Get Ready for a Bumpy (But Important!) Ride: Your Easy Guide to July 2025
Hello everyone, John here! Welcome back to the blog where we break down the big topics in life and finance into bite-sized, easy-to-understand pieces. This month, we’re taking a little detour from our usual topics to look up at the stars, because the forecast for July 2025 is looking… well, a little bumpy. But don’t you worry! Think of me as your friendly guide with a map and a flashlight.
According to the expert stargazers, July is packed with something called “retrogrades.” Four of them, in fact! It sounds complicated, but I promise, by the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what it means and how to navigate the month with confidence. My wonderful assistant, Lila, is here to help us keep things simple.
So, grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let’s figure this out together.
First Things First: What on Earth is a “Retrograde”?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of July, we need to tackle the most important word of the month.
Lila: “Okay, John, I have to jump in right away. I keep hearing that word, ‘retrograde,’ and it sounds… bad. Like something is broken or going backward. What does it actually mean?”
That’s the perfect question, Lila! And you’re not alone in thinking that. The word itself sounds a bit scary, but the reality is much simpler.
Imagine you’re on a train, moving forward smoothly. Another train on the track next to you starts to pass you because it’s going faster. For a few moments, as it overtakes you, it looks like your train is actually moving backward, even though you know you’re still chugging along.
A planetary retrograde is exactly like that! From our viewpoint here on Earth, it just looks like a planet has started to move backward in the sky. It’s an optical illusion. The planet is still doing its thing, but its energy feels a little different to us down here.
Astrologers believe that when a planet is in retrograde, it’s a time to focus on words that start with “re-“:
- Review
- Reflect
- Reassess
- Redo
- Reconnect
It’s not a time for bold new beginnings, but rather a cosmic invitation to pause, look back, and fix things. It’s a celestial pit stop!
The “Retrograde Squad”: Meet the Four Planets Taking a Step Back in July
So, why is July 2025 special? Because we have four major celestial bodies all in this “review mode” at the same time. Think of it like four different departments in your life all undergoing an audit at once. It can feel like a lot, but it’s also a powerful opportunity to get things in order. Let’s meet the team.
1. Mercury Retrograde: The Communication Mix-Up
This is the most famous retrograde, and the one you’ve probably heard about. Mercury is the planet of communication, technology, travel, and information. When it goes into its backward-seeming dance, these are the areas that can get a little wonky.
What to watch for:
- Emails getting lost or misunderstood.
- Your computer or phone acting up for no reason.
- Travel plans hitting unexpected delays or cancellations.
- Signing important contracts (it’s often advised to wait if you can).
How to handle it: Slow down! Double-check your emails before you hit send. Back up your important files. Give yourself extra time to get to the airport. And most importantly, be patient with others if misunderstandings happen. It’s not you, it’s Mercury!
2. Saturn Retrograde: A Cosmic Reality Check
Lila: “Okay, Mercury makes sense. But Saturn sounds so serious! What does it mean for a planet like that to go retrograde?”
You’re right, Lila, Saturn is the heavyweight of the zodiac. Think of Saturn as the strict but fair teacher or the master builder. It governs rules, responsibility, discipline, boundaries, and long-term plans. It’s all about structure.
When Saturn goes retrograde, it’s like a cosmic home inspector is visiting. It asks us to look at the foundations of our lives. Are they strong? Are the rules we live by still working for us? Are we taking responsibility for our choices? It’s a time to review our careers, our commitments, and our life’s structure. It can feel heavy, but its goal is to help us build something that will last.
How to handle it: Use this time to reflect on your long-term goals. Are you on the right path? It’s also a great time to work on setting healthier boundaries with people.
3. Neptune Retrograde: Lifting the Fog
If Saturn is the builder, Neptune is the dreamer. This planet rules spirituality, creativity, dreams, and illusions. It often puts a beautiful, hazy fog over things, making life feel more magical. It’s the planet of rose-colored glasses.
When Neptune goes retrograde, that fog starts to lift. The rose-colored glasses come off. Suddenly, we might see a situation, a person, or even ourselves with stark clarity. This can be a bit jarring! Illusions we’ve been holding onto can dissolve, and we have to face the plain truth. While it can be tough, this clarity is a gift. It allows us to make decisions based on reality, not fantasy.
How to handle it: Pay attention to your intuition. If something suddenly feels “off,” it probably is. This is a powerful time for creative pursuits and spiritual practices, as you’re more connected to the truth.
4. Chiron Retrograde: Time for Deep Healing
Lila: “I’ve never heard of Chiron. Is it a planet?”
Great question, Lila! Chiron isn’t a planet; it’s a smaller celestial body, sometimes called an asteroid or comet. But in astrology, it’s a huge deal. Astrologers call Chiron the “Wounded Healer.” It represents our deepest, most sensitive wounds, but also our greatest capacity to heal and help others.
When Chiron goes retrograde, it gently brings these old hurts to the surface. It’s not trying to hurt you again! Instead, it’s giving you an opportunity to look at that old pain with new eyes, understand it, and finally begin to heal it on a deeper level. It’s a time for incredible self-compassion and emotional growth.
How to handle it: Be extra kind to yourself. If old feelings come up, don’t push them away. Acknowledge them. Journaling, talking to a trusted friend, or seeking therapy can be incredibly helpful during this time.
So, How Do We Handle This Bumpy Ride?
Seeing all four of these laid out might feel overwhelming, but the strategy for navigating July is actually very simple. It’s all about slowing down and being intentional.
- Pause Before You Proceed: This is not the month for impulsive decisions or launching massive new projects. Think of it as a planning and review phase.
- Communicate with Care: With Mercury retrograde, choose your words wisely. Listen more than you speak. Assume good intentions when others seem unclear.
- Check Your Foundation: Use Saturn’s energy to ask yourself the big questions. Is your career fulfilling? Are your relationships supportive? What needs to be adjusted?
- Embrace Clarity: When Neptune’s fog lifts, don’t be afraid of what you see. Truth is the first step toward making positive changes.
- Be Gentle with Yourself: With Chiron’s influence, be your own best friend. Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself the grace to heal.
Our Take on a Tumultuous July
John: Honestly, when I see a month with this many retrogrades, I don’t see it as a bad thing. I see it as a cosmic ‘pit stop.’ It’s a forced slowdown that we probably need anyway in our busy lives. It’s a chance to tune up our engines and fix what’s broken before we speed ahead again.
Lila: As a beginner, all this talk about retrogrades sounded scary at first! But hearing John explain it makes me feel more prepared. It’s not about disaster, it’s about being mindful. I’m actually going to try journaling this month to see what comes up for me. It feels like a good chance to check in with myself.
This article is based on the following original source, summarized from the author’s perspective:
July’s Horoscope Includes Four Major Retrogrades—Here’s What
To Know