In astrology, a “retrograde” period occurs when a planet appears to be moving backward in its orbit. This is an optical illusion caused by the relative positions of the planet, Earth, and the Sun. During a retrograde period, the planet’s energy is said to be internalized, and it is thought to be a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action.
Different planets have different retrograde periods and are said to affect different areas of life. For example, a Mercury retrograde period is considered a time when communication and transportation may be disrupted. In contrast, a Mars retrograde period is said to be a time when assertiveness and aggression may be hindered.
Mercury in Retrograde
Mercury in retrograde is a period during which the planet Mercury appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the perspective of Earth. This optical illusion is caused by the relative positions of the three celestial bodies. During this time, Mercury’s energy is said to be internalized, and it is thought to be a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action.
Mercury Retrograde is considered to be an unfavorable time for many things, such as signing contracts, making important decisions, launching new projects, travel plans, and communication, as during this time, it is said that things can be misunderstood, communication breakdowns can happen, technology can malfunction, and delays are more likely to occur. It is a good time to review, reflect and do inner work. It happens several times a year, lasting for about three weeks.
Venus in Retrograde
Venus in Retrograde is a period during which the planet Venus appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the perspective of Earth. This optical illusion is caused by the relative positions of the three celestial bodies. Venus’s energy is said to be internalized during this time, and it is thought to be a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action.
Venus is associated with love, relationships, beauty, and money. During a Venus Retrograde period, it is thought that these areas of life may be affected. Relationships may be tested, and past issues may come up for review.
It’s also a time when people may re-evaluate their values and priorities regarding partnerships and what they truly want in a relationship. It’s also a time to work on self-love and self-worth.
In terms of money and material possessions, it’s a time to review financial decisions and spending habits and reassess what truly brings value to one’s life.
Venus Retrograde happens approximately once every 19 months and lasts for about six weeks. It is also thought to be a time to re-evaluate past relationships, to work on self-worth and self-love.
Mars in Retrograde
Mars in retrograde is a period during which the planet Mars appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the perspective of Earth. This optical illusion is caused by the relative positions of the three celestial bodies. During this time, Mars’s energy is said to be internalized, and it is thought to be a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action.
Mars is associated with energy, action, and assertiveness, so during a Mars Retrograde period, it is thought that these areas of life may be affected. People may feel more passive and less inclined to initiate action.
Projects and plans may be delayed, and asserting oneself may be more challenging. It’s also a time to work on inner motivation and drive and reassess the goals and what is truly important.
It is also when people may be more inclined to reflect on positive and negative past actions and learn from them.
Mars retrograde occurs approximately once every two years, lasting about two months. It is also thought to be a time of introspection, reassessing one’s goals and motivation, and reflecting on past actions.
Jupiter in Retrograde
Jupiter in retrograde is a period during which the planet Jupiter appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the perspective of Earth. This optical illusion is caused by the relative positions of the three celestial bodies. During this time, Jupiter’s energy is said to be internalized, and it is thought to be a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action.
Jupiter is associated with growth, expansion, good luck, and abundance, so during a Jupiter Retrograde period, it is thought that these areas of life may be affected. It’s a time when growth may slow down, or expansion plans may be put on hold. It’s also a time to reflect on what brings abundance and good luck and reassess priorities in these areas.
It’s also a time when people may be more inclined to reflect on positive and negative past actions and learn from them.
Jupiter retrograde happens about once a year for about four months. It is also thought to be a time to reassess one’s priorities, reflect on past actions and slow down the growth pace.
Saturn in Retrograde
Saturn in retrograde is a period during which the planet Saturn appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the perspective of Earth. This optical illusion is caused by the relative positions of the three celestial bodies. Saturn’s energy is said to be internalized during this time, and it is thought to be a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action.
Saturn is associated with structure, discipline, responsibility, and karma, so during a Saturn Retrograde period, it is thought that these areas of life may be affected. It’s a time when people may have to face the consequences of past actions and may have to deal with delays and obstacles in achieving goals; it can also be a time when people may have to reassess their responsibilities and the structures in their life.
It’s also a time when people may be more inclined to reflect on positive and negative past actions and learn from them, make amends, and set things right.
Saturn retrograde happens approximately once a year and lasts for about four and a half months. It is also thought to be a time to reassess one’s responsibilities, reflect on past actions, and work on building a strong foundation and structure in one’s life.
Uranus in Retrograde
Uranus in retrograde is a period during which the planet Uranus appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the perspective of Earth. This optical illusion is caused by the relative positions of the three celestial bodies. During this time, Uranus’s energy is said to be internalized, and it is thought to be a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action.
Uranus is associated with change, innovation, progress, and rebellion, so during a Uranus Retrograde period, it is thought that these areas of life may be affected. It’s a time when people may have to reassess their approach to change and progress, as well as their values and beliefs. It could also be a time of inner turmoil and rebellion, as people may have to confront their resistance to change.
It’s also a time when people may be more inclined to reflect on positive and negative past actions and learn from them, make amends, and set things right.
Uranus retrograde happens approximately once every year and a half and lasts for about five months. It is also thought to be a time to reassess one’s approach to change, reflect on past actions, and work on inner growth and self-awareness.
Neptune in Retrograde
Neptune in retrograde is a period during which the planet Neptune appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the perspective of Earth. This optical illusion is caused by the relative positions of the three celestial bodies. During this time, Neptune’s energy is said to be internalized, and it is thought to be a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action.
Neptune is associated with imagination, spirituality, intuition, and inspiration, so during a Neptune Retrograde period, it is thought that these areas of life may be affected. It’s a time when people may have to reassess their spiritual beliefs and connection to their intuition and inner guidance. It could also be a time of inner turmoil and confusion, as people may have to confront their illusions and delusions.
It’s also a time when people may be more inclined to reflect on positive and negative past actions and learn from them, make amends, and set things right.
Neptune retrograde happens approximately once every year and a half and lasts for about five months. It is also thought to be a time to reassess one’s spiritual beliefs, reflect on past actions and work on inner growth and self-awareness.
Pluto in Retrograde
Pluto in retrograde is a period during which the planet Pluto appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the perspective of Earth. This optical illusion is caused by the relative positions of the three celestial bodies. During this time, Pluto’s energy is said to be internalized, and it is thought to be a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action.
Pluto is associated with transformation, power, regeneration, and rebirth, so during a Pluto Retrograde period, it is thought that these areas of life may be affected. It’s a time when people may have to reassess their power and their power relationship, as well as their transformation and growth. It could also be a time of inner turmoil and inner conflict, as people may have to confront their shadows and deeper fears.
It’s also a time when people may be more inclined to reflect on positive and negative past actions and learn from them, make amends, and set things right.
Pluto retrograde happens approximately once a year and lasts for about five months. It is also thought to be a time to reassess one’s relationship with power, reflect on past actions, and work on inner growth and self-awareness.
Final Thoughts
Retrograde periods in astrology occur when a planet appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the perspective of Earth. Each planet is associated with specific areas of life, and during its retrograde period, it is thought that these areas may be affected. It’s a time for reflection and reassessment rather than taking action, to re-evaluate past actions, reassess priorities and work on inner growth and self-awareness.
