Over the last couple of years the phrase “in retrograde” has become more and more commonplace. However, I still find that many people aren’t exactly sure of what it means. So, with several planets in retrograde right now, I thought I should explain retrograde and share the info below with you.
“Retrograde motion is an APPARENT change in the movement of the planet through the sky. It is not REAL in that the planet does not physically start moving backward in its orbit. It just appears to do so because of the relative positions of the planet and Earth and how they are moving around the Sun.
Normally, the planets move west-to-east through the stars at night. This is referred to as prograde motion. However, periodically the motion changes and they move east-to-west through the stars. We call this retrograde motion. The retrograde motion continues for a short time and then the motion switches back to prograde. This seemingly strange behavior is easily understood within the context of a Sun-centered (heliocentric) solar system. The explanation for retrograde motion in a heliocentric model is that retrograde occurs roughly when a faster moving planet catches up to and passes a slower moving planet.”1
Right now, Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter are in retrograde but soon, several other planets will be as well. And when the planets conflict with one another, it can affect things on earth. In fact, many believe this season is going to be particularly difficult until August, “There will be at least six planets in retrograde at one time and this could for most of us be quite chaotic. The energies retrogrades bring with them are energies we cannot always make out or comprehend, they push us within and show us how to pause in many different ways.”2
Pluto in Retrograde: Pluto is currently retrograding right now and will be until September 30th. Many believe the planet brings forth a sense of real direction which might make you more aggressive or more willing to stand up for yourself.
Saturn in Retrograde: Saturn will be retrograding until September 6th. Some believe that while Saturn retrogrades, that karma is active so now is the time to deal with issues we have.
Jupiter in Retrograde: This is often associated with the feeling of generosity in some and the inability to focus in others. It leaves retrograde on July 10th.
Neptune in Retrograde: Neptune began its retrograde on June 18th and won’t end until November 24th, although the bulk of it will occur before the end of August. “This planet will bring with it karmic repercussions and also push us to grow more.”3
Mars in Retrograde: Mars will be retrograde from June 26th until the 27th of August and is a retrograde that makes many uncomfortable because it brings “a lot of hostility,”4 plagued with frustration and disruptions.
Mercury in Retrograde: Mercury is retrograde beginning in July until August 18th. You’ll very often hear people say many types of communication (personal and electronic) are tough during this time.
Now, if you are one of those people who aren’t sure how to feel about the idea of planets affecting “energies” on earth…no worries. There are all kinds of things we can’t explain. And sometimes, we- in a sense- create our reality by giving “life” to garbage; speak enough negativity into your life and you’ll start to behave negatively, behave negatively and the things you were most anxious about might happen. Not because your words have power, but because your words gave way to beliefs that you took and ran with.
So, be aware of retrograde and how it affects others, even if you don’t believe it will have any effect on you personally because it might help you deal with others who are struggling! And remember, as Cassius once said,
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
Regardless of how you feel about these retrogrades, the most important thing is to not let them consume your life.
XO- Erin
