Mercury Retrograde All 3 Phases - June 29 to August 25 2025

Pre-Shadow Begins June 29th 2025

As the Pre-Shadow phase begins, Mercury will be positioned at 5 degrees in Cancer—the same point to which he will later retrograde before returning to direct motion. In Cancer, Mercury Retrograde tends to stir a deep sense of melancholy, often centered around past memories that are difficult to articulate. His focus becomes so inward and analytical that it blocks his natural creative and verbal expression. There's a strong desire for emotional security and independent thinking, especially as Mercury tries to examine the past from a detached and rational perspective. However, this is no easy task; every recollection feels more emotionally charged than it likely was, amplifying inner drama.

These heightened emotions stem from the neurotic tendencies often triggered during this retrograde, particularly when unresolved experiences lie just beneath the surface. Ultimately, Mercury Retrograde in Cancer brings up old emotional wounds buried deep within the subconscious.

During this period, Mercury will form a Grand Cross aspect with Retrograde Pluto, Chiron (the Wounded Healer), and Vesta (the Goddess of passion and spiritual strength). This configuration creates emotional and mental blockages, hindering self-expression and clouding clarity with self-doubt and confusion. It may also lead to power struggles, as heightened sensitivity and defensiveness provoke reactions that may seem out of character—especially for those working in environments where secrets or sensitive information are shared. This can feel like an overwhelming time, with empathy heightened and mental tension running deep.

Adding to the emotional intensity, Pluto Retrograde forms a quincunx aspect with the Moon as the Pre-Shadow phase begins. This alignment further amplifies complex emotions and anxieties, especially those tied to collective and political dynamics.

On a more nuanced note, Mercury Pre-Shadow will be in trine with both Saturn and Neptune. While Saturn anchors us in repetitive or limiting thought patterns, Neptune builds “castles in the sky,” encouraging fantasy and escapism. This combination makes it easy to lose perspective. Mercury’s sextile to Uranus only adds to this by prompting us to jump to conclusions—most likely from a place of negativity rather than truth. Grounding practices are essential if you find yourself overwhelmed by these influences. On a global level, be mindful of misinformation, sensationalism, and manipulation.

Meanwhile, Black Moon Lilith will conjunct Juno, the Goddess of commitment and loyalty, while opposing Venus, who will have just entered Taurus at 0 degrees. This alignment urges us to stay grounded, especially in matters of love and security. Expectations may become unrealistic, and there’s a risk of believing the grass is greener elsewhere. Stay mindful and avoid being led astray by fleeting feelings or illusions.

Mercury Retrograde Begins July 18th 2025

As Mercury Retrograde begins, he stations at 17 degrees in Cancer, forming a T-Square aspect with Pallas in direct opposition and both squaring Juno. This alignment highlights a powerful need to confront personal insecurities, anxieties, and internal conflicts before taking risks or stepping into unfamiliar territory. The overall energy is restless, even agitated—fueling a sense of being boxed in or constrained. During this time, it can be especially difficult to maintain a consistent daily routine, as our energy may feel scattered, erratic, or emotionally drained. While the incoming frequencies are harsh, they are also deeply sensitive. Practices such as prayer, chanting, singing, or even reciting poetry can serve as effective outlets to release tension and realign our mental patterns.

In fact, three distinct T-Square aspects occur on the day Mercury turns retrograde. The first involves Mercury, Pallas, and Juno, as mentioned. The second includes the Sun, Moon, Pluto Retrograde, and Chiron—bringing emotional vulnerability and transformational tension to the surface. The third T-Square activates the Moon’s Nodes in a dynamic push-pull with Venus and Mars, challenging our desires, values, and the directions we are heading both personally and collectively.

Together, these T-Squares create a complex mental and emotional landscape, stirring confusion and volatility in behavior and mindset. There’s a strong need to pause and recalibrate.

On a global scale, pressing questions are emerging around political and militaristic agendas—decisions being made without true regard for the collective voice. This atmosphere breeds unease, with fear and anxiety reaching overwhelming levels. However, we must be cautious not to fall prey to fear-mongering, empty rhetoric, or reactionary movements. It's also vital to question where we place our loyalty, especially when it comes to figures who lead through ego, dominance, or control.

Long-standing patterns of disrespect and disregard from institutional structures have now become blatant—revealing themselves with a level of audacity that can no longer be ignored.

Mercury Retrograde Ends, Post-Shadow Begins August 11th 2025

Mercury Retrograde concludes at 5 degrees in Cancer—the very point where the Pre-Shadow phase began. As the Post-Shadow period begins, Mercury forms a sextile to Mars, sharpening our mental faculties and helping us cut through the distracting mental noise that has clouded our peace of mind and heart. This aspect brings a welcome clarity, making it easier to grasp abstract concepts or uncover hidden truths.

On the same day, a Grand Kite aspect forms, coinciding with the powerful energies of the Lion’s Gate Portal and the Sun’s entrance into Leo at 0 degrees. The Kite configuration provides a smoother, more harmonious energetic flow, offering comfort and stability amidst the intensity we've recently endured. However, one caution remains: the temptation to mask or suppress our authentic emotions. There’s still a lingering reluctance to reveal our true mental or emotional state, which can lead to superficial interactions. Now more than ever, authenticity matters.

Additionally, a Grand Yod (or “Finger of Fate”) aspect takes shape involving Juno, Ceres, Vesta, and the South Node—all forming quincunxes to Ceres. This rare configuration can bring confusion and a sense of being directionless. With the South Node anchoring us in the past, both mentally and emotionally, the Yod reinforces Mercury Retrograde’s Cancerian themes of emotional reflection and unresolved memory. These energies are volatile, shifting from one extreme to another, keeping us emotionally off balance and on edge.

Mercury Post-Shadow Ends August 25th 2025

Mercury’s Post-Shadow phase concludes at 17 degrees in Cancer—the very degree where the retrograde began. On this day, another challenging Yod (or “Finger of Fate”) forms in the sky, involving Saturn in sextile to Pluto. While this aspect on its own encourages discipline, structure, and the potential for transformation through hard work, both planets also form a quincunx to the Sun. This creates tension, as the energy of the supportive Saturn–Pluto sextile is obstructed by the Sun’s placement, making it difficult for those benefits to fully manifest. The result is a feeling of being thwarted just as momentum builds.

Throughout Mercury’s retrograde process, the energy has been unstable—marked by sudden bursts of motivation followed by exhaustion. As the Post-Shadow ends, this erratic rhythm may intensify momentarily, even though the influence of the retrograde itself has significantly lessened.

What becomes clear at the close of this long cycle is that many of us will not emerge unchanged. A deep sense of responsibility continues to weigh heavily on our shoulders. Some may feel as if they’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards—mentally, emotionally, and even physically worn down. For many, nervous tension and emotional stress may have reached a peak, leaving a lingering sense of bleakness that seems to permeate every part of our being.

The only true way through this pressure is to remain anchored in our authentic selves. Yet even that can feel like a struggle—like wading through thick mud. Still, staying true to who we are is essential, especially as we navigate a climate where self-imitation, censorship, or external restrictions threaten our freedom of thought and expression.

Change is inevitable. This transformation is beyond our control—and though it may be disruptive, it is ultimately necessary.