Retrograde Planets in Astrology

"Retrogression women and men run the world in balance, they are not vakri they are vertical thinkers..........."

"Retrograde essentially means the planet's energy is somewhat blocked externally, so those life areas that come within that planet’s domain are not as easily expressed."

So what does it mean if you have a retrograde planet (or several) on your natal chart? Think of it as a karmic lesson to be learned within your lifetime. "It isn’t by any means all doom or gloom, and certainly does not make for a ‘bad’ chart," says Kavanagh. "Retrograde essentially means the planet's energy is somewhat blocked externally, so those life areas that come within that planet’s domain are not as easily expressed. The chart holder’s soul chose to incarnate to learn deeper internal lessons regarding the areas of life ruled by that specific planet."

You may experience a few challenges when you navigate a retrograde planet's life themes—at least, until you work on these areas of life internally and can then enjoy them externally. Kavanagh stresses that the purpose of this process is not to punish you, "but to develop a deeper internal understanding and strength of the traits associated with that retrograde planet." So below, learn the lesson each of the  retrograde planets in a natal chart stand to offer.

DOWNLOAD Books Regarding Retrograde Planets.

Mercury

Chatty, brainiac Mercury is voted "Most Likely to Go Into Retrograde," so it's not uncommon to see Mercury retrograde in a natal chart. It may mean that you have lessons to learn related to thinking, communication, and the mind. Astrologer Susan Miller previously pointed out that being born during Mercury retrograde makes you more philosophical.

Venus

Romantic, smoldering Venus rules over relationships and all things enjoyable. If you were born during a Venus retrograde, you may take the long road when it comes to love, creativity, beauty, pleasure, receiving, peace, and inner harmony.

Mars

Mars is a spitfire planet with lots of physical energy—its placement in your chart informs your fitness personality and sex drive alike. If you were born during Mars retrograde, you may grapple with issues relating to energy, drive, ambition, autonomy, leadership, and manifestation.

Jupiter

Jupiter is a magnanimous, magnificent planet—we are very pro-Jupiter. If Jupiter was retrograde during your birth, you may have inner work to do around abundance, expansion, luck, and generosity.

Saturn

Oh stable, structured Saturn. We associate this planet with Saturn return—a landmark astrological event that occurs in a person's late 20s— because it speaks to our need to mature. Saturn's themes are all about authority, responsibility, stability, success, and boundaries.

Uranus

Uranus has a lot of mad scientist energy—in totally not-shocking news, it's the ruler of rebellious Aquarius. If you were born during Uranus retrograde, you may struggle to fully express your inner originality, innovation, liberation, or ingenuity.

Neptune

Neptune ebbs and flows along the same wavelength of the water sign it rules: empathic Pisces. You may be on a lifelong journey to deeply understand spirituality, creativity, compassion, and unconditional love.

Pluto

Finally there's Pluto, who deals with the shadow sides of life. If you're born during Pluto retrograde, you'll face growth opportunities in the areas of personal power, transformation, and the ability to dive deep beneath the surface.