Mercury Retrograde
July 18 to August 11, 2025
Mercury Retrograde
At the beginning of next week, the Sun will move into Leo on July 22 heralding the start of Leo season. However, it may feel like a different Leo season this year because communication planet Mercury will be retrograde in Leo from July 18 to August 11.
Therefore, you may use this time to slow down, take a breath and pause. It’s not a bad idea to do so as the recent astrology has been so lively.
Here in the UK, it’s the last week of school for many children and the summer holidays always coincide with the Sun’s move through Leo.
This time around, holidays are recommended while Mercury retreats through fire sign Leo. Leo is ruled by the Sun, ideal for taking yourself off somewhere warm and inviting joy, happiness and fun into your life.
Dates & Degrees
Communication planet Mercury entered fire sign Leo on June 26.
This week, Mercury turns retrograde at 15° Leo on July 18.
Then, Mercury retreats back to 4° Leo where it turns direct on August 11.
Mercury will change star sign and move into Virgo on September 2.
Therefore, it’s important to use this timing to good effect. If things aren’t working out over the next few weeks, try again from mid-August onwards.
Retrograde Phases In Leo – 2023 to 2025
It feels important that two other planets have been retrograde in Leo over the last couple of years.
Venus was retrograde in Leo from July 23 to September 4, 2023 and Mars turned retrograde in Leo on December 4, 2024. In fact, Mars only completed its journey through Leo on June 17 this year.
Therefore, consider why one area of your life has seen so many retrograde phases of late. You may still be working things out or renegotiating wherever Leo falls in your horoscope.
Mercury Retrograde Tips & Tricks
Mercury has a bad press when it’s retrograde, i.e. giving the illusion of moving backwards in the heavens. Sometimes, this coincides with delays or frustrations when things break down and plans go awry.
Mercury retrograde can be a time when transport or appliances are on the blink. No surprise then that Mercury’s known as the trickster.
If you’re travelling or on the move Mercury rules transport as well as communication. Therefore, ensure you have plans B, C and D up your sleeve. Double-check paperwork, visas, passports, etc. before you travel. And allow yourself extra time to be flexible.
Mercury rules trade and Mercury’s name is linked to merchandise and the markets. This is why it’s not the best time to make a major financial decision or investment.
If you do have to sign a contract during Mercury retrograde, read the small print carefully and double-check everything.
What Mercury retrograde is good for are the re-words, e.g. review, reassess, revise, rework, reflect, reconsider, retreat. Mercury retrograde is often a time when you reconnect with people from your past.
The same applies at work, i.e. rather than start something new, work on old plans and ideas and chase up old contacts.
Sometimes, people go quiet on you during the Mercury retrograde phase. This means you can’t get ahead because you’re waiting on a third party.
One of the major benefits of astrology is learning when to act and when to pull back, to wait or do nothing. It’s not just about luck or fate, it’s about timing.
While Mercury is retrograde, aim to take a step back, let go of what’s not important and move slowly.
Mercury Retrograde In Leo
This Mercury retrograde phase may be most significant for Gemini and Virgo (Mercury ruled star signs), also Leo as Mercury retreats back through your star sign.
Mercury retrograde in Leo is a time when you may feel more connected to your passions and desires. Turn inwards to seek a stronger connection to your true, authentic self.
Mercury in Leo is the loud and proud cat, who doesn’t want to be restrained or silenced. Mercury in Leo is great for talking yourself up, showing up, writing your CV, taking centre stage and making sure your views are heard.
Therefore, consider what you’re working on behind the scenes while Mercury’s on go slow? Are you brushing up your presenting skills, working on your confidence levels or rewriting your website profile?
The turning point comes in three weeks time on August 11 when Mercury turns direct in Leo. This is the date when things that are on hold are likely to get the go-ahead.
Until then and when possible, rest, retreat, hang out with your kids, dive deep into creative activities, take a break and have fun.
It’s an ideal time to go somewhere hot or immerse yourself in a creative project. The more you can focus on play rather than work, the better.
Where It Falls
- Leo – 1st house: your image and body, your personal goals and aims
- Cancer – 2nd house: your money, assets, possessions, values, self-worth
- Gemini – 3rd house: communication, your local community, transport, siblings, neighbours and schools
- Taurus – 4th house: your home and family, your past and where you come from
- Aries – 5th house: love affairs, your children, creative projects, entertainment and luck
- Pisces – 6th house: your work and routine, your health and lifestyle, your employees, volunteering, your pets
- Aquarius – 7th house: your relationships, both personal and professional, contracts, enemies
- Capricorn – 8th house: joint finances and shared resources, the metaphysical realm, all that’s taboo and hidden
- Sagittarius – 9th house: travel, education, your philosophy and beliefs, where you find meaning and purpose
- Scorpio – 10th house: your career and vocation, your reputation and status, your future path
- Libra – 11th house: your friends, groups and wider society, your tribe, your politics
- Virgo – 12th house: inner work, solitude, quiet time, sacrifice and surrender
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