Mercury turns retro on April 18 at 12°37′ Taurus, amidst a welter of planetary aspects, the most notable being the stressful square to Mars, which is certainly aggravating and has been since April 4. This aspect will be particularly strong on the 25th and 26th of April, when trying to get things done is frustrating. Incorrect information or directions may cause you to be too early, or too late. The wretched car may break down, or transportation delays trash your travel schedule. Buying a car or other equipment may be beset by snags. Others may say things, or use methods that provoke you. Avoid any rash behaviour and make sure you understand all information you receive. You are likely to be more competitive or aggressive, which can help you accomplish more. Protect yourself against airborne colds and fever and take extra precautions when handling electrical equipment and volatile materials.

One aspect on this day tending to moderate the difficulties is a nice sextile between the two benefics, Venus and Jupiter. Venus is in her own sign, Taurus, which is generally favourable, especially as Mercury is there too, and Jupiter is in his own sign, so the benefits of the aspect are strengthened. It brings social opportunities, especially in the arts, theatre and publishing. It might bring some good luck, but the impending square from the Moon to Jupiter later in the day suggests that the good fortune it brings may be rather overstated, seeming better than it really is. Still, if you are careful and act quickly, you might strike it lucky. I should point out that Venus is in charge of Mercury during this phase, so matters connected with fashion, money, greed, feasting, love, sex and sensuality will be the flavour of the month. This said, and notwithstanding the nice aspect to Jupiter, Venus is conjunct the decidedly malefic fixed star. The conjunction reaches full force on April 22, so expect a wild time. This unfortunate star is a pulsing binary, known for its passionate, intense and even hysterical tendencies. Always a signal that there’s something deeper at work. Female sexuality runs rampant and it is also associated with extreme creativity, an expression of the Dark Side…

Since we are talking of Saturn, we need to pay attention to the opposition between Saturn and Jupiter, which is stimulated during this phase and magnified by Saturn’s unfortunate opposition to Uranus. Jupiter is applying to the conjunction with Uranus in Pisces, which is active during this phase, but actually hits harder during the latter half of the year. Jupiter and Saturn are known to astrologers as the Great Chronocrators, or Time Lords, and their interaction marks big changes in society and in personal lives. The presence of Uranus suggests that even greater societal developments will be stimulated by this opposition, with unfortunate legislation and the collapse of structures, as indeed we have seen in recent times. These will come forward again with a vengeance as Saturn makes his final pass through Virgo over the coming months. Responsibilities, restrictions, rules and regulations wil be in direct conflict with freedom, and this situation is apt to be a key factor in blocking your progress, happiness, success, or whatever else you are after, especially if you were born in the years 1949, 1950 and 1951 or in 1978, 1979, or 1980. Resist the promise of something new and hang on to what you have, at least for the time being. It is important to realize that you will probably not be able to remove the forces that oppose you, which only leaves the option of finding a constructive way to work around them, or with them.

Mercury turns retrograde conjunct the Fixed Star Achird, a binary star, orange and violet, in the girdle of Cassiopeia, the Ethiopean the mother of Andromeda. She is said to have boasted that not only Andromeda but she herself was fairer than the Nereids, and for that reason she was bound to her chair and condemned to circle the pole head downwards as a lesson in humility. According to Ptolemy, this constellation is of the nature of Saturn and Venus. It is said to give haughtiness, boastfulness and exaggerated pride, but at the same time the power of commanding respect. It is associated by the Kabalists with the Hebrew letter Beth and the 2nd Tarot Trump, The High Priestess.

Mercury retro in Taurus, a Venus-ruled sign, is sometimes indicative of stuttering, hoarseness and other vocal disorders, as you would expect. However, symptoms of deafness; asthma and bronchitis; foot pains; arrhythmia; muscle tics and tremors can also arise. Taurus is practical and determined, pleasant, fond of the opposite sex, art and all intellectual and refined amusements, and Mercury here does not usually jump to conclusions or easily accept new ideas. The mind is slow to reason, but once a conclusion is reached, does not easily change; hence the retro phase can see stubborn errors with long-term consequences. Stick to practical applications, as flights of imagination are not well-favoured.

The obstinacy and stubbornness of the Bull are marked characteristics of this phase, and apply particularly to communication, travel, sales, academia and all mental pursuits. A strong desire for money and a fixed income may divert our attention from what is really happening. This position can indicate hoarseness and laryngitis from nervousness and talking for too long. Drink adequate amounts of water to offset hoarseness and proneness to asthma and bronchitis. Apple juice, buckwheat, oats and wheatgrass juice may offset the negatives somewhat.

Other fixed stars are activated too, by the Mercury and Venus passage through Taurus and by the square from Mars. These are likely to see escalation in military conflict, especially by the West against Muslim forces—and probably not to the benefit of the Muslims. Let us hope that the fixed ideas threatened by Mercury retro in Taurus do not become so entrenched that they extend the conflicts and generate more useless loss of life.

All areas of communication are affected by this phase, especially in matters connected with security, structured thinking, the exposition of traditional ideas and conservative methods; women’s rights and obligations and their role in society; sensual delights, displays of wealth, sexual pleasures and communications connected with such matters. This period brings travel snafus, mail mishaps and missed appointments of all kinds. Documents can go astray. Be sure to carry a diary and refer to it often.