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One of astrology’s most infamous transits is upon us: Mercury in retrograde. That’s right, Mercury is about to moonwalk through charismatic, outspoken Leo this July and its transit will last until August. Retrogrades have a dire reputation, but they are not always terrible news. This one runs from July 18 to August 11, 2025, serving up roughly three and a half weeks of creative chaos, the return of exes, ego checks, and second takes.
Below, everything you need to know to survive (and thrive) while Mercury rewinds through Leo.
Mercury Retrograde In Leo, July 2025:
What To Do During Mercury In Retrograde
What Is Mercury Retrograde?
You have heard of it, but what exactly is Mercury in retrograde?
Three to four times a year, Mercury appears to reverse its direction when viewed from Earth. Astronomically, it is an optical illusion created by the differing orbital speeds of Earth and Mercury. Astrologically, these apparent backtracks are loaded with symbolic meaning.
Traditionally, astrologers associate Mercury retrograde with glitches in communication, technology, transport and scheduling. The transit also flavours the life areas ruled by the sign it moves through. If the retrograde plays out in adventurous, big-picture Sagittarius, double-check travel itineraries, study plans and any bold professional gambits. If it occurs in emotional, family-focused Cancer, expect feelings to surge and old memories to surface.
What To Do During Mercury In Retrograde:
Mercury retrograde is a classic time to dot your i’s and cross your t’s. Forward momentum can stall, which makes it perfect for the re-things: review, revise, reconnect, renegotiate, restore (and rest). Much like a full moon, use the slowdown to take stock of your habits, projects, and relationships.
It is also prime territory for old dramas or people from your past to reappear. An ex in your DMs, a former boss pinging you on LinkedIn, the email thread you thought was dead roaring back to life. Annoying? Sometimes. Useful? Often. And of course, occasionally spicy. Revisit the history, extract the lesson and decide what, if anything, deserves a sequel. Mercury retrograde is what you make of it.
What Mercury Retrograde In Leo Means For You:
This retrograde arrives with an extra side of drama. Occurring in theatrical fire sign Leo, it highlights all your outward projections: how you show up, how you are seen and how loudly you roar. Whether you are wondering what your crush thinks or how you are perceived at work, expect the spotlight to find you. Use it with intention.
Social Life & Reputation
Leos are finely tuned to status, admiration and belonging. That sensitivity can tip into insecurity, which is why the sign gets a reputation for grandstanding when it feels ignored. Through this retrograde, resist the urge to make sweeping declarations about friendships, group chats or office politics. If you feel overlooked, pause. Ask whether the bruise is internal before you accuse the people around you of not appreciating you. A quiet check-in often reveals more than a dramatic call-out.
Love & Dating
Leo is a hopeless romantic who wears their heart on their sleeve. Exhibit A and B: Jennifer Lopez (24 July) and Ben Affleck (15 August) are both Leos. Retrogrades in Leo are famous for summoning exes, but greeting a blast from the past does not require granting them a full reunion tour. Treat any return with healthy scepticism. Before you get back together with an ex consider: is this relationship worth revisiting, or are you momentarily swept up in retrograde theatrics?
Early-stage dating can accelerate fast during Mercury in retrograde in Leo. If someone is making grand declarations on the second date, proceed with caution and scan for red flags. Genuine warmth is lovely; love bombing is not.
Couples
For established pairs, the news is brighter. Leo is generous, loyal and unabashedly affectionate. Think big gestures, creative date nights and enthusiastic verbal appreciation. Use the transit to reinvigorate your bond in playful ways: plan a surprise outing, write the gushy text, buy a gift. Now is the time for OTT affection.
Career, Money & Professional Reputation
Leo rules visibility, so Mercury’s review cycle will spotlight your public voice. Pitches, presentations, leadership style, media appearances, and even your email signature are up for revision. Expect delays in launches, campaigns and contracts. Use them. Clarify your messaging, audit anything that runs under your byline, fact-check figures and polish decks before you hit send. It is also a sensible moment to review budgets, especially those tied to creative, promotional, or event spend.
Creative Projects & Personal Expression
Mercury retrograde in a fire sign is prime time to dust off unfinished scripts, drafts, decks and studio experiments. Creative blocks are often cues to reconnect with play. Revisit what lit you up before the deadline. Brainstorm offline. Storyboard by hand. Rehearse in low-stakes rooms. Pride can stifle experimentation, so schedule sandbox time where mistakes are welcome. The mid-cycle Mercury-Sun cazimi window (late July to early August AEST) can deliver flashes of clarity.
What To Watch For:
Drama: Minor miscommunications can escalate when there are this many egos involved. Allow a cooling-off period before responding to a text or email that raises your blood pressure.
Public missteps: Leo seeks the spotlight. Proofread captions, double-check quotes and run your posts past a trusted friend if your platform is large. Tiny errors now take centre stage with big lights.
Tech and travel snags: The classic Mercury gremlins still apply. Back up devices, reconfirm flights and pad commutes, especially within a day or two of the station dates.
Pride versus vulnerability: Leo wants applause; retrograde asks for revision. If you catch yourself defending an outdated take purely to save face, pivot.
Quick Retrograde Survival Moves:
- Back up your phone and laptop
- Re-read contracts before signing
- Revisit stalled creative ideas
- Reach out (carefully) to the person you miss
- Rest your voice when you can so you have it when the spotlight hits.
- Mercury stations direct on 11 August
- Give it a couple of days to settle before proceeding
- Then take what you learned about how you want to be seen and go live it.
The post Watch Out For An Ex During The July Mercury Retrograde In Leo appeared first on ELLE.
