ditch small talk, play big and bold in the apps

Mercury, our planet of the mind and mouth, is leaving the emo bird bath womb of Cancer this week and setting up shop in the never subtle fixed fires of Leo.

Mercury enters Leo on June 26 at 8:15 a.m. EST and will remain in the mouth of the lion until July 30th when the planet skips into its home sign of Virgo.

Mercury is our planet of messaging and communion, and Leo is ruled by the sun — the domain of the ID and the inner child. Translation? Expression is necessary, attention is oxygen and flare is the order of the day.

In Leo, Mercury is flash and bombast, full of romantic gestures, extroversion, general ‘extra-ness’, hearts on sleeves and genitalia on billboards. This transit is a lesson in being witnessed and worshipped — making it a fine time to dive deep into relationships.

“Mercury in Leo is the perfect time to ditch boring openers and lead with personality,” Angelika Koch, relationship and breakup expert at Taimi, told The Post. “Expressing yourself with passion and flair will come naturally now, and you may find that you feel a little more social than usual.”

Koch shared that it is imperative to lead with personality in your profile and initial interactions.

“As we all know, Leo energy doesn’t whisper, it roars. Whether it’s your bio, your messages, or your vibe in general, this is your moment to be unapologetically extra,” the expert said.

“Don’t just say you love hiking: name the weirdest trail snack you pack. Don’t just say you’re into music: talk about your last concert visit or your ‘guilty pleasure’ playlist pick. The more specific, the more magnetic. Dating isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being memorable.”

Koch imparts that leading with an inauthentic or ‘held back’ version of yourself is not only a mask that’s impossible to maintain, but it also creates a barrier to true intimacy.

“Showing your personality early helps to spark a real connection because you are basing the connection on who you truly are and not a mask. The authentic version of you is the only version you will be able to consistently wear. If you start off trying to impress with a curated version of yourself, it sets the stage for disconnection later.”

Remember, folks, if you’re too much for them, they’ll never be enough for you.

Koch notes that abysmal small talk is standard practice in dating app communications, but a confident cold open is a better bet for stoking the flames of intrigue.

“Things like sending a first message that is bold and open allow the person to know you are serious about getting to know them and take charge of the conversation immediately. Cheeky or confident openers are a great way of drawing attention and allowing that person to take an interest in you quickly.”

“Remember, folks, if you’re too much for them, they’ll never be enough for you.”

More about making an indelible impression than a perfect presentation — Leo energy is low-key, shameless and refreshingly unafraid of seeming or sounding cringey.

“A message that makes someone smile, roll their eyes or pause for a second is doing more than ‘Hey, how are you?’ ever could. And if they’re the right match, they’ll get the joke – or better yet, send one back. So embrace the weird, the bold, the flirty. Mercury in Leo is giving you full permission to take up space in someone’s DM or chat – and maybe their heart, too.”

To help readers make the most of the expressive energy of this transit, the Taimi team rounded up and tested the 10 best first messages to a potential suitor that actually get replies.

“Let Leo season inspire you to message like you mean it – loud, proud, and unapologetically you,” said Koch.

Ready to let Mercury in Leo do its thing? Start with one of these cheeky and ‘be real’ icebreakers:

• “What’s something you’d only admit to a stranger?”
• “Tell me something unhinged about you. No pressure.”
• “What’s your go-to move when flirting fails?”
• “Let’s skip the small talk. What’s your weirdest opinion?”
• “Would you rather: fall in love this summer or just have really good stories?”
• “Do you give off ‘texts back immediately’ or ‘leaves you on read for hours’ energy?”
• “You look like you’d ruin my life in a fun way. Want to prove it?”
• “What are you better at: flirting or ghosting?”
• “I could ask about your hobbies or just ask what your type is. Which one?”
• “I don’t trust people with no cringe phase. Did you have one?”

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Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.