July 18 – August 10, 2025

Your Brain on Fire… or Just a Bit Overheated?

Let’s be real: Mercury retrograde already has a reputation for crossed wires and communication SNAFUs. But when it happens in Leo? We’re not just misfiring texts — we might be misfiring dramatic monologues, declarations of love, or passionate rants no one asked for. Still, this particular Mercury retrograde isn’t likely to destroy your life. In fact, it might just whisper (or roar), “Hey. Maybe think before you speak?”

The Details (Lightweight, I Promise)

Mercury stations retrograde in Leo from July 17th or 18th (depending where you live) to August 10, 2025. It’s not making a lot of planetary aspects during the cycle — which means fewer external distractions or interference. That gives this retrograde a bit of a “clean room” vibe: what you’re working with is you.

And starting July 23, Mercury’s ruler — the Sun — is also in Leo. That’s a strong placement, giving Mercury a little extra guidance while it’s retrograde. Translation? This one’s likely to be milder than your average Mercury mayhem. Still annoying if you’re pushing things too hard, but manageable — even insightful — if you take your foot off the gas.

What Leo Brings to the Mix

Leo is expressive. It wants to be seen, heard, appreciated — adored, even. So when Mercury (planet of thought, communication, and tech) goes retrograde in this sign, you might find yourself:

• Rethinking how you express yourself
• Editing a creative project or rewriting your personal “about me” story
• Working on rebuilding your confidence
• Accidentally texting your ex after watching a nostalgic movie (don’t)

This is not the retrograde for blending in. It’s the one for reflecting on where and how you want to stand out — without accidentally becoming a cautionary tale on TikTok.

Wanna Know What to “Re”?

Check which house Leo rules in your birth chart — that’s where Mercury is stirring things up and where you can be the most productive or prone to mishaps:

• 1st house? Revise house you put yourself out there in the world, or how you take care of yourself.
• 2nd house? Rework your budget, values, or self-worth story.
• 3rd house? Clean out your car, even re-paint it or revisit a creative project with siblings.
• 4th hour? This is all about home and family…what needs revisiting?
• 5th house? Reimagine creative projects or your approach to dating.
• 6th house? Been thinking about getting a cat? How can you revise your schedule to help you be the best you can be?
• 7th house? Need to rewrite contracts? Get creative with re-negotiations.
• 8th house? Rethink any shared resources, joint finances, or that one topic you’ve been avoiding.
• 9th house? Get creative if you’re planning a trip or thinking of getting something published…go big and be brave!
• 10th house? Review career direction and reimagine your public image.
• 11th house? Revisit a fun/creative project with friends, or maybe it’s time to back to community theater…
• 12th house? Take a break from the spotlight. Retreat, reflect, and reconnect with your inner muse (or finally start that dream journal).
  (Want to know when stuff’s happening in the sky? My newsletter always gives a heads-up on the transits and what they might mean to you — sign up here.)

How to Work With It (and Not Lose Your Mind)

• Rehearse before you react. Leo loves a good line — just make sure it’s not coming from your ego’s basement.
• Revisit your creative voice. What’s outdated? What feels fresh?
• Don’t rush big reveals. Save the mic drop moments until Mercury is direct.
• Back up your files. This is always a thing. Especially now.

In Summary: Retrograde Royalty

This isn’t Mercury retrograde in Pisces where everything feels like a dream within a fog within a Wi-Fi outage. This is Mercury retrograde in Leo: bold, colorful, and maybe a little over-the-top — but not unmanageable. The key is to slow your roll, watch your ego, and rehearse your lines before the curtain goes up. Want to know more about Mercury Retrograde? Read How Mercury Retrograde Affects Your Daily Life.

You can come out of this one wiser, shinier, and with fewer typos.

Tracy Quinlan

See Full Bio