What is the peculiarity of retrograde planets?

Planets in astrology

Retrograde is directly related to the movement of the planets. If we go back to the origins, we can find that the ability to move through the sky is inherent even in the term "planet", - from ancient Greek, this word means «wanderer» (πλάνης). In ancient times, the Greeks called the planets «wandering stars», because, unlike the stars, planetary movement across the sky during the month (from the point of view of an Earthly observer) is very noticeable.

In astrology, planets are large celestial bodies orbiting the Sun, as well as hypothetical objects with astrological meaning. In my practice, I use 16 "planets", which are listed here.

Why are planets retrograde?

Retrograde is a feature of celestial bodies that move around a single star, - each in its own orbit and at its own speed. If we talk about the Solar system, then in reality all its planets are moving only forward, but from Earth their movement looks uneven - it slows down, then accelerates, goes straight and then backwards. This is due to the fact that the speed and orbit of each planet differs from that of the Earth.

The figure schematically shows the difference in the velocities of the Earth and the minor planets - Mercury, Venus and Mars:

The giant planets beyond the orbit of Mars become retrograde regularly once a year. Their retrograde is more due to the movement of the Earth itself, because these the planets move very slowly, and the length of their orbit is huge. But the Earth rotates around the Sun much faster, which creates the appearance of retrograde of distant planets.

Which planets are not retrograde?

• Sun, because the Earth (our observation point) revolves around the Sun,
• Moon, because it orbits the Earth, not the Sun,
• Earth, because it is the place from which we conduct celestial observations. However, if we move to Venus or Uranus, then the Earth from there, as an external object, will regularly appear retrograde.

The movement of Sun and Moon is the most predictable of all the planets, precisely because the Moon and the Sun are not retrograde, they move along the zodiac evenly, at the same speed:

• during the year, the Sun passes through the entire zodiac circle, and in a particular month it meets the same points in your horoscope as last year;
• the Moon passes through the zodiac circle for a period of just under a month (29 days) and meets monthly with all the planets of your horoscope, repeating its lunar cycle.

Each planet has its own characteristics, so their meaning of retro periods varies. Periods when several significant planets are retrograde at once (for example, Mars and Mercury) are considered particularly difficult.

Designations of planetary motion:

• D - a direct planet (moving in the usual forward direction)
• SR - a stationary planet before the transition to the retro period (looks like it's practically not moving)
• R - a planet retrograde (moving in the opposite direction)
• SD - a stationary planet before turning forward (looks like it's practically not moving)

What is the problem with retrograde planets?

Planets retrograde are not just a certain interpretation, but also a stumbling block in astrology, because the uneven planetary movement makes it difficult to predict, and "slows down" the planetary cycles, which makes it impossible to calculate anything with simple calculations. At the same time, thanks to ephemerides, the retro periods of planets are easily calculated, so we can predict exactly which areas of life will become relevant to us for a long time (sometimes contrary to our plans).

Astrologically, the period of the planet retrograde is not the most favorable, because:

1. the apparent retrogression of the planet represents a regression:
   - the planet changes its direction and move in the opposite direction relative to the zodiacal constellations. If it was in Scorpio at the time of the reversal, it starts moving towards Libra, not Ophiuchus. Astrologically, this is important, because the sequence of zodiac signs represents qualitative development. So, during the retro period, everything happens contrary to development,
   
   - it's believed that it's much more difficult to solve the problem and correct the error that arose in the period retrograde (it will resist our efforts). But what was done shortly before the planet went into reverse motion is, on the contrary, easier to change during its retro phase, because the very principle of reversal helps us to turn back time. Sometimes it can even be useful to reverse a wrong decision or correct a mistake,
   
   - if you imagine that the transiting planet is moving along your natal chart (like it's crossing the sky), then when it moves back, it will go through those astrological houses that it has already visited recently (during the last weeks and months). This means that there will be a repeat of events, a return to the past, and an aggravation of old problems - instead of moving to a new stage. In fact, the planet retrograde will repeat its transits with slower planets that it has recently met,
    
2. the apparent decrease in the speed of the planet retrograde leads to a delay in events:
   if a transiting planet resonates with some point in your natal chart (a planet or cusp) during its retrograde period, then you will strongly feel its influence, and it can last for several days or even weeks. If the point is favorable, you'll get high for longer; if it's unfavorable, you will spend longer shoveling the stuff,
    
3. the planetary loop during which its retrograde phase occurs, keeps our attention on the same areas of life for a long time. If the transiting planet resonates with another slow planet in the sky or with a sensitive point in your natal chart during its loop, then don't expect that the issue will be resolved quickly. Until the planet passes through all 4 phases of its loop, the events won't lose their relevance.
   
   So, in a relatively short period of time there will be an intensive study of the sphere of life into which the retrograde planet has fallen, because it will pass through the same area of the sky 3 times (forward, backward and forward again).
    

4 phases of the planetary loop

In astrology, the retrograde period is considered as a stage of a planetary loop, not just as a separate segment.

Let's consider all the stages:

1. The beginning of the loop:
   before the retrograde period, the planet is moving forward, as usual, and this movement represents a natural development of events, because the sequence of Zodiac signs has its own logic: each subsequent sign or house through which the planet passes is like a logical continuation of the previous one.
   
   One day, the direct planet will reach the Zodiac degree, where it will later complete its retrograde phase (it will change its reverse motion to a forward one). This day is considered the beginning of the planetary loop (i.e. the beginning of activation of certain events).
   
   After entering the loop, the planet seems to indicate which celestial points will be studied during the retrograde period. Globally, these are the current planets in the sky, with which the planet retrograde will meet or form another aspect. Personally, these are your natal planets and houses located on the retrograde segment: the planet retrograde will pass through them 3 times during the loop (forward, backward, and forward again).

2. The beginning of retrograde phase:
   one day, the direct planet will change direction, as if ignoring the natural course of events, and bring us back to those things that have already happened recently: we'll have to finish something, revise, fix, give back, and test it again. In fact, this is a regression, the need to exit through all the doors that we previously entered.
   
   This stage is protracted and difficult. As the planet retrograde passes through familiar celestial points, it exacerbates the problems associated with them. In the previous direct phase, we encountered something new and maybe even shocking; and during the retrograde phase, we'll have to experience something similar, but in a tougher and longer form.
   
   If some time ago the transiting planet aspected your natal point, the planetary transit will repeat again, but within the retrograde phase. If the transit is positive, then a favorable event that has recently happened to you will repeat; if it's negative, then something undesirable will repeat - in the sphere of life associated with this natal point.

3. The end of the retrograde phase:
   as the planet moves retrograde, it reaches a turning point, from which it begins its journey forward again - through the same "doors". In theory, this will be an easier and faster way, because we have already been here twice and know the way well.
   
   The day of the planet's transition into direct motion is considered favorable, and the post-retrograde period is a phase of "acceptance" and consolidating what has been achieved. This period can also be difficult, but only if it's accompanied by intense long-playing aspects of your natal chart with a transiting planet.

4. The end of the planetary loop:
   on the day when the direct (now) planet reaches the point from which it once turned back, a new stage of the year will begin. We'll come out of the "circle of hopelessness" and say goodbye to those areas of life that didn't let us go during the loop. New experiences will arrive, rather than repetitive ones. And events related to the planet will develop more rapidly.

The moments of the planetary reversal

When turning forward or backward, the planet enters the stationary phase, when its apparent speed is so low during the day that it seems to freeze and doesn't move. In astronomy, this is called "standing". Such turning points are considered important in astrology, because at this time the planet seems to fall into a state of torpor and cannot show its qualities (although it doesn't last long).

The transition of the planet into reverse motion is especially evident in the events of our lives. Until the end of the retrograde period, you may not really feel any changes in your daily routine. But you will definitely notice the day of the beginning of the retrograde phase. It will greatly affect what is happening, entail consequences, or cause an event that will create a great resonance in the future.

The most painful moments of planetary reversal are felt by people whose current retrograde planet was retrograde at the time of birth.

On stationary days, it's recommended to avoid important decisions and actions, as their consequences will be upsetting and unpredictable. Postpone everything important until the end of the planetary loop, or finish your affairs before the loop begins, - thus, you will avoid unnecessary problems.

You can use a personal short-term forecast to find out how the retrograde planets of the coming months will affect your life.

Related links:

• Mercury retrograde
• Ретроградная Венера
• Ретроградный Марс
• Solar System planets