Mercury retrograde has entered the chat โ and this time, itโs in Leo. From July 17 to August 10, the planet of communication is doing its usual backwards dance, stirring up drama in all the places Leo loves most: your love life, your social circle, and your creative projects. You might feel misunderstood, overly emotional, or like your inbox is trying to ruin your life on purpose.
But while Mercury retrograde is known for tech glitches and awkward texts, itโs also a cosmic clean-up โ pushing you to reassess, recalibrate, and maybe finally break up with your situationship. Ahead, everything you need to know about what it is, when it hits, and how to get through it without spiralling.
What Does Mercury Retrograde Mean?
Three to four times a year, Mercury โ the planet that rules communication, travel, and tech โ appears to reverse in the sky. Itโs not actually moving backwards (science, etc.), but it looks that way from Earth. And in astrology? That optical illusion packs real punch.
Mercury retrograde is a time when things getโฆ messy. Emails vanish, texts are misread, travel delays multiply, and conversations go sideways fast. Itโs also a period when ghosts of relationships past reappear โ think exes sliding into your DMs or unresolved situations suddenly resurfacing.
This isnโt bad luck. Astrologers see retrograde as a chance to rethink, redo, and realign. But yes, it can feel chaotic. Especially given this round coincides with one of the biggest transformational events to unfold in 84 years : Uranus is in Gemini.

Pre & Post-Retrograde Shadow Periods
The official retrograde may last a few weeks, but the effects stretch far beyond that. Enter: the shadow periods.
The pre-retrograde shadow is when Mercury starts to slow down (around two weeks before the retrograde begins). You might already feel that brain fog or start seeing signs of confusion creeping in. The post-retrograde shadow is the comedown โ when Mercury speeds up again and unfinished storylines start wrapping up.
So if the retrograde feels like it started early or wonโt end on timeโฆ youโre not imagining it.
What Are The Dates Of Mercury Retrograde In 2025?
Mercury retrograde happens three to four times a year and generally lasts around three weeks, not including the two-week shadow periods before and after. Each one hits differently depending on the sign itโs in โ and 2025โs second retrograde is in fiery, dramatic Leo. Expect theatrics.
Youโll want to mark these down:
- March 14 โ April 7: Mercury retrogrades from Aries into Pisces
- July 17 โ August 10: Mercury retrogrades in Leo (thatโs the one weโre in now)
- November 9 โ 29: Mercury retrogrades from Sagittarius into Scorpio
The current retrograde โ July 17 to August 10 โ is the one stirring up love lives, friendships and creative projects. And thanks to Leoโs extra energy, itโs the most emotionally loud of the year.
Pre-shadow began on June 29, and post-shadow lingers until August 25, so the full effect spans nearly two months.
How Does Mercury Retrograde Affect Us?
This isnโt just about bad Wi-Fi and lost emails. Mercury retrograde can affect how we connect โ with friends, partners, coworkers, and even ourselves.
You might feel misunderstood. A casual comment gets taken the wrong way. A bold Instagram caption lands flat. You may suddenly question everything from your relationship to your job title.
In Leo, Mercury is big, bold, and expressive. But when itโs retrograde, that confidence can tip into confusion. Think: spontaneous declarations of love you immediately regret, oversharing in the group chat, or receiving attention that doesnโt feel entirelyโฆ welcome.
What Are The signs Mercury Retrograde Is Affecting Your Relationships?
Letโs be honest: your love life might feel a bit like a soap opera right now.
Common signs include:
- Mixed signals or miscommunications with your partner
- Arguments that start over nothing and spiral into everything
- That one ex popping up out of nowhere like itโs 2014 again
- Over-analysing every emoji in someoneโs text
- Feeling emotionally spun out for no obvious reason
Itโs not just romantic relationships either โ friends, family, and work dynamics can feel shakier than usual. Keep your cool. Say less. Listen more.
What To Do When Mercury Is In Retrograde
Hereโs how to navigate the madness:
- Hold off on big decisions: This isnโt the time to sign contracts, launch new projects, or DTR with that person youโve seen twice.
- Communicate clearly: Read your texts twice before sending. Follow up on anything important. Donโt assume tone.
- Expect delays: Give yourself extra time for travel, appointments, or plans. Tech might glitch. Trains might ghost you.
- Protect your peace: Cleanse your space with sage or incense. Stay grounded. Go offline when needed.
- Reflect instead of react: Use this time to reassess whatโs working in your life โ and what needs to go.
And if youโre feeling particularly off? Circle July 31 on your calendar. Thatโs Mercury cazimi โ when it sits in the heart of the Sun. Itโs the clearest, most productive day of the retrograde, ideal for making decisions or having that important conversation (finally).
Mercury retrograde in Leo is bold, emotional and gloriously messy โ but itโs also a powerful opportunity to pause and recalibrate. If youโre feeling out of sorts, youโre not alone. Just slow down, check your receipts, and remember: clarity always follows the chaos.
Related articles:
- 84 Years Ago Uranus In Gemini Witnessed A World In Chaos, Now Itโs Back
- What It Actually Means When Mercury Is In Retrograde
- These Star Signs Are Feeling Mercury Retrograde The Most