Retrograde planets (and Mercury retrograde)
A retrograde planet seems to move backwards across the sky for a while. It is an illusion caused by Earth overtaking it, but in astrology it is a time to review, revisit and slow down. Here is what it really means.
The full deep dive
What is actually happening
No planet ever really reverses. Retrograde motion is an optical illusion, like overtaking a slower car on the motorway: for a moment it seems to slide backwards against the scenery. Because Earth and the other planets travel at different speeds, every planet except the Sun and Moon appears to go retrograde from time to time.
How often
| Planet | How often | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | about 3 times a year | about 3 weeks |
| Venus | every 18 months or so | about 6 weeks |
| Mars | about every 2 years | about 10 weeks |
| Jupiter to Pluto | once a year | 4 to 5 months |
Mercury retrograde
The most famous retrograde is Mercury’s. Since Mercury rules communication, travel and technology, its retrogrades are traditionally linked with crossed wires, delays and things that need doing twice. Many people use them as a time to re-do things: review, rethink, repair, reconnect with old friends. Astrologers suggest backing up files and double-checking plans, but not panicking: life carries on.
Retrograde planets in your birth chart
If a planet was retrograde when you were born, astrologers say its energy is more inward and reflective for you. Someone with Mercury retrograde, for example, may think things over deeply before speaking. It is very common and not a bad sign.
Sources and perspectives
- Royal Museums Greenwich, astronomy guides
- Robert Hand, Planets in Transit