Mercury retrograde in Aries joins a crowded field this week. Venus is already retrograde in Aries. There has just been a lunar eclipse. There will be a solar eclipse in Aries at the end of this month, and Neptune will ingress into Aries at that time too. March is astrologically hyperactive, so in this post, I’m going to look at what Mercury retrograde in Aries adds to the debate. Before I do, I want to remind you of one of astrology’s golden rules: Stuff tends to happen when there is more than one astrological indicator. The likelihood of a particular outcome goes from a possibility to a probability – and sometimes even to a nailed on certainty.
The reason I mention that, is because Venus retrograde, Mercury retrograde and the solar eclipse will occur in the same corner of the heavens – not just the same sign, but virtually on the same degree, as there is only a 2˚ separation between the solar eclipse degree and Venus retrograde. This astrological anomaly (or celestial message) seems like a good place to start this post, so I’m departing from my usual routine (as you would expect with Mercury retrograde) to look at what is being written across the heavens.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries: The Symbolic Degrees
I have to admit, fatalistic astrology is not a branch of astrology I use. It’s not a discipline that sits easily with me, as it has predestination at its core. I see astrology as a practice that enables us to make informed choices and use our personal agency to further growth and awareness. However, fatalistic astrology ascribes a particular meaning to each degree of the zodiac, and given there is such a focus on one area of the heavens this month, I gave in to curiosity and checked out the numbers. This is what I found:
- Venus retrograde, March 2nd, 10˚50′ Aries: the meaning of 10˚ Aries is a desire to yield, to please other people and an inability to say no. As you can see from the degree, it’s close to 11˚ so I checked that out too. It means an obsession with honour and a desire for respect and esteem.
- Mercury retrograde March 15th, 09˚35′ Aries: the meaning of 9˚ Aries is ‘success is linked to death and destruction’. Okay…
- Solar eclipse, March 29th, 08˚53′ Aries: the meanings of 8˚ Aries include, ‘a victim of pride’ and ‘a formidable foe’, ‘a master strategist’ and ‘a disregard for danger’. As you can see, this eclipse is close to 9˚ Aries, which returns us to ‘success is linked to death and destruction’ territory.
So, unpick the above, and we have a small patch of the heavens telling us to look out for an inability to resist, a demand for respect and regard, pride, formidable foes, and success being linked to death and destruction. Astrologers have long regarded March 2025 as a chaotic and dangerous month. It is written in the stars.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries: The Essentials
I’m returning to my usual territory here to remind you what Mercury retrograde stands for – especially when its in Aries. Mercury direct in Aries is a short tempered placement, famous for blazing arguments that are easily triggered, being verbally and mentally sharp, and direct, assertive and aggressive communications. When Mercury is retrograde in Aries, the mind may revert to old slights and grievances. Old fights are resurrected and demand to be re-fought. This is the return or grudge match. Words (Mercury) may provoke aggression (Aries).
When a verbal fight occurs with Mercury retrograde in Aries, there seems little scope for mediation – yet a review of the argument is exactly what’s required. With Mercury retrograde in Aries, there is often a rapid reversal of an earlier position, idea or opinion. You may be forced to backtrack, and meet challenges with a fierce rebuttal or retaliation. Challenges that result from Mercury retrograde in Aries reverse the direction of thrust; Aries energy fires outwards, but under this influence, it may be fired right back at you. You may direct anger inwards, at yourself, or you may feel that you can’t articulate your anger.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries: The Chart
Mercury Retrograde in Aries: The Aspects
The chart for Mercury retrograde in Aries shows what’s in play as Mercury retrograde takes place. The major aspects influencing this retrograde are:
- Mercury retrograde conjunction Venus retrograde.
- Moon in Libra opposite Mercury (and Venus) retrograde.
- Mercury retrograde sextile Jupiter in Gemini.
It’s worth noting that Venus retrograde ( conjunct Mercury) is also sextile Pluto in Aquarius. Together, Mercury and Venus retrograde are in ‘easy opposition’ to the Moon in Libra, thanks to the sextile aspects from Mercury to Jupiter and Venus to Pluto, though whether a sextile aspect to Pluto can be called easy is debatable! ‘Easy’ is simply astrological shorthand for the way energy is released. Planets in sextile aspect offer an opportunity – but there is nothing urgent or binding, so opportunities may be taken – or wasted.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries Opposite the Moon in Libra
I mentioned earlier that Mercury retrograde in Aries usually offers little scope for mediation, and this time around, that’s certainly true, as the opposition form the Moon in Libra shows a contest between emotion (the Moon) and logic (Mercury). The Aries – Libra polarity shows a need to stand up (Aries) for what is right (Libra) even if you find yourself having to negotiate through a minefield, or feel (the Moon) under attack – in this case, a verbal (Mercury) onslaught (Aries). This retrograde also has the potential to bring sworn enemies together (Moon in Libra), especially when we look at Venus’s involvement in this retrograde party..
Mercury Retrograde Conjunct Venus Retrograde in Aries
Mercury and Venus together indicate communicative relationships. Put those two planets into reverse gear and communications could sour, be revisited to pick over the detail, or they could be delayed – or be seen to be going nowhere. There is something counterproductive about trying to reach agreement when Mercury and Venus are retrograde together, particularly when they are retrograde in Aries which is such a self-interested sign. If messages can be misinterpreted or misunderstood – that will happen now – and those errors of communication (Mercury retrograde) may be expensive (Venus retrograde).
Mercury Retrograde Sextile Jupiter in Gemini
Jupiter expands everything it touches, and there is a chance that will happen during this Mercury retrograde. Jupiter in Mercury-ruled Gemini acts a loudspeaker. It amps up the volume. There may be a lot of big, loud – and angry – words, but Mercury – retrograde or not – is simply a conduit for information. Jupiter suggests information overload and Mercury retrograde makes it difficult to deal with the barrage of sound and fury. However, the connection between Venus and Pluto reminds us that most arguments can be resolved – at a price.
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Mercury retrograde in Aries has the potential to be difficult, especially if you have planets or points around 9˚ Aries or in close aspect to that degree. PS. I have just come from a call with a client who has – today – received notification from the courts of a financial claim against him. He is contesting it – but that symbolism of aggressive and contested communication is plain to see. By the way, the Venus and Mercury retrogrades are exactly trine his natal Sun. I have warned him that the solar eclipse on the same degree is yet to come…
Further Reading
Sara Shipman | Astrology Books
The Astrology of 2025: The Year Ahead (Part One)
Venus Retrograde in Aries 2025: Is All Fair in Love and War?
Lunations 2025 | Lunar Eclipse in Virgo: Crisis? What Crisis?
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© Sara Shipman 2025
Picture Credit: Image by Rafael Juárez from Pixabay
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