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

April 12th: Mercury, Pallas and the Cocoon Nebula stimulate creative imagination; Venus, Chiron and the Hyades cluster emphasize expression for finding solutions

April 12th: Mercury in ecliptic conjunction to the Cocoon Nebula, in contra parallel to Pallas and at 150° from Saturn. This mix of planets, nebula and asteroid brings to the surface really great ideas that will be of help to design and develop important strategies. The Cocoon Nebula is like an incubator, so we should take advantage of this brief transit to plant seeds and launch major projects. Mental creativity will prevail during most of the day, but with an objective, realistic approach, which can help to materialize abstract thinking. But if there are no particular goals to achieve, this trend may be wasted in daydreaming, wandering in a futile evasion of reality. On the other hand, it also stimulates entertainment, making it a good day for artistic work, watching a good movie, listening to music or reading a book that will inspire us to bring some color and encouragement to our daily lives and projects. Chiron is square to Venus and at 45° from the Sun, which represents an opportunity for integration and communication, in order to avoid isolation. Social contact in general or with the people we love or need can be very useful to find practical solutions. If problems are not expressed, it is not likely that we will find answers, and that can deepen situations isolation depression or rejection. But this is an effort of openness, which will undoubtedly contribute to heal, repair, compensate, integrate. Venus is conjunct the Hyades star cluster, symbolizing an enormous need for expression, which, with the transit of Venus, will definitely benefit the arts, communication and education.

March 26th: Mercury, Uranus, Vesta and the Cocoon Nebula bring renewal and generate new ideas; Venus in contra parallel to the North Lunar Node balances individual interests with collective ones

March 26th: Mercury in parallel to Uranus and Vesta, conjunct the Cocoon Nebula. Mercury is also at 150° from Saturn, at 45° from Jupiter ... This represents the emergence of new ideas, and the ability to make changes to conventional strategies, that probablydo  not work well anymore. This is good for stimulating mental creativity, inventiveness, and seek new solutions, renovations, to experiment with the new. This may require a special effort of mental concentration, to avoid interruptions. The Cocoon Nebula is a cosmic matrix where new stars are born, so it represents fertility, in this case mental, since Mercury is the planet associated with communication. Hence, along with Uranus, this mix represents new ideas in the brewing phase. Now is the time to change our course and start preparing for the future ... An open mind will let circumstances flow, to resist change or to continue with the same attitudes wil only bring problems. Choose! The other dominant trend today concerns the Lunar North Node, which is in contra parallel to Venus and trine the Sun. This implies the need to reaffirm the bonds with people we care about, while we keep our own interests running smoothly. This trend is particularly beneficial to take care of commitments, but we must not do so under much pressure. Equally important is to provide our confidence in a relaxed way, without manipulation or secondary interests. We must be satisfied if support from or to people we care most gets manifested, specially if at the same time we respect our own ideas and individual space. Balance is the solution today!