Mercury Retrograde Is Back. Your Ex Might Return, Too.

Life is not a dress rehearsal. But if you feel like slipping off-camera for a few weeks this summer, permission granted. Mercury turns retrograde on July 18, snoozing in theatrical Leo until August 11. During this three-week intermission, lower the cosmic curtain and tend to the backstage affairs of your life.

Mercury, the messenger planet, goes retrograde three times a year. As it passes the Earth in its orbit, it appears to be moving backward through the sky. Although this is an illusion, astrologers can attest to the true impact of an M.R. During this time, everything that Mercury rules also goes in reverse: communication, transportation, scheduling, mobile devices. If we had a dollar for every cracked screen and data leak that happened during Mercury retrograde, we’d have retired to a private island long ago.

Pollyanna spin: Mercury retrogrades can bring hidden blessings. This forced slowdown provides an opportunity to focus on all the “re” activities in your life: revising, revisiting, reconnection, reconfiguring. In other words, the things you generally don’t make time for because you’re too busy barreling ahead.

Still, we aren’t going to hard sell you on the idea that Mercury retrograde is a walk in the park. These three-week cycles are notorious for spinning up misunderstandings, messing with digital devices, and screwing up schedules. People from the past tend to pop back up—and often unceremoniously.

This summer’s retrograde comes with extra dramatic flair. Since Mercury is backing up through the Leo part of the sky, this flamboyant fire sign’s energy is getting involved. First and foremost, tamp down the peacocking and performative behaviors. Life may not be a dress rehearsal, but if it starts to resemble an episode of The Gilded Age, send your inner Bertha Russell back to her trailer. As the sign of the luxurious royal, Leo can get a little bit too concerned with status, “society,” and appearances.

Since passionate Leo is one of the zodiac’s hopeless romantics, summer love should be approached cautiously from July 18 to August 11. Old flames may reemerge for an encore—or at least a cameo you didn’t see coming. Although Mercury retrograde in Leo has a flair for rekindling old sparks, think twice before you jump back into character. Is this relationship really worth reenacting, or it better to move on to a more rewarding script?

Another advisory: Steer clear of any major style updates. Mercury retrograde is never the best time to experiment with drastic haircuts or any wild aesthetic updates. But when it’s backing up through vivacious Leo? Let Cardi B handle the Paris Haute Couture Week fashion and just enjoy being a spectator in your quiet luxury OOTDs. The catwalk will still be there after the retrograde.

What will you have to show for yourself? Tap into the imaginative powers of Leo to polish up a project that needs some more BTS love. Pull that half-finished screenplay or painting out, and get back to work on it. Silence notifications, and turn on some music. There are better things to do with your mind and hands than furiously texting your toxic ex.