What to Know About Planetary Retrogrades

If you read any pop-culture sites or live on the internet, you’ve probably heard of Mercury Retrograde and all the terms people throw around with it.

Perhaps you may not know that every planet stations retrograde.

Retrogrades are nothing to fear.

To help demystify them, here’s a Retrograde 101 guide — with all the terminology you need to follow the conversation like a pro.

Planetary Retrogrades 101

What is a Retrograde?

When planets are retrograde, they appear to be moving backward in the sky, from our perspective on Earth.

If we’re looking at zodiac chart, the normal movement of the planets is counter-clockwise. The planets start at 0º of a sign and move through the sign to 29º59’, then enter the next sign.

A retrograde planet travels clockwise, going backward through the degrees.

Think of a retrograde as a planet retracing its steps.

What’s Important to Know About Retrogrades:

• Retrogrades are nothing to fear. Every planet (except the Sun and Moon) retrogrades at some point.
• A planet appears to slow down and stop before changing direction and moving backward. It does the same before it moves forward again. These stop points are called a “station.”
• The Station points are significant moments in the retrograde process. They pull focus to that planet and its significations.
• Planets are closest to Earth when they station and through their retrogrades, which magnifies their signification.

Retrograde Timelines

Each planet retrogrades on its own schedule and for a specific amount of time.

• *Mercury*: 3–4x per year for approximately 3 weeks
• *Venus*: Every 18 months for 40 days
• *Mars*: Every 26 months, for 2–3 months
• *Jupiter*: Every 9 months, for 4 months
• *Saturn*: Every 12 months, for 4.5 months
• *Uranus*: Every 12 months, for 5 months
• *Neptune*: Every 12 months, for 5 months
• *Pluto*: Once a year, for 5–6 months

Astrological Significations of Retrogrades

A planet that is moving slower than its average speed is considered less effective, slower, and weaker in bringing about its significations.

This doesn’t mean it’s a “bad” situation.

Retrogrades expose different sides of a planet’s archetype, and by extension of us. For example, when Venus is retrograde we might find deeper clarity about our desires. Mercury retrograde might help us think about things in a new way. Mars retrogrades can help us embody new ways of taking action.

What does it mean when a planet is retrograde?

On the most simple level, retrogrades remind us that progress in life is not always about forward movement – no matter what cultural norms try to tell us.

Sometimes we need to move backward to move forward. We need times to pause for review and reflection, to reset our vision and recalibrate our compass, to revisit past actions, and to revise our plans and strategies. Retrogrades build these moments into the calendar for us.

What, exactly, we’re called to review during a retrograde depends on

• the planet that is retrograde and
• the sign (or signs) where the retrograde occurs.

Retrogrades invite us to mirror the action of the planets: slow down, pause, and retrace our steps in whatever area of life corresponds to the sign of the retrograde.

The 3-Phase Retrograde Process

We can think of the retrograde as a 3-part process.

To illustrate this, let’s look at the upcoming Mercury retrograde:

• Mercury will station retrograde on March 15 at 2:46 am ET, at 9º35’ Aries
• Mercury will move backward through Aries and dip back into Pisces.
• Mercury will station direct on April 7, 2025 at 7:08 am ET at 26º49’ Pisces

To start, the planet is traveling forward through the zodiac, in counter-clockwise motion.

Phase 1: The Pre-Retrograde Shadow. This phase begins when the planet reaches the degree to which it will eventually return in the retrograde.

In our example, Mercury began its Pre-Retrograde shadow when it reached 26º49’ Pisces while moving forward.

Phase 2: The Retrograde. This is the heart of the retrograde. It begins when the planet stations retrograde, and lasts until the planet stations direct. In our example, Mercury will retrace its path backward from 9º35’ Aries to 26º49’ Pisces.

In the middle of the Retrograde, Mercury will disappear from the sky as it comes close to the Sun. It will connect with the Sun in a conjunction aspect, called a Cazimi. This is a moment of renewal for a planet and marks the midway of Mercury’s retrograde.

Phase 3: The Post-Retrograde Shadow. This phase begins when the planet stations direct, and last until the planet reaches the point where it originally stationed retrograde.

In our example, Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow will be the period when it travels from 26º49’ Pisces to 9º35’ Aries.

As you can see, throughout this process the planet covers the same territory three times.

• while it’s direct in its pre-retrograde shadow
• while it’s retrograde
• while it’s direct during its post-retrograde shadow

Keywords for Retrogrades

Here is a list of keywords for retrogrades:

• Revisit
• Revise
• Review
• Reversals of direction, fortune
• Retrieve something you left behind
• Retracing steps
• Reformulate
• Return to something from the past
• Reflect
• Reconsider
• Delays
• Diminishment/Loss
• Something being held back or taken back
• Matters (or people) from the past arising
• Confusion
• Unsettled
• Unresolved matters
• Rebellion
• Recalibrate
• Setbacks

How to Work With Planetary Retrogrades

Here are some general tips for working with retrogrades:

• Observe and Record. Notice what issues arise in the area of your life that is impacted by the retrograde. Write it down, even if it seems insignificant. Notice when issues re-arise.
• Create extra space in your schedule
• Be adaptable and flexible
• Be open-minded
• Consider new perspectives
• Manage expectations
• Cultivate patience
• Allow for uncertainty