On Friday, 7/18, Mercury enters its second retrograde cycle of 2025. This retrograde runs from 15° Leo to 04° Leo and is completely unaspected except for a singular sextile to Venus and our expected cazimi (Sun-Mercury conjunction). This makes it very unique astrologically; this is as pure a Mercury retrograde in Leo as we are ever likely to get, and we can use this to explore the themes of standing out and being seen through our words.
The Basics
Mercury, the planet of communication, technology, and travel, is the fastest-moving planet in our solar system and retrogrades three to four times every year. This means that Mercury’s retrograde cycle is “business as usual” and isn’t something that should be feared. However, it is a change in the energy signature of one of our personal planets, so it’s worth paying attention and making adjustments where necessary.
Retrogrades don’t mean that the planet ACTUALLY is moving backward, of course. It is a shift in our perception of the planetary movement through our skies. In this way, our perspectives and perceptions can get slightly twisted during these times, and it is easy to miss key details or communicate ineffectively.
During Mercury’s retrograde, Mercury traces its path backward in our skies, and it is considered better to go over your work rather than start something new. Mercury passes over these degrees in the sky thrice: the first time during its pre-retrograde shadow, the second time while it moves backward during its retrograde, and again a third time while it moves forward in its post-retrograde shadow. Because of this, we all get the cosmic opportunity to relearn and refocus on certain things that are going awry in our lives.
By comparing the degrees of Mercury’s retrograde to your birth chart, you can understand how Mercury’s retrograde cycle might affect you.
Mercury retrogrades affect some people more than others. By order of significance, these people are most likely to be affected by a Mercury retrograde:
- If you have Sun, Moon, or Ascendant in Gemini and Virgo, or Mercury closely conjunct (within 2°) to your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant
- If your natal Mercury was in retrograde or out of bounds
- If the current retrograde crosses over your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant (in conjunction) or makes a square or opposition
- If the current retrograde crosses over your Mercury, Venus, or Mars or makes a square or opposition with them
- If the current retrograde makes a trine with one of your personal planets or a sextile to your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant
- If you work in a job that involves technology, communication, or travel or are currently undergoing a task that involves one of these domains during this retrograde cycle
- If you live with, are in a relationship with, or closely work with a person who meets the above criteria
One can assume that the more of these factors in play, the stronger you may experience the effects of a Mercury retrograde cycle. This isn’t to say that what you experience will be bad or wrong – some people experience a lot of freedom from Mercury’s journey. The more open you are to giving up control and staying open to the ever-changing landscape of a Mercury cycle, the easier it will be.
The Nitty Gritty
For the purpose of this explanation, we will mostly ignore Mercury’s sextiles to Venus and solar conjunction as the Sun, Mercury, and Venus all travel closely together through our skies; their interactions are business as usual. We can effectively say that Mercury is unaspected for the entire 43 days of Mercury’s retrograde cycles, including the pre-retrograde phase, the retrograde proper, and its post-retrograde phase. It’s worth noting here that Mercury manages to just squeak by the pileup of planets at the beginning of the fire and air signs before it enters its retrograde shadow; thankfully, this retrograde cycle isn’t about that.
So we turn to Mercury, who can sometimes get a little bit stalled in the fixed sign of Leo. Mercury is at their best in the signs of Gemini and Virgo, both mutable. Fixed Leo has strong ideas that appeal to Mercury, but Mercury doesn’t have the backbone to hold to one belief, and it shows. Mercury in Leo can come across as so forceful simply because they aren’t nearly as committed to their cause as they proclaim; it can easily become a pit of empty promises and bravado.
I’m speaking about the negatives associated with this planetary placement first, simply because that is what the average person is most likely to encounter during any given Mercury retrograde in Leo. Since this is unaspected in any significant way, we can assume that all of us, the collective We, will have to deal with some of the consequences of bad Mercury in Leo behavior. It’s time to revisit this theme and maybe improve on it if we’re interested.
I know; nobody loves self-improvement (shhh Virgos, just go along with me here). That’s kind of the point; Mercury is the ruler of Virgo, and Virgo is often the maven of self-improvement. Exploring alternatives and getting better is Mercury’s jam.
If that’s not you, Mercury’s retrogrades will probably never sit well with you. And that’s okay. Grit and bear it, or protect yourself against it, and move on with your life. We can’t control what we can’t control.
But if you’re a tinker. A thinker. An explorer. A tester. A dreamer. A putterer.
If you like to dig into the shadows. If you like to let inspiration claim you. Fuck it, if you’ve been too tight lipped and opinionated for too long and you know you’ve got the change.
This retrograde is going to be for you.
Think all of the re’s: research, revise, redo, renovate, reconcile, reconnect, recollect, restore, reconsider, readjust
Mercury is moving backwards, and so should you.
Said another way, Mercury walks the low path when they are moving in retrograde motion. Some would call it the left-hand path. Others might call it the underworld. Mercury is a messenger planet; this is a time when they have access to all of the realms. Through Mercury, you can have the same.
Expect to get lost and set the intention to enjoy the journey. Expect to lose internet and enjoy your technology detox. Expect to be undone and enjoy the rebuilding process.
This retrograde cycle will not be for everyone (no transit ever is), but it is a cosmic chance. The divine right to look back at where you’ve been and course correct. The time to pathfind through the unknown.
Further Reading:
To All of the Mercury Retrograde Rituals I’ve Loved Before
Working With Personal Planet Retrogrades
Practices to Support Yourself During Mercury’s Retrogrades
A Simple Mercury Road Opener for Mercury Day
The Details
6/30 – Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow 04° Leo
7/18 – Mercury in Leo sextile Venus in Gemini, Mercury retrogrades 15° Leo
7/31 – Sun conjunct Mercury 09° Leo
8/11 – Mercury stations direct 04° Leo