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Three significant planetary retrogrades begin in July 2025. Although retrogrades typically get a bad reputation, they actually offer powerful opportunities for realignment. When a planet appears to move backward from our perspective on Earth, its energy turns inward, inviting us to revisit, reflect, and reconsider areas of our lives connected to that planet’s archetype.
Neptune, Saturn, and Mercury will each station retrograde, creating cosmic shifts that support inner exploration, breaking old patterns, and reconnecting with our intentions. This retrograde season is perfectly timed during Cancer season, which supports turning inward, feeling deeply, and creating nurturing space for growth—and that’s exactly what each of these retrogrades ask of us.
Planetary Retrogrades in 2025
Find power in the upcoming planetary reversals.
Neptune Retrograde in Aries | July 4-December 9
Neptune governs our dreams, spirituality, intuition, and the invisible realms. It also rules illusion, fantasy, and the ways we might deceive ourselves or escape reality. When this planet stations retrograde in Aries on July 4th, we’re invited to distinguish between illusions that distract us and dreams that truly resonate with our souls.
Neptune in Aries has been encouraging us to take inspired action toward our visions. During its retrograde phase, this energy turns inward, asking: Which of my dreams are authentic expressions of my soul, and which are merely escapes from my reality?
Use This Retrograde To:
• Notice where you’ve been chasing fantasies rather than dreams aligned with your soul
• Identify where you’ve been using spiritual bypassing to avoid uncomfortable emotions
• Reconnect with your true spiritual path without external validation
• Clarify which creative or spiritual pursuits truly inspire and motivate you
Neptune will reenter Pisces on October 21st, bringing its dreamy energy back to its home sign. This transit helps you integrate your spiritual discoveries from Aries
with your deep intuitive wisdom, creating a powerful foundation for manifesting from your soul rather than ego-based wants.
To work with Neptune retrograde, create a nighttime dream practice. Each evening, journal about your visions and even visualize yourself living them. Then notice which ones bring a feeling of alignment in your body versus which ones feel like they’re driven by external validation or escapism. This practice helps you refine your intentions to align with your soul’s true desires.
Saturn Retrograde in Aries | July 12 – November 27
Saturn governs structure, discipline, limitations, and commitments. It represents the work we must do to manifest our dreams in tangible reality. When Saturn stations retrograde in Aries on July 12th, we’re invited to reconsider how we’re Saturn in Aries has been teaching us about responsible action and sustainable progress. During its retrograde phase, this energy turns inward, asking: What are my true priorities, and where am I spreading myself too thin?
Use This Retrograde To:
• Take your power back by consciously directing your focus rather than reacting from conditioning
• Identify where you’ve been saying “yes” to too many things at once
• Recommit to the intentions and projects that truly matter to your growth
• Build internal structures that support your emotional and spiritual wellbeing
Saturn will reenter Pisces on August 31st, encouraging you to apply the focus and discipline you’ve developed to your spiritual and emotional life. This transit helps you create sustainable structures for nurturing your intuition and inner wisdom.
To work with Saturn retrograde, create a commitment inventory. List everything you’re currently committed to, then honestly assess which of these commitments align with your highest intentions. Release or renegotiate commitments that no longer serve you, creating space for what truly matters. Remember that limitations, when chosen consciously, become foundations for sustainable growth.
Mercury Retrograde in Leo | July 17 – August 11
Mercury governs communication, thinking patterns, information processing, and short-distance travel. When this mental messenger stations retrograde Leo on July 17th, we’re invited to reconsider how we express ourselves and communicate with our inner voice.
Mercury in Leo has been encouraging bold self-expression and creative communication. During its retrograde phase, this energy turns inward, asking: Is my inner dialogue supporting the manifestation of my visions, or am I limiting myself with outdated thinking patterns?
Use This Retrograde To:
• Consciously pause between events and your responses, creating space for conscious choice
• Reframe limiting self-talk into empowering internal messaging
• Revisit creative projects that express your authentic voice
• Review how you communicate your needs and boundaries to others
To work with Mercury retrograde, practice mindful response. When you notice a trigger or reaction arising, pause and take three conscious breaths before responding. In this space, ask yourself: “What’s really happening here?” and “How would I respond if I were fully aligned with my intentions?” This practice helps rewire your communication patterns both internally and externally.
The Power of Triple Retrograde Synergy
Having three planets retrograde simultaneously creates a powerful opportunity for multi-dimensional inner work. Neptune helps you clarify your dreams, Saturn helps you commit to what truly matters, and Mercury helps you reprogram your thinking to support both.
To work with all three retrogrades in harmony, create an everyday practice that includes:
Dream Clarity (Neptune)
Spend five minutes visualizing your dreams, noticing which ones resonate in your body as truth.
Focused Commitment (Saturn)
Choose ONE priority for the day that aligns with your highest intentions and commit to giving it your full attention for a designated amount of time.
Mindful Communication (Mercury)
Notice your self-talk throughout the day, gently questioning thoughts that don’t support your growth and reframing them to align with your intentions.
Remember that retrogrades don’t cause problems—they reveal what’s already there and waiting for your attention and healing. When we resist looking inward, retrogrades can feel challenging. When we embrace the invitation to reflect and realign, these cosmic experiences become some of the most transformative of our lives.
