How to Survive Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & Leo
Plus, YOUR horoscope for the double-sign backtrack
What: Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & Leo
When: Aug. 4 - Aug. 28, 2024
Who’s Impacted: EVERYONE, but esp. Virgo, Leo, Gemini, and Aquarius
Takeaway: A forced slow down and reassessment of your writing projects, travel plans, and everyday communications.
Just when you think you've got your life together, astrology decides to throw a curveball with yet another retrograde transit: Mercury Retrograde. Yep, joining the retrograde party alongside Saturn, Neptune, Pluto, and Chiron, is Mercury, the planet of writing, speaking, thinking, and networking. This retrograde is perhaps the most annoying retrograde of 2024, because Mercury first moves through Virgo, a sign it rules, before returning to loud and proud Leo. So, things are bound to get hyper-critical before they turn all-out dramatic.
There’s a decision every astrologer must make in their forecasts: to be real, to be Pollyanna, or to be doom-and-gloom. I aim to be real and proactive, with a tinge of Pollyanna optimism about astrological transits, because I don’t believe astrology is here to ruin or run your life. In fact, I believe that when armed with the themes and potential struggles of planetary transits, you can better work with them, you can use them to better your life. But above all else, I believe YOU have power over your own life. I don’t believe the “stars” dictate your decisions anymore than your Mom does (unless you’re a Cancer, of course).
That said, I don’t want you to fear this (or any) Mercury Retrograde. This is a transit that happens three times a year; which means it’s a normal part of the astrological cycle. That also means that it isn’t something to fear, fret over, or fuss about. (I mean, it’s happening in Virgo, so there will likely be some fussing—but you know what I mean.) Will it be a little messy? Probably. Is it still an opportunity? Abso-fucking-lutely. So, let’s unpack why this is, shall we?
Mercury Retrograde in Virgo: An OS Overhaul
Virgo is the sign of precision, detail, and efficiency. It’s like that diligent system admin who’s always optimizing, debugging, and fine-tuning every aspect of the operating system of your life. When Mercury is in Virgo, it’s like having a high-speed processor that makes everything run seamlessly. But during Mercury retrograde? It can feel like your OS decides to install a series of untested updates. They can wreak havoc on your once-flawless system—if you ignore the notifications blaring in your face about upgrading. (That’s mostly for me, because I’m the WORST at upgrading my apps.)
How to avoid havoc? First, run a diagnostic check. Just as you would run a diagnostic on a glitchy OS, take time to assess where things are going haywire. Identify areas of your life that need extra attention and care. If things feel overwhelming or convoluted, it’s probably because you’re trying to run too many programs. So, close all those browser windows and clear the cache. Your mind can quickly get bogged down with too many details, too many projects, too many thoughts. Clear the mental cache by taking breaks, slowing down, or simply stepping away from overwhelming tasks. Fresh eyes can solve many problems.
When Mercury Retrograde hits Virgo, perfectionism panic is practically inevitable. Your inner critic might go into overdrive, spotting flaws everywhere, even where none exist. (Olympian Caeleb Dressel, who has natal Moon & Mercury in Virgo, talked about his OWN experience with this inner critic.) This hyper-awareness can lead to analysis paralysis, where decisions you usually make in a snap suddenly feel like life-or-death scenarios. And don’t even get me started on tech tantrums—your meticulously planned schedules and lists could go haywire thanks to those pesky tech glitches. But remember: it’s not all doom and gloom. This is a cosmic nudge to let go of the need for everything to be perfect. Because spoiler alert: it never will be.
So, as counterintuitive to Virgo as this might sound: embrace imperfection. Yes, things might go awry, but that’s okay. Double-check details, because while it’s tedious, it’s better safe than sorry. Also, stay flexible; plans might change—in fact, they probably will change—but you can roll with it. After all, Virgo is a mutable sign, which means it’s a sign MADE to move, shift, and adapt. This retrograde is a prime opportunity to practice patience and adaptability. By keeping a cool head and a sense of humor, you’ll navigate this retrograde with grace and come out stronger on the other side.
To see where this first leg of Mercury Rx is impacting YOUR birth chart, encouraging a system reset, check out your Mercury in Virgo Horoscope.
Mercury Retrograde in Leo: Star Power
Mercury in Leo is all about bold self-expression, confidence, and a flair for the dramatic. But when it goes retrograde, expect the drama to hit a new high. Your inner diva might rear its head, leading to ego clashes and misunderstandings. Everyone wants to be the star, but there’s only one spotlight, and it’s flickering! Public missteps and foot-in-mouth moments become almost inevitable, making you feel like you’re trapped in a never-ending blooper reel.
Indeed, Mercury Retrograde in Leo can feel like an unscripted reality show where everyone’s vying for the spotlight. Ego clashes are probable. Misunderstandings fueled by pride will be the main act. And that brilliant creative idea / creative project you’ve been nursing? It might feel stuck in your head, leading to frustrating creative blocks. The likelihood of having public missteps (or metldown) is higher than average, so beware of saying something cringe-worthy in the heat of the moment—or worse, on social media! With Mercury Retrograde in Leo, it can seem like you’ve been handed a microphone with a faulty connection, and your words aren’t coming out as intended.
So, how do you survive this two-week cosmic drama without becoming a meme-worthy disaster? First, think before you speak. Save yourself from unnecessary drama and embarrassing slip-ups by pausing before you open your mouth (or penning that post). Next, channel your creativity and mental heat constructively. Leo is a fire sign, and fire signs can get overheated FAST. Meltdowns, either mental or technological, could happen; but they can also be avoided when you channel your frustration, anger, and/or irritation into creative / playful / performative acts. Sing. Dance. Play tennis. Do SOMETHING physical. Oh, and be sure to revisit and refine your creative projects. That stuck idea? It’s a chance to polish it to perfection. That frustration? It’s a sign you’re not expressing yourself the way you’d like.
Most importantly, stay humble and humorous. Share the spotlight and embrace collaboration over competition. Remember, a great performance often involves a stellar supporting cast. By keeping your ego in check and your creative juices flowing, and laughing at the mistakes or mishaps (instead of taking them as a) a personal attack, or b) a humiliating personal flub) you’ll navigate this retrograde like the true star you are. Embrace the chaos with the grace of a seasoned performer, and remember: even the greatest stars face a few hiccups.
To learn more about Mercury Retrograde in Leo, check out your Mercury in Leo Horoscopes.
YOUR 2024 Mercury Retrograde Horoscope: Virgo & Leo Edition
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