July is coming in hot and moving backward.
On Friday, July 18th, 2025, at 12:45 AM EST, Mercury, our planet of the mind and mouth, stations retrograde at 15°34 of Leo.
Mercury joins Saturn, Neptune and Pluto in a retrograde parade that will be rounded out by pain point Chiron going retrograde on July 30th.
If it sounds like a lot, it is.
However, all of these slowdowns conspire to make us turn in and tune in.
“Things will start to feel stalled, but stalled can mean a great opportunity to slow down and take stock of your life, but if slowing down scares you, or if change scares you, then July will probably feel hard,” astrologer Jill Brown of Eight Stars Astrology told The Post.
But, as Brown imparted, hard is necessary.
“Hard brings to mind a line from character Jimmy Dugan in “A League of Their Own,” ‘It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.’ And you, dear heart, are capable of greatness.”
Brown reminds us that 2025 is the Year of the Snake, and the serpent energy is synonymous with shedding the dead.
“These retrogrades are helping us to stretch ourselves into what we’ve outgrown. Lilith is also currently transiting through Scorpio, which further shapes the cosmic message that we need to leave behind old stories and ways of being. This is a year for dramatic transformation, and July is bringing that theme home.”
Translation? These retrogrades are more formative than fun but ultimately serve the greater purpose of true change.
“This is not a time to be afraid, but rather to embrace your greatness. You do that by slowing down enough to be truly present with yourself and your choices. You leave shame by the wayside and instead choose to take small steps forward every day. To have the courage to course correct. Not to punish yourself for the past but to walk forward toward your future,” said Brown.
Read on to see how this retrograde parade will affect you — read for your sun and rising signs.
“I am”
Burn it down to build it up, Aries.
“The retrograde parade of July goes easier on those with Aries Sun or Rising than some of the other signs. That’s because many of the transits are in fire signs, a language that Aries instinctively understands,” Brown said.
For the people of the ram, these retrograde ask you to reassess decisions related to home and career and urge you to take your time before taking irrevocable action.
“A great practice to try in July is ‘practicing the pause’ before charging headfirst into any new endeavor. Make a decision, then sit with it for a day or two before verbalizing or signing anything. If you sleep well, go for it. If you feel anxious or questions keep arising, it’s not the right time.”
“I have”
It’s a tremendous time for team Taurus to find the gold in their buried gifts.
“Financial opportunities and creative genius are sparked by the planetary transits and retrogrades. July fosters your discovery and remembrance of hidden, unearthed talents that can become lucrative. Use the reflective retrograde time to cultivate an introspection that draws out the artistry, creativity, and public aspects of Leo. Use this period to invest in yourself without guilt or shame,” Brown explained.
“I think”
As a Mercury-ruled sign, the trickster planet’s retrograde is hard-hitting for you, Gemini — and Brown advises you to simmer your thoughts rather than spew them.
“Watch your tongue this month and be sure to speak what you mean. Like the duality of the twins, this advice is meant both with caution and in earnest, as your words are your wand which you use to create the life you live,” Brown said.
Thinking of your words as the means of the mind can help you give them the gravity and editing they deserve.
“You have the power during this retrograde period to amp up your voice to really speak your mind. Thinking before speaking is a sign of intelligence, and this retrograde is blessing you with the wisdom and with Saturn retrograde, maturity, to master your words if you put in the work.”
“I feel”
For the Cancer contingent, this retrograde is about returning to the home you make of your body.
“Chiron retrograde is asking us all to consider where we carry our shame wounds. Are you at ease, or at war, in your own skin? Saturn retrograde is showing you where you can make practical changes, instead of excuses,” explained Brown.
“Mercury retrograde is reminding you that practicing kind self-talk is a worthwhile endeavor to start this month. Everyone deserves to feel at home in their body, and that means you, too.”
“I create”
Leo folk, on the crest of their birthday season, might be loath to hear it, but Brown says now is the hour to slow down and recharge.
“It may feel like frustrating advice for you, but the truth is you’re in a profound period of recovery, restoration, and much-needed rest this retrograde. You’re being asked to create space for resolving old emotional baggage. Therapy and any psychoanalysis work is great to undertake this month through the end of the year.”
Ruled by the heart and the zodiac’s resident romantic, Brown says Leos are now being called to fall responsibly in love with themselves and for keeps.
“I serve”
Brown says the Virgo ilk can make serious strides and significant gains during this retrograde period if they can commit to helping themselves instead of serving others.
“You will gain so much by the end of this year if you focus heavily on career and developing your potential in the areas of your life where you want to truly be of service to yourself. Any activities that grow your skill sets are great investments. Tap into the potentiality and discipline of Saturn during his retrograde with the vision of Neptune’s dreamy heights, and you will be amazed at where you stand on New Year’s Eve.”
“I balance”
Get to work, Libra.
“This retrograde period is fertile ground for growing your personal reputation, your value in your career field, and your relationships at work. While Mercury’s retrograde would caution against signing up for a new role until it goes direct again, Neptune and Saturn retrograde are urging you to spend time reorganizing your priorities to ensure that work and self haven’t been relegated to the back burner,” said Brown.
She suggests the people of the scales reexamine their networks and make a plan to better position themselves in their chosen field.
“I transform”
Take the high road and the long way round, Scorpio.
“You are being called to new shores and distant lands. There is an aspect of transformation happening right now that is only going to come for you by physically expanding your horizons.”
Experience is the gateway to your evolution.
“Investing in travel, higher education, and mind-expanding activities is greatly favored in this retrograde period. Don’t believe that all travel is doomed during retrogrades. Your sign is calling for it. You may wish to engage in small trips closer to home, but even a day trip has great benefits.”
“I explore”
Brown shared that Sagittarius folks are poised for breakthroughs and unprecedented new depths in love, intimacy, and relationships, so long as they’re willing to do the hard work of self-inquiry.
“There is some pattern breaking here for healed relationship building if you work with Saturn’s work ethic and *cough* brutal honesty of self-evaluation. Journaling is a great way to analyze past choices, and working with Neptune’s retrograde energy is complementary to that journaling to map out the vision of the kind of relationship you’d like to be in.”
She notes that while Mercury retrograde can inhibit expression, it supports internal conversations that sow their seeds for new beginnings in the final weeks of 2025.
“I build”
As a Saturn-ruled sign, the planet’s retrograde hits especially hard for Capricorn.
“Like any good parent, Saturn is trying to balance raising you with high expectations, but also needs to be highly supportive. You can use this retrograde period to shore up deep healing of self-worth and any areas of doubt where you’ve hidden behind ambition or work instead of making things right inside yourself.”
Brown shared that hypnotherapy, past-life regressions, and any work focused on healing the inner child will be beneficial balm to seagoats. “This work will go a long way for you in the latter part of the year. Remember to be proud of yourself and that you can be the parent you always needed.”
“I aspire”
Brown notes that Pluto, our planet of seismic change and transformation through trauma, is currently retrograde in Aquarius.
“You may already be feeling the excitement and sting of transformation as the planet of death and rebirth transited into your sign and went retrograde already. It’s a great period to embody the practice of surrender.”
She notes that water bearers can benefit from teaching themselves the art of radical acceptance.
“Study stoicism and then practice it. Read the Serenity Prayer and live it. Explore Eckhart Tolle’s collection of writings on embracing now and try it on for size. When you practice surrender, you learn to live a life that flows with greater ease.”
“I dream”
“Pisces are being called to express their own, unique radical authenticity and to facilitate that knowing of self with esoteric practices,” said Brown.
She shares that there has never been a better time to deep dive into transformative healing work.
“Go to the Shamanistic retreat. See the Psychic Medium. Buy the Tyler Henry LIVE tickets. If it feels out-there and sparks your interest and imagination, try it! The Universe is calling you to discover and transmute any restrictions that inhibit you from truly understanding who you are and what makes you tick and thrive in this one wild life you’ve been given.”
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.
