| Retrograde Planets and Stations |
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from Joni's book - Eastern Astrology for Western Minds The Cyclic Process of Transformation Retrograde planets are about the relationship of the planets with the Sun and Earth. Planets as they travel around the Sun line up to the earth and either pass up the earth or the earth may pass the planet. It is not a matter of their actual speed or travel, but the rate that they change their angular relationship. In this event it appears as though the planet is going backward in its orbit from our perspective. A line up can happen (Mercury and Venus) when the planet is inside the Earth and Sun (inferior conjunction) or when the planet is on the other side of the Sun from Earth (superior conjunction). The inferior conjunction will always be retrograde, and with the superior conjunction the planet is always traveling in forward motion behind the Sun from earth’s visual viewpoint. It will be at its furthest point from the earth at the superior conjunction and the closest point to the Earth in the inferior conjunction. The outer planets (Mars-Pluto) form an opposition to the Sun when they line up and go retrograde. The planets that travel outside the Earth’s orbit beginning with Mars are considered more social in the respect that they are influenced by worldly affairs or the collective consciousness. Because Mercury and Venus orbit with the Sun they can never be in opposition to the Sun. There is a point right before a planet goes backwards it visually appears to be stationary, (stationary retrograde) then it starts its retrograde movement (backwards). When the planet changes to direct from retrograde motion there is a point where it will appear to stand still again before it proceeds to its direct movement (stationary direct). Since the slower a planet moves the deeper the impact, these stationary times and the degrees they station at are extremely powerful. Individuals who are born with a planet stationary will exhibit the planet in its most powerful state. This planet and whatever it rules will be magnified enormously in their life. The retrograde process symbolizes a time for reflection and review. In a birth chart the energy of the planet is sometimes delayed, till later in life. It is a time to retreat, reflect and become more introspective. A planet that is retrograde is at its closest point to the earth. This is why it will seem larger in the sky. Therefore the effects of a retrograde planet stand out and must be addressed. A retrograde planet seems to be intensified, a bit eccentric and out of control. It will cause problems because it does not function like forward moving planets. It is like a dyslectic planet, not the norm, misunderstood with a bit of genius, if only its energy can be harnessed. The planet in its forward, faster motion is when it is time to move forward and start new projects, when a planet slows down and retrogrades its time to slow down and review. It is like the ebb and flow of the tides of the ocean. There is a time to push forward, and a time to pull back. Our lives must heed the cycles for understanding and development, instead of forcing things against nature. It just doesn’t work. The Sun and the Moon do not ever go retrograde. Mercury is retrograde approximately 20 days three times a year. Venus is retrograde lest of any planet. It retrogrades every 18 months for 42 days. Mars will retrograde every 24-26 months for 60-80 days. Jupiter retrogrades every 9 months for 4 months at a time. Saturn retrogrades every 8 months for 4-5 months. |
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"If you are coming from a place of a compassionate heart then you will have a feeling of peace, love and contentment. You will attract others with the same sense of happiness in their life. Compassion comes from a place of understanding." |
