Your Guide to the 2025 Mercury Retrograde in Leo

Jul 11

Mercury retrograde is about to descend upon us once again! This is the second Mercury retrograde for 2025, and it comes to us entirely in Leo the Lion. This triggers both creativity and heart-centric ventures, as well as bouts of stubborn pride. Time to roar!

The Astrological Definition of Mercury Retrograde:

A planet or body in astrology is called “retrograde” when it appears to move backward through the Zodiac (it’s not actually and just looks that way). Normal motion for most bodies is forward, so it usually operates in reverse when retrograde.

Mercury is the only planet that retrogrades multiple times every year (3-4). It’s also fairly short, usually only around 3 weeks in length.

But don’t let the short duration fool you - Mercury can pack quite the punch!

Mercury is a tech ruler, governs communication, the details, work, health, and our immediate environment. It’s the natural ruler of Gemini (sign of the mind) and Virgo (sign of work), and connects with the 3rd house (immediate environment) and 6th house (daily life).

As we become more dependent on technology in our modern world, Mercury retrograde has more opportunities to throw things off. That rascally rabbit!

What Mercury Retrograde Is Good For:

It’s not all doom-and-gloom with Mercury retrograde though. It does have its bright spots, and can be good for the re-’s: redo, revise, revisit, rethink, reconnect, reconsider, etc.

Retrogrades are great for second chances as we’re often looking backward, so they provide an opportunity for us to pick something back up that we failed at, that we started but didn’t finish, or that we didn’t get off of the ground.

On a personal level, this usually plays out in the areas of life ruled by the house or houses in your natal chart Mercury retrograde will occur in. Those areas can experience blocks and delays, and they can experience do-overs and revisions.

So What’s the Impact of Mercury Retrograde in Leo?

This Mercury retrograde comes to us in Leo. Leo is a fire sign, full of life and creativity, and is ruled by the Sun, giving it vitality and spunk. Leo naturally connects with the 5th house, the house of love, making this sign heart-centric.

With Mercury retrograde in Leo, we may want more time to play, to have fun, to be with those we love and to do what we love, and we have way less patience for the mundane, the practical, and the boring. If we have to deal with the regular stuff, we may lack focus, so it’s important we bring some creativity to it and make it fun so we can stay focused.

With Leo being heart-centric, we can focus on tending to our hearts and working on old issues in love and romance. For some, this can be a time to reconnect with old flames, or rekindle existing ones.

Creativity tends to be high with Leo, so with Mercury retrograde, consider picking back up an old creative project or venture. This can be a great time to make progress with it, and you can work on it quickly. It might be a good idea to choose something you can finish quickly though (say 1-2 weeks) since focus may not stick once the retrograde is over.

With Leo being the Lion, we do have to be mindful of stubborn pride during this retrograde. If you start to feel immovable, ask yourself why, and see if maybe your ego has taken over. The ego can be more sensitive during this time, so handle it with care but don’t let it put you in a bad position you can’t get out of.

The Tech Specs of the 2025 Leo Mercury Retrograde:

This retrograde begins on July 18th 2025 at 12:45AM ET/July 17th 2025 at 9:45PM PT and ends on August 11th 2025 at 3:30AM ET/12:30AM PT. It begins sextile (beneficial aspect, two signs away) transit (moving) Venus in Gemini. We can work well together, be more pleasant, and can get grounded, and this can help quite a bit with the retrograde energy.

It ends sextile Mars in Libra and opposite (challenging aspect, six signs away) Pluto in Aquarius. Mars is energy and drive, so we can utilize our energy and drive well coming out of the retrograde; Pluto is power and control, so we might be quick to fight and need to get creative instead of being inflexible.

This Mercury retrograde comes after Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune have changed signs (as well as Jupiter), so they’re all early, and we’re still adjusting! Mercury won’t help with that, ha, so we have to not be too hard on ourselves with it.

On the same day Mercury retrograde ends, Ceres retrograde begins! Ceres is a dwarf planet ruling nourishment, support, and resources, and we can struggle with this when Ceres is retrograde. So, it might be extra important during this Mercury retrograde to set yourself up well for the Ceres retrograde so you’re more stable, secure, and confident (otherwise you might be thrown for several months since Ceres retrograde lasts until November).

The Mercury retrograde begins at 15 degrees Leo, so aspects are between 12 and 18 degrees at the start; the Mercury retrograde ends at 4 degrees Leo, so aspects are between 1 and 7 degrees at the end (so 1 - 18 degrees) of:

Leo: Conjunction (amplifies)
Gemini & Libra: Sextile (beneficial with work)
Taurus & Scorpio: Square (challenging, requiring internal focus)
Aries & Sagittarius: Trine (beneficial with ease)
Aquarius: Opposition (challenging, be flexible)

Mercury Retrograde in Leo for the Zodiac Signs:

(note that you can read your Sun sign, which will use Solar Houses, but you may find your Rising sign to be more accurate, so check your Rising sign forecast if you know your Rising)

For Aries, this is a good time to reconnect with your heart and what you love. Pick back up an old hobby, spend more time with those you love, and channel energy creatively. If you can get a break from it all, this might be the time for it (just do so responsibly!).

For Taurus, home and family matters can get more attention, and you may need to work on making improvements and tending to little things. Spend time reconnecting with the idea of home, with those you think of as family, and taking care of your emotional needs.

For Gemini, your mind might be a little wonky, and you may feel off with Mercury being your ruler. Uranus just entered your sign, so you’re still in an adjustment period. Go easy on yourself, especially mentally, and try to give your mind a break or channel the energy positively.

For Cancer, things might seem slower than usual with this retrograde, and you may need to work on making sure you don’t get stuck. Improve stability and security, and this can help you keep going, even if it’s at a slower pace. Get in tune with the physical world around you.

For Leo, this is in your sign, so you can feel like the target. There can be a lot of little things to manage, and you might want to throw up your hands and avoid it, but try to tackle what you can, when you can. Focus on the second chance energy since this is an amazing period for it.

For Virgo, energy might seem really low, and you may feel out of sorts thanks to Mercury ruling your sign. Try to plan for more breaks, to get more rest, and to have more time to yourself. Alone time can be replenishing, and you can be more reflective and intuitive.

For Libra, there can be something you want to change that you’re feeling restless about, but try to avoid being impulsive and acting hastily. Be smart, and you can create changes that will bring great progress. If you’re questioning the future, don’t focus on it too much for now.

For Scorpio, existing goals might get put on hold, and you may be a little uncertain about the path you’re on. Try to find a different perspective for now, and consider picking back up an old goal you can accomplish quickly. You may need a little space from responsibilities too.

For Sagittarius, you may not have as much space as you’d like with this retrograde, and this can cause you to get grumpy. Try to work with what you’ve got, and give yourself a little more room to move and breathe without blowing anything up.

For Capricorn, there can be a serious matter requiring your attention, and it can be something you get wrapped up in. Try to do research, but don’t get obsessive. Keep the light on in your life, and work to transform so you can keep moving forward.

For Aquarius, make time for the people in your life since they may need more help from you. You may find that other people have the drama for now, not so much you, so be supportive of those you care about, and make sure to maintain balance.

For Pisces, there can be a lot of little things to get done, and you may try to take them all on, but this can stress you out. Be realistic with your plans, and allow others to get some things done. Pick back up an old project instead, and tend to your overall well being

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