Mercury Retrograde in Leo: Ego, Echoes & the Elegance of Restraint
Today, Mercury begins its retrograde dance—this time, strutting backward through the gilded halls of Leo, the zodiac’s royal dramatist and hopeless romantic. From July 17 through August 11, the usual retrograde chaos applies: miscommunications, tech glitches, travel delays, lost documents, and yes—old lovers resurfacing like ghosts at a ball. But this retrograde? It’s got teeth—and a taste for theatrics.
Mercury, the planet of communication and movement, is aligned with the energies of Elegua and Papa Legba—our divine messengers, gatekeepers, and tricksters. When Mercury goes retrograde, these spirits don’t abandon us—but they do throw obstacles and riddles in our path to force reflection and growth.
Saturn, who rules structure, restriction, and karma, mirrors the energies of Babalu-Aye, Orisha of illness, healing, and sacred accountability, and Orisha Oko, divine judge of truth and harvest. Together, they remind us that nothing ripens without time, discipline, and honesty—and that what we plant, we eventually harvest.
Neptune, the dreamer of the skies, resonates with Olokun—deep, mysterious, psychic, and submerged. These two energies don’t just inspire us… they test whether we’re grounded in reality or drowning in illusion.
And finally, the Sun in Leo radiates the fire of Shango—Orisha of thunder, power, ego, and spectacle. With Mercury retrograding here, we’re called to question whether we are leading from truth—or merely performing for attention.
🔥 What's Really Happening in the Sky?
As Mercury rewinds through Leo, it’s not alone. Saturn and Neptune sit in fiery Aries, locked in a tight alignment. This blend of karma (Saturn/Babalu-Aye + Orisha Oko) and fantasy (Neptune/Olokun) adds complexity to the retrograde’s usual mix.
Expect:
- Romantic rewrites and ego-fueled entanglements
- Reckonings around image, status, or projections
- Global posturing and performative diplomacy that mirror personal drama
With Shango’s Leo fire lighting up the stage, and Elegua/Papa Legba stirring the crossroads, this is not just a season of missteps—it’s a spiritual test.
✨ Energetically Speaking…
Leo’s bold charisma aligns with Shango, who teaches confidence, justice, and magnetic leadership. But when Mercury’s moving backward through Shango’s fire, pride can quickly tip into performance, and leadership into arrogance.
Are you speaking to be heard—or to be worshipped?
Are you reconnecting with an ex out of love—or because they once fed your ego?
There’s also a whisper of Erzulie Dantor in this retrograde—fierce, protective, and unflinching in the face of betrayal. She doesn’t chase beauty; she guards truth. She doesn’t cry for attention; she bleeds for her people. Under her watchful eye, we are asked to cut through the illusion, to defend our hearts, and to never confuse pride with power.
⚠️ Key Themes This Retrograde:
🗣️ Communication Misfires:
With Elegua and Papa Legba in play, messages may go astray or come with deeper meaning. Listen more than you speak. Watch for signs at the crossroads—Spirit is talking.
💔 Old Flames, Same Scripts:
Exes may reappear, tempting you into old roles. But Mercury retrograde asks: is this a healing encore—or a trap door back into a script that already hurt you?
💇 Style Over Substance:
Leo's bold style meets Mercury's reversals—so skip the drastic makeovers. Let Shango's fire refine your inner brilliance instead of chasing outer dazzle.
🎭 Ego Check:
If you're performing for applause, pause. Under Leo’s spotlight, it’s easy to play a role. But Shango teaches that true power lies in integrity, not attention.
🎨 Creative Reclamation:
Now is the time to return to what’s unfinished. Channel Olokun’s depth to stir your imagination. Let Dantor’s fierce focus push your creative vision across the finish line.
☀️ The Cazimi Portal – July 31
Midway through the retrograde, Mercury will meet the Sun in a rare alignment called cazimi—a moment of piercing clarity inside the storm. Think of it as Elegua standing wide open at the crossroads, offering a moment of truth.
If you’ve been waiting to speak, write, reset, or relight something from within—this is your divine permission.
🕯️ In the Spirit…
This Mercury Retrograde offers a mirror. And with Leo involved, the question becomes:
Are you seeking light—or trying to become a star in someone else’s story?
Walk humbly. Listen closely. Let Elegua/Legba guide your words. Let Shango temper your ego with justice. Let Olokun reveal the truth beneath illusion. Let Dantor keep your heart fierce and honest.
And let Babalu-Aye and Orisha Oko remind you that the harvest isn’t just about reckoning—it’s about renewal, learning, and stepping more fully into who you’re becoming.
When in doubt?
Leave the drama to the Loa.