Solar Eclipse in Aries x Mercury Retrograde. 4.20.23.
Happy eclipse season, beautiful souls!
And happy Mercury retrograde, too. <3
I hope you’re all taking care good care of yourselves and getting lots of rest as we move through the first set of eclipses of 2023 (yawn, cat stretch).
Eclipses come in pairs. The first eclipse of 2023 took place late last night/early this morning at 12:12AM ET on April 20th, at 29 degrees of Aries. It will be followed by a lunar eclipse in Scorpio on May 5th (more on that one in the next installment of Practical Woo).
But first: a little bit about eclipse energy.
While eclipse energy isn’t the kind of energy one traditionally works with for manifestation, as with “ordinary” New or Full Moons—tl;dr: it’s unstable, power-surge energy, making grounding a must during this roughly two-week period—eclipse pairs open powerful portals that we are all likely to feel and remember in retrospect. The best way to work with the energy is to let it move through you—and to witness what comes up in your life with curiosity and an extra dose of self-care.
Eclipses often mark beginnings and endings; the closing of one chapter and the opening of another. Sudden opportunities often arise. Events that feel fated may take place. No matter what, it’s worth building in some extra buffer time for rest and reflection—and to prepare to whatever extent you can to expect the unexpected. Because that’s what eclipses tend to bring.
And with the first of this year’s eclipses taking place at the final degree of Aries—adding an extra dose of powerful initiatory energy, following the New Moon in Aries that took place on March 21st—the first of 2023’s eclipses shines a spotlight on the new chapters beginning in our lives.
Meanwhile, Pluto isn’t just squaring today’s eclipse; Pluto will also station retrograde at zero degrees of Aquarius on May 1st, right smack dab in between the 4/20 and 5/5 eclipses, adding its alchemical cauldron into the mix. When planets station retrograde, their energy turns inward, and Pluto is no exception. So as Pluto’s underworld energy invites us to look within, this eclipse season may also dial up the spotlight on our individual and collective shadow sides, the ways in which we are transforming, and the fears/limiting beliefs/and anything else holding us back from re/claiming our personal power that we’re ready to purge at the Scorpio eclipse on May 5th. (Timing note: Pluto will be retrograde for the next 6 months).
Putting it all together. . . because new beginnings require endings to clear out the old so that the new can be born—and with Aries closely associated with the self, as well as courage and leadership—I’m working with this eclipse energy as an invitation to witness how we are allowing old, limiting self-concepts to die so that we can get another step closer to being our authentic selves and living who we are to the max without apology. It also feels like an invitation to witness where we are embracing Arian courage and leadership to blaze new trails in our individual lives, and for the betterment of the collective.
To that end. . . here, with love (and all the healing vibes), I’m sharing the prompts for the 6-card tarot spread I crafted to reflect on whatever this week’s Solar Eclipse in Aries energy brings in case you feel called to see where they take you as well.
I’ve also included some bonus journaling fodder for reflecting on how what’s coming up now connects to 2022’s and 2021’s eclipses (one of my favorite things to do during eclipse season)—as well as some tips for not just surviving but learning to love Mercury retrograde, which starts tomorrow, April 21. <3
As with all horoscopes, take what resonates and leave the rest!
XOXO,
Rebecca
Solar eclipse in Aries tarot spread.
Here are the prompts for the 6-card tarot spread I crafted to reflect on whatever the solar eclipse in Aries brings. As always, feel free to use any/all of these as journal prompts and to skip the cards. <3
What new chapters in my life are beginning now that I’m excited to embrace and pursue? What new opportunities or callings are arising now that I’m ready to explore?
How is my courage and leadership on display now?
What am I learning about my capacity to blaze new trails in my individual life and/or for the betterment of the collective?
What old self-concepts, limiting beliefs, and/or fears am I ready to let go of so that I can get another step closer to being my authentic self without apology?
What shadow material is coming to the surface now that I’m ready to purge so that I may boldly embrace a new chapter of growth?
What is coming to light now about my own personal transformation? What is coming to light now about my own capacity to transform the world around me for the better?
******
BONUS: For folks looking to do some extra journaling during this eclipse season. . . One of my favorite things to do during each eclipse season is to think back to what was happening around these dates last year/the year before in my own life, and how they connect to the themes showing up in my life during the ongoing eclipse pair. If this resonates as something you feel called to explore: here are the dates of the 2021 and 2022 eclipses:
May 26, 2021 + June 10, 2021
November 19, 2021 + December 4, 2021
April 30, 2022 + May 16, 2022
October 25, 2022 + November 8, 2022
Love letter to Mercury retrograde.
On top of the eclipse energy we’re all feeling, Mercury stations retrograde tomorrow, April 21st, at 4:34AM ET, and will remain retrograde until May 14th.
Mercury governs communications, as well as travel, and the technology we use for communicating, like phones, computers, email, etc.—among other things. So during the 3 to 4 times per year when Mercury slows down and appears to move backwards in the sky (aka: goes retrograde) for about 2 to 3 weeks at a time, we can expect those types of things to go a little screwy—and it can be helpful to build in the expectation that a lot of them will.
So why in goddess’s name would I wish you a happy Mercury retrograde? Because I happen to love Mercury retrograde. (It’s true!)
Friends often ask how I work with Mercury retrograde energy (and why I love it), so to further bolster your eclipse survival kit, here are some tips on moving from fearing to working with Mercury retrograde energy to expand your consciousness and catalyze growth.
Shot: Survival tips!
Being prepared for things not to go as they usually do is the best place to start. Interpersonally, Mercury retrograde is fertile terrain for communication breakdowns and misunderstandings—so it's a good time to ask questions and NOT to make assumptions. Aside from that, it's a good time to update and back up your technology, build in extra time to troubleshoot if tech goes down or calendars get screwy, double and triple check your data and facts and dates and times, and to leave extra buffer on your schedule for things, including travel, to go sideways. It's also a good window NOT to sign contracts unless you really have to (and if you do, give 'em an extra extra thorough review).
Chaser: Work with the energy!
Pain in the a** though they can be on the tech front—-Mercury retrograde periods are actually a feature, not a bug, of how Mercury works; and it’s not an accident that they happen 3 to 4 times a year. When we embrace what they offer, Mercury retrogrades can become powerful invitations to turn within. It’s in that spirit that I love to work with the periodic Mercury retrograde stretches we get each year as opportunities for getting deeeeeep into “observer” mode, with the winged messenger’s energy turned inward, dialing up our capacity to observe ourselves, how we think and communicate, and to witness our minds at work. It can be a powerful time for meditation and for journaling, whether or not these are already regular practices.
Working with Mercury retrogrades in this way can make them powerful windows for expanding your awareness of how your mind works; mental patterns you’re stuck in; your inner critic and how s/he talks to you—as well as how you and others communicate; how your communications systems (and tech!) are or aren't working; and what within this realm is ripe for change. . . IF you take the cues from the universe as teachings, instead of melting down with frustration or taking it personally when a conversation doesn't go as planned or miscommunications happen.
<3
Much love to you all as eclipse/Mercury retrograde season gets underway, and feel free to holler with any questions this sparks for you!
