MERCURY RETROGRADE IN ARIES 1st April 2024

Adjusting The Heat Level

Yes, it's that time again - Mercury is going retrograde 1st of April. I still don't get people's fascination with Mercury Retrogrades but hey, at least Mercury gets some attention on its journey through the year. Usually, other planets seem more appealing or at least more exciting than the messenger. Which I find a bit sad, because, after all, communication is the basis of civilized human life. Imagine you couldn't speak or write and share yourself with the world? Imagine you couldn't hear - it would be a very lonely life.

Mercury in Cardinal Fire represents the inspired message that HAS to be spoken, even if it ruffles a few feathers. Or is met with resistance.

The inwards movement of a retrograde planet invites us to reflect, rethink, and reassess. In this case, to reassess the volume or amount of fire we communicate with.

Is our message uninspiring and lifeless like a damp cloth somebody has left in a bucket?
Is our message scorching and blazing like a wildfire, sparing nothing and nobody?

As a collective, maybe it is time to adjust the heat level when it comes to what we speak and think about. In some areas, we might need to speak with more courage, become louder, and more passionate. Putting a bit more Oomph into what we have to say. And making our desires and inspiration known. In other areas, we might need to turn down the dial a little bit.

I see so many heated discussions about trivia, whereas really important topics are not spoken about. It sometimes looks like the majority of people make more fuss about celebrities and which Zodiac sign they hate the most than the state of the world.

With this Mercury Retrograde in Aries, we have the perfect opportunity to go inward, muster all the courage we have, and come out again with vigor. So we can address even uncomfortable topics head-on first. And take a loud and clear stand.

Photo: Moja Msanii | Unsplash

JUPITER RETROGRADE IN TAURUS 4th September until 30th December 2023

The Inner Quest

Jupiter represents the teacher and seeker - when he enters the scene, we get on a quest that expands our consciousness and horizon. This can be done literally by traveling or metaphorically by studying philosophies or the esoterics, or contemplating on the vastness of this universe. And it is always an exploration of the unknown, of going beyond. Some other Jupiter attributes are: growth, encouragement, hope, protection, wisdom, morality, and generosity.

The danger with Jupiter lies in excess. The saying of ‘too much of a good thing’ is definitely something that applies to this archetype. Jupiter blows up what is present—for better or for worse—making it so big you cannot ignore it. One of my worst planetary returns has been my Jupiter return when I was 35. So much for the traditional labeling of planets being benefic or malefic. Jupiter is not as good as you believe, it pretty much just enlarges what is. It can totally bestow you with luck and prosperity, but it can also expand the negatives.

So this retrograde Jupiter expands the matters of the house that it is in e.g. if Jupiter is traveling through your 2nd house which would concern your own resources (money, energy, time) and skills. These topics want to grow beyond what is right now. This can mean literal growth as in money becoming more but also metaphorical growth, finding value beyond physical possessions. It can be growth by realizing where you over-do it with your resources, spend too much or give others too much of your energy and time.

Because Jupiter is in Taurus, topics around material security and how you feel stable and comfy in your body and material environment might come to the forefront during this time.

Jupiter exaggerates but also encourages and adds optimism to the house it is in and the planets it connects to. Because it is a retrograde phase, this needs some internal reflection first before it transpires on the outside. Seeking a deeper truth and looking for the hope within is what's being asked of us right now. No matter how confusing and bleak the world might look like. Once you go on that inner quest, you'll be amazed at the treasures you'll find!

Retrogrades are great for a course correction: as we reflect we gain perspective and discover greater potential. Jupiter can give us a bit of an inner pep talk, encouraging us to soon take that leap that is necessary to take us beyond. It's giving us a friendly pat on the back telling us: you got this! And once it goes direct again at the end of the year, the things you have learned on your inner quest will make all of that rich soul growth possible.

Photo: Garrett Sears | Unsplash

CHIRON IN ARIES RETROGRADE 24th July to 30th December 2023

𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥⁣

In order for humanity to start a new chapter we need to meet our wounds first. We now get to heal the wounds of the battlefield around our independence and sovereignty from the past 3 years. By reflecting and reviewing what has happened. So we can finally let go and move forward. Knowing we turned the poison into a magical potion that gives us superpowers for the time ahead.⁣

Chiron, the wounded healer, is all about healing our wounds and connecting us to energies that are beyond this material plane. He is the immortal being that cannot die, no matter how deep the wound is. With Aries in the mix, the healing work necessary would be around sovereignty, self-authorization, and taking inspired action. We took some major bruisings lately, how can we make sure this never happens again?⁣

The fiery sign of the ram goes by instinct and acts on a vision rapidly. While others wait, Aries is already taking action. Sometimes prematurely, but they'll never regret waiting too long, that's for sure. ⁣

How can we make sure we listen better to our instincts? How can we act more swiftly when our independence is in danger? How can we become the leader of our own lives and inspired way-shower for others, too? ⁣

The next couple of months will give us the opportunity to look at these wounds and take what we learned to fuel them into constructive inspired actions instead of rage. Instead of lashing out, we can acknowledge that we have not been in our sovereign power. We might have to walk through some shadows now - examining the emotions, beliefs & patterns that brought us into this pickle. But once we come out on the other side, we will have a clear vision of what is necessary to start anew.⁣

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𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰: 𝘛𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘺𝘈𝘳𝘵 | 𝘜𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩

VENUS IN LEO RETROGRADE 22nd July until 2nd September 2023

𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 ⁣

We have a few interesting astrological alignments coming up in the 2nd half of the month, but I decided to post about the Venus retrograde a bit earlier, so you can tune into what it could possibly mean for you.⁣

All planetary retrogrades invite us to reflect, review and reconnect to the archetypal themes of that particular planet. Why everybody is so fixated on Mercury Retrogrades is beyond me, there are other Retrograde phases that are way more important because they happen less frequently. Like the Venus Retrogradation for example. ⁣

Venus in Leo will go retrograde on July 22nd, she is already making her descent now, preparing to die and be reborn on the 3rd of September. This is what any retrograde phase is about: the reflection and letting go of patterns that are no longer useful to us and the rebirth of a new understanding.⁣

On a basic level, Venus is the archetype of beauty, money, and attraction. On a higher level, she also represents our values, how we love, and what is dear to our hearts. And how we bring divinity into our earthly life. So the patterns we are invited to reflect on now are Venusian ones. What beliefs or recurring themes around love, money, and values can we let go of? What repeating issues around kindness, compassion, and forgiveness can we identify? And what new intentions do we want to set for our Venus patterns moving forward?⁣

Venus in Leo describes an inner flame, an inner inspiration that fuels our love nature. What inner vision regarding the Venus themes do we want to keep and what can be tossed out? Where are we too egoically attached to love, money, and beauty? Or too stubborn regarding kindness and forgiveness?

How can we keep our visions close to our hearts, without the need to share them to receive great appraisal? Can we let our inner passion be the fuel that keeps us going, like an eternal flame, with no input from the outside needed?⁣

Depending on where this Venus Retrogradation is happening in your chart, it can bring up some icky stuff. Just because it's Venus does not mean that these will be lovey-dovey days for you. ⁣

Summer 2015 was the last time we had Venus in Leo, so whatever was happening for you at that time could come up as a theme in a similar guise until September. ⁣I am certainly uncovering some uncomfortable outdated Venus patterns regarding worth and value that I am ready to let go of. My Mars & Chiron have been relentlessly testing these patterns the past couple of weeks, to make sure I'll get it.⁣

Remember, it's all an invitation to return back to the heart, to bring more of your divine loving nature onto this planet right now. And for sure, humanity and Earth could use it. ⁣

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𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰: 𝘎𝘪𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪 | 𝘜𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩

SATURN IN PISCES RETROGRADE 17th June until 4th November 2023

𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬⁣

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Retrograde periods are for reflection, re-assessment and re-evaluation of that particular planetary archetype. In this case Saturn. Therefore the opportunity now is to rethink our ideas about responsibility and maturity regarding the mutable water principle (Pisces). ⁣

𝘔𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 is all about sharing, exchanging and communicating about the element it is connected to.

The 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 symbolizes our emotions, ability for empathy and imagination. We can think deeply about how we interact with others on an emotional level. How much we open up to another and show our vulnerability. Do we take responsibility around how we show up around others regarding our feelings? How mature are we when it comes to being empathic? Do we lean in and share our imagination to co-create our dreams?⁣

This is also a good time for a reality check: where are we too impressionable and sensitive? Sometimes we need to learn to ground those boundless feelings better in order to have a rock solid foundation in our lives and not be swayed by life and outer circumstances. Saturn in Pisces creates a safe haven for our wild emotional waters.⁣

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𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰: 𝘛𝘺𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘢𝘺𝘦 | 𝘜𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩⁣

PLUTO RETROGRADE 1st May until 11th October 2023

𝘗𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳⁣

As we are going through the motions of transformation with Pluto, remember all that Pluto wants is to liberate your soul by transmuting everything that is keeping you disempowered. Yes, it might be uncomfortable, it might even hurt as hell being confronted with all of the yucky stuff we will be faced with. But working through this will ultimately set you free. ⁣

I was shown a beautiful reminder last night of a story that when you help a butterfly out of its cocoon it will never be able to fly. ⁣

Which also demonstrates that each of us needs to go through our transformational processes ourselves. That does not mean you have to go through them alone, there can be people holding space for you while you wriggle yourself out of that old cocoon. So don’t be afraid to reach out for somebody to listen to you and be the witness while you emerge from it. But you need to do the work.

The same goes for all the lightworkers, spiritual teachers etc. With my astrology clients, I try my best to resist the urge to peel off the layers FOR them, I let them do it step by step, because that is real empowerment. You can cheer them on, console them, and guide them but do not interfere with that hatching process. It is no coincidence that Pluto is the planet of death and empowerment. If you are not acting from your own power, the beautiful butterfly you aspire to be won’t be able to fly. The effort to come out of the cocoon is exactly what strengthens your wings for the future.⁣

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𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰: 𝘈𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦 / 𝘜𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩⁣

MERCURY IN CAPRICORN retrograde from December 29 2022 until January 18, 2023

From December 29 2022 to January 18 2023, Mercury moves retrograde through Capricorn, asking us to slow down and pause.

When a planet goes retrograde, it just means the planetary quality is internalised for that period of time. The planet seems to go backwards on its journey through the skies.
As with any retrograde phase, you can take breaks proactively to prevent being pushed and shoved into a reflective pause during this retrograde – or not.    

With Mercury being about how you communicate, receive and process any kind of information (speaking, writing, learning), the retrogradation is the natural phase in the cycle where the thought process is internalized. The underlying lesson with Mercury retrograde is NOT teaching us to do regular data back-ups of your laptop (although that could be useful anyway), it is rather a time to reflect, reconnect, review and revise.

Themes of Mercury include:

Communication (speech, writing), perception, facts, thoughts, processing & understanding stimuli, dexterity, speed, movement, co-ordination

Because Mercury is in Capricorn, this time is about becoming the architect of your life. Especially being in charge of your mind and learning how practical thinking and processing stimuli fully with your body can help you with that.

Guiding questions for the Mercury retrograde phase

💭 How effectively do I communicate with others?

💭 Do I integrate the information & stimuli I receive or am I on to the next thing very quickly?

💭 Am I clear in what I want from my life? Or is my mind too cluttered to receive that information?

💭 How adaptable and flexible am I when it comes to co-ordinating something?

💭 Should I take more time to process the day or find a better approach to do so?

💭 Do I expect others to go along with my perception of the world?

💭 Do I act prematurely, based on a snippet of information that I just got?

💭 Is there any agenda when I reach out and connect with others?

💭 Which practical steps can I take to become the CEO of my mind?

💭 Are my ideas realistic and actionable?


This Mercury retrograde phase will hopefully bring you insights on how you want to build your life in future – with focus and a clear mind.

PS: I highly recommend a social media detox for this time 🙂

Photo: Unsplash/ Ashim Silva