A Retrograde Reset with Mercury and Venus
Mercury Retrograde Overview
Mercury retrograde begins on March 15 and lasts until April 7, 2025, moving through Aries and Pisces. The shadow period stretches from March 1 to April 26, covering the full Mercury Retrograde cycle.
What makes this retrograde particularly rare is that both Mercury and Venus will be retrograde at the same time, in the same signs, and at similar degrees. This creates a unique overlap where themes of communication, values, business strategy, and relationships are all undergoing revision at once, making this a significant period for review, reflection, and realignment.
Mercury retrograde alone is a time to review, revise, and realign plans, especially in decision-making, communication, and business strategy. Instead of rushing forward like Mercury in Aries tends to do, this retrograde encourages strategic reassessment, identifying what is working, what needs adjustment, and what should be left behind.
When Venus joins the mix, the focus extends beyond communication into personal and brand values and social, personal, and client relationships, making this an ideal time to rethink branding, collaborations, and the way we connect with others.
Adding to the intensity of this period is the activation of 9° and 10° Aries, where Mercury and Venus will retrograde alongside a powerful solar eclipse and new moon at 9° Aries on March 29.
These degrees also hold historical significance, as Eris, the dwarf planet of discord and disruption, traveled through these same degrees between 1955 and 1964, a time of profound social change. With so many activations in the same part of the zodiac, this retrograde is not just about personal reflection. It is tied to larger shifts in leadership, autonomy, and transformation.
To navigate this Mercury retrograde with clarity and strategy, I have created a Mercury Retrograde Guide & Workbook, which includes a planner for all phases of Mercury retrograde and practical exercises to help you align with the cycle. This is more than just a period of delays. It is an opportunity to implement a Mercury retrograde plan and use this time to your advantage.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries and Pisces: What It Means for Career & Business
Mercury retrograde moves through two very different signs during this cycle, shifting the focus from assertive action in Aries to intuitive reflection in Pisces. This is not just a typical transition between signs. It's the shift between the annual zodiac cycle.
Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, representing closure, dissolution, and the completion of a cycle. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, symbolizing new beginnings, independence, and bold initiation. The retrogrades of Mercury and Venus cross over the beginning of the zodiac three times, emphasizing the need to revisit, refine, and reset before moving forward.
This back-and-forth motion over the zodiac’s entry point underscores the idea that the new astrological year does not begin with immediate clarity. It requires sorting through the past, adjusting expectations, and refining direction before moving forward. Mid to late April brings the momentum to move forward, making it the time to apply what was reassessed during the retrogrades.
This Mercury retrograde is already underway when the Sun moves into Aries for the equinox on March 20, marking the beginning of the astrological new year. The retrograde is a period of reflection and revision, reinforcing the need to pause, recalibrate, and clear the past before stepping fully into the next cycle.
Adding to the mix is Neptune’s upcoming move into Aries, one of the most significant planetary shifts of the year. Neptune has been in Pisces since 2011, deeply influencing collective ideals, spiritual perspectives, and creative movements.
Neptune's transition into Aries on March 30, 2025, signifies a shift from introspective spirituality to pioneering ideals. This long-term transit encourages a reimagining of collective aspirations, blending visionary perspectives with assertive energy. Before this transition, Mercury retrograde invites us to reflect on unfinished matters, preparing for the significant astrological events happening in March.
Mercury Retrograde in Aries (March 15 - March 24)
Aries is bold, fast-moving, and driven by instinct. Mercury retrograde in Aries can bring delays in decision-making, miscommunication in high-energy discussions, and the need to rethink personal or business strategies.
During this phase:
Impulsivity may backfire. Be mindful of quick decisions that could create unnecessary complications.
Tech issues may arise in branding, marketing, and public outreach. Double-check automated messages, advertising campaigns, and external communications.
Confidence is being recalibrated. If frustration builds around stalled progress, focus on refining long-term strategies rather than forcing immediate results.
Best way to use this time: Revisit old projects, refine strategies, and focus on strategic planning rather than immediate execution.
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces (March 24 - April 7)
Pisces is intuitive, imaginative, and deeply connected to the unseen. Mercury retrograde in Pisces brings foggy communication, misinterpretation, and the need for extra clarity in business and personal relationships.
During this phase:
Creative projects may need revisions. If inspiration feels scattered, revisit past ideas and refine them.
Contracts and agreements require extra attention. Ambiguities could lead to confusion later.
Messages may be misunderstood. Expressing thoughts clearly may take extra effort, so slow down and ensure your intentions are understood.
Best way to use this time: Focus on creative refinement, intuitive insights, and reconnecting with past clients or opportunities rather than launching something brand new.
With both Aries and Pisces involved, this Mercury retrograde teaches the balance between taking initiative and trusting the process. While Aries wants to push forward, Pisces reminds us that sometimes, the most productive action is reflection and adjustment.
This retrograde coincides with a significant Neptune sign change and eclipse season, making it a crucial time to clear outdated beliefs, refine long-term goals, and prepare for the energy that is about to emerge.
9° and 10° Aries: A Hotspot of Activation
This Mercury retrograde is not happening in isolation. It is part of a much bigger astrological picture. Several planetary influences happen at 9° and 10° Aries, creating a powerful activation point that amplifies the impact of this retrograde cycle.
At 9° and 10° Aries, we have:
Mercury Retrograde starts at 9° Aries: Reviewing how we assert our ideas, communicate, and lead.
Venus Retrograde starts at 10° Aries: Reassessing values, relationships, and financial priorities.
Solar Eclipse and New Moon at 9° Aries on March 29, 2025: A powerful cosmic reset amplifying the need for new beginnings.
Eris in Aries, previously at 9° and 10° Aries in the 1950s and 1960s: A connection to historical social revolutions and personal empowerment themes. Echos from the past are likely to arise with a modern twist.
Fixed Star Algenib at 9° Aries: Bringing themes of ambition, initiative, and bold communication, but also volatility.
Sabian Symbol for 9° Aries: A crystal gazer. Representing introspection, foresight, and the ability to envision future possibilities. (Marc Edmond Jones)
Sabian Symbol for 10° Aries: A man teaching new forms for old symbols. Signifying the reinterpretation of traditions and the evolution of established ideas. (Marc Edmond Jones)
If you have planets or points at 9° of any cardinal sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn), your chart will be highly activated during this retrograde cycle. Pay attention to the topics, themes, and people associated with the house where Aries falls in your chart. This area is where you may experience significant shifts and opportunities for realignment.
With so much concentrated energy at this degree, this retrograde period is not just about reviewing past decisions. It is a moment of recalibration that influences personal choices, changes in direction, and how the broader social landscape impacts each of us personally and professionally.
Eris: The Archetype of Disruption and Autonomy
Eris, a dwarf planet with a 557-year cycle, is known for its influence on disruption, autonomy, and challenging established power structures. While often associated with discord, Eris also brings necessary change by exposing hidden truths and pushing individuals and societies toward transformation.
Between 1955 and 1964, Eris traveled through 9° and 10° Aries, the same degrees now being reactivated by Mercury, Venus, and the solar eclipse. During this time, major social revolutions took place, including the civil rights movement, second-wave feminism, and widespread challenges to authority. These shifts redefined personal and collective power, changing societal structures.
The reactivation of these degrees suggests that themes of autonomy, leadership, and reinvention are returning to the forefront. On a personal level, this is a time to ask:
Where am I being called to step into my power?
What outdated narratives or limitations am I ready to release?
How can I use past experiences as fuel for future innovation?
Eris is not just about breaking things apart. It is about reshaping what no longer serves a purpose and building something more authentic and aligned. With Mercury and Venus both retrograde, this is a moment to rethink your path, reassess your values, and take ownership of your next steps before making bold moves.
Solar Eclipse and New Moon at 9° Aries: A Cosmic Reset
The solar eclipse and New Moon on March 29, 2025, at 9° Aries lands in the middle of this Mercury and Venus retrograde cycle, making it a powerful turning point. Eclipses bring fated events, revelations, and new beginnings, and in Aries, the focus is on personal agency, leadership, and bold action.
However, this is not the time for impulsive decisions with Mercury and Venus retrograde. The energy of Aries wants to move fast and initiate change, but this eclipse is asking for deep reflection before taking action.
This New Moon and Eclipse are likely to bring:
Sudden clarity about a new direction you may not have considered before.
Reevaluation of leadership and independence, whether in business or personal life.
Shifts in relationships and financial priorities that require reassessment.
A sense of urgency to start something new, though patience will be needed before moving forward.
Because Aries represents courage, self-discovery, and forging new paths, this eclipse invites you to plant the seeds for future growth. But with Mercury and Venus retrograde, those seeds need time to take root before real movement can happen. What begins now will evolve over the coming months, especially as these planets go direct.
Pay attention to unexpected insights and external events that emerge around this time. Eclipses often bring course corrections and realignments that may feel sudden but ultimately lead you toward greater alignment with your true path.
Fixed Star Algenib at 9° Aries: The Edge of Ambition
The fixed star Algenib (Bernadette Brady, Mirfak) sits at 9° Aries, activated by the solar eclipse and Mercury retrograde at this degree. Algenib carries the combined influence of Mars and Mercury (Ptolemy, Claudius. Almagest), amplifying themes of bold action, sharp intellect, and fearless communication. It strengthens initiative, confidence, and the drive to lead but also brings volatility, impatience, and a tendency to push too hard too fast.
This degree is not only activated by Venus and Mercury retrograde and the eclipse but holds historical resonance through Eris. Eris and Algenib create a powerful combination of ambition, disruption, and transformation.
Algenib’s influence is about pioneering energy, cutting through obstacles, and using intellect and strategy to create change. Eris challenges the status quo, revealing hidden truths and pushing for autonomy. Together, they set the stage for bold personal and collective leadership realignment.
With Mercury retrograde stationed at this degree, this activation is about:
Refining communication and messaging. Words carry extra weight now. Use them wisely.
Reassessing ambition. Are you pushing forward in a way that aligns with your deeper values, or are you reacting impulsively?
Recognizing cycles of change. What personal or collective themes feel like they are resurfacing? This moment may be a chance to respond differently than before.
Algenib strengthens initiative and confidence, while Eris forces confrontation with what has been suppressed or ignored. The solar eclipse, Mercury and Venus retrograde, and Eris' past presence at this degree all merge into one potent activation that is both a disruptor and a catalyst for something greater.
This is a moment of bold potential and historic resonance. What emerges now carries deep significance not just for the present but as part of an ongoing transformation cycle.
How to Work with This Energy
With so many planetary activations at 9° and 10° Aries, this is not a time for passive observation. It is a period of deep reflection, realignment, and preparation before taking decisive action.
To navigate this time effectively:
Balance Aries and Pisces energy. Aries pushes for action, while Pisces reminds us to trust unseen forces. Recognizing when to assert yourself and when to step back is key.
Reassess leadership and independence. Where are you being called to take charge, and where do you need to release outdated approaches?
Refine communication and messaging. Mercury retrograde in Aries requires careful wording, particularly in strategy, branding, and personal expression.
Be mindful of ambition. With Algenib activated, drive and determination are heightened, but so is impulsiveness. Taking action for the sake of momentum may lead to missteps.
Watch for repeating themes. Looking at what happened in the past when Eris was transited this degree, we see historical shifts in autonomy and power. What echoes from the past are resurfacing in your personal or professional life?
Rather than fearing setbacks, recognize that this retrograde is a reset. What emerges now may require adjustment and revision, but it prepares you for something more substantial and sustainable.
The presence of Eris and Algenib reminds us that discomfort often precedes necessary change, while the solar eclipse marks a fresh start that will unfold in stages.
This is an opportunity to slow down, assess, and realign before moving forward with confidence. The most important thing you can do during this time is to stay open to insights, trust the process, and be willing to adapt where needed.
Mercury Retrograde by House: Business and Career Focus
Mercury retrograde influences different areas of life depending on where it falls in your chart. In your career, understanding which house Mercury is retrograding through can provide valuable insights into what areas of your brand, business, and strategy need refinement.
If Mercury retrograde is moving through your first house, this is a time to revise personal branding, leadership style, and visibility. Reassess how you present yourself to your audience and adjust your messaging.
If Mercury retrograde is in your second house, focus on money, brand values, and pricing strategies. Review income sources, payment structures, and agreements with clients. Develop or reassess your personal and business values.
If Mercury retrograde is in your third house, it is time to refine communication, networking, and marketing. Edit website content, review contracts, and ensure clarity in all messaging.
If Mercury retrograde is in your fourth house, it can affect your business foundation, workspace, or home-based business. Restructure your work environment and revisit foundational business strategies.
If Mercury retrograde is in your fifth house, it highlights creative work and self-expression. Old branding, content, or promotional strategies may need updates or refinement.
If Mercury retrograde is in your sixth house, your workflow, productivity, and team structure may need adjustments. Focus on fixing inefficiencies in daily operations and reviewing work habits.
If Mercury retrograde is in your seventh house, client relationships and partnerships come under review. This is a time to reconnect with past clients, refine contracts, and re-evaluate business collaborations.
If Mercury retrograde is in your eighth house, reassess investments, shared finances, and financial partnerships. Rethink financial collaborations and revisit any financial agreements that need adjustments.
If Mercury retrograde is in your ninth house, focus on expansion, online courses, and publishing projects. Review content, repurpose ideas, and refine educational or global business strategies.
If Mercury retrograde is in your tenth house, it impacts your public image and visibility. Reassess your long-term business strategy, update professional branding, and refine public relations efforts.
If Mercury retrograde is in your eleventh house, evaluate your social media presence and online community engagement. Re-engage your audience, clean up your digital branding, and revisit group collaborations. Look at your analytics and plan for needed changes based on what's working and what isn't.
If Mercury retrograde is in your twelfth house, this is a period of reflection, strategy, and subconscious insights. Step back, refine your business direction, and prepare for a fresh start once the retrograde ends.
Mercury retrograde is a time to reflect, not rush. If you experience delays, miscommunications, or unexpected shifts in the area ruled by these houses, consider it a signal to slow down, revisit old ideas, and fine-tune your approach.
Wrap-Up: The Power of Reflection Before Action
Mercury retrograde is often seen as a time of delays, disruptions, and confusion, but this cycle is about much more than that. With Venus retrograde, a solar eclipse, and the activation of 9° and 10° Aries, this period carries deep significance for realignment, overhaul, and strategic transformation.
This retrograde is not just about revising communication or double-checking contracts. It's a reset point best used by reflecting on values, ambition, and direction. Mercury and Venus retrograde together create a powerful opportunity to recalibrate your strategy, reconnect with your purpose, and refine the direction you are taking in your career and business.
Cycles are closing, new ones are beginning, and this retrograde is a bridge between the two. Instead of resisting the slowdowns or frustrations that may arise, use this time to:
Revisit past ideas and opportunities that may hold new potential.
Fine-tune your messaging, branding, and business direction.
Recognize patterns that are resurfacing and decide how to move forward differently.
Trust that setbacks are often realignments, guiding you toward greater clarity and purpose.
The best way to navigate Mercury retrograde is to not fear but work with it. This is not a time to force movement but to prepare for the next chapter with strategy and intention.
Download Your Mercury Retrograde Guide & Workbook
Mercury retrograde is not just about delays. It’s an opportunity for reflection, refinement, and realignment. Understanding how this cycle impacts you can help you make the most of it rather than feeling stuck in uncertainty.
📥 Download the Free Mercury Retrograde Guide & Workbook to help you:
✔️ Navigate all four phases of Mercury retrograde with a step-by-step planner.
✔️ Identify the key areas of your business, brand, and personal life that need review.
✔️ Work with this energy intentionally instead of reacting to setbacks.
