RECONNOITERING RETROGRADES

June 2023

copyright © 2023 by Judith Hill

Retrograde planets provide the astrology student with an endless font of confusion, speculation, and plausible misinterpretation. This is understandable because so little consistent interpretative guidance is available in early texts, (if at all), nor is there much awareness of retrograde phases in the post Helenistic West. Not all retrogrades are alike!

A retrograde planet is one that visually appears to viewers living on the Earth to be moving backwards from its normal forwards motion through the twelve zodiac signs from Aries to Pisces. However, this backwards motion is an illusion (!) caused by the relative speed of the “retrograding” planet relative to Earth. This is readily comprehensible once you realize that all planets travel along on elliptical tracks concentric to the Earth’s orbital track. Mercury and Venus scoot along on tracks relatively inside to the Earth’s tack, whereas all other planets travel more slowly on concentric ellipses outside to the Earth.

When we pass planets slower than Earth, they appear to move backward from our standpoint on Earth. Mercury and Venus, being faster than us, will appear to move backward as they pass by us from specific positions on their own cycle around the Sun! Enough of street astronomy - how might we interpret retrograde planets?

A sampling of extant interpretations include: “weakening”, “rendered inoperative”, “turning inward”, “spiritualized”, “delayed manifestation in the lifetime”. Then we have a popular notion based on reincarnation theory - being that the chart’s owner needs to fix something that was either neglected, or goofed up, in regard to this planet’s function (in a previous life). 

In practice, not all theories consistently prove out, and certainly don’t do so each time. For example, plenty of geniuses are born with their “mental” planet Mercury in retrograde, and one encounters the occasional happily married person born with a retrograde Venus. The outcome and meaning of a retrograde planet appears to have quite the an individual meaning, per person. Oh, what is the astrologer to do?

First, realize that “retrograde” comes in different phases. For instance, Venus and Mercury are noted for multiple phases, but let’s keep it simple here.  A planet nearing “station” slows down to a stop. During the few days around “stationary direct” or “stationary retrograde” the planet’s beam is intensified, in respect to the Earth. Perhaps it rates about three times stronger than on an average day!  It is readily observable events related to a specific planet’s significations will dominate the news close to that planet’s station.

A ‘station’ suggests that a planet’s beam stops either directly over, or facing the Earth at this time. Certainly, this period is not “weakening”, or “rendered inoperative”. Au contraire. For instance, our fastest planet Mercury morphs into our slowest near station - potentially intensifying certain mental functions, while slowing others! One of the greatest intellects I know was born near Mercury’s station in Aquarius, while this tiny planet was still retrograde and almost stopped in apparent motion. He can write a book in a few days but struggles with the simple tasks!

If a natal planet is nearing station, or at station, it would be imperative to assess if it was backing up to stop: (retrograde-turning-direct); or moving forward to stop and, then, reverse direction: (direct-turning-retrograde).  A truck backing up to stop, (in order to move forward) is obviously a different situation than the same truck rolling forward, slowing, and then stopping - in order to move into reverse! One cannot interpret these two conditions in an identical manner. Regretfully, very little in extant literature explores this radical interpretive difference.

We also must discern if the retrograde planet has help from a trine or sextile from Jupiter, Venus, Sun, Moon, or its own dispositor (that planet ruling the natal sign tenanted by the retrograde planet under consideration). Or is the retrograde planet it conjunct the ‘Part of Fortune’? This last is a noteworthy partial corrective! Furthermore, is the retrograde plant nicely positioned by natal house, or sect? Furthermore, we have two much neglected, essential rules:

1) The two malefics (Saturn and Mars) are stronger in their malefic influences when retrograde, and thus, their potential burdens are harder to escape. The degree of their malefic enhancement depends, of course, on the entire condition of that planet in the natal chart (house, sign, aspects, sect).

For example, a retrograde Saturn in the natal 5th house would simply add one testimony towards a potentially obstructive 5th house issue (children, power, management, pleasure, sports, romance, et al). Saturn’s sign, aspects, and sect would then, either add or subtract from the number of negative or positive 5th house tendencies. Remember, Saturn has many good sides too!

It’s all a matter of degree.

2) The two benefic planets (Jupiter and Venus) are rendered weaker in their ability to promise good! However, the actual degree of their beneficent status reduction is dependent on the full gestalt of their condition in the natal chart.

One example of the later (2), would be my fascinating case study of a friend born with a powerfully placed retrograde Jupiter - exalted, and in the Ascendant, ruling the Sun, and trining the MC, but, alas, retrograde. Although a brilliant and prodigal contributor in their field, their deserved notoriety, opportunities and wealth required over three decades to manifest!

My advice would be not to get stuck in pat meanings for retrograde planets. First, discern if the planet’s retrogradation is actually within a few days of its station - and ask yourself “in which direction it is slowing, stopping, and about to turn - forward, or backward?” At this time, this stationing, or nearly stationing planet is extremely strong in the life, not weak!  Secondly, evaluate a retrograde planet in the light of what it has meant for that person, and not by preconceived notions. Question, and learn.

All astrologers, herbalists, and healers (especially those interested in medical and vocational applications of the planets) will immensely benefit by understanding planetary “dignity" and “debility" as an energetically and situationally dependent interpretive too