Astro Basics - Tumblr Posts
retrogrades: a guide
Do you know that feeling when you to have the illusion that the vehicle you are in is moving backwards in comparison to the vehicle on your side or vice versa? This illusion is very similar to retrogrades. Due to the different speed other planets are orbiting the Sun with, whenever they are parallel to the Earth, it seems as if those planets are moving backwards. However, this is just an illusion, as seen from Earth for a short period of time. As astrology is all about the details, this illusion has a significant impact on our energy, both collectively and individually.
How often do retrogrades happen & what do they mean collectively?
Think of retrogrades as a period when a planet becomes more introverted, so it expresses that energy in an inwardly focused way. These are times of introspection and planning. You take a break in that area of your life in order to asses before taking action. That's why, starting things during retrogrades might not be the best idea, as it will always make you turn back and reassess what you started anyway.
The Sun and the Moon are never in retrograde. Besides these, all the other planetary bodies do go retrograde. The further the planet is from the Sun, the less often retrogrades happening.
Mercury is the one that goes retrograde most often, about 3-4 times a year and it stays in that motion for about 3 weeks at a time. Mercury rules communication, short distance travel and technology, siblings. So whenever it goes retrograde, we are likely to experience delays or feel more introverted about these energies.
Venus goes retrograde every 18 months and usually stays retrograde for about 40 days. So, whenever Venus is retrograde, we might feel more shy in our love life, feel things moving slower in terms of money or even plan to redecorate our house.
Mars goes retrograde every 2 years and usually stays retrograde for about 70 days. Mars is a fiery planet, so when it goes retrograde, it might make us feel like that fire is within us, which can mean bottling up anger or building motivation.
Jupiter goes retrograde every 13 months, lasting for about 4 months. Jupiter is all about luck and abundance, also indulgence, so this can be a time when we manifest better with our own mind.
Saturn goes retrograde every 1 year and it lasts for about 4.5 months. Saturn means rules and lessons, so it being retrograde can show a time of self discipline.
Uranus goes retrograde every 1 year and stays for about 5 months. Uranus is all about spontaneity, rebelling against the world and activism. It going retrograde can mean we feel more called to asses what we stand for.
Neptune goes retrograde every 1 year and stays for over 5 months. Neptune rules imagination, dreams and addiction. We might feel like we are having more dreams, feeling inspired, but also foggy, lost, giving into addictions easier.
Pluto goes retrograde every 1 year for about 5-6 months. Pluto is all about fears and intensity, so it can mean having to deal with some traumas from the past in order to heal from it.
Considering the fact that retrogrades are an illusion, it might seem as if they are holding us back, making things move slower. When in reality, they are helping us asses what we avoided to deal with in the first place and help us grow - so at the end of the day we are still moving advancing trough inner work.
Were you born during retrograde?
Do not panic - it is more common to be born during at least one retrograded cycle than to be born during a period when there are no retrogrades. However, the energy in your chart is felt differently if that is the case. Here's what it means:
No planets in retrograde: I see this as a straightforward chart, the energy of the planets in your chart are all expressed outwardly and this is why retrograde transits might be really introspective times for you.
Born during Mercury retrograde - these people are really good at assimilating information and details, but might have a difficult time with expressing it outwardly. It's nothing impossible, it might just take a bit of practice to feel safe enough to show their rich inner world.
Born during Venus retrograde - these people are very resourceful and know how to use their skills to make money. They might be a bit introverted in terms of showing love or when faced with love from someone else, as they like to take their time and asses at first.
Born during Mars retrograde - these people have a lot of inner motivation and strength and even if they might not show it outwardly as directly as others, they have their own way of dealing with anger or conflict that works for them and helps them succeed on their terms.
*IMPORTANT: Planets from Jupiter to Pluto are not personal planets, so if you were born under these retrogrades, the things written below will be felt less than if you were born with Venus, Mars or Mercury in retrograde.
Born during Jupiter retrograde - these people are most likely to make their own luck, they seek to find meaning in life and to explore. If they put their mind to it, they can be great manifestos in terms of their spirituality. At the same time, outer abundance might come only after they figure out this inner meaning.
Born during Saturn retrograde - these people have their own set of rules and order in which they thrive. When someone invades this order, they might feel disturbed. The key here is not to change their order, but to learn to communicate their needs better.
Born during Uranus retrograde - these people are sure of what they believe in, they might get random sparks of ideas, but they might feel as if some of their ideas or interests are too "strange" for others to understand and might want to keep it to themselves.
Born during Neptune retrograde - these people are more sensitive in nature and prone to feel the hurt of the world, they are empathetic, but might find it difficult to express their feelings fully at times.
Born during Pluto retrograde - these people might deal with a lot of inner fears, but they are really good at hiding them and they usually enjoy doing inner work and finding the cause of the fears and past traumas alone.
if you repost outside of tumblr, please tag saturnrevolution insta