The Cosmic Summer Road Trip: Retrograde Rewind 2025
- Hollie McKitrick
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 16
🔥 Welcome to the dog days of summer. The sun is blazing, the highways are melting, and the cosmos? Oh, it’s on fire — literally.
July 2025 marks the start of summer with four planets moving retrograde through fire signs. Translation? You're not just sweating from the heat — you're sweating from the inside out. This isn’t your average retrograde season.
It’s a cosmic summer road trip where each planet hops into the car one by one, changing the direction, mood, and meaning of the journey. It’s hot, impulsive, and unexpectedly revealing.
🌊 July 4 - Neptune Retrograde: The Dreamy DJ Takes the Wheel 👨🏽🎤
Neptune is the first to jump in the car, blissed out and unbothered. He’s curated the perfect playlist of ocean waves and dream pop. What did he forget? A plan. And money. And snacks.
By the time the Full Moon in Capricorn rises on July 10, reality hits: Neptune didn’t plan a damn thing.
During a roadside meditation, the goat on the mountain top asks him, “Did you even think this through?” The answer? No. But he still thinks it’ll all magically work out.
🪐 July 12 - Saturn Retrograde: The Older Brother Tries to Fix It 🫡
Two days later, Saturn — just returned from military leave — is picked up to co-pilot. He immediately begins asking for receipts, maps, and a backup plan. He’s shocked to see Neptune’s melted cooler filled with crystals.
But even Saturn isn’t immune to the retrograde slowdown. He questions his usual rules, struggling to maintain order on a trip that resists structure.
Still, he tightens the metaphorical seatbelt and does what he can.
🚗 July 17 - Mercury Retrograde in Leo: Uncle Leo Hijacks the Trip 🎭
Enter Uncle Leo, loud, confident, and blasting a playlist from Hamilton. He insists on driving.
Neptune’s happy to nap in the back. Saturn grimaces.
Now, the whole car keeps stopping at every historic landmark for selfies and spontaneous monologues.
Communication glitches, wrong turns, and melodrama follow.
But Mercury RX in Leo isn’t just chaotic — it’s an opportunity to revisit creative visions, rewrite stories, and rethink what it means to lead.
🌚 July 24 - New Moon in Leo: Tensions Flare at Midnight 😤
By the Leo New Moon, everyone’s exhausted.
They’re arguing in the dark about whether to drive through the night to escape the heat.
In the heat of debate, they miss the blinking fuel light. The next station? Miles away.
Uncle Leo says, “We’ll coast in.” Saturn clenches his jaw. Neptune is dreaming of waterfalls.
🛡️ July 30 - Chiron Retrograde: The Wounded Hitchhiker Has Questions 🤔
They make it to a tiny gas station on fumes. Sitting there is Chiron, a wounded traveler with wisdom behind his eyes. He joins them quietly.
He doesn’t bring chaos or a playlist — just piercing questions like:
“Why do you always wait until you’re empty to ask for help?”
“Is this the first time you’ve taken the long way home on purpose?”
And just like that, the road trip shifts. It’s no longer about reaching a destination...It’s about understanding why you left home in the first place.
👉🏽 What This Retrograde Season Means for You 💭
This summer isn’t just about surviving the heat. It’s about getting honest about your plans, your patterns, and your people.
Neptune RX says: Your dreams need more than vibes.
Saturn RX says: Rebuild your structure - but only what still fits.
Mercury RX says: Rethink how you communicate, lead, and entertain.
Chiron RX says: Find healing in your origin story. Start with honesty.
🗓️ Mark Your Calendars & Set Some Intentions
Planet | RX Dates / Signs | Avoid | Lean Into |
Neptune | Jul 4 – Dec 10 2° Aries → 29° Pisces | · Starting new spiritual/intuitive projects · Escapism/drug use · Unclear decisions · Travel by sea/water adventures | · Dream journaling · Revisiting old visions · Spiritual introspection · Meditation |
Saturn | Jul 12 – Nov 27 1° Aries → 25° Pisces | · Launching new businesses (start-ups) · Building new structures/boundaries · Confronting authority · Operating on rigid timelines, | · Reassessing commitments · Rebuilding inner foundations · Examining weak boundaries · Releasing obligations |
Mercury | Jul 17 – Aug 11 (Shadow: Jun 29 – Aug 25) 15°–4° Leo | · Contracts · Tech buys · Travel · Dramatic/forceful communication · Creative productions | · Rewriting personal stories · Resuming old creative projects · Tracing paternal ancestry · Reevaluating your leadership style |
Chiron | Jul 30 – Dec 27 27° Aries | · Rushing physical/emotional healing · Projecting old wounds · Falling on the sword for others | · Healing identity wounds · Therapeutic movement · Reflective journaling · Redefining independence |
⚙️ Deepen Your Knowledge
There’s a LOT of content about Mercury Retrograde periods. If you want to learn more, I recommend:
1. Reading this short post on how to use a Mercury Retrograde Re-Do-List to stay productive, and then
2. Listening to this recent podcast by Astrology with Alisa. In under 15 minutes, she provides an excellent overview.
🎶 Get into the Groove - A Fiery Retrograde-Inspired Playlist 🎵
I felt like I knew each character. You gave them life and a detailed explanation. I guess pulling off at a rest stop is out of the question. Weak bladders need not join the ride.
The detailed explanation created a great visualization of what is going to take place and how to flow with it. I truly enjoyed it. Thank you for your insight!
What’s that smell coming from the backseat? It’s retrograde. Very informative. Thank you !