March 17/18: Mercury ends its retrograde period accompanied by Pallas and star cluster M50, putting an emphasis on practical strategies to materialize excellent ideas. Mars and the Egg Nebula disperse energy, but the Sun and the Cocoon Nebula compensate with high motivation

March 17/18: Mercury resumes its direct motion in parallel to asteroid Pallas and star cluster M50. The station points of the fastest planet in the solar system are usually an indicator of the general trend for a few days. Mercury's apparent change of motion tends to leave a mark on the general environment. And besides changes of opinion, bewilderment and barriers to communication in everyday life, it can also bring some good things, for sure if we are aware of them.

    This is the case in this station, since Mercury changes direction in parallel to star cluster M50, which is characterized by abundance (it has 200 star members) and represents the need to materialize good ideas. This is because, in the midst of a lot of B-type stars, which strongly stimulate intellectual activity, M50 contains an M-type red giant, related to the material plane. Thus, M50 has a specific meaning: the relationship between the ideal and the material world. Actually, the fact that Mercury changes direction in parallel to M50 is an encouragement to launch strategies to give concrete shape to great ideas or  previously designed plans.

     In any case, if you have been waiting for the end of Mercury retrograde to advance in your plans or putting ideas into practice, now is the time to act... The effect will last until next weekend, so we must act quickly and take advantage of this positive stimulus. Of course, the gap between mind and reality may show difficulties to overcome, but we have to start somewhere ... Fortunately, Pallas, the asteroid of strategies, is also parallel to Mercury and M50, and is therefore a good time to design realities, develop ideas, make plans, implement strategies, visualize and realize. Do not let your good ideas waiting for you to decide!

     Pallas is at 30° from Venus and makes an ecliptic conjunction with the Cartwheel Galaxy, representing a strong impact of financial strategies. Venus and the semisextile (30°) put the financial connotation here, while the Cartwheel Galaxy is actually a galaxy collision of... This symbolizes a productive impact, yet disturbing. The investments or businesses undertaken at the start of this week can result in huge productivity later, but we will have to adapt to the changes required by that productivity, too. One thing for another...

     Mars is conjunct the Egg Nebula, a pre-planetary nebula or star reaching the final stage of its existence. This represents a lot of energy concentrated on making changes, or to prepare, initiate or conceive them. The Egg Nebula is a star that has literally begun to deflate, but not yet in all its intensity. Hence, it represents the beginning of a change, yet it can mean scattered energy, lack of motivation and fatigue above normal. On the other hand, it points to the need to relax if you've been having too much stress lately. Then you must take a break!

    The Sun is contra parallel Mars and conjunct the Cocoon Nebula. This is a motivating factor in the case enthusiasm dissipates due to the previous trend. The Cocoon Nebula, in the constellation Cygnus, and its super bright central star of type B indicates a nascent intellectual stimulation... It is about emerging ideas, new options, opening windows, receiving inspiration ... Do not let your Mars energy disperse with the Egg Nebula, this is a good time to compensate for any inactivity and discouragement with a new mental motivation. Set specific objectives in order to have rewards, thus making the effort of making the energy investment worthwhile.

    Have a motivating start to the week!

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer