Mercury RX & Aries Eclipse SZN: A Brief Breakdown

Mercury RX in Aries Tea:

Brace yourselves! April is shaping up to be a turbulent, exciting, and world-shifting month as Mercury stations retrograde from April 1st to the 24th in the third decan of Aries, aptly named “The Burning Rose” according to ‘36 Faces’ by Austin Coppock. This decan, associated with Jupiter, injects an element of wisdom, higher learning, abundance, and excess into this already fiery Aries season. Similarly, Jupiter’s boundless and larger-than-life influence over this decan can galvanize us to transmute our anger, the impact of the various conflicts at war in our lives, and our passion into fuel to unify communities, inspire meaningful action/change and dismantle harmful beliefs and behaviors impacting ourselves and others.

At its core, Mercury retrograding through Aries' third decan inspires a newfound sense of heat and passion in our everyday communication with others, potentially spiraling out of control in certain environments if we let the energies get too hot. It’ll test our endurance, and this transit, combined with eclipse season, will actively bring forth fated moments for Cardinal placements (Capricorn, Aries, Cancer, Libra) to fight for, and simultaneously reevaluate their identity, ideas, beliefs, words (past and present), how their anger is expended, and their inherent value to their community and loved ones. These fated moments may come in the form of random ideas, spontaneous invitations/encounters, or even revisiting past connections for closure in some way. 

Revisiting the past may bring up old negativity, but it's a chance to set ourselves up for success by examining what serves us and what no longer does, for good. Simultaneously, this season is a prime time to take accountability for the active role you may have played concerning the setbacks and delays encountered in your life regarding work, the cultivation of friendships/love/community, and procrastination from diving into any creative projects (especially writing-focused) that might have been on the back burner. Plot down your next steps after a moment of reflection, and get started with fresh ideas and motivation!

Similarly, the need to use discernment is high at this time; be selfish with how you expend your energy, anger, and passion too – pick and choose your battles because naturally, Jupiter’s influence over this decan will amplify any underlying or hidden conflicts you might not even be aware of (Pisces Mars influence over Aries season, as Pisces signifies illusions/things that are hidden). Emotionally speaking, expect highs and lows in all relationships this month (platonic, romantic, business, work, school, etc.), intensified by the Martian-Piscean influence of Aries season responding to Mars in Pisces. 

With eclipses looming and communication becoming murky, the central questions become: 

• How do we navigate the path ahead based on the new information revealed to us? 

• How can we make peace and thrive with fluidity instead of fighting the changes taking place in our lives?

Mercury RX in Aries Emotional Guidance:

1. Be careful of the way you speak to people while Mercury is RX. Anger-fueled communication will be at an all-time high, and impulsively talking to the wrong people about the wrong thing can/will land you in hot water. Keep it cute, keep it nice, or keep it quiet, people are NOT playing around this month and words can cut deeper than ever. 

b) Simultaneously, if you have something you need to get off your chest (i.e justice-related and you know you weren’t in the wrong) speak your truth and shame the devil, but, just maybe consider keeping the really juicy tea on your close friend's story, or other private social media this season! This is where discernment becomes VERY key. Bring back journaling!

2. If you’re angry at this time, truly investigate the root cause of what’s going on to cause this emotional response, instead of throwing yourself into distraction to avoid dealing with yourself. Anger is healthy, but stewing in it creates resentment and projection. Fix your shit, before it fucks you up - Said with all the love my Capricorn Mercury can muster fr.

3. If your creative passions, hobbies, relationships, and environments aren’t bringing you joy anymore, SWITCH UP YOUR REALITY. Pursue newness, don’t be afraid to be seen trying during this season. It’s time for YOU to be the first in your lane to pioneer the space you want to develop. JUST DO IT. 

4. Beware of underestimating the underdog this season. You’ll need them by the end of the year.

Mercury RX in Aries Technical/Corporate Guidance:

1. Back up and create secondary copies of any important files, documents, or projects you are currently working on. Keep a copy on a flash drive and in Google Suite, as technical problems with different work software are expected during this transit.

2. Social media marketers and corporate professionals, please ensure to triple-check your copy before it goes out online and even before review from others on your team. Expect an increase in nitpicky and passive-aggressive behavior in working relationships during this transit, as everyone is going through massive changes and everyone is seeking control over their routine, especially at work (bleh).

3. Exercise extreme caution while driving or operating heavy machinery, both for your company and in personal capacities. Mercury retrograde in Aries (associated with accidents) is interacting with Pisces Mars (symbolizing lost things/emotional pain), so you do NOT want to risk your life due to recklessness. Drive defensively, stay vigilant, and get your car serviced before embarking on ANY road trips longer than 2 hours (to be safe, aim for 1.5 hours). Additionally, be mindful of car theft in your area, and keep extra phone chargers in your car just in case! Also, take precautions to ensure maximum safety during this time, such as removing fire-starting materials like lighters from your car (trust me on this).

4. Be prepared for potential changes in workspaces during this retrograde and eclipse season. Expect to hear more layoff stories and sudden departures from work positions in the news, particularly among males in corporate, executive, or business roles as we approach the 8th of April. Some of these individuals will be leaving because of hidden enemies in the workspace, because they experienced hidden harmful behavior from others (or perpetuated it themselves), mental health concerns, or to pursue completely new and original passions. 

5 Don't purchase any new technology right now (it’ll bite you in the butt). If you must purchase any tech at this time, PLEASE let it be pre-used. Not sponsored in any way, but I recommend MacOfAllTrades for all amazing quality pre-owned tech purchases.

6. If you're working remotely or in a hybrid setup, brace yourself for Zoom call mishaps and technical glitches. Expect frequent call drops and delays in scheduling and meeting planning, which will be heightened during this period. If you're an executive assistant, it's wise to triple-check recipients before sending out any call or meeting invites for executives. 

7. If you work in person primarily, prepare yourself to be hyper-flexible with your schedule! Many delays and last-minute cancellations for meetings, and other scheduling snafu’s will pop up. Breathe, and pivot!

8. During this time, revisiting old work plans and revising current projects will be heavily emphasized across all workspaces. While it may seem tedious and frustrating, this process is likely to result in a more refined project output. However, exercise discernment – avoid overthinking or over-talking ideas. Sometimes, minimal correction is all that's needed. If you find that your project can't be salvaged at this stage, don't hesitate to start anew. Aries's energy is perfect for embracing the new and letting go of the old.

Aries Eclipse Tea (April 8th, 2024):

Simultaneously, the solar eclipse in Aries (on April 8th) looms on the horizon during this time as well. Both Mercury retrograde and the eclipse will usher in a variety of new options, experiences, and moments for all of us to develop our sense of independence and personal passion/drive. However, our judgment on where to go next is obscured as the moon inches closer to an opposition between the sun and the earth, causing a blackout or period of mental/physical darkness before clarity emerges.

I view eclipses as times when our emotions (moon) block our ability to illuminate (sun) what grounds us (earth) during this tumultuous season. Eclipses are typically the wildcards of astrological transits, often tossing us into darkness by redirecting our paths in a jarring and often surreal way. They mark times for rapid development or setbacks, and they always arrive in pairs. The lunar full moon eclipse is usually the more emotional time when endings and releasing take place, while solar eclipses usher in drastic newness and change, or even the taking of what wasn’t released during the lunar eclipse cycle, which can have a big impact on our ego and identity (the sun).

With this eclipse happening in Aries, our sense of independence, impulse, and raw need to fight for what we believe in is called to undergo some severe changes, as we are simultaneously hyper-aware of the impact our behaviors and decisions to take up more space have on others (opposition to Libra). Many of us are moving away from people-pleasing tactics in order to reinvigorate our sense of authenticity. So much of our former selves were wrapped up in the idea that being liked by others meant sacrificing our integrity and not inherently fighting for the things that hold value to us and that we deeply believe in. This eclipse cycle is forcing us to reclaim authenticity at all costs, even if it means sacrificing relationships, communities, business partnerships, and other spaces we’ve found ourselves aligned with. This will be painful for some of us, as the eclipse is conjunct Chiron (the wounded warrior asteroid) causing us to fight ourselves mentally over the choices we KNOW we need to make. Psychological and mental crises will be heightened during this time globally so take it EASY!

Checking where this transit happens in your chart is going to be key. Look into your Aries/Libra houses, and Mars-ruled houses in your chart for insight into where these themes could show up.

And, ask yourself: Do you want to be a follower, or a leader? The choice is yours.

Eclipse Tea Guidance:

1. If you're not a people person, it's best to stay indoors on April 8th if you can. Truthfully, I wouldn’t advise anyone to be out and about under an eclipse influenced by Mars. But if you must venture outdoors coming up, be aware that people's attitudes may be sour, and there's potential for violence, aggression, or anger. That's just me being real, sorry! If you're in the direct path of the eclipse and have a child with cardinal placements or Leo placements, it's best to keep them at home and let them have a chill day indoors.

2. For those who will be outside trying to catch a glimpse of the eclipse (not judging, just won't be me, lol), consider wearing some form of protective talisman on your body, such as a cross necklace or Islamic symbol pin, based on your faith. Protect your head with a hat or scarf if you'll be working outdoors (indoor professionals can skip this). Wear dark sunglasses, and for those spiritually inclined, consider wearing white clothing or a headwrap if you need to be around other people that day. If you'll be indoors working, still wear white or red in some way for good luck. And as hard as it might be, try to avoid the baleful rays as much as possible.

3. Keep a close eye on the behavior of children and young adults these next few weeks, they are suffering in private. I mention this, because this eclipse season, Asteroid Chiron will be square (tense/hard/friction orientied energy) the asteroid named 'child'. As I mentioned earlier this year, more concerning stories concerning the wellbeing of children (past and present) will likely be coming forward at this time and over the next few weeks.

Especially stories regarding abuse suffered as a child (among adults), stories of violence and harm done to children, etc. Not a great time at all. But simultaneously, this can also point to working harder to address inner child wounds as a means of moving on with restored authenticity, independence or power in your life.

Additional Questions To Ruminate On:

1. How do you anticipate the Mercury retrograde in Aries impacting your communication style and interactions with others, especially in your professional and personal relationships?

2. Reflect on a recent conflict or disagreement you've experienced. How might the current astrological transits, particularly Mercury retrograde and the upcoming solar eclipse in Aries, influence the resolution of this conflict?

3. What strategies do you plan to implement to navigate the potential challenges posed by Mercury retrograde, such as technical glitches, communication mishaps, and delays in scheduling?

4. Explore your relationship with leadership and independence. How do you define leadership, and what steps are you taking to embody leadership qualities in your personal and professional life?

5. How do you plan to cultivate and maintain authenticity in your interactions with others, particularly during emotionally charged moments like eclipses?

6. Consider the concept of discernment and its relevance to your decision-making process. How do you discern between different options and opportunities, especially during times of uncertainty like Mercury retrograde and eclipses?

7. Reflect on your relationship with rituals and protective practices. How do you incorporate spiritual or cultural rituals into your daily life, especially during challenging astrological transits?

8. Imagine your ideal outcome for the upcoming eclipse season. How do you envision navigating the changes and opportunities presented by Mercury retrograde and the solar eclipse in Aries to align with your goals and aspirations?