Planetary retrogrades are always an opportunity to learn more about ourselves through the lens of the planet that’s going retrograde.
If we are wise and in tune, we slow down, reflect, and rest. We understand that when a planet slows down, that’s exactly what we are supposed to be doing down here. (As above, so below.)
And, it does not matter what planet is in retrograde, these are always the “main instructions.” Once you’ve mastered that concept, you can look more specifically at each planet’s personal meaning. For example, Mars is about action, assertiveness, drive, and courage. It’s about taking leaps of faith and acting on your instincts. Venus is about cultivating relationships, enhancing beauty, and financial concerns. So, in order to learn what a retrograde planet means for you, you first have to discover the planet’s meaning in and of itself.
Venus retrograde is much different than Mercury retrograde, for example. Venus shows us how you show up in romantic partnerships, how you spend and manage your money, and what aesthetic tastes you have. Over a Venus retrograde, your views on “who is right for you” may be skewed, your thoughts about what to invest your money in may be faulty, and your eye for beauty can be temporarily untrustworthy. Why? Because everything over ANY retrograde is “temporary.” Your thoughts will change once it’s over and that’s why (no matter how strongly you want something) astrologers advise not to take any action or make any big decisions just yet…
How Long Must You Wait?
In this case, with Venus retrograde from 7/22/23 – 9/3/23, not until 10/7/23. Why so long? All retrogrades have a “shadow period” before and after their actual retrograde takes place, and during this time the retrograde planet’s effects are just as powerful (if not more) as when the planet is actually in retrograde.
The pre-shadow period for Venus began on June 19th (yes, a whole month before the actual retrograde began) and the post-shadow period is from 9/22-10/7. As you can see, it is VERY important to pay attention to these shadow period dates and consider them just as highly as you do the retrogrades themselves.
More on Venus:
Because Venus is currently in retrograde – and it’s one of our personal planets which means we feel the effects more personally in our lives - let’s dive into the implications of this transit for you. The role of Venus is to attract others to you, and for you to discern who is worthy of your love. (Look at the sign your natal Venus is in to help you understand the lenses you wear when sizing up your partner.) It will tell you a lot about how you act in love. But, over a Venus retrograde, you are not “seeing things clearly” and thus you must understand that your views are simply not accurate as to who truly is the best partner for you.
What Is It a Good Time For?
It is a good time to review the traits you want in a partner and review your past partnerships. Recall what you liked about each person, and what you did not, but it is not a good time to go out and decide who you’re going to date and start a relationship with them.
It is likely that after Venus goes direct, you will have some serious doubts about that person or your feelings about them. So, to save you and them possible heartache, just wait!
This is an excellent time to review your budget, see what future expenses lie ahead, and create money management strategies. Do not make any big investments at this time.
As for beauty, take a look in the mirror and admire all you’ve already got going on! Hold off on the new shoes, expensive purse, or even redecorating your home, because, again, your tastes about things are likely to change. And the last thing you want is regrets about how you look or your newly acquired debt over an object you now resent.
Before I jump right into all the other planets, let me just say something real quick…
Although this blog was not intended to discuss the meaning of retrograde planets in your natal chart, I did get carried away… and I now have a few things I’d like to say about these as well.
First, having retrograde planets in your natal chart is not rare and it’s not bad. It simply means these planets have a different meaning than if they were moving in “direct” motion. I like to think of it like a traffic light. Green is for go (for the direct planets) and yellow is slow down and proceed with caution (for the retrograde planets).
If you came into this life with retrograde planets, your Soul chose for you to proceed with more caution around the full expression of these planets (and particularly, to minimize their negative qualities at all costs). So, what can these natal retrograde planets teach you about yourself and your life lessons now?
First, they are a message to journey inward. Planets that are not moving in retrograde motion are focused on the future. They are focused on what is yet to come, and what actions you can take now to align yourself with your Soul’s higher purpose for this life. But retrograde planets in the birth chart represent a part of you that is withdrawn, subjective, and introverted. It needs more time to blossom, yet it is highly observant and likely to make its mark over time.
Retrograde planets are not about looking ahead as much as they are about looking within.
Reflecting upon our personal behaviors and beliefs is deemed “more essential” for us and our human experience (this time around) when we have retrograde planets. It is as if our Soul left us some “unfinished business” that is reflected in each retrograde planet we have.
Definitions for a natal planet in retrograde versus a current retrograde happening by transit:
Mercury retrograde is one event that many of us are already familiar with from its 3-4 retrogrades every year. But what about having Mercury retrograde in the natal chart? Well, if we can recall, Mercury’s core meaning in astrology is “The Messenger.” Its job is to transfer ideas from The Divine into our own minds. If we have a Mercury retrograde in our transits, it implies distractions and interruptions in us “getting the message.” Thus, in our natal chart we should be asking ourselves, what was I so distracted by in a past life that I couldn’t hear and implement the messages I was receiving? This individual may want to put his or her energy into studying and learning to enhance his/her intellectual power, but just as important would be emptying the mind regularly in order to receive accurate Divine messages.
Mercury retrograde by transit tells us that we need to slow down our mental processes and do some reflecting. We need to be extra patient with our technology – and our fellow man trying to communicate with us. You will have to be extra clear yourself, re-read your emails before you hit send, and expect some travel delays. The best advice: go with the flow, don’t plan any important meetings if you can help it, allow more time when you travel, and practice patience with others.
Venus retrograde in the natal chart has all to do with previous relationships, money, artistic expressions, beauty, and matters of the heart. Perhaps someone had a strong bond with someone in a past life and he or she never got to finish the relationship because something traumatic happened. Or, there was a sum of money acquired and worked hard for that the person never got a chance to spend and enjoy. If a person’s artistic talents were never fully realized or lived out authentically, this is another reason Venus could be retrograde in the current birth chart. Needless to say, the native with this placement is seeking “a second chance” at love, a new approach to managing money, expressing or appreciating beauty, and developing one’s own value system.
*For Venus in retrograde now, please read above under “More on Venus”.
Mars retrograde in the natal chart is about acting too impulsively, aggressively, or inappropriately. Whether it was about too much force in dealing with matters - or not enough. The point is, in this life, Mars is about balancing the energies of taking action and reflecting upon the best possible actions in any given situation and then using the positive aspects of Mars (courage, bravery, leadership, heroism, ambition, and healthy self-regard) to create the appropriate expression of this planet through one's own personality.
Mars retrograde by transit is a signal to stop taking impulsive actions. It is not about stopping everything and becoming a lazy hermit, but it is about using a very discerning mind about what actions you do take and why. Think about where you assert yourself best in life and how you can continue to do so after this retrograde is finished. And the reason to wait is simple: you simply do not have the gusto and drive that you normally do. Another thing to hold back on is sexual relationships. Mars rules libido, so when it goes retrograde, guess what else happens!? If you are normally a go-getter, over-achiever, or a workaholic, then you can take a Mars retrograde, as a welcome reprieve! Now is the best time to let the Universe carry you ahead at its own pace and practice the art of allowing.
Saturn retrograde in the natal chart implies a real commitment to responsibility this time around. Perhaps someone ran from their duties in a past life, or was afraid to commit, or simply indulged in laziness and never developed a hard work ethic. For this person, the karmic task is to take responsibility for one’s life, make something of oneself, and continuously strive for self-improvement. This planet is really about growing up and becoming an adult.
Saturn retrograde by transit gives us all a chance to review our lives and see what accomplishments we're proud of, and those other areas we need to reconcile. We must ask ourselves, where have I skirted around responsibilities, left things undone, and let the saying, “With power comes responsibility” keep me from achieving what I know I am capable of?
Jupiter in retrograde in the natal chart might mean that we were too fanatical or dogmatic about our beliefs in the past, or even too distracted by “big picture ideas” to notice the important nuances of true, factual data. The remedy in this life is to use Jupiter wisely by emphasizing its positive traits such as being generous, open-minded, and benevolent while still engaging the mind for logical decision making.
Jupiter retrograde by transit is a signal to go within and contemplate your spiritual and philosophical development thus far. It is possible to experience profound inner growth at this time if you dedicate yourself to reconnecting with your own inner compass. On the flip side, if ignored, this retrograde may set you back on your road to personal enlightenment.
Uranus retrograde in the natal chart calls for more individuation on an inner level. The person with Uranus retrograde may not be excluding herself from a group to go meditate alone on a mountain top, but she will be called to cultivate more inner self-confidence so she can “think” for herself, make up her own mind, and trust her instincts more in this life than someone without Uranus retrograde.
Uranus retrograde by transit is a call to review what you are fighting for. What are your inner passions urging you to do? How can you express yourself in an even more authentic way? Keeping in mind that bravery and self-confidence are required to attain this feat. How can you revolutionize yourself? And in doing so, change the collective consciousness? The key with this retrograde planet is TO make changes, otherwise, changes will inevitably be thrust upon you.
Neptune retrograde in the natal chart can imply someone who was (remember this is about past lives) naive, out of touch with reality, living in their own fantasy world, and seeing the world through rose-colored glasses, portraying an “everything as just fine” attitude, when it really is not. This person would benefit from using more discernment and logical reasoning in their current life. It can also be about addictions and escapism. Thus, guarding against any behaviors that could lead to addictions is key.
Neptune retrograde by transit often brings about foggy thinking, confusion, and self-doubt. It is a time to be gentle with yourself and to become “okay with the unknown,” even... content with it. Try to discover some unfamiliar spiritual territory and allow yourself to “just be." Keep a journal and document what insights come.
*Both Jupiter and Neptune retrogrades can bring about blind optimism and an inability to see things as they actually are. Thus, using wise discernment and perhaps even getting a second opinion (preferably from a wise counselor) are advised at this time.
In either case, with any retrograde natal planet, the individual is being asked to reflect upon the positive aspects of these planets and how he or she can integrate them more consciously now.
Pluto retrograde in the natal chart is about the need for deep self-transformation in this life; something much more profound than simply quitting smoking or losing weight. Here, we are talking about a person who was once a loner and decides to make himself into “relationship material.” Or someone who grew up Catholic and wants to practice Buddhism. It’s about a complete change in thinking which yields a completely new personality with a whole new identity.
Pluto retrograde by transit is about our need to restructure something in our lives. It’s a call to look deeply below the surface of our everyday activities to the consciousness (or lack thereof) beneath them. Why are you doing what you do? What are your ulterior motives? What are you doing to seek more control or have more power? And are those behaviors healthy and appropriate?
*It is important for anyone with a retrograde planet to “think before they speak,” to reflect before they contribute, and to develop a healthy self-awareness or conscientiousness in order to receive positive responses from others.
Regarding the transiting retrograde planets, if you're feeling scattered, delayed, and frustrated, here's something I say to myself that helps me stay grounded over any planetary retrograde: "It's on God's time, not mine."
Before I end this blog, there is something else that everyone must know: there are things in one’s own personal transit chart that can proceed the importance of a retrograde planet. If you have some other extremely positive placements occurring, you may not need to be as concerned about the effects of a retrograde planet. It all depends on the specific planet's significance in your own chart against everything else going on.
So, as always, personal chart interpretation is highly recommended!
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