Leo Season Combined With Mercury In Retrograde Brings Bold Energy — and Major Drama
No matter your choice this Leo season, it wouldn't hurt to borrow the 'sensitive gangster' vibe of Love Island USA season 7 winner Amaya Espinal. Lead with your heart—but don't let people toy with your emotions. And if that means keeping your options open until someone comes along who fits the bill? So be it. Like 'Amaya Papaya,' you might just come out the winner.
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Another Leo-coded hero to look to this month? Jessica, the fun, messy main character played by Megan Stalter in Lena Dunham's new Netflix series, Too Much. (Though we don't necessarily condone breaking into your ex's apartment or discussing UTIs at your boss's dinner party.) Even so, Stalter's Jessica lets it all hang out, which is exactly what captures the heart of British indie rocker Felix, played by Will Sharpe. This is Leo season gold!
But beware: It's definitely possible to hit the oversaturation point this summer. Once Mercury is in retrograde, endearing traits can suddenly feel performative. Behaviours that once garnered rave reviews could get the old 'not tonight, babe.'
And if that goes down? Well, with Mercury in reverse, self-reflection is warranted. Is it them? Is it you? Is it both of you?
We like to think of self-expression happening in two separate fields: the individual field and the relational field. The individual field is all about you doing you—other people's opinions be damned. The relational field demands accountability. Are you tuning in to the other person's energy? Are you interested in meeting them where they are, while also being your authentic self? This is a skill worth polishing. At its best, Leo energy feels more like interactive theater than a Broadway performance.
While Leo season is usually a time for unfettered experimentation, in 2025, we'll need to pull back a touch. But don't stem the tide of ideas that flow in. There will be many, especially near the Leo new moon on July 24. Capture them all for consideration in your Notes app, on a mood board, whatever. There are bound to be some gems in there. Mercury retrograde is a great time for reviewing all the half-started projects and plans that are gathering dust in your archives.
Just save any hard launches for Virgo season, when common sense prevails once again. In the meantime, make the most of Leo's playful vibes. Dance on rooftops, flirt at swim-up bars, meet friends for umbrella drinks and ridiculous gossip. This is the zodiac sign ruled by the life-giving sun, after all, and it's time we all enjoyed that shine.
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Ophira and Tali Edut (The AstroTwins) are among the most sought-after astrologers and intuitive advisors of our times. As the longtime resident astrologers for ELLE Magazine and the authors of over 20 books, they are the advisors to a roster of CEOs, celebrities, global leaders and successful entrepreneurs. They've read charts for celebrities the likes of Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, and Emma Roberts. Their new book, The Astrology Advantage (Simon & Schuster), introduces The AstroTwins' revolutionary I*AM System, which simplifies the birth chart into three archetypes: Innovator, Authority, and Maven. On television, The AstroTwins have appeared as guest experts for Bravo, MTV, 'Good Morning America,' and the 'Today' show, and created the first streaming reality TV dating show based on astrology, Cosmic Love (Amazon Prime Video, 2022). Their work on the subject of 'spiritual technology' as an essential tool for business success has been featured in Fast Company and at leadership conferences around the world. Ophira and Tali have taught thousands of people their methods through their online platform, and at their signature retreats. Graduates of The University of Michigan, Ophira and Tali grew up in Detroit and currently live in New York and Seattle.
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