On January 21st, 2026, the Sun is conjunct Mercury at 1° Aquarius.
Whenever the Sun is conjunct Mercury, we say Mercury is cazimi.
But there are 2 types of Mercury-Sun conjunctions – or Mercury cazimi.
- One is when Mercury is retrograde. This conjunction marks the beginning of a new Mercury cycle.
- And 2nd, when Mercury is direct. This is when we are in the middle of the Mercury cycle; it’s kind of like the “Full Moon”, or better said, “Full Mercury” phase of the cycle.
–> The Sun-Mercury conjunction on January 21st, 2026, is a “Full Mercury” conjunction.
This transit is important for 2 reasons:
1) We are now in the middle, or the “Full Moon” phase of the current Mercury cycle, when everything that was initiated, tested, and explored through the 1st part of the cycle gets the Sun’s ‘verdict’: ‘this can stay, this can go. THIS is what’s aligned with the bigger picture – and that’s what you want to focus on going forward”.
2) Mercury transitions from a Morning Star to an Evening Star. You may be familiar with the concept of Morning and Evening Star from Venus – but all planets have “morning” and “evening” star phases. These 2 distinct phases come with distinct qualities.
Let’s now talk a bit about each of these 2 dimensions of the Mercury-Sun transit:
Mercury Conjunct Sun – Mercury “Full Moon”
When Mercury direct is conjunct the Sun, we are in the middle of Mercury’s 4-month cycle. This is the turning point between exploration and commitment.
The current Mercury cycle began at the previous Sun-Mercury conjunction, when Mercury was retrograde, on November 20th, 2025, at 28° Scorpio. From that point on, Mercury was a Morning Star – focused on exploration, questioning, and testing different ideas and perspectives.
Now, with Mercury direct and conjunct the Sun, that exploratory phase comes to a close. This is the moment when Mercury crosses from Morning Star to Evening Star.
What you’ve been thinking about, circling around, and experimenting with now needs to be distilled. This is where focus sharpens, priorities become clearer, and you’re asked to commit to a direction and follow it through.
For example, you may have been researching different ways to change your work direction – taking courses, talking to people, exploring multiple fields, or testing ideas on the side.
At this point in the cycle, one option starts to crystallize. You stop researching and start making concrete moves: enrolling in one program, committing to a timeline, or saying yes to a specific opportunity.
If you’ve been wondering whether or not to take on an opportunity, or continue a project, the Sun-Mercury cazimi will bring you the clarity and confidence you need.
Mercury Morning Star And Evening Star
When Mercury (and any other planet) makes a shift in its relationship with the Sun, it transforms from a so-called “Morning Star” into an “Evening Star” – or the other way around.
When a planet rises before the Sun, it’s a Morning Star.
This means that it ‘shows up’ before the Sun. It has its own agenda. Its energy is more raw and archetypal, because it is not yet shaped by the Sun’s sense of identity and direction – it hasn’t yet been pulled into the Sun’s sense of purpose.
When a planet rises after the Sun, it’s an Evening Star.
This means that the planet and the Sun have already had an encounter, and that the Sun has ‘passed on’ its mission to the Evening Star planet.
This is great for many reasons: the planet now has a sense of purpose. Its agenda is aligned with the agenda of the Sun.
At the same time, the planet loses a bit of its spontaneity and explorative spirit. It now has a clear goal – it is focused – but this also means less wandering, trial-and-error, or open-ended experimentation.
Both the Morning and the Evening Star phases of a planet come with their own benefits.
We want a planet to be a Morning Star when we start something new – when we go on a new journey and explore things from a fresh angle. The planet tries out different things, learns how to navigate uncharted territory, and adapts to unfamiliar situations.
We want a planet to be an Evening Star when we already have clarity around what it is that we want to do, and we’re ready to move into follow-through and implementation.
Promethean Mercury and Epimethean Mercury
Mercury has 2 different “names”, one for each Star Phase.
Mercury Morning Star is called the Promethean Mercury, named after Prometheus, who gave the fire of consciousness to humanity.
The Promethean Mercury phase has a spontaneous and intuitive approach to thinking and communication. We could say that Mercury Morning Star has the energy of Gemini. It’s curious, quick-witted, and has a beginner’s mind.
Mercury Evening Star is called Epimethean Mercury. Epimetheus was Prometheus’ brother. In Greek, Epimetheus means “afterthought” or “late counseling”.
Unlike his brother Prometheus, Epimetheus was known for thinking after the fact – a symbol of a more reflective and cautious approach.
Epimethean Mercury has a more practical, analytical and objective mind. Its approach is based more on experience, rather than intuition.
Mercury Evening Star has the energy of Virgo. It has a specific task to accomplish, and it’s methodical about getting it done.
What does it mean when Mercury transforms from a Promethean Mercury into an Epimethean Mercury?
This shift marks a transition from a more spontaneous and intuitive mode of thinking and communication to a more practical and outcome-oriented approach, with a focus on results and what gets things done.
After aligning your thoughts (Mercury) with your purpose (the Sun) you are now less concerned with exploration, and more focused on disciplined action to follow through with your agenda.
People born with an Epimethean Mercury usually find this phase of the Mercury cycle more familiar and easy to navigate; that’s because they are already ‘used’ to this energy and can easily tap into it.
Promethean Mercury people, instead, may find this Mercury approach goes a bit against their nature; but this can lead to mindset shifts and breakthroughs. When we are ‘pushed’ to look at things from a different angle, we are much more likely to come up with creative solutions.
How do you know if you have a Promethean Mercury or an Epimethean Mercury? Simple.
If your natal Mercury is in the sign before the Sun, then it’s Promethean. If it’s in the sign after the Sun, it’s Epimethean.
For example, if your Mercury is in Taurus, and your Sun is in Gemini, you have a Promethean Mercury. If your Sun is in Gemini, and your Mercury is in Cancer, you have an Epimethean Mercury.
If your Sun and Mercury are in the same sign, pay attention to the degree. If Mercury is at an earlier degree (e.g. Mercury at 7° Cancer, Sun at 15° Cancer), then you’re a Promethean Mercury.
If Mercury is at a later degree (e.g. Sun at 15° Cancer, Mercury at 22° Cancer), you’re an Epimethean Mercury.
Sun Conjunct Mercury – Clarity And Momentum
Regardless of the Mercury phase, the exact Sun-Mercury conjunction is the time when Sun and Mercury ‘shake hands’ in the sky and you gain clarity about your purpose.
At the time of the conjunction, take some time to reflect on your goals and aspirations. Since the conjunction happens at 1° Aquarius, take a longer-term view and consider what kind of friends, communities or networks align with who you are, and help you move closer to your life’s purpose.
It’s said we are the sum of the 5 people closest to us. Look at the people you spend the most time with – do they support, challenge, or pull you away from your vision for the future?
Journaling is a great Mercury activity that will help you tap into your inner wisdom:
-
- What is it that wants your attention and commitment? (Sun-Mercury cazimi)
- What is it about your approach that needs to change? (Mercury becomes an Evening Star)
Subscribe to Astro Butterfly’s Weekly Newsletter
If you want to keep up with the future transits, subscribe to Astro Butterfly’s weekly newsletter.
Join other 49.000+ subscribers:
Just an excellent piece of writing here! There are so many layers beyond a simple transition, you’ve hit on many different truths outside of astronomy in this piece. Nicely done!