The retrograde cycle of Mercury in Aries in 2024 is not just another celestial event. It represents a gateway to deep introspection, where Chiron and Eris play pivotal roles in our evolution. This period invites us to question the “official version” of ourselves, providing us with the strength to confront our deepest wounds and rediscover our true essence.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries 2024: A Cycle of Transformations with Chiron and Eris
Starting precisely on March 18, we have witnessed the beginning of the pre-shadow period of Mercury Retrograde, which unfolds a particularly intense cycle as it starts in Aries, coinciding with the Equinox, or the beginning of the astrological year on March 20, when the Sun reaches the zero degree of Aries.
This cycle is distinguished because, until the first half of May, Mercury will be in contact with Chiron and Eris, resonating deeply in our psyche with the influences of these archetypes. It will also interact with the Lunar Node a couple of times, staying within a distance of 1 or 2 degrees of orb.
The series of conjunctions begins with Mercury and Chiron on March 20, 2024, being the first of three.
The subsequent ones will take place on April 15, 2024, at 20° of Aries (with Mercury in retrograde motion) and the last on May 7, 2024, at 21° of Aries.
Regarding Eris, the alignment will be particularly significant during the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse in Libra on March 25, followed by April 8 during the total Solar Eclipse in Aries, and finally between May 9 and 10. Those with planetary positions between the 18º and 25º degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn will face the challenge of becoming aware of the need to heal old wounds, confronting those issues that discomfort us the most.
Personal Evolution through Mercury Retrograde
Facing Our True Self
Mercury, often associated with the “official version”, plays a fundamental role in our childhood, shaping our perception through the stories, expressions, and truths told by parents, family, teachers, and friends.
Over time, this process of questioning and disagreeing with the received narrative leads us down the painful path of individuation, where the way we communicate these discoveries depends on the position of Mercury in our birth chart.
During this retrograde period, Mercury, accompanied by Chiron and the North Node, invites us to deep reflection in the sign of Aries, known for its tendency to speak and act impulsively.
This aspect reactivates the Chiron-North Node conjunction, emphasizing that, while Aries tends to act first and think later, we are presented with the opportunity to give voice to our deepest wounds and the evolutionary path that, though painful, we must undertake.
As Gabor Maté aptly points out:
” Pain is inevitable: you can suffer the pain of suppressing your true self to be accepted or the pain of being true to yourself and facing rejection. Which do you prefer? What pain are you willing to tolerate? ”
Confrontation and Healing
Influence of Eclipses and Mercury Retrograde
It’s common to face the need to confront someone, especially under the current astrological context where Aries, the sign of our most authentic and primal identity, opposes Libra, the stage of the first eclipse.
This period invites us to clarify uncomfortable situations, allowing us to openly express our feelings and crucially, discover the nature of our pain, in resonance with Chiron.
The essence of this cycle lies in affirming our true identity, beyond the masks forged by our environment and upbringing, and reconnecting with that original impulse to be, characteristic of Aries.
The eclipses, for their part, reveal areas of our psyche that usually remain hidden, triggering unexpected events that push us towards the unknown, generating anxiety and fear.
This process, similar to the lessons of Saturn, confronts us with unavoidable situations that demand resolution and clarity.
In the cultural realm, films like “Problemista” by Julio Torres, which addresses the reality of an immigrant in the United States, and “Poor Things” by Yorgos Lanthimos, reflect the complexities of these astrological themes, emphasizing the dilemma of exclusion and identity.
The Mercury retrograde period begins on April 1 at 27º Aries 12′ and ends on April 24/25 at 15º Aries 59′, with its post-shadow phase extending until May 13. During this time, it is wise to be cautious with electronic devices and communications, given that Aries incites impulsive speech.
As we close this Mercury Retrograde cycle, we find ourselves at a crucial turning point in our path of self-discovery.
The influence of Chiron and Eris has been a compass that has directed us towards deep introspection, challenging us to confront our wounds and rediscover our most authentic identity.
This journey does not end here; rather, it marks the beginning of a new phase of personal and spiritual growth, in which we are more aligned with our true selves.
With information from Archetypal Astrology – Cristina Laird
The cover image has been provided courtesy of Depositphotos.com
