Mercury Retrograde in Leo July 17-August 11, 2025
Mercury Retrograde July 17-August 11
Mercury will be retrograde in Leo (15º34’-4º15’) between July 17 and August 11th.. Its shadow period, during which the effects of the retrogradation will still be felt but mildly, will last until August 25.
In appearance at least, Mercury, all of a sudden, seems to go backwards against the background of the fixed stars. Even though this occurrence -which this year happens only 3 times for about 3 weeks each time-, is an optical illusion caused by the relative speeds of Mercury and our own on Earth, it affects our lives deeply. Most dread these periods. Because communications tend to be significantly disrupted -e-mails are lost, appointments are missed, schedules change without notice, misunderstandings happen, keys are misplaced, people change their minds, we forget where we parked our car, technology breaks down and so on and so forth-, it is not a good period to install any new software. It is not good either for buying a house, a car or a computer, forming new partnerships, committing to legally binding contracts or signing important documents.
But there is also a very good side to Mercury retrograde. It is a time to expect the unexpected as it can bring all kinds of interesting surprises. We tend to be more reflective, remembering projects we had forgotten. Friends we hadn’t heard from forever reappear, and we are drawn again to places we hadn’t been to in a long time…
All 3 Mercury retrogrades in 2025 are happening in Fire signs (March 14-April 7 in Aries, July 17 – August 11 in Leo, and November 9-29 in Sagittarius). This is adding to the intensity of this year, its explosive quality and the swift changes we are witnessing.
This particular retrogradation is in Leo, the sign of warmth, generosity, entertainment, creativity, romance, and children. The degree on which it starts (15º34’) is represented in the Sabian Symbols by all of Nature rejoicing in the brilliant sunshine emerging after the end of the storm. This is a period to live our joy without restraint. Full of confidence, expansiveness, and enthusiasm, we could revisit a creative project that had been accumulating dust on a shelf. If we had been aspiring to write, draw or act, this could be THE time to complete that novel we had left hanging, pick up our paint brushes, decide to finally exhibit our work, get a role in a movie, try our hand at stand-up comedy, re-integrate a theater group, return to singing, playing an instrument, creating jewelry, or painting pottery, for example. Our dreams tend to find a practical form. An unusual opportunity could present itself. Unexpected changes bring a new order. Excited to express our uniqueness in big, bold, dramatic ways, we may well ignore the smaller details, but a good sense of organization, as well as serious and diligent work, and an ability to tap into our unconscious mind help us give a practical form to innovative ideas.
Romance is in the air. Sudden encounters with unusual people could challenge our life-choices and make us question our independence or attachment to freedom. A long-lost love affair could resurface giving a relationship a second chance. Conversations tend to be easy-going, pleasant, and peaceful. An ancient conflict is likely to be resolved with tact, compromise, charm, and refinement. We are drawn back to like-spirited groups or fraternities which strengthen our insights, our intuition, as well as our psychic abilities, and help us develop our spiritual consciousness. Our ideals are revisited, and those that no longer hold precedence are replaced by more adapted objectives. We could take a renewed interest in community affairs and wish to work in a hospital or join a humanitarian or educational organization. Activities with children are favored.
Spontaneous events bring sudden insights but could also make us fall prey to some discouragement, anxiety, or apprehension. However, worry and frustration, or associating with lazy, disorganized, unreliable individuals only serve to impede our progress, causing us to want to withdraw into our shell. It is important that we quiet our mind, remain as positive as possible, turn within with honesty, and acknowledge our responsibility in having created what happened in our life.
With a more profound understanding of ourselves and others, as well as patience, shrewd planning, inspiration, and focused effort, we can become the creators of a better reality.
In Loving Light.
Michelle Karén, M.A., D.F.Astrol.S.
Astrologer, Shaman, Conference Speaker
Author of Astrology For Enlightenment (Atria Books, Simon & Schuster, NY)
https://www.MichelleKaren.com
https://www.YouTube.com/c/MichelleKarenAstrologerShaman
