Mercury turns retrograde in a fog of March Madness
As Mercury, the planet of movement and communication flips into reverse in the sign of the fish (the 5th through the 28th) and Uranus, planet of radical change, switches from Aries to Taurus (where it will be for the next seven years), look for unexpected, poetic shifts. Change and spring are in the air, but we need to surrender before we can move forward into the new reality we’re envisioning. In this sometimes foggy landscape, complicated by dreamy Neptune’s confusing effect on Mercury (aka: the mind) this month, tune in to your intuition, attend to your spiritual life, and settle into some much needed space-out time.
By Lisa Lisa and the Star Jam*
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20) Those ruled by the sign of the fish will do best floating in the still clear pools, behind the rocks, and beneath the logs. While this image may come as a relief to some, it can be a challenge not to engage in the effort of swimming against the current, to surrender to a state of not doing. Yet, withdrawing into your unconscious mind in the coming weeks will help clear away the sediment. For some it’s a time to heed the call of a silent retreat while others might opt for the Japanese art of forest-bathing, called shinrin-yoku, to replenish your spirit in nature. Or why not take up a nightly foot-soaking practice (the sign of Pisces rules the feet), treating your feet to a bath filled with herbs and rose petals, where you can slough off the scales of the past.
ARIES (Mar 21-April 19) Rams, you’re looking to reinvent your livelihood this month. Sudden disruptions in your job can prompt a fruitful reassessment of your values and considerations of what you’re truly worth. How can you innovate the monthly income stream and not rely solely on a salary? Or a boss for that matter. You may not want to hear this, but it’s time for action-oriented rams to unplug and retreat via meditation, dreamwork, or other private escapes. If you can manage to step back from the fray, you may find some forward movement in your work once March is in the rearview mirror.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Bulls embark on a new seven-year cycle this month, changing up well-worn desire paths; you’re at the beginning of a retrofit that will result in a whole new you by the mid-2020s. Exciting! Maybe as you review and shake up your standard stock, adding new blood to the herd you run with, you’ll find fresh approaches to living that you’ve never considered before. Just beware of those who might present as sparkly, because they can turn out to be anything but, just beneath the surface. You’re aiming for a deeper, more committed herd long term than the burn-out-fast shooting stars.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Put your career on cruise control and extend your psychic antennae instead for an infusion of fresh intel through anomalous experiences. Tune in to what could prove to be a rather active dream life in the coming weeks. As you break new ground in the spiritual realm, remember that retreating into solitude (not isolation) is truly what will crack your mind open. Allow space for absorbing new vibrations of the wild and wacky sort. Consider what inventor Nicolas Tesla once said, “The day science begins to study non-physical phenomena, it will make more progress in one decade than in all the previous centuries of its existence.” Just be savvy about the psychic channels you choose to tune in to.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) While cozying up at home this month, lose yourself to leafing through summer travel guides, all the while reviewing your ideas about cross-cultural relations. As you exchange your views for a more inspired belief system, you may notice a shift in your social circle that invites more unusual creatures with which to forge your future path. Maybe it’s time to say goodbye to social media and crawl back out into the 3-D world.
LEO (July 23-Aug 22) While there could be some unsettling news at work this month, don’t let the boss (or any bossy-pants) distract you from the more pertinent activities of revising your resources and delving into the depths of your intimate affairs. Yes, you are still and always will be king (or queen) of the jungle, yet this month takes you into areas where your authority reigns over more esoteric and unusual things. Go with it while staying out of the limelight. Ultimately this process will bring you to greater authenticity in your public sphere. Power for you lies behind the throne this month. A word of caution: keep an eye on any joint finances; you don’t want your partner dipping into your checking without telling you.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 22) Look into your interpersonal style this month and reexamine all manner of relating in your committed partnerships, both business and personal. What’s working and what isn’t? Take the Mercury retrograde time to discern what (or who) might be past its due date before moving forward. Meanwhile, your well-oiled systems of knowledge are due for some mindblowing twists. Like an exchange student, you’re setting out on a new leg of your educational journey, one where you’re destined to learn a lot from those whose ideas or culture differ from yours. These exciting folks help you flip your worldview upside down then—poof—they’re gone, leaving you with the makings of a fresh philosophy.
LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 22) It’s time to review and reorganize your work habits and exercise routines to better serve you so that you can better serve others. Get down to the nitty-gritty and leave the idealized version in the dust. You’ll also need to lend your attention to some possible instability around your shared accounts or property. While there could be sudden shifts, they will be momentary so worry not; the shake-up could unearth previously unseen resources. By the end of the month, recommit to yourself.
SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21) A trembler in your partnership (business or personal) house could be just the thing to shake off outworn habits that no longer work for you, freeing the relationship up for deeper growth. More than a seven-year itch twinge, take the time this month to review/revise what’s important to you around romance, play, and fun. The time is ripe for implanting a new creative pleasure-seeking device in your black and white experience that could open the doors to a technicolor surround-sound sensation. The end of the month could bring a focus on looking deep into your subconscious that will provide closure or healing.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21) Archers would do well to take aim at their health and habits this month. You may be thinking about going vegan or trying out a new approach to nutrition. Avoid fad diets, but experimenting with a plan that you can sustain over time is a good place to start. A sudden change on the job, among coworkers or in the circumstances of your employment, could bring you more independence at work—music to your ears. There’s also a higher possibility for accidents, so stay extra attentive on the job this month. Great at seeing the big picture, but not so much at organizing your time, embracing new technologies or calendar apps can take care of the details, leaving you with much-needed relaxation and time at home with your family.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19) Sea goats are bound to have some surprises involving romance, fun, and your creative potential. Maybe even an unexpected pregnancy! Who knows where it will lead but it could be a fertile shake-up that sets a new stage in your career. Try to remain open to it. Meanwhile, your time is well spent rethinking important communications amongst your siblings and neighbors. Delving into old patterns learned in grammar school could be just what you need to come up with fresh ways of expressing yourself.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18) The water-bearers need to put the priority on scrutinizing their income and material possessions. A tedious job for this eccentric bunch, yet you will be wiser for it in the long run. All the while, expect the unexpected on the homefront. Sudden commotion could have deeper implications foundationally. You could pull up stakes and move to an unusual place or living situation. Wherever you land, ultimately you stand to be liberated from any inauthenticity, free to live your life with your values and philosophies aligned.
If you know your rising sign, read that too; it’s often relevant.
*Lisa Awrey and Lisa Carroll
illustration by @boccaccinimeadows
