Mercury retrograde often gets reduced to superficial warnings about miscommunications and technology falling apart, and while that is a part of the story sometimes there’s much more significant changes happening, usually behind the scenes. This Mercury retrograde in Leo, unfolding between July 18th and August 11th, 2025, is about confronting deeper truths, both positive and negative, that we hide from ourselves in order to protect our current concept of ourselves.
This retrograde dances between the 15th and 4th degrees of Leo, lighting up the first half of this proud and passionate sign. If you’ve got planets here or in those degrees in scorpio taurus or aquarius you’ll feel it especially intensely, but everyone will feel its thematic pull. Mercury entered its pre-retrograde shadow around June 30th at 4° Leo, so look back at late June. Words spoken then, promises made, or creative projects kicked off will need a careful second look! Internally many of us will be revisiting our motives and our honesty with ourselves, and especially the stories you’ve told yourself about who we need to be to “matter”.
This retrograde carries a peculiar intensity because Mercury begins walking backward through the decan (a ten-degree slice of the zodiac) associated with the Six of Wands tarot card( the card of victory and public recognition) before retreating into the conflict, struggle, and “training” energy of the Five of Wands decan. Simply put, Mercury is reversing from an area of public validation and outward success into a space of internal tension and debate, though not without purpose! What seemed like victory might now demand a deeper reflection: whose approval were you seeking, was it ever worth the cost? And once we’re clear on our goals. what can be improved upon right now that will bring this desired victory within our reach?
The Trap of Pride
Mercury’s retrograde journey through Leo brings our ego squarely into focus being the planet of mind in the sign of the sun, and that can sting! Leo energy isn’t bad and neither is ego, quite the opposite. Ego and Leo are essential, fiery, and creative. But like all persistent flames, they can burn out of control if not tended carefully. This retrograde will reveal with uncomfortable precision where our pride has grown unchecked, turning from healthy self-assurance into isolation, conflict, and unnecessary battles for attention.
With Saturn newly retrograde around this time, the structured plans we made earlier in the year will clearly need revising. Reality checks abound, particularly concerning areas where we’ve let pride dictate our moves. Perhaps you’ve overextended yourself to appear more capable or successful. Maybe you’ve gotten lost chasing validation from those who only ever dole it out sparingly. Mercury retrograde doesn’t punish pride, it simply illuminates its costs and shows us where our pride is truly deserved.
Words as Weapons, Words as Medicine
Mercury rules speech and thought, and its backward motion forces a sharp review of our communication style. This review intensifies as Mercury stations retrograde exactly while the Moon in Aries aligns with wounded healer Chiron, emphasizing deep, raw pain points around agency and boundaries. You might find yourself asking tough questions, like have I silenced my real desires to avoid conflict? Have I forgotten how to say No when it’s needed? Are my words truly mine, or are they shaped by someone else’s expectations?
This retrograde brings an unavoidable reality check about the price of your silence or acquiescence to another’s overriding will. But there’s another, subtler inquiry here, too: how have your words hurt others or even yourself? During Mercury retrograde in Leo, the old saying “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar” is painfully true. Your tone, your ego-driven defensiveness, and the impulse to always be right can cost relationships, respect, and genuine connection. On the other hand, you may be able to take a blindfold off so to speak and clearly see how to improve some of your communications, leading to much better outcomes for you. Maybe this is when you learn to use Honey and find that it was the missing piece all along!
Relationships in the Spotlight
Adding an intriguing layer to this retrograde is Mercury’s harmonious sextile with Venus in Gemini. Mercury retrogrades can bring things into question in a quest for refinement, seeking inner truth above all else. Since Venus rules relationships, attraction, and social grace, and with Venus in Gemini and ruled by Mercury, the focus is on if we’re getting what we genuinely desire from our relationships, and if our social lives are reflecting who we truly are, or have we been subservient to a false version of ourselves that we’ve felt pressured to become?
Mercury’s backward movement here demands honesty about the ways your ego might sabotage your connections. Perhaps you’ve grown defensive, argumentative, or overly controlling to mask vulnerability in some areas of your life ( you can check which house Leo occupies in your chart). Or maybe you’re realizing that a friend group or social circle you once admired has begun to feel restrictive and limiting, like you could have something more authentic.
So go into this expecting some subtle social tremors! On the negative side, Perhaps an argument surfaces, or an old friend suddenly reveals long-held resentment. There could also be positive manifestations of this due to the helpful sextile, maybe old connections resurface and bring some new light into your life, maybe some friendships grow deeper and more authentic. For most of us we can expect a mix of both, so be ready, but this isn’t purposeless friction, it’s Mercury’s deliberate invitation to reevaluate who and what you truly value.
Dissolving the Old Self
This Mercury retrograde unfolds against a backdrop of massive outer-planet shifts that are collectively pushing humanity toward significant identity transformations, we simply cannot stay the same and there is no going back from this. We’re feeling pressured collectively and individually to let outdated versions of ourselves dissolve. While Mercury retrograde in Leo feels personal, it’s part of a larger narrative, urging us toward the truth.
Briefly, we recall the wisdom of Neville Goddard, whose teachings blossomed during Uranus’s last journey through Gemini, and who said plainly: “Let the old self die.” You don’t need to force this death, just let it happen naturally. Since that Chiron activation will bring up some of the negative ways we look at ourselves, we can then grab hold of these now visible perceptions in ourselves and embody mercury’s signification of transformation, taking the outdated stories and personas and letting them fade quietly into memory instead of action. Mercury retrograde marks a season of review and self review, asking you to gently witness the outdated self-images that keep you small, scared, or overly reliant on external validation.
Regulus: The Heart of the Lion
Finally, Mercury’s journey through Leo aligns us symbolically with the Fixed Star Regulus, Cor Leonis, the Heart of the Lion. This royal star radiates strength, courage, and integrity. Call upon its steady light to remember your innate dignity and worth, independent of external approval or temporary setbacks. Reflect on where you need to take leadership in your life and watch yourself grow.
Regulus reminds us that true greatness is quiet certainty in your own value. Mercury retrograde in Leo is here to strip away false pride, toxic shame, and defensive ego-armor so that your authentic strength and courage can shine through clearly, brilliantly, and undeniably.