ChipWitch Today

Reliable astronomical and space-weather context for your daily practice.

17 March, 2026

Retrogrades in effect

Mercury.

Editorial

Retrogrades favor review over brute force. When something resists, try editing the plan instead of pushing harder.

Solar System at a Glance

Daily chart wheel

The Moon

Moon phase image

Waning Crescent, 27.5 days old, in Pisces at 1.54°.

Illumination: 4.7% · Distance: 382129 km

Next new moon: 20:24:04, 31 Mar 2026 · Next full moon: 14:45:40, 15 Apr 2026

Planetary Positions

Planet Sign Position Motion
Sun Pisces 26.5° Pisces Prograde
Moon Pisces 1.5° Pisces Prograde
Mercury Pisces 9.2° Pisces Retrograde
Venus Aries 13.2° Aries Prograde
Mars Pisces 11.4° Pisces Prograde
Jupiter Cancer 15.1° Cancer Prograde
Saturn Aries 3.7° Aries Prograde
Uranus Taurus 28.2° Taurus Prograde
Neptune Aries 1.6° Aries Prograde
Pluto Aquarius 4.9° Aquarius Prograde

Planetary Detail

Notable today

Mercury in Pisces

Position: 9.2° Pisces · Motion: Retrograde

Mercury is in Pisces

Mercury In Pisces: The Jedi Mind Trick Edition

Listen, friend. I’m about to drop some hot cosmic knowledge on you with the delicacy of an AT-AT on Hoth. Our favorite little planet, Mercury (not to be confused with Luke’s home planet of Tatooine), decided it's time for a little spiritual retreat in the dreamy realm of Pisces. That’s right, our quick-witted, data-loving Mercury is taking a dip in the ethereal waters of Pisces, like a protocol droid in a bacta tank.

Now, you might think this is as mismatched as a Wookiee at a stormtrooper convention. After all, Mercury has a penchant for facts, figures and fast-talking, while Pisces is more into daydreaming, intuition and the Force. But trust me, this cosmic combo is more powerful than a fully operational Death Star.

With Mercury in Pisces, our dreams will be as vivid as a Hutt's appetite. Our thoughts are going to be as loose as Han Solo's morals, and our instincts as strong as a Jedi’s connection to the Force. While Mercury is doing its deep dive of Pisces' illimitable sea, our minds are going to open up wider than the Sarlacc Pit.

So, whether you're navigating asteroid fields or just your regular office politics, get ready to think outside the box—or the TIE fighter, as it were. This transit will bring forth creative inspirations that would make even George Lucas proud and provide solutions from places you never considered—like using the Ewoks to topple an empire.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go discuss thermal exhaust port vulnerabilities. Remember, in space, no one can hear you laugh at bad Star Wars jokes. May the Force (and Mercury in Pisces) be with you!

Everything else (compact)

Planet Sign Position Motion
Sun Pisces 26.5° Pisces Prograde
Moon Pisces 1.5° Pisces Prograde
Venus Aries 13.2° Aries Prograde
Mars Pisces 11.4° Pisces Prograde
Jupiter Cancer 15.1° Cancer Prograde
Saturn Aries 3.7° Aries Prograde
Uranus Taurus 28.2° Taurus Prograde
Neptune Aries 1.6° Aries Prograde
Pluto Aquarius 4.9° Aquarius Prograde

Aspects

Sun

Sun · Conjunct

This transit is drawing your attention to living up to your responsibilities and doing your duty. You may feel limited and constrained today, but do not let that feeling keep you from living up to your obligations. Take care of business, then you will be truly free to do as you wish. Your energy level may be low, but do not use this as an excuse for not doing your best. Do not put limits and burdens on others. Guard against depression. You can accomplish quite a lot if you stay focused.

Sun

Sun · Sextile

Today is a good day to pour your creativity and self-expression into coming up with new ways of doing things. Positive surprises are likely today as your aura is ready for the new and unusual. By going off the beaten pathway, you may open up many possibilities for further spiritual and personal growth. You feel free today from all restrictions and you want to fly like the eagle, unbounded by any restraints. Soar high and don't limit yourself. It is easy and natural for those born under a harmonious aspect between the Sun and Uranus to embrace new ways of doing things, to stick up for the underdog, and to express themselves in unique and inspiring ways. These people don’t have to try to stand out as unique–they are original, creative, and progressive without trying. Although these people question rules and traditions if they don’t seem to make sense to them, they don’t view them as threatening their personal sense of freedom. These individuals are far from pretentious. They value honesty and truth, and they avoid putting on airs. They believe in the equality of people, and easily relate to people from all walks of life. There is an unmistakable enthusiasm about life, and generally the life is interesting because the natives invite unusual or adventurous experiences into their lives. They are generally appreciated by others because they are open-minded, fair, and not judgmental. Nothing really seems to faze them! They take things in stride, and are rarely shocked or taken aback by human behavior. If you are holding onto something that you keep to yourself for fear that if you talk about it, someone will think you’re strange, you can safely turn to a Sun-Uranus person. They probably won’t blink, and they’ll make you feel quite alright about it. The trine aspect is the more dynamic of the two harmonious aspects. Those with the sextile can call upon their intuitive faculties when needed, and those with the trine between the Sun and Uranus have incorporated the traits of the aspect into their personalities, expressing them naturally and consistently. Some Famous People with Sun in Harmonious Aspect to Uranus: Sextiles – Gregory Peck, Paula Abdul, Kirk Douglas, Tiger Woods, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dr. Phil McGraw, Gene Simmons. Isaac Newton, Paula Abdul; Trines – Nicolas Cage, Anne Heche, Harry Hamlin, Dick Clark, Drew Barrymore, Muhammad Ali, Farrah Fawcett.
Sun

Sun · Conjunct

You may feel a need to identify with others, to really understand them, and get closer to them sympathetically. At the same time, you may feel a need to escape from the trials of the world and get into a world of your own. Escaping like this is okay as long as it is done in a positive way, say, through meditation. Escaping by means of alcohol or drugs could be dangerous. Even though you may be tempted, do not give in to a desire to avoid all duty and responsibility today. Do not run away. Face things squarely. Be on guard for trickery.

Mercury

Mercury · Conjunct

Pour constructive energy and action into communication, writing, reading and anything of a mental nature. Do all your errands today. Your mind is active and it may be difficult at times to slow it down and relax. Your nerves are wound up and it may be necessary for you at some time today to force yourself to seek a quiet place and recoup your strength. Watch a tendency to argue with friends, display impatience, especially while driving, and to generally be on edge. Do not let your high energy level today cause you to become reckless or careless. Pay attention to the things you do and slow down a bit. Remember, discipline. You feel very self-assertive today. Do not let your ego ride roughshod over the people you deal with today. Control your temper AND your tongue. Avoid petty gossip and talking about people behind their backs.

 

Mercury

Mercury · Trine

Your mental judgment is excellent today. Plans you make are well thought out, broad, and focused on seeing both the details and the larger picture. Travel, both mental and physical should be rewarding today. Take care of all legal issues and contracts as the force is with you today. Make long range plans now. Your ideas are big and your intentions noble. You are excellent at seeing the big picture, drawing conclusions, problem solving, and making accurate observations. You love to learn, and spend your life actively absorbing information. Many of you make good teachers with your sincere love of learning and sharing ideas with others. You are also very positive in your communications, readily inspiring others with what you say and how you say it. You are skilled at turning information into an advantage, and in some ways seem to be quite lucky. You are tolerant of other perspectives and ideas, and naturally avoid narrow-minded thinking–in fact you have a huge distaste for it. You are generally at ease conversing with people from all walks of life. You might be especially attracted to learning other languages and learning about foreign cultures. Travel is something that you are strongly attracted to. You are very tolerant, generous and optimistic. You always see the positive side of situations and you are very respectful of the traditions and opinions of others. You have a lot of ability for organizing and planning enterprises. You enjoy traveling and any other activity that helps expand your mind. You possess an ease of communication and the facility of learning other languages. — from the Adult report. The trine aspect is the more dynamic of the two harmonious aspects. Those with the sextile can call upon these traits when needed, and those with the trine between the Mercury and Jupiter have incorporated the traits of the aspect into their personalities, expressing them naturally and consistently. Some Famous People with Mercury in Harmonious Aspect to Jupiter: Trines – Jennifer Aniston, Lucie Arnaz, Tom Berger, Wade Boggs, Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas, Lou Ferrigno, Sean Flannery, Marilyn Manson, Groucho Marx, Jim Morrison, Jack Nicholson, Diana Ross, Yves Saint-Laurent, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oprah Winfrey.
Venus

Venus · Square

You will probably overindulge yourself today, with regrets later. This is true both with eating and spending. A distinct laziness may overcome you and you will want to be pampered. Self-discipline is needed in order to avoid trouble now or later. Others may think you are too spoiled. Don't procrastinate. These people are big-hearted and warm, with open hearts and a tendency to want to give a lot to the people they love. They can have some problems with following through on their promises, however–not because of any ill intent, but because they sometimes overestimate their personal capabilities, and want to do more, and give more, than is actually possible. At distinct times in their lives, they have a tendency to live beyond their means. They need to be cautious about the tendency to feel overly-optimistic or overly protected. Borrowing from their future and overdoing their indulgence in pleasures is a marked tendency. While people with the conjunction, sextile, or trine between Venus and Jupiter express their bigheartedness, tolerance, generosity, and magnanimity in a generally constant and natural manner, these same expressions for those people with the square, opposition, and quincunx between these planets tend to be problematic at times. Their need for growth, good humor, and fun in their relationships is marked, as is their disdain for insincerity. However, they may attract just those kinds of people simply because they are looking so hard for these traits that they assign them onto undeserving people! Moderation is the most important, and perhaps challenging, lesson in these people’s lives. Interpretation sample from the Your Spiritual Path report — Your sense of form and harmony extend into the important relationships of your life. You seek a strong philosophical connection to match the physical passion. Faithfulness is a key factor if your relationship is to support your spiritual growth, and trust has to work both ways in the partnership. Some Famous People with the Venus in Hard Aspect to Jupiter: Squares – Jason Alexander, Pearl Buck, Julia Child, Joe Cocker, Sean Connery, Alice Cooper, Billy Corgan, e.e. Cummings, John Denver, Michael J. Fox, Andy Gibb, Linda Goodman, Jim Jones, Jessica Lange, David Lynch, Dolly Parton, Tom Paxton, Robert Redford, Lynn Redgrave, Oral Roberts, Maria Shriver, Britney Spears, Tina Turner, Jon Voight, Betty White; Oppositions – Drew Carey, Billy Ray Cyprus, Victor Hugo, Quincy Jones, Tom Selleck, Cat Stevens.
Mars

Mars · Trine

Today is the day to expand and set new plans into action. Broaden your horizons and don't limit your possibilities. Business ventures are favored, as is higher education, legal matters, spiritual endeavors and charitable pursuits. Luck is all around you today, but you have to make it happen. Don't just sit there waiting for it to come to you. You tend to be restless and prone to boredom. You need a partner who can keep up with your lightning responses to your environment - and one who truly understands your love of intellectual competition and sparring. You have tremendous personal resources with which to achieve your goals. Although the goals you set for yourself are likely to be somewhat ambitious, you are willing to work hard to see that they are achieved. Ever since you were a child and learned to invent indoor games to amuse yourself, you have steadily worked at developing your intellectual skills. This prepared you to deal well with competitive situations in your adult life. Communication is important to you. Your dramatic delivery and flair for using the right words make you a formidable opponent in any debate. It is particularly difficult to win a debate with you because you only present information that is well documented and convincing. You also use this skill to come to the aid of others who cannot defend themselves intellectually, which is admirable indeed! Others admire your confidence and straightforwardness. You respect others who stand firm on their convictions and have high ambitions. It is important that everyone who deals with you does so with honesty and integrity. In your love life, you appreciate a partner who is intellectually strong. You have a strong sex drive, but without the mental component, no relationship will last very long. You also seek a partner with spiritual consciousness. Your warmth and enthusiasm on a sexual level is apparent, and you don’t tire easily. Your interest doesn’t fade easily over time. — Interpretation sample from our LoveStyles report. This aspect indicates a harmony between your intellect and your physical strength, and you will most likely have little difficulty achieving your goals in life. It may appear to others that you are lucky sometimes, but you are also good at applying your talents to attain the desired results. You have a natural ability to be in the right place to grab new opportunities or to initiate a well-timed project. You are often successful in competition but sometimes may not even enter the contest because it doesn’t seem worth it to you. You are honest and forthright in your dealings with others, and you tend to trust others readily. You can be a bit careless about spending money, however, and this is probably because you are so eternally optimistic that there will always be plenty around. The possibility of failure does not enter your mind, although success itself is not that important to you–you’re just being you. In your relationships you are attracted to others who also seek a harmonious lifestyle. Your sexual nature is very strong, but you seek more than physical gratification from your mate. You want someone who will share in your life entirely and grow to know and understand you intimately. You appreciate a partner who is intellectually strong. You have a strong sex drive, but without the mental component, no relationship will last very long. You also seek a partner with spiritual consciousness. Your warmth and enthusiasm on a sexual level is apparent, and you don’t tire easily. Your interest doesn’t fade easily over time, either. Interestingly, you are able to be assertive without stepping on others’ toes. This is an important part of your attractiveness to women. — Interpretation from our LoveStyles: About Him report. Note on the differences between trines and sextiles: The trine aspect is the more dynamic of the two harmonious aspects. Those with the sextile can call upon these traits when needed, and those with the trine between the Mars and Jupiter have incorporated the traits of the aspect into their personalities, expressing them naturally and consistently. Alternate, short interpretations: Interpretation sample from the Merlin report – Mars sextile Jupiter or Mars trine Jupiter: *Your self-confidence and vitality are strong and you believe you can do just about anything you want to. You have an enterprising spirit, a good sense of timing, and the ability to sense what will succeed and what won’t. You usually make fortunate decisions in work or business activities. You enjoy healthy competition and you have a rather playful, good-humored attitude toward it. You mostly compete with yourself to see how far you can go or how much you can accomplish. You like to keep stretching your limits. Interpretation sample from the Your Spiritual Path report – You are usually able to direct your will to productive activities. You find the transcendent component in each relationship and build upon it. You exemplify joy in your daily activities. Interpretation sample from the Karmic Insight report – You have developed the capacity to direct your masculine/active, yang energies in healthy and positive ways. Thus, you have confidence in your “masculine” strengths and abilities. Ennobled by ideals of fair play and concern for the broader social implications of your choices, your actions are most often fortunate, leading to success and increased opportunities. A gift for leadership and inspiring others is also yours. Physical playfulness is an important way you can re-create and rejuvenate yourself. Some Famous People with Mars in Harmonious Aspect to Jupiter: Sextiles – Bill Cosby, Drew Barrymore, Serena Williams, Richard Speck, Vanessa Redgrave, Robert Pattinson, Peter O’Toole, Oliver North, Galileo, Patrick Duffy, Phil Donahue, Catherine Deneuve, Danny DeVito; Trines – Upton Sinclair, J. R. R. Tolkien, Cheryl Tiegs, Gregory Peck, Bob Marley, Henry Miller, Brian Eno, Leonardo Di Caprio, Dick Butkus, Roseanne Barr, Ben Affleck.

Space Weather (Snapshot)

  • Snapshot: 2026-03-17 02:02:29 UTC
  • Kp: 1.33
  • NOAA Scales: 0 / 0 / 0
  • Solar wind: speed 510.4, density 0.53

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