This Mercury retrograde in Pisces is here to target communication *and* your emotions

The week ahead promises change with Mercury stationing retrograde at 7:53 p.m., EST, on Sunday, February 16, and the sun moving into Pisces on Tuesday, the 18th. The energy of the these events invites us to reconcile pain from the past because the Mercury retrograde slows things down, and the sun in Pisces connects us to our most profound sense of empathy. The combination of these cosmic events may lead to more-sensitive-than-usual feelings, thus opening up the opportunity to forgive past grievances and envision where we wish to dedicate our intentions moving forward. Simultaneously, we can also see the truth from a crystal-clear vantage point.

To tune into what might surface for you during this Mercury retrograde in Pisces, which lasts through March 9, consider what’s emerged in your life since Mercury reached 28 degrees of Aquarius, the degree where Mercury will station direct next month. Mercury traveled at this degree of Aquarius on February 1, and as the planet of communication seemingly retraces these degrees (he doesn’t move backward, it’s just an optical illusion), we are asked to revisit the past before forging ahead. So, what dynamics with others have emerged since then? To get clarity about those dynamics, ask yourself the following questions: How have I been evading truth? Where have I been going along to get along? What truth do I need to honor and accept at this moment?

To tune into what might surface for you during this Mercury retrograde in Pisces, consider what’s emerged in your life since Mercury reached 28 degrees of Aquarius on February 1, the degree where Mercury will station direct.

After introspecting about your past communication, be mindful of your actions right now because Mercury retrograde periods are famously associated with crossed communication wires. Double-check your emails and texts before pressing send, be intentional with anything you share on social media, and think twice before venting. Really consider what you stand to gain from acting on the impulse to overshare. You might even think to update your online presence, scrubbing old social posts that no longer represent you and unfollowing those who no longer serve you.

When it comes to business, revisit and complete older projects. If new opportunities present that are connected to efforts of the past, trust that they are worthy of your time, but if new business and opportunities arise out of nowhere, think twice before idealizing them. Because Mercury rules contracts and in his retrograde position he’s not at his most reliable, avoid signing anything for the next couple of weeks. If that’s not possible, trust the timing.

To soften the situation, and even bring a touch of magic to the week, Jupiter in Capricorn harmoniously sextiles Neptune in Pisces on Thursday. With Jupiter, the planet of good luck and hope, connecting positively with Pisces’ ruling planet, Neptune, we receive a heady dose of cosmic healing. Jupiter is in cardinal Earth, and Neptune is in mutable water, and together, these two elements create mud. Mud has many healing properties, as when Earth and water combine, they make fertile soil that makes growing food possible and and also provides nourishment for your skin. So, this week especially, tap into the power of clay face masks, and possibly even explore taking a mud bath.

Come Friday the 21st, Mars in Capricorn trines Uranus in Taurus. This Earth trine helps to root desires for growth, as we provide a real jolt of creativity. Given that the moon will be moving through its balsamic phase at this time—the days leading up to the next new moon—it’s time to meditate and get ready for the new moon in Pisces. This new moon happens on Sunday, February 23rd, at 10:31 a.m. at 4 degrees of Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, which brings things to completion. This new moon nods to Mercury in retrograde, signifying a time to go back over where you’ve been and digest past lessons so you can best sculpt your future reality.

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success.