If you’ve already dreamed about your ex even though you have moved on, it’s not your fault—it’s the stars. These days have felt really weird, but fortunately, it’s not because of you or your avoidant attachment; rather, the astrological climate is playing tricks on us and wants us to relive the past over and over again. Spoiler alert: you’re not crazy and it’s very likely this phase will pass soon—but you do need to understand why you’re feeling this way and when that feeling might fade.
The Stars Want You to Relive Your Darkest Past
To begin with, your worst astrological nightmare is real for several days: Mercury retrograde in Leo. It started on July 17 and continues until August 11, with a post-shadow lasting until August 25. Mercury rules the mind, and when it goes retrograde, the energy becomes a loop: reviewing old chats, replaying different scenarios. Since it’s in Leo—the sign of passionate romances and ego— mercury intensifies matters of the heart and how your ex possibly stalks (or doesn’t stalk) you on social media.
Add to this the retrograde of Neptune, from July 4 to December 10. Neptune rules emotional memory, fantasy, and rose-tinted perceptions. When retrograde, it melts the boundary between past and present: you idealize the good times and forget why things ended.
Then another retrograde adds to the mix: Saturn in Aries, from July 13 to November 27. This planetary rewind urges us to check ourselves. When Saturn goes backward, it demands accountability for old patterns. In Aries, this affects identity—“Who am I without that relationship?” If you haven’t closed that chapter, Saturn makes you revisit it.
Venus has just entered Cancer, intensifying emotions. From July 30 to August 25, Venus in the most nostalgic sign of the zodiac will heighten the desire to feel “at home.” The result? Seeking photos, stories, and shared playlists to feel comforted.
And if that wasn’t enough, the full moon in Aquarius on August 9 arrives just while Mercury is still retrograde—so expect unresolved conversations to surface before Mercury goes direct.
Tips to Avoid Going Crazy During This Period
- Draft messages (DMs to your ex, impulsive posts, expensive ticket buys), then save them. Read them fresh the next day with coffee and a clear mind.
- Have a “filter friend” to disregard any delusions—whether it’s a suspicious DM, a miracle offer, or the hope that your ex “definitely changed.” A short call can bring you back to reality.
- Set a micro-goal every Sunday (e.g. read 5 pages, walk 15 minutes). Achieving small tasks builds Saturn discipline and reinforces identity.
- Mute triggers like your ex’s name or words like “throwback.” Fewer stimuli = fewer mental breakdowns and less control from the stars.
- Satisfy nostalgia offline: cook your grandma’s recipe, watch a comfort movie, sort through physical photos—same comfort, zero doom-scrolling.
- Write on paper what’s no longer serving you (apps, habits, thoughts). Burn or recycle it on full moon night; symbolizes letting go.
The stars may be messing with your mind right now, but don’t worry—this too shall pass. Whatever happens now can ultimately be good for you.
