Tomorrow morning, in the east before sunrise, the slim crescent Moon will be close by Mercury in a conjunction that kicks off a
whole new Mercury cycle. When Mercury “stations” direct (about 6am, Pacific time), that is the moment with a new 120-day (on average) synodic cycle begins. This cycle begins in Aquarius and will end in the sign of Gemini on June 30th. The astrological air signs are the primarily theme for Mercury this year and going into 2015.
Many of us wait for Mercury to station direct before making major plans or commitments. This is due to the right-brain/left-brain “switch” that happens, energetically with this swift planet. The air signs are a natural home for Mercury so a Mercury Retrograde cycle in these “thinking-function” signs can considered more meddlesome with our ability to communicate and coordinate clearly with others through various modern-day mediums, such as e-mail, social networking and smart phones. But as the planet known named after the Roman Messenger God goes direct, we can find ourselves more easily able to operate on routine matters.
In Shamanic Astrology, a Mercury cycle is broken down into four distinct phases and this first phase is known as the “Apollo” phase ad lasts until April 16th, before disappearing behind the Sun for a few weeks in what is known as the “Psychopomp” phase (April 16 to May 4 – guide for souls into the underworld). This coming phase tomorrow is Apollo due to Mercury’s brightness in the early morning sky. This time around it will be visible for a long time in the early morning sky, steadily becoming easier to see and a little higher in the sky.
Tune in to witness the Moon-Mercury conjunction tomorrow morning in the constellation of the Goat-Fish while Venus, the brightest and most visible planet will be higher in the sky and a little more in the southerly direction. Set your intention and direction forward, but with creative and novel ways to accomplish your goals.
For those who turning 7, 13, 26, 33, 39, 46, 52, 60, 65, 78 and 80 between tomorrow and June 30th (when this Mercury synodic cycle ends), you are in a Mercury Return cycle and it is a time when that planet comes very close to the same place where it was when you were born. So this cycle can be especially important in gaining insight into the emerging archetype of the mind, so it is a good idea to check which sign your Mercury is located.
– Erik Roth, Shamanic Astrologer