You've probably felt it. That weird, jittery energy where your phone suddenly hates you, your ex sends a "thinking of you" text at 2 a.m., and your morning coffee somehow ends up on your white shirt. It’s easy to blame the stars. Honestly, most people do. But if you’re looking at the calendar and wondering when is the next retrograde 2025, you need to know that we aren't just dealing with one "glitchy" planet. 2025 is basically the year of the cosmic U-turn.
Mercury gets all the press, but this year, it has backup. Venus and Mars are also taking turns walking backward, which means our love lives and our energy levels are getting a major overhaul.
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The Heavy Hitter: Mercury Retrograde Dates
Mercury is the solar system’s messenger. When it goes retrograde, it doesn't actually move backward—it just looks that way from Earth, like a faster train passing a slower one. This "illusion" usually results in missed emails, flight delays, and foot-in-mouth syndrome.
In 2025, Mercury is hitting the brakes three times. You'll want to circle these on your calendar, mostly so you know when to triple-check your alarm clock.
- March 14 – April 7: This one starts in fiery Aries and slides back into Pisces. Expect some "oops, I shouldn't have said that" moments followed by "wait, what am I even feeling?" vibes.
- July 17 – August 11: Happening entirely in Leo. It’s a summer of drama. If you’re planning a big party or a public launch, maybe don't? Ego clashes are going to be a thing.
- November 9 – November 29: Moving from Sagittarius to Scorpio. This is the "holiday travel nightmare" window. It’s also deep. It’s about secrets coming out right when you're trying to pass the mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving.
Mercury is the one that trips you up on the small stuff. It’s the typo in the legal contract or the GPS taking you to a cornfield. If you're a Gemini or a Virgo, you’ll likely feel this more than your friends. Why? Because Mercury is your planetary boss. When the boss is on a coffee break, the office falls apart.
Venus and Mars Are Joining the Party
This is where 2025 gets spicy. Most years, we just deal with Mercury. But 2025 is giving us a rare double-whammy of the "personal" planets going retrograde.
Venus Retrograde (March 1 – April 12)
Venus only goes retrograde every 18 months or so. It’s the planet of money, beauty, and—you guessed it—love. This spring, Venus is backsliding through Aries and Pisces.
Kinda sucks for spring weddings, right?
Basically, this isn't the time for a radical new haircut or a "spur of the moment" engagement. You might find yourself questioning if your partner actually "gets" you, or suddenly realizing you've been spending way too much on subscription services you never use. It’s a reality check for the heart.
Mars Retrograde (Ends February 23)
Technically, we started 2025 in a Mars retrograde that began in late 2024. If you felt sluggish, unmotivated, or just plain cranky in January, that was Mars in Leo and Cancer. Since Mars is the planet of action and war, its retrograde feels like trying to run underwater.
Once Mars stations direct on February 23, the "brake" is released. You’ll finally get that burst of energy you’ve been missing. But use it wisely—don't try to make up for two months of lost time in a single weekend.
The Outer Planets: The Slow Burn
While Mercury makes you lose your keys, the outer planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto—change the "vibe" of the whole year. Their retrogrades last for months. You don't usually notice them day-to-day, but you notice them when you look back and realize your entire perspective on life has shifted.
Saturn and Neptune in 2025
Saturn (the planet of rules) and Neptune (the planet of dreams) are both doing a dance between Pisces and Aries this year.
Saturn Retrograde (July 13 – November 27) is a massive period for accountability. If you’ve been cutting corners at work or ignoring your health, Saturn is going to remind you that you can't run forever. It’s not "bad" luck; it’s just the universe asking for your homework.
Neptune Retrograde (July 4 – December 10) is a bit more ethereal. It’s about pulling back the curtain. If you’ve been romanticizing a situation that’s actually kinda toxic, Neptune retrograde is when the rose-colored glasses finally shatter. It’s uncomfortable, but necessary.
How to Not Lose Your Mind
The biggest mistake people make is trying to "fight" a retrograde. You can't. You can't outrun a planetary transit any more than you can outrun a rainstorm.
Instead of pushing for new beginnings, use these windows to "Re-" everything. Revisit old projects. Reconnect with old friends (the ones you actually like). Research that business idea instead of launching it. Repair the leaky faucet you've been ignoring.
Actionable Survival Tips for 2025
- The 24-Hour Rule: During Mercury's windows (especially in July and November), wait 24 hours before sending an angry email or making a big purchase.
- The Tech Backup: Back up your photos and documents in early March, before the first big retrograde hits.
- Relationship Review: When Venus goes retrograde in March, don't break up on a whim. Wait until mid-April to see if the "issue" was real or just cosmic static.
- Patience as a Power: When things slow down, let them. If a flight is delayed, read a book. If a project is stalled, take a nap. The world won't end if you take a beat.
2025 is a year designed for introspection. It’s messy, sure. But by the time Jupiter goes direct again in early 2026, the people who actually took the time to reflect during these retrogrades are the ones who are going to be miles ahead of everyone else. Focus on the "re" and you'll find that the chaos actually has a pretty clear purpose.