Retrogrades
Jacob Schwartz
What happens when planets are retrograde? What do they mean?
Have you ever been on a moving vehicle and it pulled alongside another vehicle going more slowly, and it looked as though the other vehicle was going backward? Well, the same thing happens in our solar system when our planet Earth is moving parallel to another planet on the same side as the Sun. One of us is moving slower than the other. The most important thing to remember is that all planets are closest to the Earth when they're retrograde, so we perceive the planet so close-up that the meaning is out of context with other planetary forces. That's why retrograde planets are not so good for starting new projects that relate to the symbolic energy of the planet. But the good news is that the universe supports us in re-tracing our steps, and finishing something incomplete before. In fact, many people report they accomplish a lot more when a planet is retrograde than when it's direct because they go back over matters left undone. And, all planets from Mars to Pluto are only retrograde when they are opposite the Sun and they're brightest then too. The Sun and Moon never appear to go retrograde.
Those born with retrograde planets are said to be relaxing an expression in this life that was used excessively in another life. For example, sexual psychoanalyst and a secret military history buff, Sigmund Freud, was born with Mars retrograde opposite every other planet in the chart; perhaps in his last life he was a Casanova and a military leader, but in this life he studies other folks sexual and military passions, as though he were on holiday coaching others in a craft he was skillful in before. So what do retrograde planets specifically mean? Let's see.
Mercury retrograde happens three times a year for about three weeks each. When retrograde, messages are more likely misunderstood, so it's best to avoid new contracts or journeys to unfamiliar places; mail is usually delayed or misdirected; but indeed return to see clients and friendships cut off because of a misunderstanding. Revise that forgotten manuscript; return unused merchandise, and be especially careful choosing clothing and shoe sizes. Verify that orders and letters arrive and are understood correctly. Those born with Mercury retrograde may be shy or slow to learn in their early life, but make up for it in later life. Like the child who stuttered in early life becoming an articulate TV newscaster later in life.
Venus retrograde affects appearance and our social life. It is not a good idea to have important new social events, or begin an intimate relationship during the six weeks Venus moves in reverse every 18 months -- the rarest of the retrogrades, appearing to move in reverse only 7 percent of the time. Values are different then and whatever pleases you during a retrograde will change when the planet moves direct. You'll review things and people much more objectively and less impulsively during the retrograde. A good time to review previous relationships and appearances that failed before; conditions may have changed to make the previous partner or appearance appealing now. Remember, old styles return, and relationships can be restored. Folks born with a Venus retrograde are likely to turn their social and romantic sides inward in the early life, becoming more expressive and sexual later in life.
The wise general never starts a new battle when Mars is retrograde for eight weeks every 26 months, or 9 percent of the time, when it is opposite the Sun. This is a time of frustrated will and a deviation from the usual expressions of passion and anger. Those born with Mars retrograde, like Freud, Rev. M. L. King Jr., Louisa May Alcott and Annie Oakley sublimated their passions and anger in spectacular ways by calling attention to global issues requiring immediate attention and effort.
The planets from Jupiter through Pluto go retrograde from four to five months each year when they're in the half of the zodiac opposite the Sun, the percentage of time retrograde varies from 30 percent for Jupiter to 44 percent for Pluto. Jupiter retrograde means that we are returning to previous beliefs, philosophies, legal matters, management policies, and the mass media that were unclear before. Our faith in government, education, experts, laws, religions, traveling to strange lands, and any long standing beliefs are more likely questioned. We are tempted to return to principles previously neglected. Folks born with Jupiter retrograde, for example, make great travel agents who prefer to stay home; or great sports coaches who don't play the game; or managers and experts who somehow don't practice what they preach.
Saturn retrogrades are times of failed leadership and career direction, when authority figures appear ineffective and spineless, or when leaders appear to return incessantly to matters that should have been settled long ago. Folks born with Saturn retrograde tend to be very successful administrators and career counselors, but they themselves don't know what they want to be when they grow up.
Retrograde motions of the outer planets are more subtle, and reveal more social than personal needs. These planets are retrograde for longer periods of time, almost half the year, so the affects are more global and less likely to affect individuals. Uranus in reverse indicates when we can return to previous expressions of separation, individuality, inventions and the like that failed before, looking at life in a more detached way, devoid of sentiment, yet able to function in a day to day world. Uranus retrograde periods are not likely to be successful for first-time divorces from either personal, family, or business partnerships.
Neptune retrograde describes the time when we can give spirituality another go, making an effort to connect with a transcendent side of ourselves devoid of judgment and criticism, fully accepting every experience, however frustrating and painful, to be unfolding in a way not bound by limited labels of ethics or morality. However, be careful with the side effects of medications and alcohol as the need for fantasy and escapes are even greater then. It's better to return to artistic expressions and talents previously neglected. Those born with Neptune retrograde are very successful educating others in the arts, music, mathematics, and expressing a very keen psychic faculty.
Pluto retrograde is a time for individuals and our Earth to cleanse away pollution and waste that deplete the comfort of our body and the environment. Pluto, the planet of regeneration helps us bring to the surface those secret sides of ourselves we avoided facing or owning up to. Pluto requires a broader perspective of the process of life rather than focusing on narrow units of time and space. Pluto retrograde in the natal chart indicates the challenge of power, not so much getting power but deciding what to do with it, and how to teach others to use the powerful and sometimes destructive tools at their disposal without destroying themselves and others at the same time.
One of the nice things about Sun-centered, or heliocentric astrology is that none of the planets ever go retrograde, they all proceed in the same direction at their own chosen speeds. And one of the best books on the subject is by Erin Sullivan, entitled Retrograde Planets, published in 1992 by Penguin Books.
Retrograde motions from 1997 through 2000 are as follows:
Mercury 23 Jan 1996-12 Jan 1997; 15 Apr-8 May 1997; 17 Aug-10 Sep 1997; 7 Dec-27 Dec 1997; 27 Mar-20 Apr 1998; 31 Jul-23 Aug 1998; 21 Nov-11 Dec 1998; 10 Mar-2 Apr 1999; 12 Jul-6 Aug 1999; 5 Nov-25 Nov 1999; 21 Feb-14 Mar 2000; 23 Jun-17 Jul 2000; 18 Oct-8 Nov 2000.
Venus 26 Dec 1997-5 Feb 1998; 30 Jul-11 Sep 1999.
Mars 6 Feb-27 Apr 1997; 18 Mar-4 Jun 1999.
Jupiter 10 Jun-8 Oct 1997; 18 Jul-13 Nov 1998; 25 Aug-20 Dec 1999; 29 Sep 2000-25 Jan 2001.
Saturn 1 Aug-16 Dec 1997; 15 Aug-29 Dec 1998; 30 Aug-12 Jan 2000; 12 Sep 2000-25 Jan 2001.
Uranus 13 May-14 Oct 1997; 17 May-18 Oct 1998; 21 May-23 Oct 1999; 25 May-26 Oct 2000.
Neptune 1 May-9 Oct 1997; 1 May-11 Oct 1998; 7 May-14 Oct 1999; 8 May-15 Oct 2000.
Pluto 8 Mar-13 Aug 1997; 11 Mar-16 Aug 1998; 13 Mar-19 Aug 1999; 15 Mar-20 Aug 2000.