RETROGRADE MOTION OF PLANETS IN ASTROLOGY

Retrograde motion is a phenomenon that actually occurs quite frequently in our heavenly skies.  Our Earth is tilted on its axis at 23 ½ degrees and the planets are in a continuous motion in the skies.  They rise in the east and set in the west due to our Earth’s rotation.  The planets in our solar system travel along the ecliptic and because of our Earth’s rotation move from west to east.

At some point in this rotation the planets appear to slow down and actually stop their movement in the heavens, this phase is known as the stationary position, and then appear to move backwards and this is termed retrograde motion.  This is only an appearance and does not actually happen.

During these times of retrograde motion and it can last from a couple of weeks to several months depending on the planet involved, if the placement of the planet moving into retrograde makes an aspect to one of the planets in the Birth chart something is defined.  What is defined depends entirely on the aspect involved, the planets involved along with the houses that become activated during this motion.

Quite often a planet such as Pluto will go into retrograde motion and then begin to move forward again and then go back into retrograde two or three times before it remains direct and passes beyond that linking degree with the planetary force it touches.  The first contact when a planet goes retrograde is always the most intense period.  It is as if something has been activated and we act accordingly.   Each subsequent contact is less intense and the final contact is usually associated with coming to terms with whatever took place upon original contact.

A contact with Pluto to an angle, especially the Ascendant or the Midheaven can have a profound effect on our being.  Often the retrograde motion lasts a month or two and then passes over the same degree only to go retrograde again and pass over the same degree again.  The total orb of influence can last six month to one year.  This will transform whatever is being suggested through the sign on the angle and aspects from other Natal positions.  Great transformations occur during such incidents and individuals will go through changes both internally and externally that alter their lives often permanently.

To find out more on retrograde planets in your Birth chart or retrograde planets affecting planets or angles in your Chart, you will have to locate these movements in an ephemeris.  Further delineation can be defined by having a Chart prepared when there are these influences affecting your life, which is relatively a common experience.

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