| |

Retrograde Planets:

Forwards, Backwards and All at Sea - Everything You Need to Know

You’ve probably heard people talking about Mercury retrograde and the chaos this planetary effect can sometimes wreak. But Mercury is not alone: did you know that all of the planets in the solar system go through periods of retrograde motion? What is a retrograde anyway, and why should we care? Let’s find out.

What is a Retrograde Planet in Astrology?

Seen from our vantage point here on earth, all of the planets in the solar system periodically appear to stop their normal forward motion or orbit through the night sky, pause, change direction and then start moving backwards. It’s this apparent backward motion which astrologers call retrograde motion. Even though Mercury is the best-known planet to do this, each of the retrograde planets has its energy shift, contributing different flavors to our daily lives during their retrograde motion.

It’s important to note that retrograde motion is an optical illusion, caused by the difference in orbital speeds between earth and the other celestial bodies in the solar system. No planet ever actually pauses or moves backwards – but in astrology, symbolism is everything.

What is the Astrological Retrograde Cycle?

When you hear astrologers talk about retrograde planets, they’ll often talk about a planet being stationary direct, stationary retrograde or just stationing.

A planet in normal motion, i.e. following its normal orbit from our standpoint on earth, is termed stationary direct. The moment of its apparent pause is what we call stationing. Once it has changed direction and seems to be moving in reverse, we call that stationary retrograde. At the end of the retrograde motion, the planet will briefly station again, and then return to stationing direct forward motion.

So, when a planet goes through a retrograde cycle, it passes through the same portion of the zodiac three times – forwards, backwards and then forwards again. This portion of the zodiac, which is different for each planet during each retrograde, is called the shadow.

Are Retrograde Planets Bad?

Well, no. As explained, all planets have periods of retrograde motion in their orbit cycles. Historically, it was thought to be an ill omen to be born with certain planets retrograde – Saturn in particular was thought to be a baddie - and in modern times a lot of people make a lot of fuss about Mercury retrograde in particular – but in general, retrograde planets bring us opportunities to look inwards and to reflect on mistakes we may have made or things we can do differently. In that sense, certainly astrologically, retrogrades are essential for personal and spiritual growth.

How Do Retrograde Planets Affect Us?

During each planet’s retrograde period, that planet’s energy is expressed in a more inward, insular fashion than normal.

When a planet first starts its retrograde shadow, still moving forward in direct motion at that point, events, situations and circumstances will point towards the issues you’ll need to internalize during the forthcoming retrograde motion period.

During the second phase, the actual retrograde motion, you’ll reconsider, re-think, re-work, re-balance and re-do things, actions and thoughts which have been brought to your attention during the first period.

Finally, as the planet turns direct again and works its way forwards to its original starting point, you will hopefully be able to apply what you have learned from this retrograde period. This is how growth happens, although obviously much of the above process is behind the scenes in your psychology.

What Does Natal Retrograde Mean?

If you were born during a period when one or more planets were retrograde, then those planets are marked as retrograde in your birth chart or natal chart. Natal retrograde planets express their energy in your birth chart in a subtly different way to the planet’s normal energy.

However, the outer planets are retrograde (as seen from earth, remember) quite often, so a large proportion of people have Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus or Pluto retrograde in their birth charts. This is because the orbits of these planets are much, much slower than earth’s, so as seen from earth, they appear to be going backwards for longer. We therefore can’t read too much into the zodiac sign the planet is retrograde in; often the house of the birth chart where the planet resides is more illuminating.

The inner planets (Mercury, Venus and Mars) are retrograde less often, so having one of these planets retrograde in your natal chart is more personally significant.

Where a natal retrograde planet’s influence is felt strongly in the birth chart, there is typically something covert about it; you may express this energy secretively, or with guilt, or behind the scenes in some way – or you may have trouble expressing it at all.

Mercury Retrograde in the Birth Chart

Around 18% of people are born with a natal Mercury retrograde.

For these people, insecurity about intellect and learning can cast a shadow over education, but they are usually able to go back to education at a later date, making up for lost time and often emerging very successful indeed. When Mercury is retrograde at birth, it’s about growing in confidence over your own abilities.

Venus Retrograde in the Birth Chart

Around 7% of people are born with a natal Venus retrograde, making this the rarest of the natal retrogrades.

For natal Venus retrograde people, early social shyness and awkwardness can lead to a slow start in love, or to over-dependency on a relationship. Some may unconsciously sabotage their relationships through doubting their own self-worth; others may struggle to express their emotions positively.

Mars Retrograde in the Birth Chart

Around 9% of people are born with a natal Mars retrograde.

Mars retrograde in the natal chart can suggest someone who struggles to maintain their own identity or is too easily pushed around by others. This individual probably does not cope well with pressure and stress but has tremendous inner resources and drive when they are free to pursue them in their own way.

Jupiter Retrograde in the Birth Chart

Nearly 40% of people are born with a natal Jupiter retrograde, so it’s important not to over-interpret this.

When it’s a strong part of the astrological chart, however, natal Jupiter retrograde can lead to a lot of worry and anxiety, and an inability to maximize life chances. Sometimes, Jupiter retrograde people don’t believe that they’re entitled to luck or good fortune and may unconsciously therefore harm their chances.

Saturn Retrograde in the Birth Chart

35% of people are born with a natal Saturn retrograde.

Responsibility is a potential problem issue for people with Saturn retrograde in the natal chart. There is a fear of not living up to expectations or of letting others down, and this often leads to the individual becoming put upon and then resentful. When Saturn is retrograde at birth, cultivating boundaries and learning to say no are important.

Uranus Retrograde in the Birth Chart

40% of people are born with a natal Uranus retrograde, so it’s a common factor in a natal chart.

When unusually strong in the astrology chart, however, natal Uranus retrograde can lead to a lot of wilfulness and sudden bursts of unpredictable behavior – behavior which is not always in the best interests of the individual concerned. Rebellion and an inability to follow rules are likely to be lifelong factors.

Pluto Retrograde in the Birth Chart

Almost 45% of people are born with a natal Pluto retrograde, so you are almost as likely to have it as to not have it.

If Pluto is an important planet in your birth chart, Pluto retrograde may lead to excessive privacy on your part, and perhaps even paranoia. There is an emphasis on secrecy and often a lot of mistrust.

Mars Retrograde

Venus Retrograde

Jupiter Retrograde

Saturn Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde

Uranus Retrograde

Neptune Retrograde

Uranus Goes Direct

Mercury Retrograde in Libra

Jupiter Turns Direct in Capricorn

Jupiter Retrograde in Pisces

Neptune Stationed Direct in Pisces

Mars Turns Direct in Aries

Saturn Direct in Capricorn

Mercury Retrograde in Cancer

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces and Aquarius

Neptune Direct in Pisces

Saturn turns Direct in Capricorn

Mars Retrograde in Aries

Venus Retrograde in Gemini

Pluto Retrograde

Mercury Direct in Scorpio

Pluto Direct

Saturn in Capricorn

Mercury Turns Direct in Cancer

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

Uranus Retrograde in Taurus

Saturn Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde

Retrograde Planets

Appreciations

  • ★★★★★
    Nice to not get gimmick's. You're in a class by yourself.
    Tom
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for taking care of us and the time to share your amazing gifts so appreciated xx
    Stella
  • ★★★★★
    Kelli, I have come to RELY upon your dailies (Cancer), especially your unique Rating System! Feel LOST on those rare days when I don't have that going for me! So what has become of your daily "extras"? Are you taking a break and someone is subbing for you lately? I certainly hope that is the case and that you are well! Praying for you, love you! - Lou
    Lou
  • ★★★★★
    I just want you to know I absolutely love you. I rely on you. If I get rich, I'm taking you with me. I'm going to have you with me every day of my life just because it's kind of weird. It's kind of scary how dead on you are all the time. But you want to know what? I love you. Thank you for finding your way in my life. I love all your emails and everything. And sometimes it scares me and I just try to be like, okay, let me just steer away because I always feel like I'm missing out on something, being occupied by stuff I'd rather not be occupied by, entertaining people and stuff that shouldn't be, getting people blocking my blessings, I guess you'd say. But besides that, I just need to take a leap of faith and just go all in it because I know who I am, what I want and I can't get it when I'm sitting in the house not doing anything because I'm all depressed because of the people that I have, people that suck my energy away. I don't know how to explain it. Just people that front row cheer me on to fail. But seriously, I love you. Thank you. I appreciate you. Bye.
    Dani Q
  • ★★★★
    Thank you.
    Dawn
  • ★★★★★
    Astrology has given me the best for life made me to understand what I am under life and to live on this planet I'm so happy for this deep wisdom I'm grateful.
    Oolapho Williams
  • ★★★★★
    Hello Kelli, thank you so much for being there in dark times & providing guidance! I find your readings very accurate compared to others!! Kindly accept my gratitude!!!
    Jaspreet Dullet
  • ★★★★
    Spot on. Thanks
    Ruth
  • ★★★★★
    Hi there. I'm Kumpul. I have listened to my predictions and it correctly says that confidence in me and yeah, it was really nice production and I'm looking forward really nice, amazing productions from my end. And I also wanted to know about the career wise predictions and, yeah, thank you.
    Kompalmohindra
  • ★★★★★
    Always on point. Every word about cancer and full moon is everything my love interest is going through. We are both Cancers. Thank you Kelli.
    Connie
  • ★★★★★
    I have been following Kelli Fox for over a decade. Her readings are percise and quite accurate. I have also gotten quite a bit of insight from her additional reading and chart reviews. Thank you Kelli!
    Terrance
  • ★★★★★
    This message is right on time.
    Tiffony McCall
  • ★★★★★
    I love everything I saw today!
    Oolapho Williams
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you!
    Zachary Colombo
  • ★★★★★
    Ms. Kelli Fox. YOU Have Got It Going On Dear. YOUR Horoscopes are AMOUNGST ONE Of The BEST I've EVER SEEN On The Internet! , They're Accurate , Beautifully Written , & Beautifully Displayed , I Simply LOVE Reading YOUR Astrology Articles & Horoscopes , Keep Up The Awesome Work Ms. FOX.
    JOHN WILLIS
  • ★★★★★
    They are very accurate & have helped me a lot.
    LILLIAN COSTA
  • ★★★★★
    For twelve years I keep visiting Kelli Fox to see whats up for my day, week, month and year. She explains astrology in a language I relate to.
    Shannon Laws
  • ★★★★★
    Hello, thank you so much.
    kiarash zabeti
  • ★★★★★
    I have visited your sites and shared your readings many times without knowing the work involved or the work behind it all. Thank you for your generosity and expertise. Your contributions are valuable to myself and many others. You have contributed to my personal growth, my understanding of the world and my deep compassion for all creatures. You are appreciated.
    Aurora Clair
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you so much.
    Elias
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you so much for you work Kelli <3
    Tyshawn Braxton
  • ★★★★★
    Hey, Kelly. I am ready. If I had known I was going to be recording this, I would have worn some makeup. So anyway. Oh, that's my vanity speaking. Sorry about that. But anyway, I do love listening to you and I always acquire a lot of knowledge. I've been studying astrology since I was about eleven years old. I love it and I can't get enough of it. But I just wanted to let you know that I loved that quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that you put on there. It's so true. We need to live life while we have it and make the best of it. And astrology will help us lead the way. I'm assured of that. Anything we can learn when it comes to astrology will only help us to live a better life. And by your volunteering all your information, I thank you a million times over. You are such an asset. And I know the stars and the planets are shining down upon you and I listen to you all the time on YouTube and your Zoom channel and have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope your throat feels better. Kelli keeps drinking some hot. Thank you for everything you do. My name is Judith and I'm from Greensboro, North Carolina, and I'm a cancer and I love all of what you have to say. Thank you. Bye.
    Judith Bleiberg
  • ★★★★★
    Mahalo nunui Kelli for caring & guiding me through the darkest times. I am blessed to have you.
    Cheryl Bautista
  • ★★★★★
    Hey, the experience has been really wonderful. It gives me an insight on who I am, who I want to be. Can't wait to hear the rest. Thanks. Bye.
    Angela Cates
  • ★★★★★
    Kelli, you amaze me about how well you are reading me and my loved one so well.
    Debby
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you so much, Kelli Fox, for being my astrologer. I’m always so happy and grateful to hear from you. ❤️ Winnie
    Winnie Elise
  • ★★★★★
    Growing and evolving everyday. Thanks for the guidance. Finally on the right path for the first time. My life changed once I found who I am. Had to lose everything to find who I was supposed to be. The universe has a wild way of reaching you when you're lost!
    Charley Cash
  • ★★★★★
    IM TAPPED INTO THIS!
    Glenn Twum
  • ★★★★★
    Thanks for always keeping me updated. Even sometimes i get lazy of checking my emails but this is truly helpful to me.
    Precious
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you Kelli.
    Maria Nelia Vieira de Nobrega
  • ★★★★★
    I'm grateful for all your passion that enriches us. Lots of thanks and best wishes
    Lalla
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for remembering my birthday! You're the only one. The images in the video were beautiful; & I really enjoyed the music.
    Georgia Gabet
  • ★★★★★
    Hello, Kelli. Thank you very much for your emails and for yourself. And I must say I take full advantage of your emails. With pleasure. And also from Numerology, of course. And you are really a lovely person. Thank you very much. Bye.
    Kiarash
  • ★★★★★
    You are always right!!!
    Luna
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for the message it was spot on!
    Amber
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you Kelli for the inspiration, guidance, and help. Much love and appreciation.
    Ty
  • ★★★★
    You're right on with so much accuracy that it was crazy and incredible at the same time!! Almost like you was in my head at times.. Def enjoyed all the insight as well and looking forward to what the future holds.. The sky is the limit.. 💫✨💫✨
    Crystal Markland
  • ★★★★★
    I found the best Astrologer. Thank you Kelli for being my mentor . I see things more clearly & trust me my thinking abilities are skyrocketing.
    Arvind kumar
  • ★★★★★
    I remember what happened in 2015, it will happen again. Thank you Kelli, I know now what to do. You are on the spot again.
    Viviane Banoun
  • ★★★★★
    You were so on point with this information , as if you were reading my mind.
    Henrietta
  • ★★★★★
    I have been studying astrology for 40 years and this site is particularly knowledgeable and well-written.
    Nicole
  • ★★★★★
    I'm feeling highly blessed to be with you. You changed my life.
    MPHONYANE
  • ★★★★★
    It's pretty accurate. Thank you. And I'm glad to come across you. Have a great day.
    Charmaine
  • ★★★★★
    Hello. Thank you so much. You're always helping me with your astrological knowledge. Thanks. Please pray for me. Thank you very much, Kelli.
    Daisy
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you very much. I love it.
    Alexandra Momirovic
  • ★★★★★
    Yeah thanks Kelli I do so much appreciate your reading - it is real. I love it!
    Anthony Appiagyei
  • ★★★★★
    Hi, Kelli. I'm so appreciate of all your readings they are true. I like your readings. Thanks so much.
    Anthony Appiagyei
  • ★★★★★
    Hello, Ms. Fox. This is Sally Haynes. I enjoy reading your message and the way I've been feeling different for the last two days. I don't feel like myself. I feel a different person. And I love it. You have a blessed night, Ms. Fox. Bye.
    Sally Haynes
  • ★★★★★
    It was very nice to listen to you. Some things I really don't understand in English, but I try to put together it's very nice to listen to you. I like it very much.
    Ester
  • ★★★★★
    Amazing and so in depth. You give joy and inspiration to all those who read your horoscopes.
    Helen Cooper
  • ★★★★★
    I love this has really been helpful and it gives wisdom to understand life.
    Pascal Destiny
  • ★★★★★
    Hello there. This is era. I'm answering your video and I'm a little intimidated because I'm on it. So let's just use this one for you and me before I try to check with the audience. But, yeah, when I got your email and read everything, you were speaking right to my heart. Right to my heart. My spirit told me that this was a good thing. And I'm a crab cancer. We don't just trust anybody. It takes a long time for people to get our trust. But you're the real deal. You are the real deal. And that's why I had to write you and let you know that the only reason why I wasn't getting it today was because of my circumstances. I'm looking forward to my new life. I got the world card today, and that means I'm getting ready to step into a new life that I deserve. I must say, you're awesome. I haven't had a chance to see everything you've done, but I've seen enough to know that it's going to go straight to my heart. I know that, like I said, let's not share this with the world yet. This is just for you. But I promise, when I get her, I'll be glad to do that for someone else who may be in my place that is looking for something besides fluff. They're looking for something real. And I do believe that's what you have, my dear. Something real.
    Ara MARIA
  • ★★★★★
    I have followed Kelli for decades. She has consistently put more quality and deep insight into her writing than any other professional. Always a pleasure to read her daily outlook.
    Melanie T.
  • ★★★★★
    It. Hey, Kelli. It is Brandon Gonzalez, the one that you've been doing all this amazing stuff for. And wow, am I just surprised. Like the whole angel number twelve thing came at the perfect time. It was matter of fact 1212 when I read it. Please keep doing what you're doing. It is helping me in my life in many different ways. Spiritually, I'm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, otherwise known as Mormonism. Our god is directing me. You're right. You're completely right. I know my worth. I know where I'm supposed to be headed, what I'm supposed to be doing, just by feeling my own heart and my own decisions that he's giving me. He's giving me. How do I explain this? Perfect situations to just choose from. And if I'm choosing the right, then I get many blessings from you guys. Numerologists, moon readings, all of that, and it all comes together and ties into my life perfectly. So I'm so appreciative of what you guys are doing and it is changing me for the better and I'm excited to see what's to come. And that's really all I've got to say. Thank you, Kevin, and I appreciate everything you're doing. Please keep doing it. I love this and I do not plan on stopping.
    Brandon
  • ★★★★★
    Thank you for the information that you provide me about who I am. I really enjoyed reading it and learning from it. It's really great information to read.
    Maxmillian lowe
  • ★★★★★
    A finite example of my true existence. And potential in the universe...
    Darrell W.
  • ★★★★★
    To be honest, astrology made me who I am today. Those who are suffering have the best live feed astrology can give you, your basic characteristic, your life path and your soul age. Astrology has given me the best life to lead. I'm grateful.
    Oolapho Williams
  • ★★★★★
    Thank You so much for sharing your knowledge and guidance! 🙏❤️🌈🌎🌈
    Eugenia
  • ★★★★★
    I love Your everything about You! I have always been in Your Thursday 5 pm E sessions as well and since I have had computer issues, I am not getting any of your e-mails. . . Wish I could sign on another way to be there today! Thank you Barbara! Here is the link to all my events: https://astrology.tv/events/
    Barbara L Dixon
  • ★★★★★
    Kelli is Amazing ✨
    Linda
  • ★★★★★
    Kelli is Amazing ✨
    Linda
  • ★★★★★
    Kelli is Amazing ✨
    Linda
  • ★★★★★
    Kelli. Hi, Kelli. I just wanted to say thank you so much for your information that you guys are putting out there. Numerology is something that's really new for me, but it has certainly gotten my attention the last couple of years. And so piquing my interest, I delved a little bit further into learning about it. And you guys have been very helpful, encouraging. I just wanted to say thank you very much. I appreciate it. Keep up this wonderful work. Thank you.
    Susan
  • ★★★★★
    Hey, I just want to say thank you. I really don't have the words for my experience, but being it's very enduring of spirituality and concentrating with God, I really don't have the words for it, but amazing. Thank you.
    Angela Jackson West
  • ★★★★★
    I read your astrological forecast almost every day.
    P K RAJAN
Share Your appreciation