First thing First, What does Mercury in Retrograde mean? 

A few times a year, the planet Mercury has catches up with Earth as it passes us while we make our way around the sun. Quick science lesson, mercury orbits faster than earth around the sun which is why it passes us. When Mercury passes us, it's going so fast that, from our perspective, it appears to stop and start moving backwards. It isn't moving backwards, but it looks like it is, and that's why it's referred to as the retrograde period. It's happening for the second time in 2018 from July 25 until August 18. Also all of 2018's Mercury Retrogrades have one thing in common too, they all circle through the fire elements and this time around Mercury will be teaming up with Leo. 

In astrology, Mercury is known as the messenger because it rules communication, travel, and technology — so all three of these areas of our life will be uprooted. Forever Conscious says,"When Mercury goes retrograde, he travels into the underworld, into the depths of our psyche, in order to gather old secrets, clues, and information that we need to go back and look through one more time. During his travels, Mercury has the job of collecting past messages that either got lost by the wayside or were not heard the first time. Mercury does this in order to bring them to our attention once and for all."

In other words, Mercury retrograde is an ideal time to reflect on your past and figure some things out.  This entire week I have been sharing about how healing isn't beautiful, its rough and difficult process and Mercury Retrograde is about to bring those painful processes to the horizon. Its essential that we deal with that arrises in order to move forward, it's time to deal with your past mistakes and figure out what you can learn form them. Reflecting will be easier during the retrograde since the past will become more clear allowing for a wider perspective. 

Mercury passes through Leo

Now we know what Mercury Retrograde brings us, but how does the fiery energy of Leo effect this retrograde? Fire signs have the most volatile influence, and Leos are known for being demanding and passionate. Leos, like other fire signs, tend to be more dramatic and bold, and this means that there may be more conflict than usual. 

We might find that more painful truths are coming out, and we may feel challenged a bit. We might feel the urge to use the extra energy in an angry, combative way, but we should fight that urge and work on patience. Mercury retrograde in Leo might make it easier to lose your temper, to over-indulge, or to fall into chaos, but we should be using this time to work on patience. We might find that more painful truths are coming out, and we may feel challenged a bit. Forever Conscious says, "This Leo energy wants us to find our independence and hold true to our power." We might feel the urge to use the extra energy in an angry, combative way, but we should fight that urge and work on patience. Mercury retrograde in Leo might make it easier to lose your temper, to over-indulge, or to fall into chaos, but we should be using this time to work on patience.

The lesson to take away from this, is no matter what life throws your way you get to choose to see it as a pro or con. Mindset goes a far way, if you believe Mercury Retrograde will have a negative effect on you it will, where as, if you think positivity good things will happen. Mercury retrograde is a great opportunity to finish everything you push aside, most of us start a million things that we don’t complete, never realizing how much psychic clutter this creates. The retrograde is like a quarterly review, a chance to tie up those loose ends and create a clear vision for the future.

Be patient with the energy unfolding, and trust that by the end of August there will be smoother sailing ahead. Things will be easier to understand, and we will be able to look back on this period in our lives with newfound clarity.