Mercury Retrograde 2024: From Virgo’s Precision to Leo’s Passion

Here comes the second Mercury retrograde for 2024! It begins in detailed Virgo and ends in active Leo. What will this retrograde do for us?

Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & Leo Meaning
This Mercury retrograde begins in Virgo, and Virgo is one of the signs that Mercury naturally rules (along with Gemini). This increases the impact of the retrograde energy, and it's extra strong for our daily lives, work lives, and health. We can be super stressed out, picking apart the details to the max, demanding way too much of ourselves, and taking on way too much work.

But it could be the most useful and productive Mercury retrograde of the entire year! Here’s why: Mercury will begin and end its retrograde in a degree ruled by Mercury itself. As one of the worker bees of the zodiac, Virgo strives “to perfect” or at least “fix” whatever is going wrong in our lives. This trend will be strongest between August 4 and August 14, before Mercury enters Leo.

In Leo, this can bring more attention to love, both who and what we love, and we can become aware of issues in our love relationships that we need to work through, and may want to reconnect with old flames.
We may want more time to enjoy ourselves, to have fun and let loose, and to avoid any work, but we either don't get that and have a hard time with focus, or we avoid work completely and it piles up. We go from overworking to slacking big time!

We need to find some balance with this retrograde, balance between work and play, the mundane and fun, the details and the joyful. 

While in Leo, creative energy can surge, and this can be channelled into everything we do. It can be a good time to pick back up a creative project, reconnect with an old hobby, or restore inspiration. It'll be especially important when Mercury first goes back to Leo to try and use the energy well as Mercury will be at the anaretic degree (29 degrees of any sign) August 14th - 16th, which is extra supercharged and might bring out some difficulties, selfish behaviour, being taken advantage of, stubbornness, pride getting in the way, inflated egos, or all talk behaviour.

But the retrograde also ends at a critical degree, 21 degrees Leo, so we're charged coming in and going out. Add on the Moon in the signs Mercury naturally rules at the start and end (see the Moons section), and we're riding some major emotional highs and lows and might not be making the best choices!

Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & Leo Key Dates

The shadow period for this retrograde is July 16th - September 11th 2024.

There are normally two storm periods, and the storm periods for this retrograde are July 27th - August 13th 2024 and August 23rd - September 2nd 2024.

August 7—Mercury conjunct Venus: Watch your interactions within your closest relationships, as this will tell you what you will need to “work on” over the next three weeks.

August 14—Retrograde Mercury enters Leo: The flavour changes now, and we’re suddenly more worried about our creative side. This is a time to rethink entire concepts and test new ideas.

August 15—Mercury quincunx Neptune in Pisces: Confusion reigns now, so don’t believe everything you hear or think you are seeing. Avoid gossip and impulsive actions now.

August 18—Mercury conjunct Sun in Leo: The responses we seek could arrive as other paths and solutions become available to us now—pay attention to the signs!

August 23—Mercury trines Chiron in Aries: A deep healing can occur now if we overthrow an old insecurity by harnessing the power of words—either written or spoken.

August 24—Mercury sextile Mars in Gemini: Supporting the aspect above, Mars invites us to trust our speaking impulses by negotiating or putting extra effort to get things off the ground.

Aries (March 20 – April 19) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

For you, Aries, the first part of the retrograde of Mercury (August 4 to August 14) will be about reviewing your work and overall life processes to make sure your life is working properly. If your eating and wellness routines aren’t working, you will be inspired to radically change them. The second part of the retrograde looks easier—unless, of course, an ex shows up in your DMs, which could be totally possible, between August 15 and August 28!

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

You could love the beginning of this retrograde, Taurus, as it will occur in your creativity sector, from August 4 to August 14. Testing new flavours and ways to have fun will be the vibe. However, watch out for disillusionment in love! Then from August 15 to August 28, the need to invest time in your home as well as the relationship with your partner, family, or roommates will be necessary so you can feel totally safe and comfortable.

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

Prepare for change, Gemini! Between August 4 and August 14, this retrograde will request you make amends with some of your closest people. Open dialogues will be required, which you are great at! The hard part will be having to change your opinions so you can arrive at an agreement. Strive to do this between August 15 and August 28, when retrograde Mercury activates your sector of communication and thought process. Now, make sure to invest extra time and effort in clarifying what you’re trying to convey.

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Cancer (June 21 – July 21) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

Communicate with intention between August 4 and August 14, Cancer, when you’re bound to feel the classic Mercury retrograde mishaps and miscommunications. Double-check your emails, texts, and all conversations. Then from August 15 to August 28, certain situations will ask you to review your budget or expenses. So, during this time, avoid spending on big-ticket items or making any big financial moves. Review and revise, but don’t make any big changes until September 4, which is when Mercury begins moving at full speed.

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Leo (July 22 – August 21) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

The entire concept of money and resources could be in your mind between August 4 and August 14. Unexpected expenses could occur, requiring you to have conversations about resources with your partner if you’re committed. The second part of the retrograde, between August 15 and August 28 could be more intense, as it occurs in your sign. Moving through life with patience and awareness will allow you to zoom into what needs to change in your life now—so pay attention!

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Virgo (August 22 – September 21) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

It’s transformation time, Virgo! Between August 4 and August 14, you’ll realise something important in your life needs to change. However, don’t make any rushed decisions. Instead, harness the energy that will be available to you between August 15 to August 28 by embracing deep introspection. Meditate on it, journal about it, and seek the answers within. By the time Mercury is moving at full speed, by September 4, you will most likely be ready to make the appropriate changes.

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Libra (September 22 – October 22) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

Allow yourself to retreat, Libra. Between August 4 and August 14, you will most likely feel tired and a bit antisocial, most likely due to the need to rest or process an important ending in your life. During this period, you could figure out that you’ve changed a lot in recent months, which will inspire you to make adjustments within your social group, between August 15 to August 28. If you’ve felt like you’ve outgrown some of your connections, you have cosmic permission to say your goodbyes, Libra!

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

Expect movement within your circle of collaborators, Scorpio, as people either move jobs or begin new ventures. During the second part of the retrograde, which occurs between August 15 to August 28, this change-inducing energy moves into your career. Mercury will inspire you to ask yourself: Is my job aligned with my true path? If the response is less than exciting, you might even decide to, also, move on and even launch your own endeavour!

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Sagittarius (22 November – 20 December) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

This retrograde of Mercury will have you in a very philosophical mood, dear Archer! Certain situations could have you doubt your job and even your entire career, so pay attention to what transpires between August 4 to August 14. The answers could not arrive until August 18, so be patient with yourself. If you feel like travelling will assist you during this mini-existential crisis, plan your trip between August 15 to August 28. 

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Capricorn (December 21 – January 18) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

At first, you could feel like the retrograde of Mercury has barely touched you, Capricorn. However, if you truly pay attention, you will notice that something about your belief system has slowly changed. This will become obvious when interacting with your partner or someone you’re very close with. Serious conversations will have to take place now, but they are very necessary so you can both move forward and even become closer as a result.

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Aquarius (January 19 – February 17) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

There is no way to sugarcoat it, Aquarius. This Mercury retrograde will activate your seventh and eighth houses, affecting your relationships, so prepare to have serious conversations with your closest peeps. Business relationships are also being “inspected” now, especially during the second part of the retrograde, between August 15 and August 28. Keep in mind that, besides making necessary changes, airing differences is the vibe now!

Don't forget to read your Weekly or your Monthly Horoscope.

Pisces (February 18 – March 19) During Mercury Retrograde in Virgo & in Leo

This retrograde of Mercury will have two very different flavours for you, Pisces. The first part, between August 4 and August 14, will be about rethinking and redrawing the boundaries in your relationships. The second part, between August 15 and August 28, will be more practical as projects at work also need to be put under a microscope and perhaps redone, reviewed, or refreshed. Even if it doesn’t seem like it at first, this effort will allow you to “perfect your craft.”

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