Astrologers often point to Retrograde planets for creating an assortment of personal woes . This post will help you to better understand the reality of retrograde and offer a way to handle these frequently troubling periods.
What is a retrograde planet? When viewed from the earth planets typically rise in the East and set in the West just as the Sun, Moon, and stars.
Like the Moon and Stars, watching planetary movements over time usually shows they rise a bit earlier in the evening which means they appear to be a bit further west when viewed at the same time over a period of months until they eventually appear low in the western sky after sunset before disappearing for brief periods only to appear prior to sunrise in the east a few weeks or months later. They then rise earlier each morning until eventually they are setting as the Sun rises and shortly after they rise in the east at sunset to begin the cycle anew.
During retrograde periods this behavior changes for a period of time. The planet, instead of rising earlier and tracking increasingly westward each night will come up later for weeks or months. It appears to be moving further east day by day. Eventually the retrograde motion stops and the planet resumes its normal appearance.
What causes retrograde motion? It’s not so much a cause as an effect resulting from the perspective we have on planets from the earth. All of the visible planets rotate on the same plain with the sun at the center.
As the earth rotates on its axis in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above the North Pole, any visible planet as well as the Sun appear to rise in the east and set in the west.
Because the earth and the visible planets all orbit the Sun in a clockwise direction they all have a gradual east to west motion from night to night.
However, a retrograde planet will appear to slow in its movement, stop for a day or two, and then retrace its steps for a time before slowing, stopping, and resuming its normal direction.
For planets closer to the Sun (Mercury and Venus) the retrograde period occurs each time these speedy planets overtake and pass the earth on the same side of the Sun. For the outer planets (Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) retrograde is produced by the earth overtaking these slower moving planets.
This illusion is produced by the rotation of the earth and the fact that seeing planets in a straight line view when they are traveling a circular path means the have further to travel than the view reveals. The relatively constant speed of the earth’s rotation places these planets further east at the same time of day until the pass is complete.
What are we conclude from this? Retrograde occurs when a planet is either overtaking or being overtaken by the earth. In other words, during retrograde periods a planet is at its closest point to the earth and that means it’s ability to transmit reflected light and other energies is at its peak. Retrograde planets in a word are STRONGER than planets moving directly.
Astrologically speaking, planets are the energetic sources that activate the qualities of the Sun signs in the directional houses of an astrology chart. The effects produced depend on two factors: the relationship between the signs, planets, and activities in an individual’s chart and the skill and choices the individual makes when participating in the activities during the retrograde period.
Let me give a mundane example.
Venus is a planet that connects most powerfully with the latter degrees of Pisces, a sign that offers infinite choices for transforming one’s life. If Venus is retrograde as it moves through the last half of Pisces and Pisces locates in a person’s house of career, then a useful tool for making a career change is online and available.
However, a person who is failing in their present career may very well bring the same problems to their new career if they change without addressing the internal and external issues harming their current situation. A retrograde Venus could cause such a dramatic and sudden change the person is overwhelmed by their lack of preparation.
Pisces is also a sign that gives many choices without giving much help as to which choice is best. The strong Venus may give an individual prone to overreaching some early success in the new career until the responsibilities of the role overwhelm their nature. Or it may simply stoke impossible ambitions leading to constant failure and frustration. Or for a person caught in the memories of past successes it might send them into a stasis of seeking to recreate a world they long ago left behind.
The retrograde planet didn’t initiate any of these situations. The choices made by an unprepared individual to act under the strength of the retrograde planet brought about the unfavorable result. The message here should be clear but many living under the delusion of having no agency in the face of overwhelming planetary power will miss it.
Here it is: Retrograde planets are STRONG. Not good or bad any more than a new car battery is good or bad. Used properly with preparation, planning, and purpose in a well maintained vehicle, the new car battery provides reliable starting power under many conditions. Hooked up improperly or to a poorly maintained car, or to a vehicle the battery isn’t designed for, at best produces limited results and at worse could seriously damage the vehicle or the person or persons using it. The same is the case with retrograde planets.
Since we are currently experiencing a retrograde Venus in Leo, consider the possible effects carefully. Leo is a creative organizer, a fixed fire sign meant to promote growth and health when we have the right resources, arrangement, plan, and skill to draw on it. Depending what house Leo occupies in your birth chart you have an opportunity to repair, preserve, or grow your life in the activity of that house.
Only a comprehensive understanding of your whole chart will give you all the information needed to make the best choices under this condition. A professional Vedic Astrology reading can provide that information. The rest is up to you!
Namaste! Sri Gurupyoh Namaha! 💙🙏💙
American Vedic Astrology 