Mercury in Gatorade? Don’t Get Lost in the Sauce
The reputation of Mercury Retrograde has only grown louder over the years, often cloaked in fear—blamed for mishaps, havoc, and confusion during its cycles of introspection. We hear about Mercury more often because its revolutions around the Sun are shorter, due to its close proximity to both the Sun and Earth—meaning it goes retrograde more frequently than any other planet.
What if we approached this planetary movement from another perspective? What if, as a cosmic teacher, Mercury’s intention holds far more depth and medicine than the accepted narrative—simply asking us to sink in a little deeper to gain the wisdom on offer?
The Spiritual Meaning of Mercury Retrograde
Ancient Astrologers viewed retrogrades as sacred journeys – moments when a planet descends into the underworld in search of alternate perspectives, hidden wisdom, and unseen insight. Beyond the brightness of our everyday awareness live the deeper layers of self – untouched, unspoken, waiting to be acknowledged, loved, and reintegrated into our wholeness.
When a planet retrogrades, it ventures into these depths. And when it emerges, so do we. We return with new clarity, reclaimed fragments of self, and a deeper knowing of what truly matters – what desires are aligned, what direction calls us forward, and who we are becoming.
Perhaps as Mercury passes Earth and appears to reverse course it is guiding us through an inner descent for the sake of our growth, joy, and a more fully lived life. And when it resumes its forward motion, we do too – transformed by what we’ve gathered in our depths.
Welcome to Mercury Retrograde.
Retrogrades in astrology are opportunities for ‘re’ words like review, revise, reframe, retrace, renew, and realign. They are a sacred pause to return to our awareness, our inner guidance, our truth. They offer a moment in time to reconnect with what matters to us amidst the outside movement, noise, activity, and guidance. And they invite us to look back on the path recently walked, reminding us that there is always more to see, more perspectives to look from, and more wisdom waiting to be gained through reflection.
When is Mercury Retrograde in July 2025?
Our second Mercury Retrograde of 2025 begins on July 18 in the fire sign of Leo, stationing direct on August 11, 2025. Mercury will be retrograde alongside Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto—creating a potent collective descent.
Mercury Retrograde in Leo: Reclaiming the Fire Within
A fire sign, Leo is related to our self-expression, ambition, creativity, drive, and adventure.
Fire is how we take action in our lives and harness our willpower. It is our life force, spirit, and courage. As Mercury moves through the fiery zodiac of Leo retracing its steps and re-writing the story – we too, are reconsidering and reframing the ways in which we channel our fire.
We are re-writing the narrative of our courage, will, drive, and ambition. We are reconsidering the ways in which we follow inspiration, take actions towards our desires, and express ourselves outwardly in the world. We are observing and making the space to better understand how we regenerate our life force, connect with inspiration, and create our lives.
Leo is here to express into the world a beautiful and bold stamp of who it is inside of itself. It is here to self-validate, create, play, and radiate, offering warmth to the world through simply being who it is.
As Mercury Retrograde journeys through Leo, it does so for empowerment. So that we may heal and reclaim the narratives held around our self-expression. So that we may re-write the stories of what it means to be seen, to take up space, and where we need to pour validation and love into ourselves.
Mercury Retrograde in Leo offers us the opportunity to re-frame and embody our own Leo – that is, to radiate the authentic, magnetic, and creative magic that we uniquely are.
What Retrogrades Really Are
Retrogrades are symbolic moments when the external slows so the internal can speak.
They are not regressions. They are returns.
To old stories that want to be rewritten
To lessons we skipped in our rush to perform
To sacred thresholds we weren’t quite ready to cross the first time
Retrograde energy turns us inward. And when many planets go retrograde together, the effect is exponential. We’re not meant to push forward in a straight line. We’re meant to spiral in, reclaim, then rise again.
Uranus in Gemini & the Mercury Connection
Uranus, now freshly in Gemini, brings an electric frequency to the realm of thought, communication, and awakening perception. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, so this retrograde hits differently. It’s not just introspective—it’s evolutionary.
Mercury in retrograde is not malfunctioning. It is inviting us to upgrade. Uranus in Gemini sharpens that edge, asking us not only to revisit what we believe, but to break the mold entirely. We’re not just reviewing the past—we’re rewriting the future.
This Mercury Retrograde is a bridge between old narratives and new paradigms. A time to reclaim the voice, the spark, and the visionary within.
Your Invitation
Let this retrograde season be the doorway, not the detour.
✨ Request your Soul Map to discover your energetic design. Take the guesswork out of life’s ebbs and flows—no more crashing out, only cashing in. Your charts are waiting. Your return is already in motion. Get your charts here.
✨ Want to explore more? Join me inside Alchemy of the Breakthrough to rise in the truth of who you are this fall. Details & get on the list.
We’re not breaking down—we’re fine-tuning.
We’re not lost or late—we’re learning how to walk a path that is uniquely ours.
With love & fire,
—Amy
