Mercury entered Virgo today and will be going through a retrograde here. Here are the dates you need to know:
7/17 Mercury entered shadow phase
7/25 Mercury in Virgo
8/4 Venus enters Virgo
8/4 New Moon in Leo
8/5 Mercury goes retrograde
8/16 Mercury re-enters Leo
8/27 Mercury goes direct
9/9 Mercury enters Virgo again
9/11 Mercury leaves post-shadow phase
9/27 Mercury leaves Virgo
Remember that the “shadow phase” means this was the area of Leo that Mercury will be retrograding back over. This time period is also important because it is often the things we do and say during the shadow phase that is being revisited when Mercury rolls back over it later. Therefore, with every Mercury retrograde, we should consider the shadow phase period and think about what we were working on during that time to get clues as to what will be revisited later. The post-shadow phase is when Mercury goes direct and runs back over the path that it was retrograde for. This period reflects us finalizing and getting the progress we were looking for during the actual retrograde.
Think of retrogrades in three phases; the shadow period, the actual retrograde, and the post-shadow period. The first phase represents the things we were working on that are going to later be revisited, the retrograde is us revisiting it (usually due to an issue coming up or a desire to rework the issue), and the post-shadow period is us finalizing and completing things around that issue.
Mercury is exalted in Virgo so this speaks to a real possibility of overcoming any issues you’ve been facing and having a hard time getting around. Mercury retrogrades ask us to look inside ourselves and reflect on the issues that it brings up, suggesting that there is something about this issue that needs to be readdressed. While this can come with more difficult events such as difficulties around communication, technology, or travel, Mercury retrograde is not to be as heavily feared as it often is these days. Retrogrades are really just about us taking the opportunity to look inwards and connect to divine knowledge, to see these themes in a new light. In fact, having a Mercury retrograde in your natal chart can speak to genius out-of-the-box type of thinking!
It’s also interesting to note that Mercury begins it’s retrograde only a day after Venus also enters Virgo. This is interesting because, although Mercury is exalted here, Venus is actually in detriment in Virgo. It’s also interesting to note that Venus will be in a square with Uranus right before this transit and also Mercury will be in a loose square with Mars before the retrograde starts. This suggests that part of the reason we are called to revisit an issue will have to do with arguments and realizations about prior commitments for many of us. Venus square Uranus will be exact on August 2nd, only a couple of days before entering it’s detrimental sign of Virgo. This suggests a break in relationships or unexpected change regarding prior agreements which drop us into feelings of uncertainty or restriction. For many of us, this will be financial in nature as well as Venus can represent both relationships and finances.
It’s important to consider what you were working on between 7/17 and early August because this is what will be revisited for us. Remember that Mercury was in Leo for most of the shadow phase and will also be re-entering it during the retrograde. For many of us, there may be some things that we said we believe in that we later regret saying. Some of us may want to change our minds in some way regarding our self expression. When Mercury was in Leo (7/217/25), many of us were speaking out about our beliefs and really wanting our opinions to be heard. Many of us will realize some errors in those opinions and have a bit of foot in mouth disorder during the Mercury retrograde.
Of course, much of how this will play out will depend on your own sign but what is sure on a global scale is that we will see many public figures trying to go back on something that they’ve committed to or some belief that they have expounded in recent times. Watch out for being too nit picky or argumentative over something inconsequential over the next couple of weeks because you are likely to later regret being so hyper focused on those details later.
That said, this Mercury transit is honestly a great energy for all of us to use our logical thinking to overcome any problems we have been stuck on for a while. Remember that Mercury is exalted here and gives a strong sense of logic and clear thinking. Be sure to spend some time researching and writing out your thoughts on such issues. There may be a seemingly small detail in all of this that can make all the difference in the solution.
ARIES
Mercury will be entering your 6th house and retrograding back to your 5th house. You may be revisiting some issue around your health and well-being during this transit. For some of you, this could be about relationships with co-workers or at work in general. For others, this will be more about health and your general routines. You may feel a strong desire to look and feel your best after Venus enters this cycle at the beginning of August and this may jump start your desire to improve your routines. There may be some small detail or small change that you can make to your routines that can make all the difference so take some time this retrograde to consider how you can better your work-life balance and align your daily habits to something that is a better representation of who you really are.
TAURUS
Mercury will be entering your 5th house and retrograding back to your 4th house. Many of you may be reconnecting with past friends and even lovers during this transit. Others will be revisiting plans regarding their children or possibly even a business. There may be some things that need to be reworked in these areas for you to feel a stronger sense of foundation going forward. There may be some tension or argument regarding spending and finances that help drive you towards looking at new changes to your foundations and home life. Taking care of these details will help launch you into a fun social life in the coming weeks.
GEMINI
Mercury will be entering your 4th house and retrograding back into your 3rd house. Mars is also in your sign at this time, so you are extra feisty. Gemini’s may feel extra motivated to achieve their goals, no matter who gets in their way! You may be realize that, in order for you to have the foundations you need to be in the right headspace to make progress, you need to express yourself! With the New Moon in your 3rd house at the beginning of August, many of you will be getting new opportunities to meet new people, go on short trips, or just find new platforms to express yourself. Use this Mercury retrograde to revisit your inner psyche and consider your family/home life growing up and how those things may have affected your ability to properly communicate today!
CANCER
Mercury will be entering your 3rd house and retrograding back into your 2nd house. Take a close look at any arguments that come up for you because it may be the result of some pent up anger or tension you have in your subconscious. Your voice needs to be heard at this time but Mercury will be pressing you to really take a look at what it is you’re saying and if it’s a true representation of how you really feel. New money making opportunities coming up for you at the beginning of August may help jump start this assessment. These opportunities may require you to revisit something you have learned before or at least to deepen and remind yourself of some information you acquired in the past. Use this Mercury retrograde to restudy these themes so that you can make the most of the opportunities coming your way!
LEO
Mercury will be entering your 2nd house and retrograding back into your 1st house. You may be revisiting some financial plans and also your own sense of self worth. You may feel some challenges from your friend groups who aren’t as there for you as much as you thought they would be. Some of you may even be getting into arguments online! Don’t let these opinions damage or bring into question your sense of self worth. New attention will be brought to you at the beginning of August as this is hot Leo season for you. Use this Mercury retrograde to think about what it is you bring to the table and what your true worth is so that you are charging enough for what you provide!
VIRGO
Mercury will be entering your 1st house and retrograding back into your 12th house. You may need to address some unconscious mindsets during this transit. With a busy 10th house, you may have a lot going on in general but should watch out for arguments with people at work and/or “authorities” (like the police, parents, etc). You should know that there may be some unseen themes that are actually a part of these exchanges. You may want to think about and address unconscious mindsets and/or trusting the wrong people. The New Moon at the beginning of the month highlights your 12th house, which can bring a lot of attention to your spiritual life and what is going on with you behind the scenes. Use this retrograde to surgically cut through all the bs and truly address any secrets being held from you as well as that which you are hiding from yourself. You likely have some connections that need to be purged.
LIBRA
Mercury will be entering your 12th house and retrograding back to your 11th house. There is an interesting shift for you in regard to your friendship circles. Many Libras may feel a bit fired up about their beliefs and direction in life given the Mars/Jupiter conjunction in their 9th house. Mercury entering the 12th house brings about messages and information from the other side and about our inner psyche. This is likely a good time for you to consider the interplay between your subconscious mind and those whom you align with. You may be hearing from an old friend this month and/or getting new opportunities to connect with new friend groups. This is a good time for you to join a new club or make new friends who more closely align with your actual beliefs!
SCORPIO
Mercury will be entering your 11th house and retrograding back into your 10th house. Scorpios may be getting new career opportunities with the new moon at the beginning of the month. For many of you this will be connected to some old friends, some of you may be going back to an old job or doing some more training regarding the job that you have. This retrograde is a good time for you to consider how your network plays a role in your career and general reputation. Many of you will be connecting with or hearing from old friends and networks that help jumpstart this for you. You should be able to use this transit to make better connections and overcome any stagnancy you’ve had career-wise recently.
SAGITTARIUS
Mercury will be entering your 10th house and retrograding back into your 9th house. There may be some training or knowledge regarding your career that needs to be revisited for you. Many of you will gain new understanding or opportunities around higher level education and even traveling at the beginning of the month. This is a good time to take advantage of any work trips, retreats, or training opportunities to further your career! Try to avoid arguments, especially at work, as there does seem to be some tension around this subject for you.
CAPRICORN
Mercury will be entering your 9th house and retrograding back to your 8th house. You may need to readdress some of your beliefs and directions in life. There may be something new revealed to you or a new opportunity regarding your ability to rely on others at the beginning of the month. For many of you, this could be a positive resolution if you’ve been waiting on an answer regarding a loan or some other financial issue. For others, this may be about learning some secrets. Either way, there may be some details regarding this that need to be revisited. This is a good time for you to work through any details regarding a financial issue as something may have been overlooked. On a larger scale, this is also a good time for you to consider how relying on others and linking up in these binding ways can affect your overall trajectory in life and consider if this is most aligned with your true beliefs and destiny.
AQUARIUS
Mercury will be entering your 8th house and retrograding back into your 7th house. You may need to revisit some agreement that has been made. A new partnership opportunity will likely arise for you at the beginning of the month which may have you questioning the nature of partnerships and the agreements you make in general. If you laid down some agreement or got into a relationship in July, that is going to be brought back up into question. For many of you, this will be because a new partnership or agreement will be offered to you which will have you second guessing yourself. Use this Mercury retrograde to cut to heart of the matter, which at its core has to do with true intimacy and the deeper cost of what it means to be tied closely to another. This may be romantic for many of you so keep an open mind to new connections. For others, this will be more business/money related. Either way, think about what the deeper cost is to any of these commitments and think twice before signing that dotted line.
PISCES
Mercury will be entering your 7th house and retrograding back to your 6th house. You may need to spend some time assessing your general health and well-being. There will likely be a new opportunity at the beginning of the month for you to do so. For some of you this will be about a new job opportunity but for others this may be a new change to your routines. I see a lot of energy in your 4th house at this time, many of you may be facing some tensions at home which could be causing some arguments as well. You should consider how your daily life and foundation play a role in your health and well-being. Use this energy to cut to the small changes and shifts that can help launch you into a more healthy lifestyle, which will also bring better relationships and connections for you later.