Mary Jo Wevers

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Interpreting Retrograde Planets in the Horoscope

From Starwalk.space

Retrogrades happen from our perspective standing on the surface of the earth as we look up at the planetary movements overhead. As the planets move along their elliptical orbits around the Sun, they sometimes appear to slow down and change direction. This is an illusion, of course, much like when you are traveling in a train or car, and another train or car traveling at a slower speed seems to be moving backwards. 

Planets in retrograde motion are deviating from their usual, forward moving flow on their orbital path. The symbolic interpretation of this phenomenon in astrology is that the archetypal energy of the planet is functioning differently, contrary to its usual manner. This can be experienced as a shift in our perception or inner processing of events, a disruption of our normal activities, or challenging obstacles placed in our way. 

Prior to their retrograde periods, Mercury, Venus and Mars are farthest from the Earth in their orbit. As they move in retrograde motion they move back closer to the Earth. Our interpretation of this is the energetic expression of the planet had been too far out, off track, or heading in an unconventional direction. It needed to be reined in, adjusted, re-worked and realigned with our physical existence. 

Mercury, Venus and Mars are referred to as personal planets in astrology, due to their proximity to the Sun and Earth. The retrograde movements of these planets may be felt more strongly and individually than the retrograde effects of the outer planets. Jupiter and Saturn are social planets. When retrograde, they affect how we interact with others and the outer world. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are slower moving, and imprint members of a generation who are born with the planet in the same sign. Transpersonal planets, when retrograde, affect us collectively as well as individually, and pertain to human evolution and spiritual development.

A planet moving retrograde moves through the same part of the zodiac three times. It is as if the planet is walking back and forth over this area looking at its issues and processes from different perspectives. This “sensitized” part of the zodiac is referred to as the Retrograde Shadow. The location of the Retrograde Shadow by House in the astrological chart indicates the area of life where the effects of the retrograde will be most strongly felt.

The three phases of planetary movement through the Shadow area during a retrograde are:

  1. The first forward, or “direct” movement through the Shadow area. Issues emerge to be revisited, re-examined and re-worked during the rest of the retrograde cycle.
  2. The planet changes direction or “stations retrograde” and begins its apparent backward motion. We may feel a reversal in the flow of energy. The retrograde phase of a planet is a time to be more interested in our inner experience of the planetary archetype than our outer experience of it in the world. This phase is a time to slow down, direct our attention internally, and review, reflect, reassess and begin to resolve any issues that have emerged.
  3. The planet changes direction again, and moves forward, or direct. The third passage of the planet through the Shadow area, this is a time to absorb and integrate new awareness and perspectives on matters, to gain knowledge and better understanding.

Once the planet leaves the Shadow area of the zodiac that was covered by the retrograde, we can move forward in life, applying our new found knowledge and approaches to issues that arose. This marks a culmination of the retrograde cycle, and ideally an experience of personal awareness and advancement.

We sometimes need to take one step backward in life before we can move two steps ahead. If we fight against the flow of the retrograde energy by trying to forge onward too fast, we may miss important elements that are necessary for lasting success. New information or resources may be forthcoming. Some of our plans or thinking may need to change. We might encounter further difficulties when we push forward without pausing to re-evaluate our situation. It may feel as if we are trying to move a boulder uphill, or swim against the current. We need to rein in our urge to forcefully move ahead.

By taking advantage of planetary retrograde periods to slow down, retrieve missing pieces of information, review, reflect and reconsider our plans, we can actually make better progress in the long run. When we set aside time to be more internal, more reflective, we can listen to our wise, inner voice and gain new insight into matters. By bringing ourselves back into alignment with the planetary movements and conditions we can achieve our long-term goals more gracefully and successfully, while experiencing personal growth and development.

“When we know and are aware of the planetary movements and conditions, and integrate them into our lifestyles, we can then be in alignment with the energies that they bring to support us.”
  – Karen Bishop in Staying in Alignment

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Mercury retrograde from Libra into Virgo

In the solar month ahead we enter into the third Mercury retrograde cycle of this calendar year. A Mercury retrograde takes on the flavor of the one or two signs of the zodiac through which Mercury is traveling. Therefore each retrograde cycle has its own style, tone and manner, expressed through the sign and degrees that are transited. This month Mercury retrogrades from 8 degrees Libra to 24 degrees Virgo.

The signs and degrees of the retrograde are in one or more houses in your horoscope, or natal chart. These houses represent the areas of life, associated themes, subject matters and issues, where you will experience the affects of the retrograde cycle most strongly. The houses in your horoscope where 24 degrees Virgo through 8 degrees Libra fall signify the area, or areas of life that will come under review during this retrograde.

A planet moving retrograde moves through the same part of the zodiac three times. It is as if the planet is walking back and forth over this area looking at its issues and processes from different perspectives. We may feel a sense of stuck-ness in these areas, or as if matters are not moving along smoothly, or at a more satisfying faster pace. This “sensitized” part of the zodiac is referred to as the Retrograde Shadow area.

On August 21st, the day before the Sun’s ingress into Virgo, Mercury enters the Shadow area of its retrograde. During its first pass through the Shadow area, issues emerge that will be revisited and re-examined during the remainder of the retrograde cycle. In Libra, themes concerning maintaining balance in one’s life, or within relationships, may surface. Notice what is coming up in your day to day life. Pay attention to your internal responses. Any issues that come up now can be reviewed, revised, and re-worked during the retrograde. 

In Libra, we may have tendencies to be other-centered, and compromise our self. We may have difficulty with anger, in ourself and in others, and want peace at any price. If we are a people pleaser we may be flattering, or dishonest at times. We might tend to be superficial, concerned with outward appearances, and strive to maintain an appearance of graciousness and refinement. We may be ambivalent when needing to make decisions, vacillating, or indecisive out of fear of displeasing or going against the wishes of others. This may make us unable to act, or act in our own self-interest.

Mercury moving back into Virgo guides us to go back and reconnect with the grounded, discerning, practical real-world attitudes and approaches of Virgo. What qualities do we need to foster that will help us regain our balance, in ourselves and in our relationships? What steps do we need to take to improve our health and well being? Where can improving our life skills and competency lead to better outcomes? Can we place improving and problem-solving ahead of people-pleasing? Can adopting the approach of Virgo to be of greater service help us be better partners in our personal and business partnerships?

At the end of its first pass through the Shadow area Mercury slows in preparation to change direction, or station retrograde. We may feel a slowing down of energy in us, or in our life, or a reversal of energy. Mercury stations retrograde at 8 degrees Libra on September 9th and begins its second pass through the Shadow area in reverse direction. During this time it is helpful to slow down, re-direct our attention internally, and review what has happened during Mercury’s first pass through the Shadow area. We have an opportunity to go back and retrieve missing information, consider other perspectives, and look at matters from other viewpoints in order to consider issues differently.

As Mercury reaches the end of its retrograde phase it slows down once again in preparation to change direction. On October 2nd Mercury stations direct at 24 degrees Virgo and begins moving in a forward direction, making a third pass through the Shadow area. This is a time to gain insight and better comprehend issues that recently emerged. We can integrate new or missing pieces of information retrieved during the retrograde, and absorb new understanding and different perspectives on issues.

On October 18th Mercury leaves the Shadow area, having completed the current retrograde cycle. Mercury moves into new territory, with its associated themes and issues. Our awareness moves into new areas in life, with different matters and issues.

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Archetypal Mercury Moving Retrograde

In our solar system the orbit of the planet Mercury lies between the Sun and the Earth’s orbit. Symbolically Mercury acts as an intermediary, or link, between the Sun, representing spirit, and the Earth, representing matter. In Greek and Roman mythology Mercury acts as an emissary between gods and mortals, traveling freely between the two worlds carrying messages, communications and information. In astrology archetypal Mercury is an envoy for our spiritual life force, a communication channel informing our human experience as we connect with our environment and interact with others.

In Greek mythology Hermes/Mercury also performs the role of a psychopomp, a guide whose primary function is to escort human souls to the underworld upon death. The psychopomp serves as a guide through other important transitions in life, or when venturing into liminal spaces, spiritual realms, or the inner world of the subconscious. Here, we cross boundaries into places where we undergo some sort of transformation or preparation for rebirth.

Mercury is the most frequently retrograde planet in our solar system. It moves retrograde 3 times a year for about 3 weeks each time. Just before Mercury’s retrograde period it is at its farthest point from earth in its orbit. As it reaches its retrograde phase, fast moving Mercury slows its pace, comes to a standstill, and appears to reverse direction. During its retrograde phase it is closer in orbit to earth, and appears to be moving more slowly. 

In astrology our interpretation of this planetary phenomenon is that the processes and dynamics Mercury represents are too far out, and need to come back closer to earth. Our thinking may need to come back into alignment with reality. There may be too much information coming in and we need to step back, process and digest it. We may need to reorganize information or our thinking patterns or gain new perspectives so we can better understand what is going on, and find new meaning. 

After Mercury stations retrograde it disappears from view in the sky. This is represented in myth as Mercury/Hermes in its role as the psychopomp guiding us into our internal, deeper, subconscious realm. Mercury takes us into liminal places where information is communicated to us intuitively, through symbolic messages during waking hours and during sleep. Our normally active, rational intellectual processes are set free for us to explore material in non-linear ways.  

Mercury stationed retrograde in Gemini, the sign of its rulership, on May 10th. During this retrograde period Mercury will move from active Gemini back into the earth sign of Taurus, guiding us to retrieve overlooked information, gain new frames of reference, symbolic meaning and understanding through the information filter of our senses. In Taurus, we can slow down, ground our thinking, and listen to the wisdom communicated through our physical bodies and the natural world. 

Mercury has led us to the threshold of our inner sanctum. As we cross over and traverse the landscape we encounter matters needing re-framing, revising and re-working. By uniting our thinking with earthly sensibility we transform our understanding and experience. Mercury stations direct on June 3rd, leading us back into the outer world reborn.

“Become a student of change. It is the only thing that will remain constant.”

― Anthony J. D’Angelo

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Tending the Seeds of Our Creativity

Tuesday August 22nd, the day after the Great American Solar Eclipse, the Sun leaves the courageous and creative fire sign of Leo and enters the humble and improving earth sign of Virgo. Each succeeding sign of the zodiac provides the means to rectify or redirect the energy of the previous sign. Virgo directs us to use our heart-felt creativity to be of practical service in the world. A mutable sign, modest Virgo applies its powers of discrimination and analysis to perfect our human existence: to heal, make corrections and improve. Virgo “tends the seed” with dedication and dependability. 
 
Last month’s two New Moons in Leo, including the solar eclipse, and the lunar eclipse Full Moon provided opportunities for us to connect with our inner divine spark of life, to rededicate ourselves to living with enthusiasm and joy, and to upgrade our unique creative self-expression. This coming month we are invited to apply ourselves and our gifts to improve the human condition and help heal the planet.
 
As the Sun enters the sign of Virgo seven planets are retrograde, suggesting our energy in the month ahead is meant to be more internal, rather than outwardly directed. We can align with the planetary energy by reviewing recent events and experiences, reflecting on them, reconsidering alternatives, and resolving problematic issues. This resonates with the practical receptive energy of Virgo, which naturally wants to analyze, improve and perfect.
 
The Sun in Virgo conjoins Mercury, moving retrograde since August 12th. Be discriminating with your words. Be humble in your interactions and communication with others. Think before you speak, and avoid criticism and being nit-picky. When commenting or giving advice, ask yourself, is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it needed? Is it kind?
 
The Moon conjoins Vesta in Virgo, reflecting an emotional desire to devote oneself to spiritual service and nurture others. Find ways you can connect with your own inner light, and through community service, be the “keeper of the flame.”
 
Mars in Leo conjoins the lunar North Node, inviting us to act from a spiritually higher, heart-centered place of love, rather than from a self-serving ego. Mars and the North Node form a grand fire trine with Saturn in Sagittarius and Uranus in Aries. While trines are generally seen as supportive, both Saturn and Uranus are retrograde, signifying a need to rein in tendencies to be dogmatic or erratic, and stabilize impulsiveness or combativeness.
 
Ceres in Cancer is opposed by retrograde Pluto in Capricorn. Corruption, deception and lies continue to be exposed in corporate and government systems and institutions, generating fear for our safety and security. Ceres trine retrograde Chiron in Pisces can lead to indulging in feelings of vulnerability and fears of being victimized. Direct your emotional energy in practical, service oriented ways to improve situations, solve problems, and be a force for better health and healing.
 
“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy.
I awoke and I saw that life is all service.
I served and I saw that service is joy.”
– Rabindranath Tagore

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Mercury Retrograde provides Opportunity for Powerful Change

Mercury stationed direct this Wednesday at 9:33 am PDT. During its recent retrograde it moved from the grounded and placid sign of Taurus back into spontaneous and assertive Aries. This last week the normally swiftly moving Mercury slowed down to a near standstill as it approached the electric and unpredictable planet Uranus. As these two planets continue to combine their forces for another week or two we may experience unexpected, unsettling events that disrupt our daily flow of activities.

Rather than intending to create chaos in our lives, these events are meant to draw our attention to areas of our life or parts of ourselves that need change. We are stimulated by this unique Mercury-Uranus combination to radically change our thoughts and ideas, to “think outside the box.” Pay attention to flashes of insight from out of the blue, downloads of new, original thoughts and ideas. Avoid rebellious reactivity, and tendencies to become defensive and combative. Focus on the personal meaning of events and experiences, and the opportunities for growth, healing and change they bring.

As Mercury picks up speed and moves out of the retrograde Shadow Area mid-May, we can expect the normal pace and flow of our daily life to resume. It will be time to move forward better prepared, with new ideas and ways of being to implement. Until then use this time constructively.