Monday, the Moon remains in ambitious, pragmatic, status-oriented Capricorn all day. It will journey there until Wednesday morning. We tend to be more realistic, serious, and cautious; this can support practical endeavors and financial matters.
Our ambition surges and brings a need for structure and planning; when you add the pragmatism this Moon placement supports, you can see how this could be a very productive time for business and long-term goals. Our reputation will become crucial.
As best as you can during this aspect, avoid “should-ing” on yourself. Take the pressure off, perhaps by saying, “I am doing the best I can, and that’s all I can ever do”
Monday evening at 6:14pm EDT, Mercury comes to a halt at 27º of Aries to start its first full Retrograde phase of the year, slowing things down tremendously until April 3rd!
Give yourself extra time to go to work or to get things done. If you are traveling today, just simply go with the flow… you’ll get there… eventually. The same is true when it comes to all our technological devices…
With Mercury being Retrograde, its energy feels stronger inside of us, helping us recognize what is out of alignment and pointing to how we can begin realigning ourselves with the outside world, starting from within.
We can ask ourselves: Where do I need to walk my own path? Where does that path seem to be heading? How is my relationship with myself going? How does all this relate to my personal goals? What needs to be reorganized? Reconsidered?
Between now and April 25th, we have an opportunity to re-evaluate ourselves and how we show up in the world, connect to an inner source of courage, and get clear about our passions and goals.
This is also a chance to readdress anything from the past that felt out of alignment — with ourselves and what we desire — and is now ready to be cleared or changed.
Take time to investigate your own thought processes: What feels too busy to me? What if I got really clear about that? If I were 5% more honest with myself about my desires and what excites me, what truths would I uncover?
For the next 3 weeks, we get a chance to connect with our inner dialog, connecting from within to see where we need to be more aware of what we are thinking and communicating. Watch out for being too impulsive or aggressive.
This Retrograde phase will end on April 25th (reaching 16º01’ of Aries at that time). People worry about Mercury retrogrades, but it’s important not to stop one’s life during these times.
As mentioned above, certain things may take longer — but a retrograde gives us a chance to resolve things that have been keeping us from being in alignment with the outer world — especially things that came up since March 18th (when Mercury entered its pre-Shadow phase).
We are ready to reconsider, reinvestigate, or recommunicate connections, thoughts, or conversations initiated since March 18th. Ask yourself: What has come up in my life around new beginnings, things I feel passionate about, and walking my path?
What still needs my attention or reconsideration? Am I still aligned with what I initiated? Where do I need to get further out of my comfort zone?
We may also get to reorganize any data accumulated over the last three months since the last Mercury Retrograde phase (that ended on Jan. 1st, 2024). It’s time to rethink, retool, and release what is no longer in alignment.
During a Mercury Retrograde phase, read the small print, re-read a contract before signing (if you have to sign something), or ask another person for a second opinion…
During these periods, it’s best to be aware of any details we might have overlooked, check in with our intuition, and stay open to renegotiation or adjustments down the line!
In general, Mercury Retrograde is an excellent time for re-evaluating and re-organizing. This is especially true for our thought patterns and decisions (particularly those made in the 2 weeks before the start of the retrograde) — but it’s true of our lives in general: we can reach a more precise understanding as to what works and what doesn’t, and what needs to change.
Reconnecting with “old” friends, clients, neighbors, entrepreneurs, colleagues, and family members (especially siblings) is also favored at this time …
Mercury also represents our day-to-day mind; this is also experienced more internally at this time. When it comes to communication, make sure that what you say, write and hear is the same as the intended meaning — and use the spell-checker
Another thing to take into consideration: how does each Mercury retrograde phase affect your personal birth chart? Do you have any personal planets that Mercury will align with during its retrograde journey? The houses of your chart each represent different areas of your life — which of the houses in your chart is affected by this retrograde?
If you are familiar with your natal chart — take a look at your natal Mercury and where Aries lands in your chart to see how this might play out for you.
As with any retrograde, some of us will be more affected than others, depending on how it interacts with our personal chart.
If you have your Ascendant, Career Point, or any personal planets in 14-29 degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer, or Capricorn, you will be more affected by this particular Retrograde phase. This is also true for those of us who have a Gemini or Virgo Sun- or Rising-sign (Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo).
Monday late evening at 11:15pm EDT, the last Quarter Moon in almost 13º of Capricorn becomes exact. We started to feel this aspect build from the moment the Moon entered Capricorn on Sunday night. The Moon in practical, accomplishment-oriented Capricorn makes a challenging aspect to the Sun in pioneering, fast-paced Aries.
This may bring up some challenges. However, it also energizes us to look at what needs to be completed — and what needs to be changed.
This Moon phase brings us closer to the next New Moon in Aries, which is also a Solar Eclipse (on April 8th). With this last Quarter Moon, rather than starting major new projects, it serves us to take a look at what was started around the time of the last Eclipse cycle — in this case, around Oct. 14th, 2023.
We now have about a week to wrap those projects up. What — if anything — needs last-minute adjustments? What have you discovered since Oct. 14th? What did it mean for you?
As best as you can, find creative solutions for anything that comes up between yourself and others — and for any internal conflicts.
Do you have your Ascendant, Career Point (or personal planets) in 11-15 degrees of Capricorn, Aries, Libra, or Cancer? If so, you are more affected by this month’s last Quarter Moon. This is also true for those of us who have our Ascendant or Sun-sign in Leo or Cancer since the Sun rules Leo and the Moon rules Cancer.
