The Upside of a Slowdown: A Mercury Retrograde Guide
How to Find Meaning and Insight in Astrology's Most Villainized Cycle
A few times a year Mercury, Magician psychopomp of the Zodiac, stops in their tracks and dances backwards, and as they do, we on Earth are invited to get still and contemplate.
No doubt you’ve heard of Mercury Retrograde, arguably the most popular astrological phenomenon after the new and full moons. This dreaded boogie man gets blamed for everything from broken i-phones to failed relationships.
Many astrologers will tell you Mercury Rx is a time for the big ‘re’s: rewrite, revisit, remake, etc. In other words, expect to do everything twice. Then pray for smooth travel and that your phone/computer/car doesn’t break down. And wait to send that email.
The other option is to prepare, as in send that email in advance...Which is what I’m doing by letting you know that now is the perfect time to book a reading or a pack of readings before my rates officially increase when Mercury goes direct.
One of the best remedies for before, during, and after retrogrades is using caution. They can be a headache and having a strategy in place ahead of time can be helpful, but there’s more to the story.
To start, let’s talk about what’s actually happening in the sky during a Mercury retrograde.
EVENING STAR TO MORNING STAR
Mercury begins every retrograde as an evening star and ends as a morning star. While Mercury appears to be turning backwards in the sky, it’s drawing away from Earth, on a journey into the Sun. Symbolically, we can think of this as Mercury’s journey into the Underworld.
Each retrograde is a death and rebirth for Mercury.
The mid-point of this cycle is marked by Mercury’s alignment with the Sun or Cazimi. This is the death and rebirth moment. At the fiery heart of the Sun the old stories are burned away, so that new ones can take hold.
REST & REFLECT
As Mercury draws from the Earth, it’s true: things can get hectic. The areas of life Mercury oversees — communication, transportation, mechanics, electronics — often present challenges when the Messenger has left the room.
But there’s an opportunity here: to step back ourselves, to rest and reflect.
THREE PHASE JOURNEY
Mercury retrograde isn’t a long period to endure, it’s a three phase journey that we can choose to work with — one that, in my experience, often delivers rich insights and clarification.
PHASE 1:
Mercury’s evening star journey asks us to remember, to contemplate our current state of affairs — from the most mundane to the deeply profound. Are we changing the oil in our car? Is this job working for us? That relationship may be over, but is there something left unresolved?
This is the period where old friends and lovers tend to pop back into our lives. Sometimes it’s so we can recapture something special left behind. Perhaps it’s a call for reconnection and renewal. Or maybe a final kiss and farewell.
Whatever it is, if you take the time to reflect, the answer will present itself — in time.
PHASE 2:
This is the time. The Cazimi. The moment when Mercury passes through the Sun, officially marking its transition from evening star to morning star. Note this day on your calendar. Light a candle. Write. Meditate. Listen.
Think of Mercury at the heart of the Sun as an opportunity for an ‘ah ha’ moment. This is a day for omens and synchronicities. If you’re paying attention, you may notice a shift in the plot line.
PHASE 3:
Out with the old to make way for the new! This is the integration period. This is not the direct period. Mercury is gaining visibility, but they’re not there yet. In other words, take it slow. Keep waiting to send that letter or make that move.
This is the time to make peace with the old stories you’ve ended and start thinking about how to approach the new ones.
THE CURRENT MOMENT
Mercury stations retrograde at 15 degrees Leo on July 17th, 2025 and goes direct at 4 degrees Leo on August 11th, 2025.
What house does Leo occupy in your chart? What topics are associated with that house? How is that area of your life calling for reflection and renewal?
MERCURY RETROGRADE IN LEO DATES
PHASE 1
Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow: June 29th, 2025
Mercury stations retrograde: July 17th, 2025
PHASE 2
The Cazimi: July 31st, 2025
PHASE 3
Mercury stations direct: Aug 11th, 2025
Mercury leaves its post-retrograde shadow: Aug 25th, 2025
FREE WORKSHOP
Join me on Thursday, July 17th, for Reimagining the Retrograde: Finding Clarity in Mercury's Cycle, a free workshop, where we’ll explore this upcoming retrograde cycle in Leo and how to make the most of it. I’ll give some tips and tricks and, together, we’ll share stories and intentions, as we celebrate Mercury’s movement from darkness to light.
ABOUT VIVI
Vivi Henriette is an LA-based astrologer and tarot reader whose collaborative approach to divination weaves in storytelling and mythology to create a container for her clients to explore their personal narrative. She’s the host of the Los Angeles Astro Salon at the Philosophical Research Society and the podcast TALKTALKTALK and producer of LA Astro Fest.