Mercury Retrograde in Leo 7*18*25 - 8*11*25
Astrology, as has been noted many times, is about cycles. The zodiac is a framework for planetary cycles. It begins with Aries and ends with Pisces then starts all over again. Hopefully each subsequent cycle brings with it wisdom acquired through the previous cycle. Every planet has a separate cycle as it moves through this framework. Retrograde motion is one part of a planet's cycle. The slower a planet moves, the more time it spends in retrograde motion. That is because the slow moving planets like Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, and even Saturn and Jupiter, have greater influence on society as a whole rather than individuals. The changes they precipitate run deep. Things move more slowly in larger groups. The retrograde periods of these slower planets are opportunities to reexamine what is going on in the macro and decide how to respond.
The Bigger Picture - A backdrop of change
Pluto has been retrograde since May, allowing us to reevaluate how power is held and used in our environment, and how we as individuals are responding. Neptune and Saturn have just turned retrograde this month, again, pumping the brakes on how we experience authority and our spirituality. This will continue through the summer and into the fall. In September, Uranus will join the retrograde motion party. Because all these planets have recently changed signs, their retrogrades are opportunities to both review how they are expressing their energies in the new signs, as well as tie up any loose ends from their time in the signs they just left. This process is happening to all of us on a collective as well as an individual level. As things are revealed in the larger stage, we all have the opportunity to stop and reflect on the themes of power (Pluto); responsibility and authority (Saturn); dreams and spirituality (Neptune); and freedom and individuality (Uranus).
Mercury Retrograde: press the pause button
Mercury going retrograde in Leo is best viewed in the context of this field of change in the macrocosm. Mercury is a personal planet. It affects individuals more than societal trends. It is the energy of how we communicate, express ourselves and our ideas, and process information. Mercury deals with logic and data more than higher philosophical musings. The latter is Neptune's territory (which is also retrograde right now). The reason we are advised not to make big decisions when Mercury is retrograde is because often there is some piece of important information that is not being accessed for some reason.
When Mercury is retrograde, its energy is turned inwards. Its time for a pause to allow us to review how we express ourselves. How do you process information? Do you give yourself the space and time to digest and synthesize information or are you indiscriminately consuming it? Do you adopt sound bites of others or make sure what you say authentically represents you? Do you take responsibility for your words and their effects?
Mercury goes retrograde three to four times a year, and it does so in signs of the same element. Mercury has been retrograding through fire signs. Fire signs experience life through ideals. They care about the big picture, how things should be in a values-based world. In December of 2024, Mercury retrograded in Sagittarius. The emphasis then was to review our beliefs. In March, it was retrograde in Aries (Mercury Retrograde in Aries - Pisces March 2025 - read the post here).
Mercury + Leo = Expressive Leadership
Now Mercury is going retrograde in Leo, the fixed fire sign. Leo has a natural warmth and generosity. It is playful and charismatic. A well developed Leo energy is fun to be around. People gravitate towards it. There is an inherent leadership that is recognizable. This Leo is comfortable with personal power. It doesn't use it to bully or belittle, but to create coherence within a group. This Leo expression is guided by a moral code. All fire signs are motivated by ideals. For Leo, the focus is on individual power and leadership. In particular, how does a leader inspire others? A fully realized Leo understands the responsibility of leadership to bring the whole team to a higher level, and to do so in a way that engages and supports each person. In contrast, undeveloped Leo energy is demanding, arrogant, and uses coercion as the motivator. The beauty of this Mercury retrograde against the backdrop of the shifts in the outer planets is there is no lack of variation in the expression of these energies. They are being acted out clearly.
Mercury retrogrades are times to pause and reevaluate how you manage the energy of Mercury expressed through the template of Leo. There will be opportunities now to review and redefine your personal power and how you wield it. What inspires you? What standards do you hold for yourself and your important others? Do your actions consistently align with your ethics? Do you remember how to have fun? Do you make time for it? How do you cultivate your personal power? Do you get involved in control dramas where there is continual competition for energy? Is power a zero - sum game that requires someone lose in order for you to win? Is loudness the way to get attention? Is there a distinction between attention and admiration? Do either matter to you? Leo energy thrives on appreciation and acknowledgement. How much external validation do you require and what do you do to get it? How generous are you with your praise?
At the crux of much of this is a willingness to be authentic and transparent. How willing are you to be seen? Can you own your power and use it responsibly to create something that contributes to the group?
Consumer or Creator?
We do a lot of consuming in this society. We are encouraged to consume; there is no lack of things marketed to us. We are even referred to as consumers in economic speak. Perhaps its time for a reset. What if you decided to be a creator? Leo is a creative sign; creativity needs an outlet. When is the last time you created something? How do you express your creative capacity? Sometimes it's easier to start with a reframe of perspective. Can you shift from making dinner to creating nourishment? From cleaning up to creating order? This is also a great time to explore different interests and ways to bring more joy and play into your life. Take a chance at something you may not be good at and do it for the experience. Have fun with it.
Pay special attention to what comes to light on July 31 when Mercury and the Sun will be conjunct. This is known as Mercury cazimi, when Mercury rests "in the heart of the Sun". It is the midpoint of the retrograde cycle. More importantly, when a planet conjuncts the Sun, themes of that planet come into our conscious awareness. It can actually be a good time to initiate a change or plant a seed for something new.
Mercury will be retrograde until August 11, and will leave its shadow (cross over the point it went retrograde at) on August 25. It can take that long for lingering challenges to resolve. When things get glitchy, and they might, (but they might not...) instead of blaming "Mercury in Gatorade", ask what you are being shown? This is an opportunity to check in and see the bigger picture. Most importantly, it's the opportunity to decide how you want to move forward with this new information about yourself. At the end of the day, it's all you.
"Through the sacred art of pausing we develop the capacity to stop hiding, to stop running away from our experience. We begin to trust our natural intelligence, in our naturally wise heart, in our capacity to open to whatever arises." ~Tara Brach
"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost." ~Martha Graham
PS: Coaches, counselors and teachers, learn how astrology can help you reach your clients and students. When you know someone's Sun sign, you have a window to the way they process the world. Check out the virtual class details under the “classes” tab.
