On April 18th, 2021, the Sun and Mercury are conjunct at 29° Aries, and Mercury transforms from a Morning Star into an Evening Star. 

Each planet has two phases: Morning Star (when the planet rises before the Sun) and Evening Star (when the planet rises after the Sun). 

These two distinct “star phases” are very important and reveal insights that we cannot get from the sign or house placement alone. 

Let’s say your Mercury is in Gemini. People with Mercury in Gemini are known for their curiosity and fresh approach to life.

However, if Mercury is an Evening Star, then Mercury has slightly different qualities, which may complement or even contradict the qualities of the sign.

The planetary star phases and synodic cycles were very important concepts in traditional astrology. Back in the day, our ancestors got all their information from the most important source: the sky itself.

Modern astrology has somehow ‘forgotten’ about planetary cycles, but fortunately, we are slowly bringing this concept back, giving it the importance it deserves. 

The Venus star type – the Venus Morning Star and Venus Evening Star – is by far the most popular topic, but ALL planets have Morning and Evening phases. 

Every time a planet is conjunct the Sun, it transforms either from a Morning star into an Evening Star or vice versa. 

Let’s Take Mercury 

We have two types of Mercury-Sun conjunctions: one when Mercury is retrograde, and one when Mercury is direct. 

1. When Mercury is retrograde, Mercury transforms from an Evening Star into a Morning Star 
2. When Mercury is direct, it is so fast that it overtakes the Sun, transforming from a Morning Star into an Evening Star.

The current Mercury cycle started on February 8th, 2021 with the Mercury retrograde-Sun conjunction at 20° Aquarius.  

On April 18th, 2021 we have the 2nd Sun-Mercury conjunction of the cycle – this time Mercury is direct. We are now in the middle of the current Mercury cycle.

Just like we have Full Moons, the Sun-Mercury conjunction on April 18th, 2021 is the “Full Moon” or “Full Mercury” part of the cycle.  

Mercury now starts to rise after the Sun, transforming from a Morning Star into an Evening Star. Mercury becomes less daring and curious and more efficient and contemplative. 

At the time of the conjunction, you will receive important insights (Mercury) about yourself and your purpose in life (the Sun). This is a time of alignment and clarity.

If you’ve been feeling confused about whether or not to take on an opportunity, or start a new project, the Sun-Mercury cazimi-conjunction will bring you the clarity and confidence you need. 

From April 8th, 2021 until the end of the current Mercury cycle on May 30th, Mercury is an Evening Star.

Mercury Evening Star is less interested in dreaming and strategizing, and more interested in implementation and follow-through. 

Your Natal Mercury Star Phase

Mercury conjunct Sun and the Mercury cycle also influence your natal chart.

We are all born during a specific phase of the Mercury cycle, and this phase, or this Mercury star type, influences our thinking and communication style. 

To find out what your Mercury star type is, look whether Mercury is before or after the Sun in your natal chart. 

Mercury can only be found in the sign before the Sun, the same sign with the Sun, or in the sign after the Sun. So if you’re a Virgo Sun, your Mercury can only be in Leo, Virgo or Libra. 

If you’re a Virgo Sun and your Mercury is in Leo, you’re a Mercury Morning Star, because Leo comes before Virgo. If your Mercury is in Libra, you’re a Mercury Evening Star, because Libra follows Virgo. 

If your Mercury is in the same sign as the Sun, look at the degree. If Mercury is at an earlier degree than the Sun, it is a Morning Star. If it is at a later degree, then it is an evening star. 

What does it mean for a planet to be a Morning Star or an Evening Star? 

Mercury Morning Star has Gemini-like qualities, while Mercury Evening Star has Virgo-like qualities.

Mercury Morning Star is more independent, more curious, innovative, but may lack experience. 

Mercury Evening Star is more organized, more fluent, more experienced, but of course, may lack the enthusiasm and the curiosity of Mercury morning star. 

The 4 Mercury Star Phases

There are two subtypes for each Mercury star phase, so we have a total of 4 different Mercury star phases. Each of these types will, of course, influence our personality in distinct ways. 

• If Mercury is Morning Star and Retrograde, then the person is extremely curious, has a beginner’s mind and a vivid imagination. Famous Mercury Retrograde Morning Star people are Steve Jobs, J. R.R. Tolkien, George Lucas, Princess Diana, and Lady Gaga. 

• If Mercury is Morning Star and Direct, it is close to the Sun, so it ‘borrows’ Solar qualities. It is idealistic, intuitive and visionary. People with this star type have an abstract, rather than a concrete, fact-based mind. They can quickly process information and be very mentally prolific, but may lack attention to detail. Famous Mercury Direct Morning Stars are Michelangelo, Mark Twain, Lewis Carroll, and Maya Angelou.  

• If Mercury is an Evening Star and Direct, Mercury is now familiar with the “Solar” agenda, and is concerned with follow-through and implementation. People with this star type are efficient and have a strong sense of purpose. Elon Musk, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Oprah are all Mercury Direct Evening Stars. 

• If Mercury is Evening Star and Retrograde it is contemplative and artistic. They can become icons in their area of excellence. Examples of Mercury Retrograde Evening Stars: Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Salvador Dali, and Madonna. 

What is your Mercury star phase?

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