The first Mercury retrograde of 2023 has been a real eye opener, that’s for sure!
This month, Mercury, messenger of the Gods has been spending time in the sign of Capricorn, which is ruled by Saturn. Saturn is the Lord of time, patience, discipline, routine and structure. Saturn also represents the law and figures of authority.
We still also have the Sun in Capricorn, which is conjunct Pluto at the same time. Hence, this Mercury retrograde has also been very much a time of delving into the depths of power, whilst simultaneously standing up fearlessly to any abuse of power.
It has also been a highly mercurial time of standing in our own power.
In other words, we have been fully and calmly standing firm and owning our own power like never before.
What are the Mercury retrograde dates for 2023?
Mercury retrograde happens between three and four times a year. In 2023 we will have four Mercury retrogrades.
The next Mercury retrograde will be in April in Taurus, the following one will be in September in the sign of Virgo. And the last mercury retrograde of 2023 will be in December in the sign of Sagittarius.
- December 28, 2022, to January 18, 2023.
- April 21 to May 14.
- August 23 to September 15.
- December 13 to January 1, 2024.
So it is hugely fitting that Mercury retrograde in Capricorn actually precedes the major astrological event of 2023 which is, of course, Pluto moving from Capricorn into Aquarius on 23rd/24th March, depending on where you are in the world.
It really is as if this current Mercury retrograde in Capricorn is the enormous roadsweeper sweeping away any last uncleared debris before human consciousness expands to the next level.
Clear limiting beliefs
I suggest you use this sacred time to clear your mind of limiting thoughts and beliefs. Some of you may also find old fears resurfacing during this time. Deal with them. Face them fearlessly. No you don’t necessarily need therapy to do so!
When you want to tackle your fears, go to a local cafe or a quiet space where you mind feels fresh and clear. Bring your journal and write down your top three fears. Then think and write your way out of handling them.
Most of what we fear never happens anyway. Fear is future driven. We forget that. So try living as much as possible in the present for the next few weeks. See the difference it makes.
Interestingly enough, the only other aspect to Pluto today is that it quintiles Chiron, hence bringing a beautiful and quietly healing aspect to our creativity. A quintile is an external manifestation of our creativity, so we may find ourselves inexplicably drawn more deeply into our creativity than we expected.
Your creativity may manifest in transformative writing, like a memoir or autobiographical writing – a great strategy for putting your deepest secrets onto the page. Though you can use other art forms if they appeal more! A deeply reflective blog, written more regularly, gives you a great way to honour the Plutonian urge.
Deep family secrets may be revealed right now. Neptune and Jupiter are no longer conjunct and Jupiter, planet of expansion and abundance, has recently moved into the cardinal fire sign of Aries. Prince Harry’s new memoir certainly fits into this category!
I have lost count of the number of friends who have booked long haul, long stay holidays since Jupiter moved into Aries some weeks ago! No more waiting around for cheap flight deals, or until holidays have been accrued in work. Nope! Jupiter in Aries simply wants us to make travel and learning decisions now, not in five months’ time!
A time for reflection and renewal
Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will end on a thoughtful, reflective concise note. You might find yourself rechecking how you have things organised. Have the bills been paid? Is your will up to date? Are your bank account details correct?
Mercury retrograde is always a time of re-doing, revisiting, re-wording anyway. But this applies more than ever to this particular Mercury retrograde as Saturn is the ruling planet of this Mercury retrograde. It is time to clear out your thoughts also!
Old outdated belief systems need to go, to make room for the new world that is unfolding before us when Saturn moves into Pisces on 7th-8th March, followed shortly after by Pluto moving into Aquarius on 23rd-24th March.
So now is the ideal time to consider signing up for some structured learning! What better than my upcoming online four-week intensive astrocartography course. It starts Tuesday 28th February and runs for four consecutive Tuesdays (A payment plan is available).
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Image: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington