For Mercury’s retrograde station at 16º of Leo for your sign (or natal house if you happen to know where 16º of Leo falls in your chart): 

Aries

(5th House) Generally speaking Mercury in its retrograde phase has a terrible reputation. We blame it for everything that can possibly go wrong in our lives. And this phase will likely have its own moments of distraction and annoyances. However, when Mercury in Leo is retrograde, it can also be a source of inspiration for Aries, allowing you to connect with your heart center in some meaningful and personal way. This is important, because when Mercury is in Leo it is asking us to also be able to speak from the heart. Leo is a sign of personal and creative self-expression, and when we are able to make that heart connection and speak from that center, people will pause and pay attention. Mercury in Leo in its retrograde phase allows us to speak heart to heart. It could probably benefit us to pause and think about what we are going to say first. And this is especially likely now that both Saturn and Neptune are also retrograde in your sign of Aries. Pause, reflect, step back and think about what you want to say, and the way you wish to convey it, then allow the heart to do the rest. Now it could also be that you find yourself at a loss for words. Know also that a great deal can also be expressed in silence, where words will only get in the way. And sometimes it is better to just say nothing at all. Knowing this can make all the difference.

Taurus

(4th House) It is during the retrograde phases of Mercury that we are given the opportunity to pause and reflect. When Mercury is also in Leo it also beckons Taurus to look all the way back, perhaps to some of the earliest years of your life, or even before that. That can simply find you calling up relatives, revisiting the homestead, reminiscing and remembering times long past. Reflecting on the past, can help us to make sense of the present. This is how we learn. It could also bring you some valuable navigational tools, especially if you find yourself in a well of uncertainty, or confusion about some events of the past. Mercury retrograde periods can be really useful for gaining personal insights, and internally processing any recent changes or losses. But it can also be a good time to research and familiarize yourself with your roots, your culture, your ancestors. Don’t be surprised if some long hidden secrets are revealed in the process, which could totally affect what you previously believed to be true. Family histories can be like that. One person has one version, and someone else has another. But somewhere betwixt and between, or perhaps lying beneath the fold, the truth can be found, along with some significant realizations. Things aren’t always what they appear to be. So having these times for reflection and personal insight, can help to fill in some of the blanks. 

Gemini

(3rd House) Mercury, your ruling planet appears to be coming to a dead stop this week, as it stations for its retrograde phase which will last until August 11th/12th. In the sign of Leo there is a lot of emphasis on self-expression, and perhaps how you use your voice. While in its retrograde phase it can also allow you to better get in touch with your own inner creative vision that is uniquely your own. And this would certainly be in keeping with Mercury’s sextile to Venus, which is now in your sign, as well as Uranus having just entered Gemini as well! One of the things you may need to pay attention to, is whether or not you have all the facts, and that you are seeing the whole picture, before making any assumptions or major decisions. Make sure that you aren’t crossing any wires, or mixing up days and times. Pay attention when the engine light comes on, and get things checked before you make that road trip. Those are the usual sorts of challenges we have to muster with Mercury retro. But where you can most benefit from this period, is when you allow your mind to settle, and take some time out from all of the busyness of your life. Find some space. And then approach your life, one piece at a time, one day at a time. Perhaps step back and examine the recent events of your life making sure that you are truly seeing things clearly, and able to discriminate between the way things actually are, as opposed to what you might have wanted them to be. 

Cancer

(2nd House) The upcoming Mercury retrograde which begins on July 17th/18th will have many of us second-guessing ourselves. This is easy to do. When we live in times of uncertainty we tend to fill in the unknowns with our imagination and fears. As a result we are probably not seeing things all that accurately. And this would be especially so during the retrograde phase of Mercury which lasts until August 11/12th. Even worse would be to ignore a problem entirely and pretend that it doesn’t even exist. It will probably be during this retrograde period that things that we have been trying to ignore, can no longer be denied. There is also something to be said for being able to step back and looking at things objectively. And this can be literal. Like taking a few steps back before you can proceed, or stepping back in order to get all of your affairs in order first. There could be financial concerns that are forcing you to do so, but could also just be about getting all of your priorities in order. In this case, stepping back in order to see how much is coming in and how much is going out can be eye-opening. Are you being fully compensated for the amount of energy you are expending? What are the things that you do want to spend your valuable time, money and resources on? What are the things that are truly worth your while? Focus on the most important priorities first, and you will find that everything else will soon fall into place.

Leo

(1st House) Mercury stations this week in your sign. Leo is a sign that can compel us to be concerned with how well we come across to others. That can include how well you express yourself, what you are wearing, what and how you say what is on your mind. And this retrograde period may find yourself re-thinking and reassessing all of these. But perhaps more importantly than how others see you, is how YOU want to appear to others. And that begins with first getting to know yourself: your style, the way you speak, and whether or not you are being heard. One of the things that you may come to realize is that when you speak from the heart, it’s less the way you say it, so much as the passion with which you express it. There will be those who might criticize, and make you feel self-conscious, or perhaps even make you self-censor yourself. But that would be a shame. In fact you might want to consider how you can speak MORE honestly and candidly about your beliefs, your ideals, your dreams for the future. If words don’t come right away, take your time, and write them down first. Practice them in your head before you share them. But know that when you are ready, and truly are able to speak from the heart and soul, others will stand up and notice, and they will listen. 

Virgo

(12th House) The past can be very compelling with Mercury stationing for its retrograde phase this week. You find yourself going into reflective mode, revisiting old haunts, old friends, old times, the past. This tendency to reminisce and reflect is essential during these retrograde phases of Mercury. It allows us to process and assimilate all of the events that have brought us to this place in time, and put things into perspective. It can even allow us to tie up some loose ends in the process, and gain ever deeper insights about ourselves and who we are at the very core of our being. Don’t be surprised with Mercury retrograde in Leo, if you find hidden secrets being revealed. Or perhaps coming to discover things about the past that you had not been previously aware of. What you are discovering during the retrograde phase which lasts until August 11th, can help to bring healing and closure to the past. And in the process it can also make you more aware of certain gifts that you had been neglecting, tucked away into the back corner of your psyche, gathering dust and hidden behind all the commotion of everyday life. In order to better access these, allow yourself some space and silence. Perhaps step out of your usual routines, go on retreat, find places of solitude where you can think and connect with yourself, and the past, away from the usual noise and distraction. If you cannot get away, see if you can create a space of sanctuary for yourself wherever you may find yourself. For whatever efforts you make in this direction will greatly benefit your mental and emotional well-being. 

Libra

(11th House) Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reassessing certain partnerships, alliances or even group affiliations now that both Saturn and then Mercury enter their retrograde phases. The Saturn retrograde should give us a moment of clarity, in which we see people and their situations for precisely what they are without any denial or delusions about how you want them to be. The retrograde phase of Mercury allows you to step back in order to reevaluate how you feel about these. It also would not be surprising to find yourself touching base with old friends, attending a reunion, and catching up on old times. It is during the retrograde phases that we reflect, reminisce and recall the past. This reflection allows us to make better sense of any recent or past events, and to learn from them, putting them into perspective. This also allows us to put our current friendships, alliances and partnerships into context with where everyone is now. Use the retrograde phase of Mercury which lasts until August 11th to step back, reprocess and assimilate all of these. It can help you to reassess not only your expectations of others (and they of you), but how these may also impact your hopes and dreams for the future. For in the process of reflection you could find yourself reconnecting with the things that your younger self longed for. And one thing you may find is that these are no longer valid. Mercury retrogrades are often times when we do these updates, getting those hopes and dreams more in alignment with who you are, and where you are right now. 

Scorpio

(10th House) With Mercury entering its retrograde phase in the sign of Leo, you are likely to find yourself readdressing your current goals, your career and current job situation. This would be especially so in light of any uncertainties you may be currently facing. You might want to wait until Mercury is direct again after August 11th before making any major career moves or job changes, as often what seems like a really good idea while Mercury is in its retrograde phase will have its faults revealed later on when it is direct again. The retrograde phase could be a time to step back, or take some time off, in order to explore how you feel about the direction you are heading, and your future possibilities. If you are on track, then you will receive confirmation for that. But if you find that you have been ignoring an on-going problem, this could be the time to get you re-oriented and back on track again. Mercury being in Leo is asking us to get to the heart of things, asking yourself: What do I really want? What are my expectations and needs? And whether or not these are being fulfilled. If you are on course, what more can you do to further secure your position making it even more stable and sustainable? If you are not happy with the direction that your life seems to be taking, and there is nothing that you can do about it right now, what might you want to change in your outlook or perspective that will allow you to see your current circumstances in a different light. Also note that the delays that the retrogrades can bring, and/or having to take a few steps back can ultimately prove to be fortuitous in the end. 

Sagittarius

(9th House) Now that Mercury will be in its retrograde phase, it would not be unusual for you to want to readdress and review what you do or do not believe to be true, what you do or do not know on a certain subject, and those things that you wish to be known for or stand for. This is especially in light of all the uncertainty that we are facing in the world. Many will find themselves second-guessing others as well as themselves, not quite sure who or what to believe. The retrograde phase of Mercury in Leo allows us to get back to our own heart center, which for Sagittarius is about getting in touch with your own core beliefs. Know that these can evolve and grow. During the retrograde phases of Mercury we are being asked to assimilate and process recent and past events in our lives, and put them into context with where we are now. And it could be something of a mantra for ourselves to want to sort things out in our own minds before we decide to share our ideas with others. Hence this is a really good time to review a subject, make yourself more informed. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself going back over old territory before you can go forward again. It gives you the advantage of parsing out the mistaken notions and getting you more in tune with the way things actually are. And sometimes we can learn even more from our mistakes than we do from our successes. Even if that does require having to go back to the drawing board again.

Capricorn

(8th House) The upcoming retrograde phase of Mercury which lasts until August 11th/12th is a particularly reflective and introspective time. It could even bring up some doubts and apprehension about a situation that has been going on for some time now, and that can no longer be ignored. Is there something that you are needing to withdraw from that is proving to be more involved than you had previously thought? Just days after the Full Moon in your sign, your ruling planet Saturn stationed for its retrograde phase, which combined with the Mercury retro is giving you permission to say No More. Strangely, with Mercury retrograde in Leo, you might be inclined to reassess your contracts, your mortgage, look for ways to pay down your debt, and leave yourself owing nothing, both literally and figuratively. There is something here about ‘being prepared’ for all contingencies, which can be aggravated by that underlying angst that can come with uncertainty about the future. But perhaps one of the most salient features of the retrograde phases of Mercury in Leo is discriminating between those things that feed your soul, and make you feel whole again, and those things that just drain you, and wear you down. Feed the former, and use your ‘No More’ for the latter. 

Aquarius

(7th House) There can be so much to make you pause these days. You wonder if you are actually seeing things the way they are. It makes you wonder if you can actually believe what you are seeing with your own eyes. And now that Mercury is stationing for its retrograde phase which will last until August 11th/12th, you might want to go back over some of the details, and make sure that you have all the facts. Mercury retrograde is great for getting second opinions and re-checking your work. This would not necessarily be a good time to make lasting commitments or sign contracts if it can at all be helped. You may find them riddled with delays, re-writes and reconsiderations. But it is a good time to hash out your mutual responsibilities and expectations of each other. Re-think those old promises. With Mercury retrograde in Leo you may feel like you are not necessarily being heard. Or it may be that you hesitate to share information for fear of being criticized. Choose your audience wisely. If you are finding it difficult to connect with others, know that this is temporary. You might want to take your time processing your ideas before you share them, and that is not only okay, but probably wise. Ultimately what this retrograde phase of Mercury is good for is all that hashing out. Therefore ask yourself what your expectations are of others, and they of you. And where you see yourselves going from here. Once these are sorted out, you can then make those promises later. 

Pisces

(6th House) The upcoming retrograde phase of Mercury can embroil you in a maelstrom of appointments, schedules, work and perhaps some health issues. This is when we might want to revisit an old issue, or get a 2nd opinion. Focus in on, and get yourself back on track with the things that support your general well-being. Not really a good time to start something new, but it can be a time of reevaluation. Especially with things that you have been ignoring for a long time, and now can no longer be in denial about. Look for issues surrounding how well you value yourself and what you have to offer to others. And this is not even so much about whether or not others fully appreciate what you do or do not do, so much as how much you believe in yourself. Mercury will be trying to show you ways to process and make sense of all of the recent events that have brought you to this place in time. Reorganize your work place, clear off your desk. Catch up on old projects that had been placed on the back burner of your life. If you find yourself confused and distracted, know that’s probably to be expected. If that is the case, step back and ask yourself: what is true? And what is merely an illusion? And what tools do you have at your disposal to be able to discriminate between what you want to be true, and the way things actually are?

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