The 2018 Mercury in Aries began its retrograde motion at 5:19p PDT on Thursday, 22nd March 2018, bringing an unusual twist to the 2018 Aries Sun period in the process – the concept of waiting.
Aries is a cardinal fire energy, known for taking bold, initiative actions to assert its individuality and independence and define itself for itself (establish its self-identity). Mercury tends to accelerate matters, and though it can do so physically, it often uses its communication and exchange of ideas and information to move things along more rapidly.
Yet retrograde energy is the energy of second chances, do-overs, and responding more than initiating, and in Aries, that means sometimes, rushing forward results in having to go back and do something again.
In other words, Mercury Retrograde is here to cramp Aries’ style.
Yet that cramp may work to Aries’ advantage. That’s because it gives each and all of us chances to pause and make sure our desired courses of action are truly aligned with our goals and intentions. This 2018 Aries Mercury Retrograde asks us to wait…
… for the opportunities we seek to come to us.
Yes, instead of the usual Aries’ assertiveness (or aggression) trying to blow a hole through the wall to make a “door” and force our ways forward in our desired directions, this 2018 Aries Mercury Retrograde asks us to state our goals and intentions clearly, then wait for the doors and paths that can lead us to the fulfillment of our goals and intentions to appear.
We are being asked to open our eyes and ears and pay attention to what is happening around us, trusting that the Universe hears us when we clearly communicate our goals and intentions which support our True selves and our True life purposes.
This calls upon each and all of us to recognize the level of integrity we are operating with in each of our lives. And in this case, integrity isn’t simply a matter of honesty – it’s a matter of alignment. It’s making sure our actions are in agreement with our thoughts and words. If we say our goal or intention is one thing, but then start doing things which do not reflect our goal or intention, we are out of integrity. We are out of alignment with what we said we are committed to.
So, this 2018 Aries Mercury Retrograde asks us to wait for doors to open and opportunities to present themselves… but it also asks us to pause to make sure those doors are leading us toward what we really want for ourselves and our lives.
Sometimes, we can be tempted away from our truths by “shiny objects” – by the promises of glory and fortune and fame, or the promise of a shortcut or an express train to our desired destination(s). Yet what seems like a fast track or a valid alternative may prove to be the scenic route instead of the quick access we hoped for. This 2018 Aries Mercury Retrograde again serves to encourage us to pause and make sure our choice is earnestly aligned with who we truly are and/or want to become.
Also notice if the path you’ve chosen seems to be blocked or delayed… or if a path does not seem to be presenting itself to you in the direction you want to move. These may be indicators that the goal or intention you are declaring may not be aligned with who you truly are or who you want to become.
Delays, obstacles, and/or an apparent lack of response could also mean that you’re missing something, so it is important that you pay attention – open your ears, eyes, and mind and consider that the doors and opportunities you’re looking for may not be where or what you think they should be. Retrogrades are known for bringing forth second chances and do-over energies, so if you’re finding old connections or opportunities coming into your space, you may want to see if what is coming back is now in alignment with who you are and what you want for yourself and your life. It may not have been the right alignment, timing or circumstances for you before; but it may be the right alignment, timing, and circumstances for you now.
The 2018 Aries Mercury Retrograde will make quite a few transits of note during this 2018 Aries Sin period, but the most significant one is likely its conjunction with the Aries Sun, which is most exact on Sunday, 1st April. In this transit, the Sun brings light to Mercury’s activities. This transit (felt from 30th March-3rd April) may be an especially good time to notice whether or not your goals and intentions are in alignment with who you truly are, AND to notice if there are any doors to pass through to move you closer to the fulfillment of your self-aligned goals and intentions. Two others transits of significance will be Aries Mercury Retrograde’s square with Capricorn Mars most exact on 2nd April, which will challenge you to align your actions with your thoughts and words; and Aries Mercury Retrograde’s square with Capricorn Saturn most exact on 5th April, which will challenge you to maintain your focus and discipline by aligning your thoughts and words to your goals and intentions.
And as with every Mercury Retrograde, be aware that people and experiences from your past may come back into your life during this time. In this specific case, these will likely be people and experiences which were affected by or responsive to your actions, or people who shared activities with you – actions and activities which shaped your self-identity or self-image in some way. These reminders of times past will provide you with lessons you may still need to learn, or with awareness of how far you’ve come and how much you’ve grown to this point in your life journey. If you’re not sure why these things are coming back now – if the lesson or insight isn’t clear – don’t worry. Just wait for it. Clarity will come at the perfect time.
This 2018 Aries Mercury will be in retrograde motion until 2:21a PDT on 15th April 2018, giving you 3.5 weeks to wait for it…
Thank you for reading and sharing Signs and Numbers. Until next post…
~ Light, Love, and Blessings,
Grace
