Mercury in Aries: Speak With Power!

Been biting your tongue, faking politeness or generally repressing your feelings? The veil of silence (and conflict avoidance) lifts today. Communication planet Mercury enters bold, outspoken Aries, helping you advocate for yourself. While your hands may shake a little when you voice your truth, holding it back feels worse. Mercury in Aries nudges you to champion your cause, even if that means engaging in a little competition or conflict. Aries, after all, is ruled by warrior planet Mars, who never backed down from a challenge. And now, neither should you. For the next couple of months, it’s better to be respected than liked, as long as you’re standing up for what’s right. Channel Aries Lady Gaga, who’s topping the charts with her unapologetic, self-loving single “Born This Way.”

Although Mercury generally stays in a sign for about three weeks, its visit to Aries is a lengthier one: It’s here until May 15. The caveat is that Mercury will be in low-power retrograde (backward) motion from March 30 through April 23. This can be a challenging cycle, though it’s eased by preparing well in advance. So consider this your heads-up: Mercury retrograde can caused computer crashes, miscommunications and botched travel plans. Get that iPad 2.0 before the end of the month (and if it’s on someone’s Easter/Passover gift list, shop early and hide it deep in your closet). Aries is a Fire sign, so there could be hotheadedness and arguments. In fact, there will be six planets in Aries in early April, making for some rash and hasty actions. (Who knows how many more uprisings in the Middle East we’ll see then?) Take special care to curb your knee-jerk reactions.

Aries is a sporty sign, so use this Mercury in Aries cycle to ramp up physical activity. With the first signs of spring popping up, a long walk, a jog or even a bike ride can help you blow off steam. The key is to keep energy flowing outward so it doesn’t build up and morph into anger. There’s a fine line between being passionate and being too intense, one we’ll navigate during this exciting cycle!