The first Mercury retrograde of 2024 lasts from April 1 to 25, moving from 27° to 15° Aries.
Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap in astrology, but this retrograde phase is not to be feared. A positive link to the conjunction of Venus and Neptune brings compassion, empathy, romance and the potential for successful negotiations, conflict resolution, and unconditional love.
Mercury Retrograde Meaning
From Earth, Mercury appears to move backward in the sky (retrograde motion) three or four times a year for about 24 days. Mercury in retrograde is generally problematic, affecting your thinking and communication. However, there are also positives, such as recalling fond memories or unexpectedly meeting up with people from your past.
However, the most common effects include confusion, anxiety, disagreement, technology breakdowns, lousy news, travel delays and lost items. Business negotiations may be in a state of flux. Some crucial details may not yet be available, and others may be unreliable or dishonest. For more information, see Mercury Retrograde Natal and Transit.
The retrograde phase is just one part of the retrograde cycle. Mercury travels direct, retrograde, and direct again over the same degrees, or “the retrograde zone.” The riskiest times for decision-making, negotiations, communication, and transport are the few days on either side of the exact retrograde and direct stations.
| 1st shadow phase | March 18 to April 1 | 15° to 27° Aries |
| Retrograde phase | April 1 to 25 | 27° to 15° Aries |
| 2nd shadow phase | April 25 to May 13 | 15° to 27° Aries |
Mercury Retrograde April 2024
Mercury stations retrograde on April 1, at 27°13′ Aries. As highlighted in the chart below, Mercury is semisextile Venus and Neptune.
The semisextile aspect (30°) indicates a need to experience, learn, discuss, read, and be informed about new things. It brings the information necessary to think objectively and neutrally. It helps you think in small steps, adding one piece of information to another until the collected perceptions make sense.
Mercury Retrograde April 2024 Aspects
Mercury semisextile Venus is a relaxing and friendly influence. It helps you share love and affection and makes relationships more harmonious. It encourages socializing, cooperation, and negotiation, so it is good for business deals, breaking down barriers to progress, and resolving disagreements and conflicts.
Mercury semisextile Neptune enhances your imagination and creativity. Increased sensitivity and empathy make your words compassionate and healing and make intimate relationships more romantic. Although subtle, this aspect fine-tunes your intuition. Spiritual insights may come through dreams, meditation, spirit guides, or chance encounters.
Venus conjunct Neptune makes you more romantic, sensitive, and perceptive. It enhances your appreciation of beauty and is ideal for relaxing with music, the theatre, or movies. Sometimes, this aspect can indicate over-idealization and disappointment or deception in love. However, the positive semisextile aspect to Mercury gives more reliable intuition and compassionate communication and encourages unconditional love.
The Stars
Mercury stations retrograde is in the Sign of Aries, but as the star map below shows, it is located in Constellation Pisces. The Signs and the Constellations do not match up. Over the last 2000 years, the Constellations have moved nearly 30° out of alignment with the Signs because of the precession of the equinoxes.
The Zodiac was invented only as a measuring device. The degrees on the ecliptic line in the image below equate to those in the Mercury retrograde horoscope. I use the Fixed Star and Constellation like the ancient astrologers, not the Signs and Houses of modern astrology.
Mercury Retrograde April 2024
The fixed star Al Pherg at 27°08′ Aries gives preparedness, steadiness, determination, and final success. [1] It also brings piety, honors, and preferment but obstinacy, a constant struggle, and many difficulties. [2]
With Mercury: Determination, high preferment and success in religious matters, sports activities and all matters connected with public affairs. [2]
Summary
- Mercury entered the retrograde zone on March 18, 2024, at 15°58′ Aries.
- Mercury stations retrograde on April 1, at 27°13′ Aries.
- Mercury stations direct on April 25, 2024, at 15°58′ Aries.
- Mercury leaves the retrograde zone on May 13, 2024, at 27°13′ Aries.
- See Mercury Transits for more detail on how Mercury retrograde April 2024 affects your birth chart.
Mercury Retrograde April 2024 Times
- Los Angeles – April 1, 3:14 pm
- New York – April 1, 6:14 pm
- London – April 1, 11:14 pm
- Delhi – April 2, 3:44 am
- Sydney – April 2, 9:14 am
Mercury Retrograde 2024 Dates
- December 13, 2023, to January 1, 2024 – 8° Cap to 22° Sag
- April 1 to 25 – 27° to 15° Aries
- August 5 to 28 – 4° Virgo to 21°
References
- Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.134.
- The Power of the Fixed Stars, Joseph E. Rigor, 1979, p.55-56.
Nice to hear something good about the retrograde Mercury for a change! Thank you Jamie!
When your natal chart signature is Mercury, it tends to affect you more in the modern Placidus system. How do you foresee the solar eclipse of April 8?
what a relief that this retrograde will come with lighter and more harmonious touch!
thank you so much for the effort!
Thank you for what your time and dedication to this site. If the planets are 30 degrees off then should I read Gemini instead of Cancer for my monthly readings? Thank you.
Hi Kym. No, all my horoscopes are written for the Sun Signs.
Opposes natal Neptune, trines Pluto, and quincunxes Saturn. Already feelin the swirly whirlies of Neptune. Glad I got an attorney. Feel like I am caught up in the collective of schiesters. It is not a world I choose to be caught up in. Hoping for an exit soon. I thought they were something that only existed in the news world.
I’m lucky that Mercury retrograde never affects me.
Thank you Jamie, I love how just the title of your articles and your articles photo help me find the right tone/mood for selected transits. I need to find time to read it fully. I appreciate your work. Best of luck in Australia