The Next Mercury Retrograde Shadow Is Here: Your Zodiac Sign’s Forecast From July 16 to August 4

Believe it or not, Mercury retrograde is almost here again! But first comes the Mercury retrograde shadow in Leo. Whenever you hear that the planet of communication, transportation and technology is once again encouraging us to slow down and retrace our steps, it’s normal to find yourself feeling stunned, wondering, “Didn’t a Mercury retrograde just end?” That’s due to the fact that not only does Mercury go retrograde three or four times per year but the misunderstood (go figure!) astrological event involves a lead-in period and lead-out phase called the Mercury retrograde shadow. After all, it takes a little time for Mercury to slow down before each backspin and time for it to ramp back up afterward. If it feels downright aggravating that the planet of communication is compromised for even more days than you thought, take heart: As an astrologer and the author of Mercury Magic: How to Thrive During Retrogrades and Tap Into the Power of the Messenger Planet All Year Long , I can reassure you that it’s possible to take advantage of these periods versus fear them.

Read on for all the details on what the latest Mercury retrograde shadow period — happening from Tuesday, July 16 until Mercury officially goes retrograde on Sunday, August 4 (PT)-Monday, August 5 (ET) — means and how simply being more aware of this phenomenon can boost your inner peace.

What is the Mercury retrograde pre-shadow period?

The Mercury retrograde pre-shadow occurs ahead of each Mercury retrograde. You likely already know that Mercury retrogrades last about three weeks and occur when the messenger planet appears to move backward from our vantage point on Earth. But before it can go retrograde, Mercury needs about two weeks to slow down. That’s because when Mercury is direct, it’s the fastest planet in our solar system, speeding around the sun every 88 Earth days.

And when Mercury is in its pre-shadow period, you could begin to feel like it might as well be retrograde. Tech glitches are more likely, befuddling interpersonal miscommunications are more apt to pop up and you could find yourself inexplicably stuck in traffic when it’s not even rush hour. On the brighter side, you could feel compelled to dive into more inner work and self-reflection. In short, the pre-shadow period serves as a sneak peek of what you’ll be facing and navigating when Mercury is officially retrograde for three weeks. You’ll find you’re dealing with situations, interactions and projects that, once Mercury is retrograde, will require revision or reimagining.

Either way, whenever Mercury’s speedy pace is compromised — even if it’s only slowing down versus moving backward through the constellations — the areas of life that the planet oversees (communication, transportation and technology) are bound to be affected. Still, it bears noting that there’s no need to treat a shadow period exactly like the retrograde itself. Instead, simply being aware that you’re in a pre- or post- Mercury retrograde shadow period can reduce your stress and bolster your preparedness for the inevitable communication hiccups that come up now.

When is the Mercury retrograde shadow in July and August 2024?

This summer, Mercury will be in its pre-shadow period from Tuesday, July 16 at 8:52 p.m. PT/11:52 p.m. ET until Mercury retrograde begins on Sunday, August 4/Monday, August 5 at 9:56 pm PT/12:56 a.m. ET.

The way this works: Mercury’s pre-shadow kicks off when the messenger planet hits the precise degrees and minutes of the sign at which it’ll ultimately go direct (aka end its retrograde). So, on July 16 — and then again on Wednesday, August 28 — Mercury will be at 21°24’ Leo.

What are the themes of the Mercury retrograde pre-shadow in July and August 2024?

With Mercury moving forward and then backward through the later degrees of fixed fire sign Leo and early degrees of mutable water sign Virgo, this Mercury retrograde pre-shadow could bring up lessons related to your sense of self, identity, self-empowerment and confidence (all Leo themes) as well as your attention to detail, interest in being of service to others, perfectionism, wellness and approach to organization (Virgo’s terrain).

What the Mercury retrograde pre-shadow means for you, based on your sign

Here, how the Mercury retrograde pre-shadow in Leo and Virgo will affect you, based on your sign. (Be sure to read your  rising sign, if you know it. If you don’t, you can find it in your birth chart or by using this CafeAstrology calculator .)

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Aries

The Mercury pre-shadow initially takes place in your romance and self-expression zone, so you could be thinking about ways in which you’d like to own your voice, tap into your creativity and infuse your everyday life with more playful, fun-loving energy. Hitting pause on hard and fast deadlines and grueling work hours might be in the cards over the next few weeks. Once the messenger planet shifts into your wellness sector on July 25, you’ll be gearing up to reflect on and rethink your daily routine and how you’re caring for your health.

Click through for more on Aries .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Taurus

Mercury will be slowing down in your home zone initially, encouraging you to take a microscope to relationships with loved ones and even to-dos around your actual physical home. Think about how you might be preparing to retrace your steps in terms of having important heart-to-hearts with family members, as well as tending to your inner emotional world and sense of security. And during its pre-shadow, Mercury will also be in your romance and self-expression sector, which can nudge you to be a bit more spontaneous and willing to let go of concrete plans, especially when cutting loose with a significant other or dear friends.

Click through for more on Taurus .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Gemini

Mercury’s pre-shadow period kicks off in your communication sector, which also happens to be the zone associated with your sign (so it’s one you’re quite familiar with!). In turn, you’ll get a preview of what you can expect during this retrograde: likely some technology meltdowns, transportation slowdowns and an increased potential for misunderstandings with friends and colleagues. Still, this can be a lovely time to go back to the drawing board to refresh previously back-burnered skills. And when Mercury enters your home zone on July 25, you’ll be reflecting on your emotional foundations and relationships with loved ones.

Click through for more on Gemini .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Cancer

It’s time to get a bird’s eye view of your financial goals and make sure that you’re clear on all the details of spending, saving and investing, given that Mercury is slowing down in your money zone. This is also a sector that involves self-worth, so that’s a theme that could be highlighted for you now, too. If it’s something you’d do well to bolster, in order to be rewarded appropriately on the job, you could spend this upcoming retrograde diving into self-work around that. Mercury will also occupy your communication sector, which could inspire you to think about how you might want to adjust platonic or collegial relationships.

Click through for more on Cancer .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Leo

Mercury’s pre-shadow begins in your sign, which should make you more aware of your self-image and identity as well as how you’re presenting yourself out in the world. Because this sector of your chart sits opposite your partnership zone, you could be taking note of one-on-one relationships that are either supporting your efforts or holding you back. (You’ll have the retrograde period to further reflect on and zhush these dynamics.) Mercury also moves into your money zone ahead of and during its retrograde, so take note of work you’re currently pouring your energy into and consider how it aligns with your self-worth.

Click through for more on Leo .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Virgo

Your ruling planet, messenger Mercury, will begin its pre-shadow in your spirituality sector, which is all about your psychological well-being, intuition, dreams and restorative practices that will ultimately lay the groundwork for you to express yourself more openly. You’ll be nudged to reflect on how you’re tending to this area of your life and what changes might need to occur for you to feel even more centered. And because Mercury is also going to be in your sign ahead of its retrograde, self-image, confidence and identity are all themes that are bound to be coming up for you now, too. You could be asking yourself what moves you can make to bolster your sense of self.

Click through for more on Virgo .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Libra

Mercury’s pre-shadow period kicks off in your networking sector, so take note of how you’re feeling while spending time with certain communities, teams or groups of friends. You’ll want to feel more connected right now, but it may be that the people you’re surrounding yourself with aren’t showing up for you or seeing eye-to-eye with you as you had hoped. In turn, it could be that adjustments may need to be made so you’re feeling truly supported. The messenger planet will also occupy your spirituality zone during this time, so you’ll do well to tune into your inner voice and dreams, as they might provide valuable intel on aspirations you could begin to muse about and research now.

Click through for more on Libra .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Scorpio

As Mercury begins its initial slowdown, it’ll be in your career zone, which means you’ll do well to think about dynamics with authority figures and your inner sense of authority. You could be misunderstanding or butting heads with someone in power and realize that while it is impossible to change other people’s actions or behaviors, you can take ownership of your own perspective to create meaningful change. And this is the self-work that you’ll likely be doing once Mercury is retrograde. Mercury will also spend time in your networking zone. Pay attention to who currently has your back as well as colleagues or friends you’d do well to align yourself with in order to feel truly connected and supported.

Click through for more on Scorpio .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Sagittarius

Mercury’s pre-shadow begins in your adventure sector (the area of your chart associated with your sign, so it’s familiar territory), and you’ll no doubt be feeling quite restless and even more full of wanderlust than usual. But it can be slightly tougher to launch big-picture, globe-trotting dreams now. Instead, consider broadening your horizons by learning about new philosophies or perspectives. Reimagining your world view could be your focus over the next several weeks. And thanks to Mercury spending time in your career zone during the pre-shadow, get curious about your professional path and how you can smooth over any bumps in the road on your way to making your mark.

Click here for more on Sagittarius .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Capricorn

Mercury will initially slowdown in your intimacy and emotional bonds zone, encouraging you to pay more attention to what you need to feel comfortable within your closest relationships. New boundaries might need to be set — and held! — and you could also be taking stock of shared financial goals, given that this is the zone of joint resources. Consider what might need to change in order for you to build momentum and hit the finish line. Mercury also occupies your higher learning sector during its pre-shadow, so your worldview and personal philosophies could be coming up for review. You might be soaking up information, through a class, mentor or trusted friend, that you can then meditate on and incorporate into your perspective.

Click through for more on Capricorn .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Aquarius

You’ll do well to pay attention to dynamics within your one-on-one relationships given that Mercury’s pre-shadow initially occurs in your partnership zone. If reciprocity is an issue within a certain bond or you feel like a particular friendship or romantic tie is holding you back in some way, simply noticing that can be useful now, because it’ll set the wheels of this upcoming retrograde in motion. The messenger planet also occupies your intimacy zone, so your most deep-seated emotions and closest relationships are very much a focus now, too.

Click through for more on Aquarius .

How Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024 will effect Pisces

This Mercury pre-shadow is affecting your wellness and daily routine sector, for starters, so you’ll do well to think about aspects of your everyday hustle that might need amending or that just aren’t serving you as well as they should. Consider whether saying “no” to particular chores, errands, commitments or mind-body practices will actually contribute to your well-being in the long run. And because Mercury will also occupy your partnership sector during its pre-shadow, your one-on-one relationships, negotiations and mediations could capture your attention as well. Noting how your sense of self is affected by these interactions can be crucial information to carry into the retrograde.

Click through for more on Pisces .

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