You might have heard of Mercury retrograde far before other astrological phenomena, and its place in the cultural zeitgeist remains both an access point and the butt of jokes made by non-believers. If there is any Mercury retrograde that might shift these haters’ beliefs, it could be this transit through Leo that began on July 17th and will continue through August 11th. The sun met Mercury in Leo starting on the 22nd of last month, and both planets will be working together to highlight issues around ego, communication, and responsibility. Leo’s ruling celestial body is the sun, as you might expect with all the brightness and warmth that this sign brings to the world. However, as we know very well in the Gulf South, the sun can also cause plenty of damage. Occurrences like heat stroke and heat-hazed violence can be attributed to the teeth of the lion, as well as the consequences of the hubris of the powerful leaving us in ecological, political, and financial precarity. Mars—planet of aggression and action—entering diplomatic Libra on the 6th might bring about feelings of indecision or worry that leave us frozen in high-pressure moments. On the 9th, the full moon will occur in Libra’s fellow air sign and Leo’s sister sign Aquarius, a sign that is well-equipped to mediate between Leo’s sharpness and Libra’s softness. On the same day, Mars will be in opposition to Neptune in Aries, a 14-year long-term transit that started in March and now brings Aries’ fiery aggression to spiritual directives for our planet. The sun will enter Virgo on the 22nd, followed by the new moon in Virgo on the 23rd. We might notice abrupt shifts as we energetically move from fun-loving Leo to practically-minded Virgo, though Venus’ movement into Leo on the 25th will keep some of the previous karmic patterns rolling. In spite of the sweltering, disorienting heat, this month’s astrology demands decisiveness.
ARIES
This month the sun will illuminate your 5th house, a place of play, passion, and creativity. If last month Cancer asked you to go inward, this month Leo is asking you to come out and play! Your inner child might find this season rewarding, even with your ruling planet Mars transiting your sister sign in Libra starting on the 6th, an energy that might encourage harmony and compromise over unbridled self-expression.
TAURUS
Leo and Taurus are both fixed signs, meaning that in many ways, you both seek consistency and a stable sense of self. Leo has rulership over your 4th house, and the sun’s transit through yours this month will shed light on karmic family patterns around power and prestige. Shortly after the sun moves into fellow earth sign Virgo on the 22nd, your ruling planet Venus will begin its transit of this house, perhaps bringing some Leo-inspired beauty.
GEMINI
Mercury is your ruling planet, and thus each Mercury retrograde has an amplified effect on your life. This retrograde occurs in your 3rd house, which shares themes like communication, play, and freedom with both Mercury and Gemini. Until the 11th, these themes will cast a shadow as you reflect on ways that your pride traps you. The full moon in fellow air sign Aquarius on the 9th could resolve some of these issues—if you have done the necessary internal work.
CANCER
If last month you were able to provide yourself with self-care and a fresh start, Leo season is here to plate the fruits of your labor. The sun’s transit through your 2nd house will ask you to focus on caring for your body, and other earthly concerns. Leo’s influence might encourage you to take pride in your ability to look after yourself, and you might find that new self-care patterns bring you peace in a world that decidedly lacks it.
LEO
Happy You season, Leo! We are all blessed by your loyalty, playfulness, and conviction, and this month you will see that these qualities are blessings to yourself as well. Though Mercury retrograde in your sign until the 11th might start the month off with a bit of uncomfortable self-examination, its return to forward movement will encourage you to say what you want and need with exceptional clarity. Venus will enter your sign on the 25th, bringing creativity and romance to the forefront.
VIRGO
As your cycle around the sun comes to its close, the sun’s transit through your 12th house might bring about necessary endings. The 12th house is a place of karmic undoing and secrets. Perhaps this month you will isolate yourself in order to work through the difficulties of the past year and establish a plan for your soul’s evolution in the year to come. The sun will enter your sign on the 22nd, followed by the new moon in your sign on the 23rd, both ushering in a new chapter.
LIBRA
Mars’ movement into your sign starting on the 6th will likely be your most noticeable, energetic influence this month. Mars is a planet of aggression, and can be detrimental to your sign. This transit will likely teach you valuable lessons about anger and agency, and you might find yourself losing your cool more easily. Nevertheless, it’s a good time to practice being direct.
SCORPIO
Last month your horoscope spoke to a new era in which you make yourself visible despite your vulnerabilities. In contrast, this month you will explore exposing your strengths, perhaps laughing in the faces of the people and forces that have ever sought to make you feel small. The sun’s transit through your Leo-ruled 10th house indicates a good time to make moves toward building your legacy with pride.
SAGITTARIUS
You might find that, despite the heat, this time of year is often one of your favorites. The sun’s transit through your 9th house brings about an alignment of freedom, offering exploration and expansion with the support of your fire sibling Leo’s endless optimism. This optimism is often hard won for both signs, and it would be foolish to let it go to waste. The full moon on the 9th will offer opportunities for renewal in your creative expression.
CAPRICORN
It might be hot as the devil outside, but your internal state could be more akin to winter this month. The sun will be transiting your 8th house, a place of commitment, death, and other serious matters. Though sifting through your grief and trauma will bring difficulty, it will also increase your capacity to face trouble. The sun’s movement into fellow earth sign Virgo on the 22nd will bring a new cycle of growth and freedom if you have shown that you are willing to confront your shadows.
AQUARIUS
There is some irony to Aquarius’ relationship with society, as you are often both socially minded and prone to self-protection and isolation. The sun will transit your 7th house of relationships and balance this month, and your sister sign Leo might push you to make yourself seen and understood. You will likely be rewarded if you can embrace this visibility, despite the ramifications to some of your unhealthy relationships or limiting beliefs.
PISCES
After a hopefully groovy and exploratory Cancer season, Leo is going to enter with some tough but loving father energy this month. Leo’s rulership of your 6th house indicates that your relationship with your health and service to others is directly correlated with your pride and sense of self. Perhaps this month try a new workout routine that is restorative, or join an organization where your talents can truly shine. These acts of self-love could lead to a more aligned and satisfying rest of the year.
illustrations by Anneliese DePano
