When: April 1 – 25, 2024
What: Mercury retrograde in Aries
Takeaway: When Mercury appears to move backwards in the sky, technical and communication problems arise. Because it occurs in the fearless sign of Aries, it’s easier than ever to make mistakes when we rush. These tricks, delays and negatives all point to areas of our lives that need a system upgrade.
Focus on the details as Mercury goes into trickster mode
Mercury stations retrograde April 1st – the icing on the cake of April 1stS’ Day. So increase your appreciation for the absurd. A sense of humor is your best insurance when Mercury is up to his usual tricks and pranks. The messenger seems to do it turn backwards three or four times a year, which is all the more reason to deal with the problems. Yes, Mercury retrogrades often correspond with delays, lost mail, and broken appliances here on Earth. But sometimes an excuse to take a break is a blessing in disguise.
While slowing down isn’t always an Aries’ first instinct, it’s certainly a good habit. There are always ways to move with this transit instead of succumbing to frustration. As we respond to the plot twists with a few deep breaths and a willingness to reframe, rewire, and reassess what went wrong, this moment opens the way for us to create more efficient and functional systems in our lives. Once Mercury regains its forward motion, that is.
This time, Mercury stations retrograde in Aries, ushering in a powerful reset of the ways we take action and fight the good fight with our words. In 2024, Mercury retrogrades mainly occur in fire signs (except Virgo in August). So this year teaches us to take stock before we make a leap. To interrogate our fiery impulses. To err on the side of reflection instead of reaction. By bringing more discernment to the passions, creations, and spiritual paths of our lives, we will have more energy for the endeavors that truly fuel our fire. And the wisdom to let go of what is just a cortisol drain.
Aries is the spark plug of the zodiac, ready to rush in and get there first. Acting on instinct alone may not work in the coming weeks. Barbed words can turn into long arguments, so check the temperature in the room before poking the wasp’s nest. Your brave jumps now require extra calculations – especially if you want to stick the landing.
Double down on your self-care: Eclipse season adds unexpected plot twists
As if Mercury’s hijinx wasn’t enough, this particular retrograde also coincides with the volatility of eclipse season. The solar eclipse is happening April 8 also occurs in Aries. Eclipses can bring a hectic pace and unexpected twists, so give yourself plenty of wiggle room to complete tasks especially around this date. Rest, reflectionand emergency naps are recommended. Make time to process whatever comes up, but avoid making hasty decisions. The urgency in the air is best observed rather than acted upon.
While thinking about plans B and C isn’t exactly Aries’ strong suit, you can reframe organization as your next courageous campaign. Reflection and rest as your righteous allies. ‘Sleeping on it’ is an ace up your sleeve. For each fiery flash of inspiration, spend time strengthening the hearth that will fuel that flame. The gift of Mercury returning in this sign is the initiative to start over when something doesn’t work. If anyone can return to the drawing board with enthusiasm, it’s Aries.
The cazimi lights the way forward
Clarity is coming online again for a while 4:03 PM PT on 11 Aprilwhen Mercury joins the sun at an auspicious moment called cazimi. Just a few days after the eclipse, going within will bring revelations about all that the eclipse season has unleashed. Major endings and beginnings will come into sharper focus on this day, although there is still no rush to action. Stay alert to clues that come in dreams, synchronicities, physical reactions, or sudden flashes of insight.
This cazimi is the light bulb moment of this retrograde period, highlighting the revelations this transit is trying to convey. The information taking place in Aries and alongside the twists and turns of eclipse season can provide inspiration for ways to start over in your life. For long-standing problems, bold reframes can be avoided. Sudden urges or suspicions all deserve your investigation now.
Mercury’s encounters with Chiron and Venus add healing and connection
After his cazimi, Mercury makes some powerful connections. On 15 of AprilMercury joins Chiron, the wounded healer. The April 8 The solar eclipse in Aries was also conjunct Chiron, so stay alert for healing insights or conversations that unravel more of that story. Being the second of three encounters between Mercury and Chiron, the final piece of the puzzle may still be yet to come. 6 May is the last in this series of Mercury/Chiron meetings, so keep your journal or note-taking app handy for eventual closure. For each of these days, turn down the volume on your inner critic and practice being your own best friend. Fill your journal pages or break a few guitar strings with the fear on tap. When the thorns of life are named, they tend to lose their sting.
Mercury’s next retrograde appointment is decidedly more delightful. The messenger merges with Venus – the planet of beauty, love and connection – April 19. Venus in Aries is believed to be in danger, which means that the expressions of love and beauty challenge Venus’s usual agenda. Freedom, independence and courage are not qualities we typically associate with Venus, but playing against character creates its own charm. This approach to fun takes on a punk edge. Be surprised by flyby flirtations. Destroy your favorite jeans. Invite the muses with the pointy collars to your desk. Dare to double down on that creative employee’s DMs. Just make sure you keep that draining ex or enemy blocked, as old connections are known to come out of the woodwork during retrogrades.
When Mercury stations turn on immediately April 25, it will usher in that new car smell – and also a newfound conviction. Throw yourself into life’s symbolic spring cleaning with the wisdom of what no longer works. Or what requires a few sharp adjustments. Muster up the courage to completely change your plans. With every last tremble in the story, trust that these course corrections will prove fruitful in the long run. Until then, here are some helpful tips to help you navigate this tricky transit with relative ease:
Our Mercury retrograde survival guide
Doing…
- To expect delays. Schedule buffer time for everything. If everything goes smoothly, you have room to relax. And if not, you’ll be grateful you have plans B and C.
- Make a backup your files. Emails, photos: everything. Stay one step ahead of potential technology issues. (Your future self will thank you.)
- Reflectediting, organizing, reviewing and take note of everything you think about repeatedly during this period. There is meaning in it that you keep coming back to.
- Interrogate your first instincts, reactions, feelings of urgency, or desires to take action. By letting your plans sink in, you can act from a neutral rather than activated state.
- Focus about long-term solutions. Decisions made in the heat of the moment don’t always support your best future self. Make choices that align with your broader goals.
- When in doubt, pause, rest or scream into a pillow. Frustration can arise during Mercury retrograde, but especially in Aries. Remember that anger can be a creative fuel when channeled with intention.
- Laugh to yourself when you make obvious mistakes. The purpose of this transit is to keep you humble and open to learning.
- Listen to the Astrology of the Week Ahead podcastas well as Your reading in the ‘This Week’ section of the CHANI app. There you will also find journal prompts and other resources that will help you work with the lessons Mercury brings you this retrograde season.
- Bill the Transits tab in the CHANI app to find out if Mercury will impact any of your natal placements. You can also read your free Current Celestial Horoscope for Mercury in Aries to see how your rising sign will be affected during this period.
Do not…
- Fear Mercury retrograde. It can be annoying, but remember that worrying is just focusing on what you don’t want. Instead, view this period as an opportunity to reassess your strategies.
- To leave the uncertainty of this period dampens your enthusiasm or curtails your courage. You can still take bold steps behind the scenes. Allow the knowledge of what is not working to encourage your pivots, course corrections, and system upgrades.
- To buy buy tickets, sign contracts, or plan events during this time, if you can avoid it. If that doesn’t work, stay flexible and assume that adjustments may be necessary after the retrograde cycle is over. And maybe even during that period.
- Plan for big launches or make big changes to the way you do things during this period if you can help it – unless you plan to do them when Mercury is cazimi 4:03 PM PT on 11 April. (That said, you may still want to work with an astrologer to determine the best time for you.)
- Put down your life on hold. There are some things you should put off if possible, but otherwise just make room for the hiccups. Again, you should not fear this moment; just be sensible about it.
Looking for more information? Read your daily horoscope:
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