So, it's about that time when Mercury's stay in sensitive, mellow Pisces ends and his visit in action-oriented Aries begins. On March 9, Mercury begins his extra long transit in Aries, staying until May 15! I can't even imagine what kinds of trouble we could get in to, especially with Jupiter (expansion; already in Aries), Uranus (in Aries on March 11), Mars (in Aries on April 1), and Venus (in Aries on April 20) joining Mercury for all or part of his visit in the sign of the warrior. Did I say 'trouble'? I meant I can't even imagine what kinds of exciting ventures/new situations we could get started or find ourselves in during Mercury's visit in Aries :)

Mercury's extended stay is due to his retrograde motion which begins on March 30 until April 23. Including the shadow period, Mercury's complete retrograde cycle is from March 17 to May 12 which is just a few days before his transit in Taurus begins.

Mercury governs thinking, communication, and writing. In Pisces, he is introspective, understanding and conscientious. In Aries, Mercury is pioneering, independent, ardent, instinctive, rash, brash and impatient.

At best, Mercury in Aries is a leader, accomplished, direct, decisive, and doesn't take 'no' for an answer. At worst, selfish, arrogant, quick-tempered, territorial, aggressive, and super competitive.

While Mercury transits Aries, let our minds be enterprising, our words be impassioned, and our decisions be confident. With Jupiter (expansion/opportunities), Uranus (revolutionary/radical change), Mars (action/assertion), and Venus (relationships/finances) also in Aries for all or part of Mercury's transit in Aries, being level-headed enough to be driven by our true intentions that are, hopefully, rooted in light and love will be challenging but not impossible.

A lot can be accomplished, initiated, created, or conceptualized during Mercury's time in Aries if the higher/positive energy of Aries is what we project/utilize. This is equally true if Arien's lower/negative traits are what we choose to use in our approach. Jupiter expands. Uranus rebels from conformity/tradition. Mars acts, regardless of thought or consequence. Venus desires, regardless of need or situation. What will Jupiter expand upon? What will Uranus break away from? What will Mars' movements be driven by? How will Venus' demands be met? A big part of the answer lies within our intentions, our thought process. Jupiter will blow up a negative thought just as much as a positive one. The same goes for Uranus, Mars and Venus.

During Mercury's retrograde period, it will be most important to keep a check on our own willfulness and thought processes since misunderstandings, miscommunication and delays are common during retrogrades. Our patience may be called more often throughout the day and within many situations we encounter daily.

Mercury enters Aries on March 9 at 9:47 p.m. PST / March 10 at 12:47 a.m. EST and remains until May 15th. While in Aries, Mercury will align with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect North America Pacific time zone; allow +/-2 days for life span of influence):

• March 13 ~ Mercury square Pluto. Penetrating mind. Strong ability to focus. Watch tempers and impatience. With the Moon in Cancer today, sentimentality and emotions vacillate. Careful not to aim anger or harsh words to a bystander. Direct with the intent to listen and work together is a good approach.
• March 15 ~ Mercury conjunct Jupiter. What could possibly go wrong?! THAT could possibly go wrong. Easy to be overly optimistic or over estimate a situation, especially something involving finances. Be hopeful and bold but also keep yourself grounded to what's real. Then, you're sure to succeed! This meeting between Mercury and Jupiter happens a total of three times this year (April 11 & May 11), so there is no reason to rush or give in to the fear of losing out on something.
• March 18 ~ Mercury oppose Saturn-rx. Watch those thoughts. Negative begets negative. "Energy flows where attention goes" -- focus attention on how you want situations to manifest, instead of putting energy on the worries or concerns.
• March 30 ~ Mercury Retrograde until April 23 and remains in Aries the entire retrograde period.
• April 9 ~ Mercury-rx conjunct the Sun. Quick thinking. Fast talking. Flashes of brilliant ideas. Impatience. Irritability. Impulsiveness. Careful not to say anything you'll regret later or might come back to haunt you later. Also today, Pluto Retrograde.
• April 11 ~ Mercury-rx conjunct Jupiter. Happy, happy, joy, joy. Easy to overdo, overthink, overestimate, or be overly optimistic about a situation. The last time Mercury and Jupiter met in this manner was March 15. Events/issues/situations may be linked or reminiscent of the few days prior or after March 15.
• April 19 ~ Mercury-rx conjunct Mars. Look before leaping or you might find yourself taking a fall. Impulsiveness can cause a mistake with long term implications. However, a well-planned action could reap lasting rewards.
• April 23 ~ Mercury Direct.
• May 9 ~ Mercury conjunct Venus. May it be in relationships or finances, this is the time to make your move, let your intentions be known. Find a voice to whatever may be on your mind. Self-expression with confidence. Those who are celebrating a birthday between May 7 and May 11 may benefit from this triple conjunction throughout their Solar Return year.
• May 11 ~ Stellium in Aries as Mercury conjuncts Venus and both conjunct Jupiter. Super energized days between May 9 and May 12. This is the last occurrence of Mercury and Jupiter blending energies in Aries for a long while. The two previous instances were on March 15 and April 11. Venus joining in on the fun gives this day an extra dose of playfulness and pleasure. Those who are celebrating a birthday between May 7 and May 11 may benefit from this triple conjunction throughout their Solar Return year or have natal planets/house angels around 15-19 degrees in cardinal signs may also find this energy boost a nice perk. Also today, Mars enters Taurus.

How might Mercury's extended stay in Aries manifest in your world? Look to the Aries-ruled house/s in your birth chart. Match the sign with the house cusp/s on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac sign below to identify the Aries zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for an explanation of Mercury's transiting those solar and/or natal houses.



Click image to see larger

For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and/or Rising Sign below then click here for an explanation of Mercury's transiting those solar and/or natal houses.

• Aries-Sun or Aries Rising ~ 1st House
• Taurus-Sun or Taurus Rising ~ 12th House
• Gemini-Sun or Gemini-Rising ~ 11th House
• Cancer-Sun or Cancer-Rising ~ 10th House
• Leo-Sun or Leo-Rising ~ 9th House
• Virgo-Sun or Virgo-Rising ~ 8th House
• Libra-Sun or Libra-Rising ~ 7th House
• Scorpio-Sun or Scorpio-Rising ~ 6th House
• Sagittarius-Sun or Sagittarius-Rising ~ 5th House
• Capricorn-Sun or Capricorn-Rising ~ 4th House
• Aquarius-Sun or Aquarius-Rising ~ 3rd House
• Pisces-Sun or Pisces-Rising ~ 2nd House

Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart at alabe.com for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Are you celebrating a birthday? Schedule a session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Package Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months). Or give the gift of insight.

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.

Related articles:

• Transiting Mercury in Natal Houses
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• Jupiter in Aries ~ January 22 to June 5, 2011
• Uranus in Aries ~ March 11, 2011 to 2018/2019
• Sun in Aries ~ March 20 to April 20, 2011
• Mercury Retrograde ~ March 30 to April 23, 2011
• Mercury Direct ~ April 23, 2011
• Mars in Aries ~ April 1/2 to May 11, 2011
• Venus in Aries ~ April 20/21 to May 15, 2011

The King of Zodiac, Aries the All Mighty (2007 - Oil on Canvas - 60 X 80 cm). Credit and copyright to Almaia.