New Moon in Leo with Mercury Retrograde - A Creative Re-set

A New Moon That Asks for Honesty, Not Hype

The astrology of July 24 brings us a powerful Leo New Moon and Mercury Retrograde, creating the perfect conditions for a creative reset. Leo is the sign of courage, play, and creative authenticity. It rules the heart, and this lunation encourages you to plant seeds that align with your inner joy, not someone else’s idea of success. This New Moon wants you to reconnect with what lights you up and to begin again from the inside out.

While the Leo Sun brings bold fire and a desire to move forward with confidence, Mercury retrograde in Leo turns some of that energy inward. This is not a time to hold back, but it is a time to slow down and listen to what your heart is really saying. The spark is still there, but it needs direction. This New Moon calls for a courageous kind of honesty—one that blends Leo’s fierce self-expression with Mercury’s thoughtful review.

What Leo Energy Teaches Us About Self-Expression

Leo is ruled by the Sun, the brightest and most visible body in our sky. It’s the part of us that wants to shine not to show off, but to be seen for who we truly are. Leo energy reminds us that authentic expression requires vulnerability. It’s about living from the heart and making choices that feel true, even if they’re not easy or popular.

Questions to Reflect On with the Leo New Moon

• What did I love to do before I started worrying about being good at it?

• Where in my life am I not being fully honest about what brings me joy?

• What truth have I been holding back from expressing?

  
  

Mercury Retrograde in Leo: Slow Down and Reconnect

Mercury is retrograde at this New Moon, which shifts the energy inward. Instead of declaring new goals or charging ahead, this retrograde Mercury in Leo encourages us to pause, reflect, and rewrite the internal stories that shape how we show up.

This could be a moment where:

• An old idea returns, asking for your attention again

• You find yourself reconsidering how you express yourself in relationships

• You finally give voice to something you’ve kept to yourself

  
  

Thought-Provoking Prompts for Mercury Retrograde

• What am I ready to reclaim from the past and bring forward with fresh eyes?

• What story have I been telling myself about who I’m allowed to be?

• How do I want to be heard, and am I allowing space for that to happen?

  
  

Manifesting with the Leo New Moon and Mercury Retrograde

If you work with manifestation, this New Moon is still potent but it’s not about flash or performance. Instead, focus on soul-level desires. Write down intentions that come from the heart, not the ego. This isn’t about chasing applause, it’s about choosing joy and reconnecting with your sense of purpose.

Try These Soulful Manifestation Prompts

• If I wasn’t afraid of failing, what would I create?

• What part of myself have I been hiding that is ready to come forward?

• What would it mean to live with more authenticity?

Reconnecting with the Inner Child

Leo energy also connects us to the inner child the part of you that still wants to play, laugh, create, and be free. Mercury retrograde in Leo asks you to check in with that version of yourself. Sometimes it’s not about starting something new but returning to something true.

Think about:

• What you loved as a child before expectations shaped your choices

• The last time you created something just for the joy of it

• Whether your life today honors the essence of who you’ve always been

Rituals and Practices for the Leo New Moon

New Moons are quiet beginnings, not loud conclusions. Here are a few simple ways to honor this Leo New Moon energy while Mercury is retrograde:

Gentle Ways to Work with This Lunation

• Journal about a dream you want to rekindle

• Revisit a creative idea or project you once loved

• Light a candle and write yourself a love letter

• Spend time offline listening to your own inner voice

• Create something fun without sharing it or perfecting it

Let This Be a Personal Reset

Even though this New Moon happens in a fire sign, the presence of Mercury retrograde slows the energy down. Instead of pushing for instant results, let yourself linger in the unknown. Reflect. Re-imagine. Reclaim.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be honest with yourself about what feels real.

Final Reflective Questions

• What kind of story do I want to tell next?

• Am I living from the inside out, or from the outside in?

• What would it feel like to trust my joy again?

You Are Allowed to Begin Again

This New Moon is not about proving anything. It’s not about performance. It’s about presence. It’s about choosing yourself. Let it be a reset not just of plans, but of perspective.

You are allowed to want more. You are allowed to be seen. You are allowed to live from your heart.

Normally, a Leo New Moon might feel like a chance to step into the spotlight or boldly launch something new, and that spark is still present but with Mercury retracing its steps, this fire turns inward, inviting thoughtful reflection before action. It’s a quieter kind of courage, one that asks you to listen closely to your heart before you leap.