries Solar Eclipse! It's our first Solar Eclipse for 2024, and comes in the same sign as the Mercury retrograde (not only that, it's widely conjunct, or aligned with, Mercury retrograde). Solar Eclipses are triggers for events, new beginnings and new journeys, but retrogrades are times for do overs. Put them together, and you get what will likely be the best time in 2024 for a second chance.
Focus on what you would like to take another shot at. This could be something you tried before and failed with, you got started but didn't finish, or wanted to start but couldn't find the right time. The time is likely now!
You can maximize the energy and enthusiasm you have, and can take the initiative to make things happen. Just remember to make sure you're not impulsive and impatient, you do your homework first, and you think it through.
Mercury retrograde triggers the eclipse on April 16th.
The retrograde begins with Mercury bang on semisextile Neptune in Pisces. Semisextiles are minor aspects that are beneficial in nature but require some effort to be used, so we do have the chance as the retrograde begins to nurture our intuition, strengthen compassion, utilize creativity, and explore our subconscious. This can be a helpful way of using energy.
The retrograde ends with Mercury bang on semisextile Saturn in Pisces, so it also ends with a semisextile to a planet in Pisces. This helps us come out of the retrograde with better focus and improved discipline, and we can be clear about our plans and goals. We have to work at it and be ethical and practical, but Saturn can reward us for this if we maintain it throughout the retrograde.
The retrograde also ends with Mercury conjunct the transit North Node in Aries, but this isn't exact (goes exact on March 19th before the retrograde). The North Node is part of the Lunar Nodes, which are spiritual/karmic in nature, and the North Node represents the future, our potential and purpose, and where we can find contentment, but it's unfamiliar and therefore we find it scary and can shy away from it. So, coming out of this retrograde, we may feel we're being pushed in a direction or toward a purpose that we feel uncomfortable with, but can see how it ultimately leads to the best possible outcome in our lives. If we keep at it, between the North Node and Saturn, we can set ourselves up for a long time to come, and benefit in many ways. This can begin with the March 19th exact, and perhaps ties into the Solar Eclipse second chance.
Aries wants to jump right into something, and doesn't usually think things through very well. Aries has great gut instincts which usually protects it from the consequences for that - but that can be missing during Mercury retrograde, and the consequences do in fact find us. So, we have to avoid being impulsive and impatient and not give in to that, and make sure we're thinking things through first and doing any homework before we take action.
This retrograde does come with one very auspicious event: an Aries Solar Eclipse! It's our first Solar Eclipse for 2024, and comes in the same sign as the Mercury retrograde (not only that, it's widely conjunct, or aligned with, Mercury retrograde). Solar Eclipses are triggers for events, new beginnings and new journeys, but retrogrades are times for do overs. Put them together, and you get what will likely be the best time in 2024 for a second chance.
Focus on what you would like to take another shot at. This could be something you tried before and failed with, you got started but didn't finish, or wanted to start but couldn't find the right time. The time is likely now!
You can maximize the energy and enthusiasm you have, and can take the initiative to make things happen. Just remember to make sure you're not impulsive and impatient, you do your homework first, and you think it through.
Mercury retrograde triggers the eclipse on April 16th.
The retrograde begins with Mercury bang on semisextile Neptune in Pisces. Semisextiles are minor aspects that are beneficial in nature but require some effort to be used, so we do have the chance as the retrograde begins to nurture our intuition, strengthen compassion, utilize creativity, and explore our subconscious. This can be a helpful way of using energy.
The retrograde ends with Mercury bang on semisextile Saturn in Pisces, so it also ends with a semisextile to a planet in Pisces. This helps us come out of the retrograde with better focus and improved discipline, and we can be clear about our plans and goals. We have to work at it and be ethical and practical, but Saturn can reward us for this if we maintain it throughout the retrograde.
The retrograde also ends with Mercury conjunct the transit North Node in Aries, but this isn't exact (goes exact on March 19th before the retrograde). The North Node is part of the Lunar Nodes, which are spiritual/karmic in nature, and the North Node represents the future, our potential and purpose, and where we can find contentment, but it's unfamiliar and therefore we find it scary and can shy away from it. So, coming out of this retrograde, we may feel we're being pushed in a direction or toward a purpose that we feel uncomfortable with, but can see how it ultimately leads to the best possible outcome in our lives. If we keep at it, between the North Node and Saturn, we can set ourselves up for a long time to come, and benefit in many ways. This can begin with the March 19th exact, and perhaps ties into the Solar Eclipse second chance.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries 2024 Aspects:
During the retrograde, Mercury will make 4 major aspects to the other transit (moving) planets. They are:
- Conjunct the Sun on April 11th 2024 @ 22 degrees Aries: This is the Inferior Conjunction, a positive point in the retrograde for starting something that can be a focus for the next 6-8 weeks; find where it falls in your chart, and that may be where you can start something. With this one in Aries, we can take the initiative and make use of enthusiasm.
- Conjunct Chiron on April 15th 2024 @ 19 degrees Aries: Chiron is the wounded healer in astrology, governing our great wounds but also healing abilities. This aspect can highlight existing wounds in the world and in ourselves, and we can be more sensitive and old wounds are easily picked. We need to be gentle with ourselves and with others. Chiron also rules health so there can be greater emphasis on health matters.
- Square Ceres on April 16th 2024 @ 19 degrees Capricorn/Aries: Ceres is a dwarf planet ruling nourishment, support, and resources, and squares are challenging aspects, so this aspect can show difficulty with something tangible, money or objects, buildings or the Earth. Maybe a major earthquake?
- Conjunct Venus on April 19th 2024 @ 17 degrees Aries: Mercury conjunct Venus often denotes pleasant communication and expression. We can be more understanding, and we may find that communicating in new, different ways is more effective. We can also reconnect, recommit, and find new ways of coming together and benefiting from alliances.
- Conjunct the Sun on April 11th 2024 @ 22 degrees Aries: This is the Inferior Conjunction, a positive point in the retrograde for starting something that can be a focus for the next 6-8 weeks; find where it falls in your chart, and that may be where you can start something. With this one in Aries, we can take the initiative and make use of enthusiasm.
- Conjunct Chiron on April 15th 2024 @ 19 degrees Aries: Chiron is the wounded healer in astrology, governing our great wounds but also healing abilities. This aspect can highlight existing wounds in the world and in ourselves, and we can be more sensitive and old wounds are easily picked. We need to be gentle with ourselves and with others. Chiron also rules health so there can be greater emphasis on health matters.
- Square Ceres on April 16th 2024 @ 19 degrees Capricorn/Aries: Ceres is a dwarf planet ruling nourishment, support, and resources, and squares are challenging aspects, so this aspect can show difficulty with something tangible, money or objects, buildings or the Earth. Maybe a major earthquake?
- Conjunct Venus on April 19th 2024 @ 17 degrees Aries: Mercury conjunct Venus often denotes pleasant communication and expression. We can be more understanding, and we may find that communicating in new, different ways is more effective. We can also reconnect, recommit, and find new ways of coming together and benefiting from alliances.
The Moons of Mercury Retrograde:
The Moon travels through both signs Mercury naturally rules during this retrograde. The Moon is in Gemini (ruled by Mercury) January 11th (8:59AM ET/5:59AM PT) to 13th (1:44PM ET/10:44AM PT), which can increase scattered, unfocused energy and a need for a mental outlet.
The Moon is in Virgo (ruled by Mercury) January 18th (610:11AM ET/7:11AM PT PT) to 20th (11:08PM ET/8:08PM PT), and this increases anxiety and stress.
The Moon is in the same sign as the retrograde in Aries April 7th (7:25AM ET/4:25AM PT to 9th (7:23AM ET/4:23AM PT. This greatly increases our focus on the retrograde, and we can feel it much stronger. We have to work much harder to control energy and frustration, and avoid lashing out. This is when we experience the Solar Eclipse, so give energy to second chances.
The Moon is in Virgo (ruled by Mercury) January 18th (610:11AM ET/7:11AM PT PT) to 20th (11:08PM ET/8:08PM PT), and this increases anxiety and stress.
The Moon is in the same sign as the retrograde in Aries April 7th (7:25AM ET/4:25AM PT to 9th (7:23AM ET/4:23AM PT. This greatly increases our focus on the retrograde, and we can feel it much stronger. We have to work much harder to control energy and frustration, and avoid lashing out. This is when we experience the Solar Eclipse, so give energy to second chances.
Final Notes:
The retrograde starts at 27 degrees Aries, so those of you Rams born April 14th and later may feel the start of the retrograde most. The retrograde ends at 15 degrees Aries, so those of you Rams born April 2nd - 8th may feel the end of the retrograde most.
For the rest of you, check the house(s) Mercury will be retrograding in your own natal chart, and any aspects Mercury will make during its retrograde to your natal planets, to fully understand how it will impact you personally.
If you have Mercury retrograde in your natal or progressed chart, you may not feel the worst of this. Those individuals generally don't experience the difficulties of the retrograde because it feels more natural to them. Of course, chances are everyone else around them doesn't have the same aspect, so they can still experience difficulties brought on by others. If it's in your natal chart, check out this article about Mercury retrograde in the natal chart.
Suggested Reading: The Mercury, Venus, & Mars Retrogrades page for interpretations
For the rest of you, check the house(s) Mercury will be retrograding in your own natal chart, and any aspects Mercury will make during its retrograde to your natal planets, to fully understand how it will impact you personally.
If you have Mercury retrograde in your natal or progressed chart, you may not feel the worst of this. Those individuals generally don't experience the difficulties of the retrograde because it feels more natural to them. Of course, chances are everyone else around them doesn't have the same aspect, so they can still experience difficulties brought on by others. If it's in your natal chart, check out this article about Mercury retrograde in the natal chart.
Suggested Reading: The Mercury, Venus, & Mars Retrogrades page for interpretations
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