Merc Alert for March 2019
Important Dates:
February 19 Mercury enters shadow at 16 Pisces
March 5 Mercury turns retrograde at 29 Pisces
March 29 Mercury turns direct at 16 Pisces
April 17 Mercury leaves its shadow
The first Mercury retrograde for this year will be a fascinating one, to say the least. Let’s look at the pluses and minuses of this upcoming cycle.
If you are someone who likes to delve into any of the topics below, then this will be a well-suited cycle for you.
Psychic phenomena, the arts, music, water sports such as boating or fishing, water animals, chemistry, gases, intoxicants,monasteriesandnunneries, oil, spirituality, mediumship, somnambulism, selfless acts, relief efforts and films.
Perhaps you’re feeling the urge to revisit some of these areas of interest. If so, follow those urges. This is a great time to let your imagination run wild, to rethink and reconsider ways to be of help to others with no expectation of returned favors. If you keep a dream journal or any sort of journal, use this time to go back and re-read your entries and let them swirl around in your brain. Immerse yourself in these prior impressions and experiences. The point is to bring these ideas back into your mind. You need not feel compelled to do anything about them at this time. But you may find these insights to be especially timely and helpful as you go about your daily life.
If you’ve been working on a creation of some sort, such as an artistic or musical endeavor, this is the perfect time to revisit these works in progress, with an eye on editing and fine tuning. If you are fond of heading to the hills, especially near or around water, take yourself back to one of those favorite retreats. Meditation and reflection will come easily. If you happen to be a film buff, it will be timely to re-watch some of your all-time favorites. Like reading a piece of poetry, you’re apt to see and hear tidbits that may have not resonated with you the first time you watched them,but in your current state of mind, these concepts seem to hit a chord.
Now for the not-so-pretty sides of this cycle. It just so happens that Mercury is not particularly happy in the sign of Pisces and in the parlance of astrologers, it is said to be in the sign of its detriment. Let’s look at why.
Being the messenger god, ruling over the transport of objects and ideas from one point to another, Mercury works better when he’s in air or earth signs, since he is inclined toward logic and practicality. When Mercury is in water signs, logic tends to fly out the window, in deference to emotions. The sign of Pisces is considered mutable water, so it’s akin to speaking under water during a swift current to someone who is going in the opposite direction as you. The message is not only garbled, it’s also difficult to pin down. Pisces is a very sensitive sign and leans heavily toward impressions and psychic leanings, which is a far cry from the logic that this planet prefers.
Therefore, messages that are conveyed under this sign will be lacking in logic and reason. And when this tendency is coupled with a retrograde propensity for delayed and possibly inaccurate transfer of data, confusion is more likely to set in. For those of you who prefer to deal in pure logic, this may be a greater challenge for you, but it’s not impossible. It simply implies that you’ll need to consider the emotional impact of the messages that are being conveyed with no expectation that you’ll be able to place these ideas in one specific, well-defined category. Consider this a good test of your flexibility and versatility.
For a look at how this cycle will impact you strictly from the standpoint of your sun sign, kindly read below.
Aries:
The best use of this cycle for you rams is to give yourself plenty of time to go into hiding, especially from a mental perspective. It’s time to release thoughts that no longer serve a useful purpose and instead, replace them with imaginative concepts. If you feel like your brain is overloaded and has absorbed more than your comfort level of ideas, treat it like a sponge and wring it out. Allow your visions to take top priority. Toy with veiled concepts. So, what if it doesn’t pay the mortgage? It will set you up for a healthy and much needed re-programming of your psyche.
One thing to keep in mind during this cycle is that because you’re in a mental re-grouping phase, this is not the ideal time for making major decisions, nor is it a time when you can assume that you’re being heard. Leave those processes for a later date when Mercury is direct.
Taurus:
This cycle is a perfect time for you to reconnect with close personal friends who may have recently gone AWOL. Perhaps they need an empathetic ear and want to connect with someone who has a strong capacity for understanding. That would be you. Similarly, this is a good time to clear the air if there has been some sort of misunderstanding between you and friends or colleagues. Make it perfectly clear that you are intent on putting yourself in their shoes so that you can have a better understanding of how they feel and how wires may have gotten crossed.
This is also a fine time to take another look at causes that are near and dear to you. If you’ve been pondering ways to get involved or re-involved, now is the time to do your homework as to what will be most suitable for you, moving forward. These may be social or political causes. The point is to connect with people who share similar values.
Gemini:
If you’re pondering a job change or perhaps a shift in title, now is the time to poke around and see what options are available. Put your creative visualization skills to work. If fitting, reconnect with former employers, once you have an inkling as to what will truly float your boat. Do this with the understanding and expectation that the job of your dreams may not materialize during this retrograde, but it is a great time to put out feelers.Allow time for the ripple effect to take place, all the while keeping your visions foremost in your mind. Once Mercury goes direct, the universe will have had ample time to work its magic and progress will appear more likely.
If you’re perfectly content where you are, pay close attention to how you deal with anyone in a position over you. Don’t be shocked if bosses are out of touch, difficult to reach or not in a position to make critical decisions for the time being. Make a point not to act on assumptions.Accept the fact that some projects may be slow to materialize or are temporarily on hold. They’ll turn around as Mercury rights himself.
Cancer:
Are you longing to retrace a trip you took some time back? Maybe there were some spots you missed that are still on your bucket list. If you’re puzzled because you’re under the assumption that Mercury retrograde isn’t the best time to travel, please re-think that notion. Since Mercury is in a fellow water sign, you get a pass. If now is not a fitting time to head for the hills, then this is a great time to either reminisce about past travels or start some serious fantasizing/visualizing about the next trip you’re itching to take.
Other uses of this cycle include reconnecting with people from your college days, reviewing study material from those days or taking are fresher course. Perhaps you’re eager to gain greater understanding of different cultures and belief systems. If so, dive right in. Your brain is more than ready to absorb such concepts.
Leo:
When is the last time you gave your insurance policies a once-over? Have you been pondering the wisdom of refinancing debt? Is it time to update your will? No, this does not imply that you’re leaving this world soon. However, this is a good time to reexamine jointly held resources. Your gut may very well be nagging at you, so take heed if you’ve been sensing that this is the time to look these issues squarely in the face. Start exploring your options, giving yourself time to sort things out. Once Mercury goes forward, you’ll be in perfect shape to make well-informed moves.
Be aware that this is not the best time to begin new financial ventures. So, if you are presented with an opportunity during is cycle that isn’t already clearly on your radar, it’s best to be cautious and dig deeper before moving forward.
Virgo:
Since Mercury is retrograde in your opposing sign, your focus will be on collaborative efforts. A wise use of this cycle is to immerse yourself in the minds of others. This is akin to conducting a biographical interview, all the while getting a potent feel for how others operate. Listen to their visions and the impressions they are making. If you’re simply looking for logic, you’re barking up the wrong tree.
When it comes to legal matters, you’re wise to put action on pause. It’s best to assume that you’re not seeing all the cards on the table,but what you may be seeing lacks clarity. Give yourself time to sift through the fog. Once Mercury goes direct, you’ll have a more accurate picture.
Libra:
Do yourself a favor and pay very close attention to your interactions with people in any sort of helping capacity. That includes employees, co-workers and people in service industries. If there is even a hint of a lack of clarity, nip it in the bud. This is no time to operate under assumptions. On a totally different note, this is a great time to tackle existing projects that aren’t quite ready for prime time. Creative minds can work well together when tackling a collective vision.
If you have health issues floating around in your mind,this is a fine time to reflect on past patterns, rituals and indulgences. Stay attuned to sensitivities. And speaking of such, you’re more likely to get better insights from health care people who respect the art of combining pure knowledge with intuition. If test results look or sound inconclusive, don’t assume the worst. But you are likely better off having follow-up tests once Mercury goes direct.
Scorpio:
You’re in a great cycle for rediscovering what it’s like to live a life of fun and playfulness. If you have old hobbies that haven’t been touched in quite some time, dust them off and tackle them. You may be pleasantly surprised by how your imagination takes hold. The artist within is still alive and well. Making your way back to venues on your list of favorites is also timely. The world of entertainment is calling your name and eager to spot you in the audience. And speaking of the art of playing, who better than to join in on the fun than children? Spend time with them and take pleasure in their joy of discovery.
You may also find this a busy time in the romance department. Crushes from your past may capture your attention. If you’re simply looking to reignite some flames in a current relationship, check out those spots that seem to hold magic for you. Indulge your fantasies. This is also a great time to re-envision how you want to take control once Mercury has gone direct.
Sagittarius:
Who says you can never go home again? And why not? If the spirit moves you, head back to places that have warmed your soul in times past.These may be places that were not exactly a true place of residence, but places that made you feel cozy. If that happens to be where you live right now, take stock of how things feel. If your imagination is busy at work, redesigning or reconfiguring the placement of things, give yourself credit for being right in tune with your planetary cycles. Simply put, this is time to revert to your roots. Reconnect with family members, especially those with whom you seem to have a psychic connection.
If Mercury should decide to play tricks on you, it will take place in the home. Watch for water-related appliances or locations to throw a monkey wrench into the works. Keep in mind that Mercury is associated with such things as hoses or other connecting devices, so check there first if an issue arises.
Capricorn:
Where is your literary mind sight these days? Are you in the process of revising a written project? Or perhaps you feel an urge tore read books that harken back to a special time for you. Have at it. In addition, this is a fine time to purge those stacks of papers, documents,filing cabinets and drawers. There’s no telling what lurks within that has slipped your mind. And if you haven’t taken a jaunt around local stomping grounds in a while, plan a little gander. My how things can change!
Since this cycle takes place in your solar 3rd house,Mercury may have an eye on your vehicles or other modes of transportation. If your automobile is overdue for a checkup, now is the time to play it safe before things get out of hand. If siblings play a role in your life, reconnect with them. Perhaps some reminiscing is in order.
Aquarius:
Finances are at the top of your agenda during this cycle.You may find yourself thumbing through old financial documents for whatever reason, or you may be reflecting on past budgets. Whatever the case, these tasks are most appropriate. If you’re considering an adjustment in spending,use this time to study and absorb all the possible ramifications. Give yourself lots of flexibility. Rigidity is off the radar right now. Do your best to avoid making major purchases, unless you are left with little choice. If such is the case, blind faith is not your friend. And avoid feeling like you owe it to others to rescue them. The chances are, you’ve done that before, to no apparent avail. Because a retrograde can cause us to look back or backtrack, you’re wise to hang on to those pesky receipts. And asking for a backup copy is far from overkill – you’ll thank yourself later.
Pisces:
Since Mercury will be retrograde in your own sign, this cycle will require a serious heads-up for you fishes. Starting with the light stuff, be prepared to devise various ways of expressing yourself, since the usual modes may somehow come across differently, depending upon who’s listening. Your sense of the obvious may differ from that of others. This is temporary.Apply your tried and true skills of adaptability.
Be sure you have your wits about you. Your mind is apt to reside on some yet-to-be-named cloud, making it awkward to function on a practical level here on the earth plane. Assistance from earth sign people (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn) may prove timely.
And now the heavier applications of this cycle. Give yourself plenty of leeway when it comes to re-defining your path.This may be as simple as making some slight but nonetheless significant changes in your thinking patterns. Release draining thoughts and replace them with thoughts that employ positive visualization. Keep in mind the fact that thoughts have their own power.