Helping You Reach the Stars

Empathic Counseling, Relationship & Transformational Astrology…for the Soul
 

Planets in Retrograde

Do ‘Backward-Moving’ Planets Affect Us?

First, it should be understood that the planets don’t actually move backwards. They merely appear to do so from our geocentric point of view. Or from any other point of view, for that matter.

Although most scientists and even some prominent astrologers don’t believe that the planets actually have an affect on the behavior of humans, I disagree. According to these same scientists, everything in the Universe (as far as they are aware) possesses a specific rate at which it vibrates. Further, everything also possesses various degrees of gravitational force and electromagnetic fields that not only interact with each other, but with their environment, as well. Because the planets – like our bodies – are made up of minerals, gases and other substances which possess these same attributes, why is it that, while it’s possible for, say, the Sun or the Moon to have an affect on the growth of vegetal matter here on earth, they couldn’t possibly have an affect on the mechanics of our bodies?

According to many astrologers, natal retrograde planets – or those planets which were retrograde at the time of our birth – indicate karmic lessons we’ve brought with us into our current incarnation.

Others say that they’re an indication of latent genius in areas pertaining to the planet and sign in which the retrograde occurs, and which manifests later in life; still others, that those with retrograde planets are here to increase consciousness and create change on a global scale.

Yet others claim that those with retrograde planets in their natal charts are seldom seen as they actually are. In other words, their full and true potential is hidden, and that there is often much more to an individual with planets in retrograde than can be readily seen.

In my opinion and experience, all of these definitions are accurate.

Additionally, because they are karmic in nature, this is an indication of a past life influence. I further agree with astrologer/visionary Barbara Hand Clow, who states that retrograde planets – similar to the South Node of the Moon – allow us to bring gifts/talents, skills, knowledge and abilities from past lives, with us into the current incarnation.

Astrologer, Martin Schulman, says that retrograde planets are ‘absorbers,’ causing the native to absorb or draw energy from others. While those with direct motion planets (those planets not in retrograde) are radiators: they tend to radiate their energy outward to others. Schulman also believes that the native, through the retrograding planets, is constantly attempting to resolve past-life issues, which in the current incarnation, seem to the native to be unfinished.

Following is a list of the affects that retrograding planets have both natally, and when in transit. Though this list includes definitions for the currently retrograding planets, I’ve also included definitions for both Saturn (which recently went direct), and Mars, which will turn retrograde later this year.

Natal Retrograde Saturn These individuals are extremely introspective, conservative, frugal and serious. They are wonderful teachers who have brought much knowledge with them into their current incarnation from past incarnations and are more than happy to share that knowledge with others. The are ‘minimalists’ and overly disciplined, oftentimes to an extreme. Saturn direct is restrictive, but Saturn retrograde often causes the individual to feel even more restricted in various areas than he might otherwise feel. Consequently, he becomes frustrated when unable to bring to fruition, plans on which he’s spent years developing. Yet Saturn also provides the tenacity and meticulousness required to bring those plans to culmination. However, allowing himself to ‘go with the flow,’ and not resist the lessons that often accompany this placement, he will ultimately experience the peace he seeks.

Transiting Retrograde Saturn in Leo in the 12th House Delays are a common theme during this period. Wasted time is also common. Projects or relationships requiring completion tend to pop up now, as well. Wonderful time for implementing structure of any kind, as Saturn rules structure and discipline, and retrograde Saturn intensifies this tendency. Be careful of trying to get your own way during this period, as it could be your undoing.

Natal Retrograde Venus causes the native to be reactionary, rather than proactive. An individual with a retrograde Venus tends to see life through the filter of what is being done to him, rather than how he affects others. Relationships are generally not as important to an individual with a retrograde Venus, usually because of some past-life hurt which he or she has internalized on a Soul level. The native with retrograde Venus also questions his or her own values, always wondering whether what they believe is morally sound. He or she may also have a difficult relationship with money, having a hard time making or holding on to it.

Transiting Retrograde Venus in Virgo in the 5th House Venus retrogrades occur approximately every 18 months and cause us to look at our past and current relationships, values and issues with money. Are we really doing what we would like to do? Are we with the person we wish to be with? If so, what about the relationship is working or not working? What about our outlook on life and our values is working or not working? What do we need to change to make things work better? Are we happy with our current relationship with and view of money? When transiting retrograde Venus is in Virgo, it tends to make us nit-picky, perfectionistic and critical, especially where our creativity and romantic aspirations are concerned. While Virgo generally is other-oriented, when Venus is retrograde in Virgo we are more likely to think about ourselves, rather than others, which oftentimes is necessary. The danger here, however, is that we tend to set our sites too high, and when we or others don’t measure up to our expectations, we often reject them.

Natal Retrograde Jupiter is less expansive than Jupiter direct, causing the native to encounter one impediment after another in his search for understanding and positive experiences, especially in his early life. Positive abilities, talents, attributes and skills tend to come later in life to Jupiter retrograde natives. Higher education, which is ruled by Jupiter, is prone to be delayed, if it comes at all. One of the beneficial aspects of this placement, is that the native is more likely to be introspective, which assists in the development of higher spiritual ideals.

Transiting Retrograde Jupiter in Sagittarius in the 8th House ‘Good luck’ and expansion are significantly reduced during this time. This placement causes us to re-evaluate our higher ideals, spirituality and educational needs. As with any retrograde period, we tend to look at what’s working and what isn’t working in the area or sign in which Jupiter currently resides. Travel is reduced, and, in fact, travel itineraries are more often subject to change than at any other time, except during a Mercury retrograde; flights are often delayed and/or cancelled, and in fact, airplane crashes are often prevalent during this time. It’s always a good idea to double-check travel plans, reservations, etc., since just as with a Mercury retrograde, snafus are fairly common with reservations being lost and luggage being misplaced.

Retrograde Jupiter in Sagittarius tends to make us frenetic and scattered, with our minds going in multiple directions simultaneously. Sexual desire is suppressed, but conversely, promiscuity – the need for numerous experiences – is more common during this time. Natives with this natal placement are often extremely prophetic during this transit. In general, however, society as a whole finds it difficult to listen to the advice offered by others, choosing, instead, to heed its own counsel. Religious disparities and inconsistencies stand out in sharper contrast now, and long-held secrets are often exposed. Everyone seems to believe they know what’s best for others, while rarely looking at their own needs. Lots of polarities, dualities, hypocrisy and two-faced double dealing occur during this time.

This placement usually denotes an extremely unique individual who may be seen as rather odd, and whose genius may not be appreciated until later in life. Those born with this natal placement are generally seen as revolutionaries of the highest magnitude who change society for the better. On the not so positive side, those with Uranus in retrograde are more likely to erupt, emotionally, due to normally constricted nervous tension that builds to an almost unmanageable level, especially during transiting Uranus retrogrades.

Uranus Retrogrades really bring out our creativity, though they can also distort it, depending on other natal and transiting planetary aspects. Uranus is a catalyzer, creating change under the best of circumstances, and is the planet of genius, intuition and inventiveness, when in direct motion. When retrograde, the tendency is to hunker down and bring those simmering ideas to fruition. These are the times when we’re most likely to discover gold in the mental dross, and finally figure out the solution to an invention or process we’ve been working on for some time. We are more likely to go within in order to make much-needed psychological changes.

Pisces rules the Supra-, Sub- and Unconscious. With Uranus transiting this sign, there is a tendency towards leaving the mundane world behind in order to investigate the more esoteric or spiritual realms. When in nebulous Pisces, it augurs a major evolutional shift in consciousness. Further, being in the 12th House, which Pisces rules, just about guarantees not only personal evolution, but a significant evolutionary ascent in our species’ level of consciousness, especially once Uranus goes direct.

Natal Retrograde Neptune Individuals with this placement are enigmatic and not easily understood. They are generally extremely sensitive, and are also the quintessential ‘Old Soul.’ They are capable of seeing realities to which most of us are blinded, including our own illusions. However, like the rest of us, they have their shadow side, and often chase unrealistic fantasies of their own. Because they are so highly intuitive, they can see the outcome of a situation without having to experience it.

Neptune direct often creates illusion and fogginess, especially under certain signs, such as Pisces. But retrograde Neptune is more illusionary still, and in touch with the unconscious, generally causing one to be even more intuitive and/or psychic. Boundaries between reality and illusion during this period become fuzzy and dreams become more chaotic and significant. Keep your dream journals and a pencil next to your bedside, since dreams during this time are highly significant.

This is a time to reconnect with your inner spiritual world, especially angels, guides, higher powers and old friends. We’re also more prone to encountering infections and ailments during this time, so gird yourself well. Eat healthy, and watch out for poisonous chemicals, since susceptibility is increased due to a more highly sensitive than usual immune system.

Retrograde Pluto is the epitome of the deepest form of transformation. Those born with this placement feel the world’s ills on a personal level, and so feel compelled to change themselves in an attempt to transform society’s inadequacies and idiosyncrasies as though they were their own. Unfortunately, this placement may also cause the native to manifest self-destructive emotional and/or obsessive-compulsive tendencies and perversions, especially if Pluto is at a stressful angle to Saturn or Neptune or – depending on other aspects in the natal chart – focus these often uncontrollably destructive tendencies on others, especially if the stressful aspect is with Mars.

The need to transform ourselves, to find that inner truth we believe we lack, becomes a driving compulsion during this period. These transits instill in us the need to purge, to clear out all the mental and spiritual dross. For many experiencing a Pluto transit to their natal planet(s), this can be a rather dark time, indeed. Transiting Pluto has a way of causing us to feel as though we’re lost and that we’ve lost everything. The trick is to stay centered and focused on what’s important, since the transiting period will end, and the Darkness will give way to the Light. Pluto retrograde in Sagittarius in the 9th House will have society looking at antiquated educational and religious systems, with the result being a complete revamping of both spiritual and secular beliefs. In this case, ‘out with the old and in with the new’ can only be a positive thing for our ailing planet.

According to one of the preeminent authorities on Chiron, Barbara Hand Clow, Chiron retrograde is an indication that a ‘healer trained in past lives has manifested.’ Additionally, states Clow, "…the number of aspects between Chiron and the other planets indicates the degree of healing power and natural alchemical response patterns within the native." Because there hasn’t been too much written about Chiron up to this point, other than what Clow, Zane Stein, Martin Lass and a handful of others have touched on, we’re still learning about the specific affects Chiron has on the native. Fortunately (or not so fortunately, depending on how one looks at it), my Chiron is also retrograde, so I might be able to add some clarification as to how this manifests. In my opinion, Chiron retrograde causes us to – first – look within in order to heal ourselves, while simultaneously magnetize healing from outside. Because my retrograde Chiron is also in Aquarius in the 6th House, I am currently experiencing a major transformational emotional, mental and spiritual shift due to the current transit (as shown below), which I have, for the most part, initiated.

Chiron in direct motion helps us heal ourselves and others. Retrograde Chiron, on the other hand, is (as Schulman says) an absorber, attracting the guidance and healing we need in order to heal the deepest, darkest parts of ourselves. With Chiron retrograde in Aquarius in the 11th House, especially those with a natal Chiron retrograde placement – and even more especially those with this configuration in the 6th or 12th Houses – will be taking the lead in facilitating the healing of the planet.

These individuals are prone to be uncoordinated mentally and physically and experience sexual difficulties. They’re also more likely to be more full of guilt and blame than most others. Grounding through meditation will help to regulate the various bodily systems to reduce these affects. Women with this placement generally do not care for men, though the opposite can also be true, to the extent that they believe men can do no wrong.

Mars in retrograde is a good time to take extra precaution in everything you do. We often come off half-cocked during this time, are quick to anger, more so than at most other times, and less likely to think before we speak. Issues with family members and groups can present themselves during this time, as well.

To understand how retrogrades will affect you, determine which house the transiting planet is aspecting in your natal chart. Not sure how to go about that? Send me your birth information (birth date, time and location) and your email address and I’ll supply you with a brief synopsis of the houses which will be affected by the current transiting planets.

Copyright © 2007 Kat Starwolf  All Rights Reserved

Kat Starwolf is a practicing relationship and empathic counseling astrologer, researcher, metaphysician and avid reader of anything pertaining to human inter-relatedness, emotions, sexuality, sociology and psychology.  She is also currently working on her degree in counseling psychology.  She may be contacted at 400 Capital Circle SE, Suite 18-255, Tallahassee, Florida  32301, by phone at 850-980-0250 or via her website http://www.starwolfastrology.com . 

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