Buckle up and bite your tongues my babies, the second Mercury retrograde of 2K25 begins this week.

When does mercury go into retrograde

In the early morning hours of July 18th, Mercury, known as the planet governing communication and exchange—whether through casual chatter or more intense means like poetry and texting—goes retrograde at 15° in Leo.

This retrograde phase will continue until August 11th, when Mercury resumes its direct motion. Despite this, the effects of Mercury’s retrograde will linger until it exits its shadow period on August 25th.

Named after the Roman messenger of the gods, Mercury (or Hermes in Greek mythology) is also considered a protector of thieves and a guide for souls traveling between the world of the living and the afterlife.

In astrology, Mercury governs intellect, expression and exchange and when the planet slows down, the realms that it rules are affected/afflicted.

What happens when Mercury is in retrograde?

“Mercury retrograde stands for communication, mediation, intelligence, shrewdness, and interface of all kinds (including skin, the body’s interface; words and speech, the interface of our thoughts and emotions), instruments of communication, and means of transportation like cars, trains, boats, or planes.

Mercury also stands for youth (the interface between childhood and adulthood, innocence and maturity) and androgyny (the interface between male and female),” astrologer Palmist Ankur told The Post.

As the closest planet to the showboating sun and the fastest orbiting planet in our solar system, Mercury goes retrograde three to four times per year, more often than any other luminary.

“When Mercury is in a retrograde period, communications can go a bit haywire. This means technical issues with telecom networks or equipment or with social media. For example, Facebook or Instagram could go down, have a glitch. The frequency of more serious events, such as vehicle accidents, increases. Travel inconveniences like flights delays can also increase,” shared Ankur.

Due to this increased likelihood of inconvenience and accident, Ankur suggests forfeiting any travel plans that are not expressly necessary.

Is Mercury retrograde right now

He notes that during this summer’s Mercury retrograde, Saturn, our planet of restriction and Neptune, our planet of fantasy will be tightly aligned in the fellow fire sign of Aries, a proximity that could spark diplomatic discord, international tensions, and real deal reckoning in our romantic relationships and projections of perfection.

In addition to eschewing travel, Ankur also advised folks to double check documents and avoid actions with permanent consequences.

“Out of an abundance of caution, anything involving communication or paperwork, such as signing important documents or scheduling a very important meeting, should be avoided during a Mercury retrograde period. If things in your chart are sketchy during that time, it can play out badly and things could go awry.” 

Retrogrades are periods where the prefix “re” is emphasized. In kind, Ankur urges everyone to methodically “review” any details, be it travel plans or sensitive emails.

Retrogrades are a time to reflect and return rather than initiate. For this reason, Ankur suggests avoiding new ventures during this transit and focusing instead on existing projects.

And because Mercury retrograde is curveball territory, being flexible and remaining calm when the winds of calamity doth blow are key to making it through this transit unscathed

While Mercury retrograde can bring its share of frustrations, Ankur emphasizes the potential for growth. “These periods push us to slow down and reflect,” he said. “It’s a time to tie up loose ends and rediscover what brings us joy.” 

Mercury retrograde shadow period

Mercury retroshade refers to the two-week period immediately preceding the transit and the two weeks following it. Known as the pre- and post-retrograde shadow, these bookends bring the same emotionally congested and off-kilter energy as the retrograde transit, but offer lessons in preparation and integration.

In this latest backspin, the pre-retrograde/retroshade period began on June 29th and the post-retrograde period will reign from August 11th to August 25th.

Mercury retrograde 2025 signs affected

Because this latest retrograde goes down and back in a fixed sign, those with major placements in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius will feel the effects of this transit most acutely.

When is mercury in retrograde 2025

The next, and last Merucry retrograde of the year begins on November 9th, 2025, at 2:01 am ET at 6° Sagittarius.

Mercury will be retrograde during the problematic, familial feast of Thanksgiving meaning turkey legs may be hurled and heads could roll.

Mercury will remain retrograde until it turns direct in Scopio on November 29th. The trickster planet will clear its post retrograde shadow on December 16th.

Mercury retrograde dates

• July 18, 2025 – August 11, 2025 in Leo
• November 9, 2025 – November 29, 2025 in Sagittarius and Scorpio.

Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.