Mercury Retrograde Is Bringing Back the Drama You Tried to Bury Last Summer

Everybody’s favorite retrograde is back. Get ready to dial up the drama before this summer is over, because Mercury retrograde in Leo will affect each zodiac sign during July and August 2025. While Mercury retrograde is a notably dreaded event, this one will finally help you make sense of the events that unfolded last summer. Be prepared to finally receive the answers and clarity you have been waiting for.

Known as the cosmic messenger, Mercury is associated with communication, thinking, and intelligence. However, Mercury also aligns with trickery, travel, and technology. Given that Mercury is the second fastest planet next to the moon, the cosmic messenger happens to station retrograde more often than any other planet. On average, Mercury stations retrograde three to four times per year. Although there are a few Mercury retrogrades per year, each one only lasts about three weeks. At least Mercury retrograde is relatively short-lived compared to other retrogrades, which can last for months.

Don’t expect to get much sleep on July 18, because Mercury will station retrograde in Leo at 12:44 a.m. ET. Starting at 15 degrees, Mercury retrograde in Leo promises to keep you up all night long with anxiousness and restlessness. This Mercury retrograde will be a little different than the other ones this year, because it will only occur in one zodiac sign—Leo. As a result, Mercury retrograde will answer to Leo’s planetary ruler, the sun. Everything will feel more personal during a solar-infused Mercury retrograde. You may take every issue, situation, and more to heart. Since it feels personal, it might be challenging to separate yourself from a problem, relationship, or occurrence. Remember that it’s not all about you, even during a sun-ruled Mercury retrograde.

What can you expect from this Mercury retrograde? Ask yourself what were your highs and lows from August 2024. Whatever happened then may come back around this Mercury retrograde. Anything or anyone from this previous period is subject to review during this Mercury retrograde. It might be the perfect opportunity to settle something once and for all. Aside from that, you can count on experiencing all the usual Mercury retrograde dilemmas: travel issues, miscommunication, technical glitches, and relationship problems. There will be ample opportunity for slip-ups, so be careful. Move slowly and carefully to avoid adding more fuel to the fire.

Mercury retrograde in Leo will aspect several planets throughout its regress, but there’s one transit that stands out among the rest. On July 31, Mercury retrograde in Leo will enter the heart of the sun in Leo. This conjunction is known as a “cazimi,” which represents a breakthrough mid-retrograde. You may receive insight, information, or answers you have been seeking over the last few weeks. Anxiety and chaos may also temporarily subside, providing a much-needed pause to get your bearings together.

Shortly after the full moon in Aquarius on August 9, Mercury retrograde in Leo will end on August 11, at 3:29 a.m. ET. Stopping at 4 degrees, newly direct Mercury will begin its post-shadow period. The post-shadow period is your chance to reflect on what has unfolded these past three weeks, and how to make the most of it as you proceed. You have until August 25 to make sense of your Mercury retrograde story and lessons.

How Mercury retrograde will affect each zodiac sign

Here’s what you can expect from Mercury retrograde in Leo during July and August 2025, according your sun sign and/or rising sign (and seriously, you’re missing out if you don’t read these horoscopes for your rising sign):