Retrogrades Explained

What Is Retrograde Motion?

Retrograde motion is an optical illusion that occurs when a planet appears to move backward in the sky relative to Earth. Imagine being in a car on the highway: when you pass a slower vehicle, it seems to move backward relative to your position, even though it's still traveling forward. The same principle applies to planetary retrograde—no planet actually reverses its orbit around the Sun.

All planets experience retrograde periods as viewed from Earth, though the frequency and duration vary significantly. Mercury, being closest to the Sun and having the shortest orbit, goes retrograde most frequently—about three to four times per year, lasting approximately three weeks each time. Outer planets like Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are retrograde for several months each year, making their influence more generational and less immediately noticeable.

Mercury Retrograde: The Most Infamous Transit

Mercury retrograde has become the poster child for astrological disruption, and for good reason. Mercury is the planet governing communication, technology, travel, and commerce—areas deeply embedded in our daily modern lives. When Mercury appears to reverse course, astrologers observe patterns of miscommunication, technological glitches, travel delays, and contracts going awry.

However, it's crucial to approach Mercury retrograde with nuance rather than panic. While these periods can indeed bring frustrating disruptions, they also offer valuable opportunities for revision, reflection, and reconnection. The 're-' prefix is key: retrograde periods favor activities like reviewing, revisiting, rekindling, and releasing. It's less about avoiding life altogether and more about adjusting your approach.

Mercury retrograde isn't about hiding under a rock; it's about slowing down in a world that rarely lets us pause. — Chani Nicholas

• DO: Back up your devices, double-check travel plans, re-read emails before sending
• DO: Reconnect with old friends, revisit abandoned projects, reflect on past decisions
• DO: Review contracts carefully, allow extra time for everything, practice patience
• DON'T: Sign major contracts without thorough review (if avoidable)
• DON'T: Launch brand-new projects or products (better to plan during this time)
• DON'T: Make assumptions in communication—clarify, clarify, clarify

Beyond Mercury: Other Planetary Retrogrades

While Mercury gets all the attention, other planetary retrogrades carry profound significance for personal and collective growth. Venus retrograde, occurring every 18 months for about six weeks, prompts reassessment of relationships, values, and self-worth. It's a powerful time for healing past romantic wounds but generally not ideal for beginning new relationships or making major beauty purchases.

Mars retrograde happens every two years for approximately two-and-a-half months, challenging our drive, ambition, and how we assert ourselves. Projects may stall, energy levels can fluctuate, and old anger might resurface for resolution. Jupiter and Saturn retrogrades invite us to reconsider our beliefs, goals, and structures, while the outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) in retrograde affect generational and societal shifts more than personal daily life.

How to Thrive During Retrograde Seasons

Rather than viewing retrogrades as purely negative, consider them essential cosmic maintenance periods. Just as your computer needs regular updates and restarts, your life benefits from periodic slowdowns for recalibration. The key is working with retrograde energy rather than against it.

Embrace the reflective nature of these periods. Use retrograde seasons to complete unfinished projects, resolve outstanding issues, and release patterns that no longer serve you. Schedule important launches, signings, and beginnings for when planets are direct if possible, but don't postpone your entire life. Sometimes the universe asks us to move forward despite imperfect timing, and sometimes the disruptions retrograde brings are exactly the divine interventions we need.

• Create a retrograde survival kit: Include backup plans, patience affirmations, and self-care essentials
• Journal your experiences: Track patterns across multiple retrogrades to understand your personal responses
• Practice mindfulness: Slowing down mentally helps navigate the cosmic slowdown externally
• Embrace flexibility: Hold plans loosely and adapt to changes with grace
• Use the time for inner work: Therapy, shadow work, and past-life exploration are favored