All About Retrogrades! A Retrograde Review

WHAT IS A RETROGRADE?

One thing I think that many people in our day and age don’t do that the ancients did is study the stars. We might have abstract ways of viewing things, and even modern astrologers would be hard-pressed to figure out which planet is which in our skies, or which things in our skies are planets? I mean, there is definitely a lot more up there nowadays than thousands of years, ago, but astrology came from observing the skies and noticing differences. Did you know that the word we use for planet is derived from words referring to the wandering nature of the planets? You see, if you watch the skies night after night, you’ll notice that certain things move over time, which stands out given the fact that the stars seem to stay in place. In some of my videos I show the planets at different points and they move. They’re usually moving from west to east, from our perspective and will either usually be visible at night after the sun goes down, or in the morning before the sun comes up. When we talk about retrogrades, the movement of the planets seem to stop in the sky and then, over some time, retrace their steps through the sky.

In all actuality, the planets are not stopping or doubling back in our skies, but that’s what we see from our position here on earth. Do you remember the planetary models in school that depict the orbits of the planets? If not, I’ve got one in the accompanying video, but nevertheless, the orbit of the planets around the sun vary from planet to planet, and as we’re also revolving around the sun, our relation to all the other celestial bodies is also changing. So, from here when a planet whips back around to continue it’s revolution around the son, we see it as the planet stopping and going backwards. Much of astrology is derived from studying cycles and patterns and retrogrades play a big part in this. There is a time and a place for everything, and retrogrades give us a time to go back, to retrace, to re-think and to go within. Often times during a retrograde, you’ll find yourself doing those very things.

MORNING/EVENING STAR PHASES

An interesting phenomena that is linked to the retrograde cycle is the evening and morning star phases of the planets. It’s quite interesting when you’re looking in the sky and the planet progresses from showing up at night to showing up in the morning, or vice-versa. This is because the planets are bound to the sun and will either be ahead of the sun in zodiacal order, or behind him, like the Sun is currently in Scorpio and Mars and Mercury are in Sagittarius, while Venus and Jupiter are in Scorpio and Cancer, respectively. Though Venus is getting closer and closer to the Sun and will soon be invisible, she still is present in the morning, rather than the night. Jupiter is also visible before the Sun comes up. Jupiter was getting to the point where he’d be directly across from the Sun, so he’s already flipped around and is retrograde (being bound to the Sun and all), otherwise it’d be harder to figure out whether he’s up before the Sun comes up or after the Sun goes down. Again, this happens because the sun is what dictates our relationship to light, night and day depend on where he is. Mars and Mercury are both currently in evening star phases. For now, we’ll leave it at the fact that you can see the planets either after the sun sets, or before he rises. Maybe at some point I’ll go into the differences in the planetary energies based on their morning or evening star phases.

IMPORTANT POINTS AND TYPES OF RETROGRADES

So, for now, we’ve got the planets that orbit the sun and move at different speeds, creating the illusion from our perspective that they stop and go backwards or stop and go forwards in our skies. In both cases the moments in which the planets look like they’re standing still in our skies are key points in the retrograde cycle. When they stop, their energies are more pronounced. When the planet stops to go backward it’s like going up on a roller coaster that hits the top, stops and then goes plummeting backwards. It can be jarring and this is when you might get a better idea of what might need attention. The planet will eventually come in contact with the sun and give a moment of clarity, the cazimi. During this time the planet’s energies are renewed and a new cycle starts. The planet will eventually stop and turn back around and that’s kind of what we feel when that happens. If you have any important angles or planets or points along this path, the retrograde will resonate for you more than for others. If you have these things close to the stopping points, your life will be affected by the retrograde. If you’re looking out for things and aware of your degrees, you can possibly engage the lessons and energies differently. This is part of where studying your cycles and patterns comes in handy. You can consciously work to figure out the patterns and cycles being highlighted and work with the retrograde energies in a possibly less disruptive manner. How about now I go into the different types of retrogrades, because there are different flavors of the retrogrades depending on the planet involved. Whenever planet goes retrograde, it’s energies are subject to change and reversals. Let’s look at each of the planets:

MERCURY

(Goes retrograde 3 times a year)

Mercury rules over communication, details, technology (with Uranus), travel- shorter trips/commutes, thinking, along with other things. A Mercury retrograde will then cause disruptions in the natural order of those things. Expect delays, miscommunications, missed details, technological mishaps, and maybe car issues.

VENUS

(Goes retrograde once every year and a half)

Venus rules over beauty, attraction, values, worth, alliances, relationships, harmony, social norms. When she goes retrograde all of that is subject to change. You may see a change in your relationships, maybe you see them or yourself differently. You may see a change in your finances and financial systems, social norms and woman’s issues might change. Some people legitimately have an ex pop back up, but remember the change in values and worth… it could be to help you see where you’re at now and compare that to where you were before. Just because someone comes back to you doesn’t mean you need to let them back in your life, at least not in the same capacity. Let your lessons be your guide!

MARS

(Goes retrograde every 2 years)

Mars rules over things like anger, drive, desire, action, defense, offense, separation. When he goes retrograde, all of those things get called into question. Some actions are needed to be revisited, things that were done may need to be undone, or you get faced with those consequences. Anger and frustrations may also turn inwards and you should be aware of that. Defenses may fail or get re-calibrated during this time. Find productive ways to go back, if you try to force your way forward when the planet that rules over action is going backwards, well...

JUPITER

(Spends about 4 months a year retrograde)

Jupiter rules over things like luck, growth, expansion, perspective, exploration and travel -more long-distance. During a Jupiter retrograde, expect those energies to go back and possibly turn inward. The focus might shift to self and the inner realms. Also, long-distance travel stuff may not work out as planned and something about the growth of endeavors might be halted, or delayed.

SATURN

(Spends about 4 or 5 months a year retrograde)

Saturn is an interesting planet that rules over some very foundational and structural energies and things. Saturn rules over our physical realm, reality, stability, perseverance, boundaries, barriers, limits, structural things in life and societies. When he does retrograde those things weaken, are changed, may crumble.

THE OUTERS WORK DIFFERENTLY AND ARE OFTEN RETROGRADE

THE STATIONS ARE MOST DISRUPTIVE

URANUS

(Spends about 5 months a year retrograde)

Uranus rules over things like disruption, instantaneous insight and change, electricity and technology. When he stations to retrograde or go direct, there is a chance for a change in these energies or something will stick out about these energies during these times. The actual times that he’s retrograde things will be happening, it just might be hard to notice them,

NEPTUNE

(Spends between 5 and 6 months a year retrograde)

Neptune’s energies are connected to, water, confusion, illusion, ideals, dreams, and the idea of everything being one. Neptune dissolves structures and boundaries. A Neptune retrograde will work on changing the relationship to these energies and possibly help connect them on a more internal level. Pay attention to the sign where this is playing out.

PLUTO

(Spends between 5-6 months a year retrograde)

Pluto rules over depth, intensity, investigation, secrets, obsession, and “transformation”. I often mention that Pluto carries the energy of the Phoenix. When I mention transformation, I mean the burning down, death, state of ashes and then re-birth. It’s not a fun process and not as light as some may take it when they say transformation. When Pluto is retrograde, there’s usually a look into the past, connecting the dots, uncovering old secrets and pulling skeletons out of the closet. It’s intense energy that plays in the background, given a voice by different astrological events.

WHAT ARE OF YOUR LIFE WILL BE AFFECTED?

Those are some of the significations and things you might expect during retrogrades of those planets. However, another important thing to think about is the areas of your life ruled by each of the planets. Those are also very much subject to change. I’ll quickly list the signs, remember I do practice using the traditional rulership scheme. These are also times for you to again connect the retrogrades to your lived experiences and you might see how well these traditional rulerships play out:

Sun – Leo

Moon – Cancer

Mercury – Virgo & Gemini

Venus – Libra & Taurus

Mars – Aries & Scorpio

Jupiter – Sagittarius and Pisces

Saturn – Capricorn and Aquarius

So, when a planet retrogrades, you can look at the signs it rules to see where you might see some changes. You’ll connect the area of your life the planet goes retrograde in and see how that area is affecting the other area(s) of your life ruled by the planet. For example, Mercury just recently went retrograde in the sign of Sagittarius. I’m a Leo rising. I’ll see how I’ll have to re-think or revisit things I create (Sagittarius 5th house) and that will affect my finances (Virgo 2nd house) and audience/friends and social groups (Gemini 11th house). Here is a breakdown of some of the significations of some of the houses ***TRY WHOLE SIGN***:

1st House – Self, identity, character, life trajectory, physical body

2nd House – Finances, your connection to finance, what you value in possesions

3rd House – Siblings, neighborhood, transportation, short travel, communication

4th House – Parents, home (can literally talk about your house), lineage

5th House – Children, things you create, hobbies, sex, relationships/situationships

6th House – Diet, routine, work, people you employ, pets, physical ailments

7th House – Deeper relationships, marriage partner, business partners, clients

8th House – Other people’s money (partner’s too), debts, taxes, traumas, the occult

9th House – Philosophy, religion, long distance travel, foreign lands/ people, legal

10th House – Career, public image

11th House – Friends, social life, aspirations

12th House – Mental ailments, isolation, self undoing, retreats, insitutionalization

You can use that list to put together stories about areas of your life that will be affected by any given retrograde. This principle also is important when understanding different things about your life, look at the ruler. See who the ruler is and what he’s doing in your chart.

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?

I’ve also noticed, as Chris Brennan mentions in an episode of the Astrology Podcast, that the themes of the retrograde seem to become active when the planet enter the sign it will retrograde back to or in. This is important because I use whole sign houses. You guys have no clue how many times I’ve traced different things back to when a planet or the nodes or something like that enter into a sign and how it activates that house.

Now, particular times to look out for are:

1) When the planet enters into it’s shadow

2) When the planet stations -There are two, a retrograde and direct station and they are both important, though the station retrograde may hit harder for most, unless the other is conjunct a personal planet, point or angle.

3) When the planet goes Cazimi, mainly Mercury-Mars, but you can still look at Jupiter and Saturn.

4) If the planet makes any other aspects activating or reactivating sensitive points in the zodiac.

5) When the planet passes over the degree it went retrograde, and when it leaves the sign it went retrograde in.

HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RETROGRADES?

Look at the planet that is going retrograde. Take into account the energies that are ruled by that planet. If you’re doing something that involves energies ruled by that planet, expect things to possibly not work out life normal, possible delays, and possible shifts by the end of the retrograde. Work with the energy of the retrograde, not against it. Factor what you can into your life, but understand that not everything can be pushed off and you might wait until after a retrograde only to have more complicated situations. If you’re starting something important, possibly consider consulting with an astrologer who practices electional astrology. Most things in life are working in cycles and patterns, when you link those of the cosmos to your life, you’ll get better at co-creating of your life. Recognize the patterns and act accordingly.

WHO MIGHT DO THE BEST DURING RETROGRADES?

If you’re born with a planet retrograde, it’s a natal signature that resonates for you. You will not likely be affected in the same way by the retrograde. Often times this is because you’re used to the energies and you’ve likely learned to work with them in ways that people that weren’t born with them have. Yes, you may have dealt with issues regarding the energies of that planet, but because you’ve learned to cope or overcome certain weak points, you’re able to deal or even thrive when other’s are taken back.

Thank you so much for reading, let me know if this resonated.

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