This week, the cosmos invites us into a richly layered narrative of reflection, revelation, and repair. We’re entering Mercury retrograde territory in fiery Leo—a fixed fire sign that rules over self-expression, identity, and the heart. But this retrograde isn’t all theatrics and miscommunication. Paired with a supportive sextile to Venus and a sharp square between the Sun and Chiron, we’re asked to revisit how we present ourselves to the world, and where our wounds may be hiding behind the curtain.
Let’s break it down:
🌀 Mercury Goes Retrograde in Leo (July 17)
When Mercury begins its retrograde in Leo at 15°, we’re being asked to reclaim our voice—but not the one we crafted to get applause. The retrograde pulls us inward to re-examine:
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What stories we tell about ourselves (especially in public or creative spaces),
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Where we’ve confused performance with authenticity, and
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How pride, fear of rejection, or old shame may still be censoring our truth.
Leo wants to shine, but Mercury retrograde says: “Wait, are you glowing… or just burning out trying to be seen?”
This is a beautiful time to rewrite your personal myth, revisit old creative projects, or reflect on how you communicate your essence. Be aware of miscommunications, but don’t fear them—they’re often divine disruptions meant to wake us up.
💞 Mercury Sextile Venus in Gemini (July 18)
This soft, golden-threaded aspect is your cosmic saving grace this week.
Venus in Gemini brings levity, flirtation, and charm. When Mercury (even in retrograde) connects with her, it enhances our ability to:
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Express affection with clarity and creativity,
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Revise old conversations with more compassion or curiosity,
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Rekindle connections or revisit past flings, friendships, or art forms with fresh perspective.
You might find yourself writing poetry without meaning to, or slipping into deeper conversations that were once impossible. This is the healing balm to Mercury’s retrograde medicine.
☀️ Sun in Cancer Square Chiron in Aries (July 19)
This is the emotional root of the week. The Sun in nurturing, protective Cancer clashes with Chiron in fiery, independent Aries. The tension here brings up:
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Wounds around visibility, worth, and being “too much” or “not enough,”
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Family dynamics that still impact your confidence,
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A deep longing to be held and a fear that if you’re fully seen, you’ll be abandoned.
This square acts like a spotlight on the sore spot you’ve been avoiding. It’s tender, yes—but it’s also healing if you let it be. What needs acknowledgment is not the perfect version of you, but the one who once felt too scared to speak up.
✨ Weekly Ritual Suggestions
Fire & Mirror Ritual
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Light a candle. Sit with a mirror.
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Say aloud: “I’m not here to perform. I’m here to remember.”
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Write down one false belief about your worth. Burn it safely.
Creative Play
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Return to an old idea or project without pressure. Let your inner voice experiment.
Emotional Reset
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Hand to heart. Whisper: “It’s safe to be me now.” Daily.
🌟 Zodiac Reflections & Weekly Focus
♈ Aries – “Am I being seen, or just reacting?”
This week, your wound is personal—Chiron is in your sign. Old insecurities may rise around being “too much” or not enough. Mercury retrograde pulls focus to your creativity and confidence.
Focus: Own your voice without the armor.
Prompt: Where do I mistake attention for acceptance?
♉ Taurus – “What does safety really feel like?”
Home and family stories are up for review. Old dynamics may ask for healing or redefining. You’re craving stability—but it must come from within.
Focus: Rewriting your roots.
Prompt: What emotional pattern am I finally ready to release?
♊ Gemini – “Is my voice aligned with my values?”
With Venus in your sign and Mercury retrograde in your communication sector, your words have power this week—use them wisely.
Focus: Speaking your truth without overexplaining.
Prompt: Am I sharing to connect, or to control how I’m perceived?
♋ Cancer – “What is my worth beyond what I give?”
The Sun is in your sign, highlighting your essence—but the Chiron square asks you to heal how you present yourself publicly.
Focus: Redefining your value on your own terms.
Prompt: Where do I give love freely but forget to receive it?
♌ Leo – “Who am I when I’m not performing?”
Mercury retrograde in your sign is a personal reset. Revisit your identity, your goals, and how much energy you put into being “on.”
Focus: Quiet self-discovery.
Prompt: What truth have I silenced in favor of applause?
♍ Virgo – “What am I ready to let go of in the dark?”
This retrograde is happening in your subconscious. It’s a time to be with your inner world and reprogram patterns rooted in fear.
Focus: Rest, solitude, and spiritual healing.
Prompt: What old story still shapes my decisions—even when it’s no longer true?
♎ Libra – “Which connections nourish me, and which deplete me?”
Mercury retrograde rewinds your social life. You may reevaluate friendships, collaborations, or your place in the collective.
Focus: Aligning with people who see the real you.
Prompt: Where am I overextending just to belong?
♏ Scorpio – “How do I measure success—and does it still fit?”
You’re reflecting on career, purpose, and the image you present to the world. Something deeper is asking for space.
Focus: Realigning your external goals with internal truth.
Prompt: What version of success am I ready to shed?
♐ Sagittarius – “What’s the story I keep telling myself about freedom?”
You’re reevaluating beliefs and ideals you’ve outgrown. This is a time to update your personal philosophy with hard-earned wisdom.
Focus: Embodied truth, not just intellectual ideals.
Prompt: What belief am I clinging to that once protected me—but now limits me?
♑ Capricorn – “What am I ready to transform, even if it scares me?”
Themes of intimacy, vulnerability, and shared energy rise. Mercury retrograde invites a deep soul audit.
Focus: Facing where you’ve abandoned yourself in order to feel safe.
Prompt: Where am I still guarding the wound instead of healing it?
♒ Aquarius – “How do I show up in relationships—with honesty or performance?”
You’re reviewing your closest connections. Mercury retrograde brings past partnerships or issues back for clarity.
Focus: Truth-telling in partnership.
Prompt: Where have I edited myself to keep the peace?
♓ Pisces – “How can I make my life more sacred in the everyday?”
Your routines and rituals are ready for an upgrade. It’s time to slow down and integrate what your body and soul need.
Focus: Mind-body restoration.
Prompt: What would it look like to treat my daily habits like prayer?
✨ Final Thoughts
This week, the stars are not trying to ruin your plans—they’re inviting you to pause and pivot. Mercury retrograde in Leo doesn’t want you to mute yourself—it wants you to speak more honestly. The Sun–Chiron square is tough, but it reveals where your strength has been quietly growing beneath your most vulnerable scar.
Reclaim your story. Say the quiet part out loud. Rewrite it—not for the audience, but for the you who’s been waiting backstage for far too long.
In kindness,
The Floral Goose
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