Retrograde Planets Revealed
There is a lot of confusion about how to assess retrograde planets. Here is a quick and easy way to look at them and the reasons why.
Have you ever experienced the strange vertigo that occurs when you are in a forward moving car which happens alongside another car moving slightly faster? What happens in that instance is you may suddenly FEEL as if moving backwards. Vice versa is the result if your car sidles up to one moving a bit slower. In that case the other car appears to be moving backward. Of course, in these instances both cars are moving forward, but such is the nature of our perceptions here on Earth. Solid forms and their movements are not always what they seem.
If you think of the planets as cars moving around the Sun, the notion of why and how planets “go retrograde” will be a lot clearer to you. In fact retrograde cycles are easy to predict and fall in somewhat even increments due to the consistent speed of the planets. Remember this though, planets are closer to the earth when retrograde.
Planets never move backwards, they are always moving forward. Yet most of the time there is at least one planet retrograde at any given time. Saturn goes retrograde for close to five months out of the year due to his slow speed. Jupiter is also retrograde for more than 4 months. The king of retrograde planets though is mercury. he goes retrograde a lot because he moves faster than the other planets.
Western astrology and Vedic Astrology tend to differ on if retrograde is “good or bad”. Of course the real truth is it is neither 100% good or bad. Instead of such general terms it is better to assess the phenomena for what it is, as the “good/bad” paradigm is a lot of what astrology helps us overcome. Actually everything is good (but let’s save the pep-talk for another time).
Here are the facts about retrograde:
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A planet is closest to the Earth when retrograde.
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A planet is brightest in the sky when retrograde.
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A planet appears to be moving backward from Earth when retrograde.
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A planet covers the same territory three times during a retrograde cycle.
That is enough for now.
In the world of objects that dominates our life on Earth, time moves forward. We woke up this morning, went to work, came home, we will go to bed and it will repeat tomorrow. In many ways, as it relates to Earth, the planets are the keepers of time - the heavens are like a great cosmic timepiece. When a planet is retrograde, its relationship to Earth and the forward moving quality of time and events on Earth becomes challenged. The more attached we are to those things in our life, the more trouble we may have at that time. Yet in some way we are all invested in each planet. We all want to say what we mean when we speak and communicate effectively, so Mercury retrograde cycles may show frustrating communications of all sorts. Mercury is also the planet of details (think of how important details are in good communication) thus signing contracts and other things that involve details can be challenged during those periods. Venus is related to romance and general happiness - we all want that. Saturn is related to our long term plans moving forward, we all want that. Mars is related to putting our principles into action - we all want that. Jupiter is related to growth, learning and expansion of all sorts - we all want that.
So, it does not sound too good at all, does it? How or why would difficulties in these things be positive. Well, here is how. When a planet is retrograde in the sky, although their external results become compromised, their internal qualities become revealed. In fact these are not two different things. As with everything, good and bad are the real illusion. The difficulties of a retrograde planet ARE TO AWAKEN us to their true nature and our shortcomings relative to the things we need to learn. Let’s face it folks, we are lazy! When things are smooth in our life, we fall asleep. As soon as things become challenged, we wake up and face them - and in so doing we face ourselves. The things a retrograde planet rules will become a source of doubt, one way or another, when those cycles occur. These doubts will be a call to action - a challenge to better integrate that energy. You will face your shortcomings, strengths and weaknesses at that time, in one way or another. The planet is brightest at that time - closest to the Earth.
This shows a real difference between the Eastern and Western approach. In the Eastern approach to life, the is not to just constantly fulfill every desire and as soon as that stops, it is “bad.” In the Eastern sense, we come to Earth, but we are not just Earthlings, we are cosmic beings. The retrograde planet presents an opportunity to become introspective. But too often we do not when “bad things” happen. We remain attached to external results, personal desires and waste a great opportunity to approach our true Self. Retrograde cycles give us ample time to learn their lessons as they traverse the same distance three times - forward the first time - then backward - then forward the third time. This activity will occur in some house in each person’s chart. It may also happen over one or more of an individuals natal planets, etc. All of these things determine the effects for each person. Also that planet will be the ruler of house in each person’s chart, etc.
Too often astrologers themselves are the worst ones at playing the “good or bad” game as it pertains to things like retrograde. In this case it should be said that a retrograde planet may be a time in an individuals life where they get something or something may be taken away. The disposition of the natal planet and all other astrological factors will determine that. So, whether it is “good or bad” in that sense is no more seen by this one factor as anything else in astrology. But one thing is certain, for everyone, retrograde periods are times where introspection is the most important thing. Retrograde periods will test us relative to how much of that planet’s energy we have actually learned and integrated. We will have to practice what we preach and will better understand ourselves relative to that thing.
Venus was just retrograde from the end of July until the middle of September. This made us aware of our capacity to strike a relationship bargain (either romantically or otherwise) we can live with - which means honoring our end as well as insisting upon accountability from others. If we have been paying attention we have learned a lot about ourselves as a result. Some may have started a new relationship to learn that - some may have ended a relationship to learn that - and all colors in between, (again, shown by natal dispositions) but the lesson is the same. Many astrologers advise flat out for a person to avoid relationships that start in Venus retrograde. I think this is a mistake - although awareness of the situation is helpful.
Currently Mercury is retrograde. He has been since 10/12 and will remain so until 11/2. Currently, we are all very aware of how “heard” we are - how much our voice matters. We are also aware of how adaptable we are to better giving voice to our hearts desire and our truthful Self. Mercury is the Crown Prince in Jyotish, the planet closest to the Sun. It is the crown Prince who has the Kings ear (The Sun is the King). And we all know that the one with the kings ear has the most influence - sort of like the celestial Karl Rove. You know that little voice in your head, telling YOU the story of your life and all the things you can do and cannot do - all of those who hate you and that you hate - those who have mistreated you in the past and are oppressing you in the present - all of the reasons why you cannot have what you want? — That is Mercury. He is so important here on Earth, this is why he is retrograde so often. His Raja Yoga is called the Bhadra “Blessed” yoga. He is said to be the best formed and the most auspicious. We need to be adaptable as life is change. In many ways, unless you have become an incredibly advanced soul, you are that voice in your head, .. aren’t you?
Mercury retrograde periods are great times for introspection on how flexible and fair minded you are with others and yourself. It is a great time to clarify.
This Diagram and explanation is from my level 2 Astrology Course.
