It’s that time of year again! Mercury Retrograde begins today, on August 5. This time around, Mercury Retrograde starts out in Virgo. Then, it slides backwards into Leo on August 14, where it remains until the retrograde ends on August 28.
The good news: Virgo is Mercury’s favorite sign to hang out in, so even when it’s retrograde, things aren’t going horribly awry. Mercury in Virgo makes our minds faster and more agile. No matter your zodiac sign, you're more capable of doing complicated work, and you're able to think of solutions to any problems you face.
Leo, with its vibrant and theatrical nature, thrives on creativity and self-expression. Likewise, Mercury in Leo is all about grand gestures, bold declarations, and fearless creativity. However, when retrograde, this expressive energy can lead to over-the-top drama and miscommunication that is truly larger than life.
For the first half of Mercury in retrograde — while Mercury goes backward in Virgo — the key challenge is to maintain your cool. Resist the urge to overthink, overanalyze, and overextend yourself. Instead, channel Virgo’s methodical approach: Slow down, take a deep breath, and sleep on major decisions.
Then, when Mercury retrograde moves back into Leo, focus on managing our big reactions. Leo’s fiery, expressive energy can turn minor misunderstandings into full-blown shitshows if we’re not careful. So stay grounded, keep your reactions in check, and remember that not every slight or setback needs to be the end of the world.
Remember, we will survive! These Mercury Retrograde-isms have a purpose. They teach us to slow down and review our choices, behaviors, and habits. Especially when it comes to Mercury-ruled areas of life like communication, technology, and transportation. Even when things feel chaotic, Mercury Retrograde allows us to assess what isn’t working and make improvements in our lives.
Astrologers credit: Jake Register & Aliza Kelly