from the Elemental Tarot: ” The classical figure of Mercury dashes across an urban landscape. In the sky the sun is a compass indicating the ultimate in creative possibilities and the multitude of directions in which he can travel. “

Mercury has moved from Pisces into Aries, and issues of communication and mental functioning (Mercury) now take on the fiery energy of the sign of Aries. Having just come through the explosive opposition of Mars to Pluto which forced confrontations and released a sudden aggressive force over the past couple of weeks, we will find some relief in the fresh innocence and simplicity of the Aries Mercury.

Aries is the sign of initiation as we have noted, and Mercury’s travel through Aries brings with it an excitement over new ways of thinking. Ideas that may have previously been kept within us have an opportunity to be expressed as there is now a sense of courage (Aries) in communication (Mercury) that may have been missing before.

Mercury in Aries can bring an environment conducive to argument and disagreements (since Aries is ruled by Mars, the god of war), but over the next few weeks as Mercury travels through Aries it will make several beneficial contacts with other planets that will soften this effect. Today and tomorrow Mercury makes a trine to Saturn in Leo, lending stability to the fire of expression and grounding (Saturn) us, enabling us to build bridges (Saturn) through communication (Mercury). On the 22-24 of April, Mercury will harmonize (sextile aspect) with Chiron, offering a new way to conceptualize (Mercury) the healing of old wounds (Chiron). On April 28-30, Mercury will sextile Neptune, soothing the rough edges and bringing imagination and a sense of divine inspiration (Neptune). And on May 2-4, just before moving into Taurus, Mercury will trine Pluto, offering the ability to see beyond the superficial and effect true transformation.