Release the Drama and Reclaim Your Voice

Second Half of July 2025: A Time for Slowing Down and Remembering Who You Are

We’ve got another busy and potentially volatile time ahead astrologically! Read on to learn how to make the most of this energy.

Mercury Rx in Leo: July 18-August 11

We’ve been in the shadow of Mercury’s retrograde since June 30, but the planet of communication and mindset officially stations retrograde on July 18 at 15 degrees 34 minutes of Leo. It will remain retrograde until August 11, when it stations direct at 4 degrees 14 minutes of Leo.

Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto are also retrograde, indicating that the late summer and early fall is likely to be a time where things slow down, and plans or projects we’ve been working on could be subject to some reversals. It’s helpful to be aware of that so you don’t get frustrated if things go sideways. Try to plan ahead for snafus and allow for some extra time in your schedule to address them.

Mercury retrograde in Leo asks us to shut out the noise of the outside world, listen to our inner voice, and reconnect with our sense of creativity and fun. It’s a good time for all of the “re” words, such as reflect, reassess, revise, refocus. You may wish to consider:

Where have I been letting outside influences drown out my authentic voice?

How can I recenter myself and express my heartfelt desires in a way that feels aligned?

What am I ready to say out loud, in a kind-but-courageous-and-self-affirming way?

If you consider such matters during the retrograde, you’ll be primed to move forward with confidence once Mercury is direct in mid-August.

Mars Conjunct the South Node: July 20

On July 20, Mars (aggression, violence) and the South Node (a karmic point of release) meet up at 19 degrees 38 minutes of Virgo. Not gonna lie, this is some tense energy.

On a collective level, this conjunction is associated with loss and violence. Watch for difficult news stories around this time (as if we don’t have enough of those already). Be aware of what’s going on around you and don’t take unnecessary physical risks.

On a personal level, this conjunction operates as a kind of detox, inviting us to let go of habits, patterns, and attachments that are unhealthy or unhelpful. It’s best to use this energy consciously to release what no longer serves you.

This conjunction may trigger events related to the March 14, 2025, Lunar Eclipse at almost 14 degrees of Virgo. Was anything significant going on for you at or around that time? Look for connections.

Sun Into Leo and Leo New Moon: July 22-24

On July 22, the Sun moves from tender, nurturing Cancer into passionate, creative Leo, for a month-long stay in that sign. On July 24, the Moon joins the Sun at 3:10 pm PDT at 2 degrees and 8 minutes of Leo, forming our Leo New Moon. If you have any planets, angles, or points from about 0 to 5 degrees of Leo, whatever is represented by that planet, angle, or point will be prominent until the next New Moon on August 23, 2025.

This New Moon heralds a new beginning in Leonine areas such as creativity, play, self-expression, leadership, and confidence. It makes flowing aspects to Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, indicating that intentions set around such things have support to manifest and grow.

At the same time, however, the New Moon is in a very tight opposition with Pluto, the planet of power, transformation, the underworld, and death and rebirth. This means that power struggles may come up around the time of the New Moon; you may feel that people in authority are standing in the way of your intentions and goals. Things that are secret or hidden could surface or be revealed at this time. This energy may peak on July 25, when the Sun is exactly opposite Pluto.

Try to manage your energy and emotions around this time and pick your battles wisely. People may be projecting their shadows externally. It’s important to act with integrity, recognize your role in any conflict, and resist the need to control people and situations just for control’s sake. (Is it really the other person who’s the problem, or is there something you need to confront within yourself to transform the situation?)

So that’s a lot! If you’d like to learn more about how this energy is specifically impacting you and your chart, please feel free to book a reading.