Earth School Chronicles: Professor Mercury’s Cosmic Review Session

The lunar eclipse may be over, but class is still in session in Earth School. Professor Mercury has just begun his cosmic review session, and this one is not about memorizing facts. If the eclipse was a wake-up call, Mercury retrograde is when we slow down, revisit, and refine. Instead of rushing ahead, this is a time to pause, reflect, and rethink how we communicate and process what we have learned. 

So, what has Professor Mercury planned for this review?

“Blame it on Mercury retrograde!”

We have all heard this phrase when things go wrong, when plans fall apart, messages turn into gibberish, or you accidentally send an email to the wrong person and immediately regret your life choices. Classic Mercury retrograde.

While writing this blog, I almost lost my work because I forgot to save it. That got real very fast!! Would blaming Mercury have helped? Nope. But maybe double-checking my work next time would.

Blame will not change anything. Awareness will. Mercury retrograde is not here to cause chaos. It is a review session, a chance to pause, reflect, and fine-tune things before moving forward.

Meet Professor Mercury: The Cosmic Storyteller

In Earth School, Mercury is the quick-witted professor who teaches communication, learning, and problem-solving. He helps us think, adapt, and connect the dots. 

Unlike Professor Jupiter, who teaches big-picture wisdom and philosophy, Mercury is all about details, logic, and everyday thinking. He is curious, clever, and loves to ask questions, play with ideas, and make sense of the world. 

But Mercury and all the planets are not just distant objects floating in space, affecting us from the outside. They reflect both the patterns we were born with and the ones unfolding in the sky right now. Our birth chart is like a syllabus, revealing our personal lessons and inner wisdom, while planetary movements in real-time create new cycles of learning and growth.

I will explore this idea further in my next book, diving into the deeper, quantum-level connections between planetary movements and human experience.

Mercury rules two very different classrooms: 

• Gemini - The lively classroom where ideas bounce around, conversations spark inspiration, and learning happens through curiosity and exchange. Here, knowledge is gathered from many sources, and the focus is on exploration rather than deep analysis. It is a space of quick thinking, adaptability, and open discussion.

  
  

• Virgo - The structured classroom where information is carefully sorted, analyzed, and applied with precision. Learning here is about refinement, attention to detail, and mastery rather than just gathering information. It is a space of critical thinking, organization, and practical application..

But right now, Professor Mercury is not in either of his usual classrooms. He begins his review session in Aries, where quick decisions and bold ideas take center stage. Soon, he moves back into Pisces, where logic softens, and imagination, intuition, and emotions take the lead.

What Is Retrograde, Really?

Retrograde is a fancy way of saying that a planet appears to move backward in the sky. It is not actually reversing, but from our perspective on Earth, it looks like it is retracing its steps.

Think of driving on a highway. When you pass a slower car, for a moment, it seems like that car is moving backward, even though it is still going forward. That is exactly what happens with Mercury retrograde. It creates the illusion of moving backward, and during this time, Mercury’s usual lessons of communication, learning, and travel feel like they are slowing down or going in reverse.

But Mercury retrograde is not about stopping progress. It is about pausing to review and refine before moving forward again. I know this energy well because Mercury was retrograde when I was born. And not just anywhere but right in my 10th house, influencing my career, reputation, and how I express myself in the world. Mercury also rules my 9th house of wisdom and higher learning and my 12th house of spirituality and the subconscious, so let’s just say thinking, speaking, and figuring things out have always been a big part of my journey. I will dive deeper into what the houses mean in future blogs, but for now, let’s focus on how Mercury retrograde plays out in real time.

I have a powerful Mercury, full of insight, strategy, and curiosity, but for a long time, it felt like it had a mind of its own. My thoughts moved faster than my ability to express them. Sometimes, I spoke too soon. Other times, I hesitated too much, unsure of how to translate what was so clear in my mind into words that actually landed.

I am still working through it, honestly. But once I understood how this energy worked, I stopped seeing it as a challenge and started using it as a skill. Now, I often write things down first to process and refine my thoughts, but I am also learning to trust myself in the moment. Mercury retrograde has taught me that slowing down does not mean getting stuck. It means pausing long enough to listen, process, and then express myself with clarity and intention.

Mercury is not here to block me. It is shaping me into a better communicator, sharpening my mind, and giving me the patience to let my words match the depth of my thoughts. And honestly, what better teacher for Earth School than that?

That is the real lesson of Mercury retrograde. It is not about confusion or delays. It is about self-awareness, refinement, and using reflection as a tool for growth. And just like any good lesson, the experience changes depending on where Mercury is in the sky. This time, we start in one classroom and end in another, because Mercury has a habit of keeping us on our toes ;)

Mercury Retrograde: From Fire to Water

Mercury does not immediately enter Pisces' dreamlike classroom. For the first week of the retrograde, Mercury is still in Aries, where thoughts move fast and words can be impulsive.

Aries, ruled by Professor Mars, is bold, direct, and action-driven. Mercury in

Aries is like a student who keeps raising their hand before hearing the full question, blurting out answers with confidence but not always with clarity. During this phase, we may react too quickly, say things we later rethink, or feel an urge to push ahead even when the energy asks us to slow down.

By March 24, Mercury moves back into Pisces, and the energy shifts from fast and fiery to fluid and introspective. Instead of rushing to say what is on our mind, we are now asked to listen, reflect, and trust our intuition.

This retrograde is a journey from action to reflection, from speaking quickly to listening deeply. The lessons begin with how we assert ourselves and end with how we surrender to a deeper understanding.

Mercury in Pisces: A Shift in Perspective

Mercury thrives on quick thinking, analysis, and clarity, but in Pisces, the usual rules do not apply. Here, knowledge is not found in clear facts or step-by-step logic. Instead, it is felt, intuited, and expressed through symbols, emotions, and dreams.

Imagine a professor who usually teaches math and logic now leading a class on poetry and abstract painting. The lesson is still there, but instead of formulas and structured arguments, students are being asked to "feel the answer" and "let the words come to them." Mercury, used to crisp definitions and bullet points, might just stand there holding a whiteboard marker, wondering what on Earth is happening?

Pisces is ruled by Professor Jupiter, who teaches wisdom, philosophy, and spirituality. But Jupiter and Mercury have very different teaching styles. Mercury thrives on analysis and communication, while Jupiter expands knowledge through wisdom, faith, and meaning. As Mercury moves through Pisces, thinking shifts from rational to reflective, from clear and analytical to fluid and intuitive, which is wonderful for poets and mystics, but slightly disorienting for accountants and fact-checkers.

This shift affects how we process, understand, and communicate:

• Words may not come easily. Instead of sharp, direct speech, thoughts may feel abstract, poetic, or just... hard to explain.

  
  

• Intuition takes the lead. Instead of relying on facts, we may pick up on emotions, energy, and unspoken messages. This can be insightful but also a little confusing.

  
  

• Reality feels fluid. Thought patterns may drift, making it easier to daydream, misinterpret things, or see meaning where there is none.

At its best, Mercury in Pisces helps us tap into creativity, emotional intelligence, and deeper ways of communicating. At its worst, it can make us feel scattered, lost in imagination, or unsure of what we were saying mid-sentence... wait, where was I going with this?

And now, with Mercury going retrograde, this is not just a lesson, it is a pop quiz to see how well we can adapt when the usual rules of Earth School change.

What’s on the syllabus?

• The stories we tell ourselves – Are they true, or are we just repeating old narratives out of habit? Are we seeing things as they are, or how we want them to be?

  
  

• Rethinking communication – Words have power. Are we expressing ourselves clearly, or letting emotions cloud the message? 

  
  

• Past ideas resurfacing – That project you abandoned? That conversation you avoided? They may need another look. Something unfinished might have more value than you realized. 

  
  

• Lessons in patience – If things aren’t moving forward, there is a reason. Instead of forcing progress, trust the timing. Sometimes, the pause is part of the process.

  
  

• Deep inner wisdom – Just because something is hard to put into words doesn’t mean it’s not real. Some truths are felt, not spoken.

Mercury Retrograde Dates & Phases (March 15 – April 7, 2025) 

This three-week journey unfolds in stages: 

• Pre-Shadow Phase (March 1 – March 14) – The themes of this retrograde start showing up. Have you been feeling it?

  
  

• Retrograde Begins (March 15) – The actual review period starts. Slow down, reflect, and be mindful of old lessons reappearing. 

  
  

• Mid-Retrograde Clarity (March 28) – A key insight or revelation may come as Mercury meets the Sun. In Vedic astrology, this is called combustion, which happens when a planet gets so close to the Sun that its energy feels "burned up" or overpowered. Since Mercury rules communication and thinking, this can be a time when mental clarity and insights emerge, but also when we need to be mindful of speaking too quickly or making assumptions.  If things feel intense around this time, take a step back. The light of the Sun can reveal important truths, but only if we take the time to process them.

  
  

• Retrograde Ends (April 7) – Mercury moves direct, but the review isn’t over yet; lessons take time to integrate. 

  
  

• Post-Shadow Phase (April 7 – April 20) – The final stretch. What did you learn? How will you move forward with this new awareness?

How to Work with This Retrograde (Instead of Fighting It)

Ah, Mercury retrograde :) the challenge we all signed up for when we enrolled in Earth School. No refunds, no skipping class, just an opportunity to redo, rethink, and refine. So, how do we pass this test without pulling our hair out?

• Write it down. If your thoughts feel tangled, putting them on paper can help bring clarity. Mercury retrograde in Pisces is like trying to remember a dream after waking up where some details will slip away unless you capture them.

• Pause before reacting. Emotions might feel heightened. Take a breath. Then take another. Maybe even a sip of tea. Respond when you are ready, not when your emotions are in the driver’s seat.

  
  

• Double-check details. Mercury loves playing hide-and-seek with contracts, emails, and appointments. Read the fine print, set reminders, and maybe don’t rely entirely on autocorrect.

  
  

• Revisit old ideas. That project or conversation you abandoned? Turns out, it might still have some magic left in it. Give it another look.

  
  

• Trust the flow. If things slow down, it is not a glitch, it is the syllabus. Mercury is not blocking you; he is handing you a review sheet before the next chapter begins. Instead of resisting, lean in and see what needs refining.

  
  

This is not the universe working against you but it is you testing your own consciousness. Mercury retrograde is not something happening to you; it is an opportunity to test yourself. Instead of feeling like a victim of planetary shifts, you are learning how to navigate these energies and work with them. The more conscious you become, the easier it is to move through these cycles with clarity and grace, creating the reality you want.

Final Reflection: What’s Your Mercury Story?

Professor Mercury has handed out your retrograde homework, and the assignment is simple: What’s the story you’ve been telling yourself about your life? And is it still the one you want to live?

Every retrograde is a cosmic editing session, a chance to revise the narrative, reclaim your words, and reshape your perceptions. Mercury is not here to mess with your life, he is just asking if you are paying attention. That contract you almost signed? That text you nearly sent? That conclusion you jumped to? Mercury nudges you with a red pen and says, "Maybe take another look at that."

So, class is in session. Are you going to hand in the same old script, or will you rewrite your next chapter with more clarity, intention, and a little Mercury-approved wit?