During a retrograde period, aspects certain celestial bodies are ruling over are becoming weaker and more challenging. All the planets used in astrology are following this transit occasionally, which means these cycles are inevitable and at the same time very helpful for building up characters.
About retrograde periods
When looking at it from an astrological point of view, the retrograde of a planet can have many effects because that specific planet is no longer acting as usually. For many natives, it may seem life is simply working against them and not in their favor.
It’s possible for them to feel frustrated and anxious during a retrograde because they simply can’t advance in life, but they wouldn’t realize certain paths are simply not meant for them to follow.
The most well-known retrograde is the one of Mercury, the ruler of communication, technology, travel and ways of transportation. This usually happens 3 times a year, for a total of 3 weeks.
When this planet is in retrograde, people can argue more, they can have their plans failing, their cars breaking and computers crashing. This is the reason why so many astrologers are advising natives to be cautious during this time periods, to save their files twice and to not close any deals because it’s possible for them to be misunderstood and to have to explain themselves again.
Venus goes in retrograde every 18 months and can indicate the weakest points of relationships, not to mention how it can bring back into the light past events.
It’s suggested to not get married, engaged or to make any important moves during this transit. If paying attention to tabloids when Venus is in retrograde, it can be noticed many celebrities have decided to break up.
Mars starts following this cycle for 2 months, every 2 years, bringing a lot of conflicts and making people argue with each other.
Other planets like Pluto, Uranus, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Saturn are going in retrograde for 4 or 5 months, each year.
Therefore, there’s nothing natives can do against these cycles as at any point in a year, one or more planets are being in retrograde.
Mercury Retrograde
Mercury goes in retrograde 3 times a year, for about 3 weeks every time. This period may bring about problems with communication and to those who are traveling, even if it’s very beneficial for people who are working hard to polish their projects and who are trying to retrace their steps in order to learn from their past mistakes.
This transit can be very helpful for those who are trying to reconnect with old pals. It’s advisable for people to back up their data if working, to have clear thoughts and to restart a project they’ve abandoned.
Classes should be retaken because Mercury in retrograde is very helpful when it comes to absorbing new information and studying deliberately.
It could indicate some natives should be their own teachers because they may question everything others are saying. Furthermore, they’d be more capable to deal with abstract ideas and form more accurate impressions than when Mercury is being direct.
► Mercury Retrograde: Explaining The Changes In Your Life
Venus Retrograde
Venus goes in retrograde for 40 days but only after 18 months have passed in between the transits. This is a period when people are not advised to get married or to do something related to what Venus is ruling over.
It can be great for many to reevaluate their problems in their love life and with money during this period, not to mention how helpful this cycle is for reassessing and determining what’s unhealthy with some behaviors.
This transit is ideal for those who want to heal their relationships and are trying to no longer be stuck when it comes to their romantic life.
Therefore, people who are not being with the right person for them may realize this and get close again to one of their exes, when the timing is just right.
A retrograde Venus may bring about many great ideas about pleasure, more refined ways and an increased attention for love, less for social issues.
Those who are strongly influenced by Venus in retrograde may tend to test their loved ones, to chase unconventional people and to become a little bit antisocial during this time.
► Venus Retrograde: Explaining The Changes In Your Life
Mars Retrograde
Mars goes in retrograde for 50 to 81 days, but only every 2 years, when it becomes easier for people to come up with strategies on the way they’re asserting themselves and to find better ways for them to deal with their anger or their conflicts.
This is also a good period for us to rethink what we need from a sexual point of view. However, during this transit, it’s not suggested to do something ambitious that requires a lot of energy or to initiate.
Many should take their time and learn how to deal with pressure or the conflicts in their life more easily, not to mention how smart it would be for them to let go of old grudges and to just put down the sword.
For accidents to be avoided, everything needs to be taken slowly. Patience is the key word for this period, so many natives can decide to pick up where they left a sport they used to practice, or even one of their exercising routines.
Making peace with others and finding the courage to tell people the truth are also good ideas of what to do during this cycle.
Those having Mars in retrograde in their birth chart will find everyday life and the conventional to be terrible. They’ll always need a purpose and a cause to fight for, but at least they’re less competitive with others and more with themselves.
Ladies having Mars in retrograde will fall in love with irresponsible men who can’t seem to have their place in society and who don’t mind depending on others.
► Mars Retrograde: Explaining The Changes In Your Life
Jupiter Retrograde
Jupiter is the planet of development and expansion, of education and travel to faraway places, but when it’s in retrograde, we might be feeling like these aspects of our lives are simply slowing down.
This period can be very beneficial for those who are making plans for traveling and also for those who are thinking to study or to reevaluate their values. It would be better to slow down and not take too many risks during this transit.
Travels should only be to places that have been visited before and old plans need to be brought into the light again. Therefore, Jupiter in retrograde is a good time for going back to school and obtaining some certificates.
Those having Jupiter in retrograde in their birth chart are able to see opportunities others can’t even notice. When everything is failing, they’ll try again and succeed.
Being moral and having strong ethics, the study of religion and other subjects like philosophy simply fascinates them.
However, they won’t follow well-established ideas and concepts because their faith has to come from within. Regardless of the aspect of life being addressed, people will want abundance and to improve.
► Jupiter Retrograde: Explaining The Changes In Your Life
Saturn Retrograde
The Saturn retrograde period can make us look deeper into the structures in our life, not to mention how much it can help us understand everything better.
In a subtle way, during this transit, we will learn that our environment can’t be controlled and that if we want success, we need to carefully prioritize things and to use our time in a smart manner.
This is a good period for rethinking plans and establishing new goals when it comes to career, but only by being disciplined and not expecting to praise from others.
Saturn in retrograde can help many think faster. Those born during this transit will doubt their role on planet Earth, not to mention they may act like children and be terrified of changes.
This transit is very efficient when it comes to reducing people’s egos, but it also brings about a fear of getting rejected or losing. It is a difficult cycle because it reminds natives they have responsibilities and limits.
► Saturn Retrograde: Explaining The Changes In Your Life
Uranus Retrograde
Uranus is the planet of awakening, so its retrograde makes us see our imperfections while focusing on freedom more than anything else.
Instead of being excited, people are feeling anxious, but at least they get a good chance to have a look over what truly brings value to their life.
This is a transit for individuals who are never in the mood for arguing or for being rebellious. Not that people shouldn’t analyze their political beliefs or study more on this subject, they just need to keep in touch with the current events and to get involved in humanitarian projects.
It’s suggested for natives to distance themselves from negative friends that can turn their life into chaos when Uranus is in retrograde.
Those born during this transit are convinced rebels that may reform many things in their community. Furthermore, they’re known to always test their capabilities and to show the world how they’re being better than others because they have this need to prove themselves. However, it’s possible for them to limit others’ freedom when looking for their own.
► Uranus Retrograde: Explaining The Changes In Your Life
Neptune Retrograde
When Neptune is in retrograde, we may find it difficult to establish our own boundaries. We may be strongly influenced by some of our impressions that can’t be explained, but that surely need to be explored more.
During this transit, it’s possible for many to go through an identity crisis and to feel like they’re at the mercy of others. However, this is also a good period for working with the psychic, for being artistic and for becoming more creative.
The subconscious seems to be very loud now, so therapy sessions and soul-healing methods should be employed, and a few questions about spirituality should be asked.
Meditation and a lot of work with intuition are very good things to do when Neptune is in retrograde, even if natives must avoid being in denial and too dependent.
They should stay as far away as possible from those who are consuming their energy. People born with Neptune in retrograde in their chart can be confused about their own virtues.
It’s possible for them to offer their help even if not required to, so others may take advantage of them more often than not.
► Neptune Retrograde: Explaining The Changes In Your Life
Pluto Retrograde
Pluto in retrograde makes people more insightful and intense when it comes to matters of self, but it also brings about a need for being in control.
This period is very good for reevaluating what can be controlled and what should be let go. Furthermore, it’s perfect for cleaning the home and taking care of domestic issues.
During this transit, natives should explore their shadows and deal with their fears, with what seems to be limiting them and also their unconscious, by trying some Feng Shui practices, burning some sage or simply clearing the space around them.
It’s a good idea to stay protected against dangerous situations and people during this period, but also indicated for many to recognize if someone is dominating them, and to resolve these issues.
Almost half of the individuals living on this planet at the moment are having Pluto in retrograde, so it can be difficult to determine what the effects of this planet’s transit are in this situation, but one thing’s for sure, natives having this placement in their birth chart find it more difficult to integrate in society. Those having a strong Pluto will do many things without actually knowing why.
► Pluto Retrograde: Explaining The Changes In Your Life
Explore Further
Planetary Transits and Their Impact From A to Z
Planets in Houses: The Effect on Personality
Moon in Signs: Astrological Activity Revealed
Moon in Houses: What It Means For One’s Personality
Sun Moon Combinations in the Natal Chart
