Mercury Retrograde in Leo - Reworking Creative Projects

On July 17, 2025 Mercury stationed retrograde at 15 degrees of Leo. This current retrograde period will last until August 11, when Mercury will station direct at 4 degrees of Leo. Mercury retrogrades have become one of the more notorious astrological transits known to the general pubic. It has been blamed for all sorts of mix ups, accidents and blunders. But does it really deserve such a negative reputation? Some people have put plans to start new ventures or travel on hold, or have even refused to sign contracts during this time. Please know that you do not have to resort to such extreme measures and that Mercury retrogrades can be a positive and even productive time. 

Astro Codes Oracle

 

 Mercury retrogrades occur three times a year and last for about three weeks at a time. A retrograde is when a planet appears to move backwards in the sky. Of course the planet does not actually move backward. Rather, it is an optical illusion created by the fact that the Earth and the other planets are moving at different speeds, similar to when you pass a car on the highway and it appears to move backwards. Retrograde periods are a time for pause and reflection, a time to reassess the topics the retrograde planet covers. Mercury is about communication and travel, so when he goes retrograde, it can cause issues with communication, travel delays and breakages of communication equipment like phones and computers. This is Mercury's way of telling us to slow down and think before we speak and to review our plans. We may need to take another look at something or revisit the past before we move forward again.

This current Mercury retrograde is in the sign of Leo, a sign about creativity, self expression and leadership. This year all three Mercury retrogrades are in fire signs - Aries earlier this spring and Sagittarius in November. While all Mercury retrogrades can cause communication and travel issues, the sign the retrograde is in will set the tone for the retrograde. For the current retrograde, watch for drama in yourself or others causing misinformation, as Mercury in Leo can exaggerate or make things more dramatic than they are. Also watch for gossip and scandal as this is another way it can get expressed. If we are keeping a secret, we just might get outed now. Mercury retrograde in Leo can also be about travel issues around a summer vacation. Make sure to give yourself extra time, double check your tickets and be prepared that you may have to adjust plans. 

So how can you use this transit to your advantage? Mercury retrograde in Leo can be a great time to re-look at old creative projects. Do you have a draft for a novel that you put down and didn't finish? Now might be the time to pick it up again and see how it can be improved. Is there an old hobby that you abandoned? This can be a good time to re-look at some of the things we loved to do when we were kids and see if we can try our hand at it again. Mercury retrogrades in Leo can be a good time to reconnect with old friends. Is there someone you haven't seen in a long time but would love to get in touch with? Now is a great time to reconnect with someone, so don't be afraid to reach out. It's also a good time to travel to familiar vacation spots and places that hold fond summer memories. You never know what you might rediscover.

The key to any Mercury retrograde, no matter the sign, is to slow down and reassess things. In communication think before you speak, double check all written communication and ask for clarity from others. In travel give yourself lots of extra time and double check the details. We can't put our lives on hold for a three week transit, so don't sweat it if you have to take a trip or sign important papers, just pay more attention to the details. Remember that the retrograde helps us to re-look at things and revisit people and places. Sometimes we have to do things over to make it better than it was the first time around. 

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Full Moon in Gemini - Fantasy or Delusion?

On Sunday December 15, we have a Full Moon at 23 degrees of Gemini. Full Moons occur when the Sun and Moon are in opposite signs, so are a time when we have to make a choice or find a balance between two opposites. The Sun in Sagittarius has us focusing on the big picture, on overarching themes and big plans and goals for the coming year. The Moon in Gemini reminds us that we need to look at the details. Do the facts back up our theories? Do we have the details in place to make our big dreams real? Both Gemini and Sagittarius are geared towards learning, teaching and travel. This can be a good time to decide on what we want to learn more about in the coming year and to think of some adventures we’d like to have. 

Moonology Oracle

 

 Full Moons are also a time when emotions can run high as the Moon, who rules the emotions and the subconscious is at her height. While Gemini moons tend to be more cerebral and less emotionally intense, this can be an increased time for communication and sharing ideas. One thing that may cause some complications, is that we also have Mercury retrograde ending on this day. Mercury has been retrograde in Sagittarius since November 28, and on December 15 he will station direct. After this day you may find there is more clarity and less disruptions, however on this day you may still feel the effects of the retrograde period. So there may be increased communication now, but it may be unclear and mistakes are more likely to be made.

 

The only major aspect this Full Moon makes is a square with Neptune in Pisces. Squares show tension, and with dreamy Neptune in watery Pisces, this adds another layer of delusion and deception to this day. Neptune can be great for fantasy, imagination and a sense of spiritual oneness, but can also lead us astray with delusions and in extremes bring up issues around addictions or mental health. Watch out for misinformation or even disinformation around this time. This Full Moon can be great for creativity and daydreaming, just don’t take your dreams for certainties now. Also beware any big promises or making deals now as not all the facts are in and you may not be seeing things clearly. 

 

The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon is “Children Skating on a Frozen Pond”. This imagery contains the potential for both fun and danger, which I think is apt for this lunation. Skating can be fun and a great way to enjoy the winter season, but if the ice isn’t thick enough it could lead to disaster. It’s important now to assess any risks now and not just jump into things trusting that everything will be fine. It might be, but it also might turn into a disaster. It is important now to use caution but not to be so timid that you miss out on enjoyment and fun. In short, use your head and be creative this Full Moon but don’t make any major decisions or get carried away with what may prove to be a delusion down the road.

 

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Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius - Time to Re-evaluate

 On November 25 Mercury starts his retrograde journey, going backwards from 22 degrees of Sagittarius, until December 15, when he will stop at 6 degrees of Sagittarius before moving forward again. Mercury retrograde is notorious for miscommunication and travel delays and breakdowns, however this is a very simplified interpretation of this transit. Mercury retrogrades occur about three times a year, for roughly three weeks each so is not an unusual astrological event. Mercury rules travel and communication, and when he goes into retrograde it can cause misinformation, misunderstandings, along with travel disruptions. However, Mercury retrograde can bring benefits to. It is a chance to slow down and reassess things. Mercury asks us to stop and review things before moving forward again. Is there something we need to edit? Do our plans need adjusting? Sometimes mercury retrograde can bring people and events from the past to us for reevaluation and to help us process or resolve things.

 

Astro Codes oracle & Oracle of the Radiant Sun

This retrograde period is entirely in the sign of Sagittarius. This is a fiery sign, that likes to have fun and go on adventures, however this is not a great time to do something risky or take chances, as they are more likely to go sideways now. Mercury in Sagittarius is also infamous for putting ones foot in ones mouth, by being too blunt or by blurting things out without thinking it through. This tendency will become more pronounced now, and can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Watch what you say to others and if someone says something to you that seems rude or hurtful, ask for clarification, as they may not have meant it. 

 

Sagittarius is associated with big picture thinking. It rules politics, philosophy, religion and higher learning, along with the law and foreign travel. During this Mercury Retrograde I anticipate that there may be travel disruptions and issues with supply chains and shipping. If you are traveling overseas at this time, double check your plans and paperwork, and be prepared for delays. There also may be increasing misinformation around political or religious issues now. This is a time when we will be collectively re-examining recent political shifts, so watch for changes and adjustments to recent decisions. We may also be examining these areas in our own lives to see what needs to be adjusted, particularly any plans we have for the new year. Has our priorities shifted and changed since last year? This is a good time for reassessment.

 

All in all Mercury Retrograde brings both challenges and benefits. If you have a lot of Sagittarius placements or planets between 6 and 22 degrees of other fire or mutable signs, you may feel this one more than others. While the delays and misunderstandings may cause some frustration, this can be a fruitful time if we use the energy to reassess and review thing before moving forward again. 

 

For more astrology, you can sign up for my free newsletter, Astro News, on my website. I also have weekly detailed astrology reports on my Patreon and you can book an astrology reading with me on my Etsy shop