Planets in Retrograde

Every so often, each planet (except the Sun and Moon) stops it's normal forward movement around the zodiac which is the direct motion, and appears to move "backwards" for a time. This occurs whenever the Earth passes up the other planet as they both orbit the Sun, similar to how a slower car appears to move backwards when you pass it at higher speed on the highway. After a time, the planet stops this reverse motion and resumes its normal, direct motion, again. That is what a retrograding planet is.

What are "Stations"?

As a planet slows down, preparing to go retrograde, at some point it is standing still against the zodiac before actually going into reverse. This "standing still" point is called a "station", in this case, the "retrograde station" because the planet is going retrograde. Due to the planet standing still at this position, literally even sometimes for days, the energies of the planet are powerfully focused at this spot, practically burning a "hole" at that zodiacal position.

The direct station is similar, except that now the planet is changing from retrograde back to direct motion. This is also a powerful zodiacal position even more so than the retrograde position! That is how I feel anyway.

What are Retrograde Zones and Cycles?

For a given instance of a planet undergoing retrograde motion, the region of the zodiac between the direct and retrograde stations is a "retrograde zone". The importance of this zone is that the planet passes over each position in this zone not one, but three times, spaced out over a time period that can last for months. This can spell the difference between an influence that passes quickly, and one that lingers forever and exerts an overwhelming impact on your life.

There are 4 points of interest in a planet's passage through this zone. The entrance is when the planet first crosses into the zone. The position of this entrance in the zodiac is the same as the position of the direct station which will occur later. As you know, the direct station is before the retrograding station! The second point is the retrograde station itself, while the third is the direct station. The 4th and last point is the exit, when the planet moves forward past the retrograde station point and leaves the zone completely.

The planet crosses each position in the zone for the first time between the entrance and the retrograde station which is the "first pass". It then "backs" or retrogrades over each position again during the second pass. The third and final pass is from direct station to the exit.

A retrograde cycle is the process of the planet's passage through this zone and includes all 3 passes.

What if my Natal Planet falls in a Zone?

That natal planet means something in your horoscope (by sign, house and aspects) and this retrograde cycle is a time to discover this meaning at a deeper level. The kinds of experiences that will bring you this insight are described by the nature of the planet performing the retrograde and the house of your birthchart that it occupies.

Also, be prepared for a long, drawn out process. Retrograde cycles have their own sense of timing and unfolding, and will not be rushed. Impatience like this only seems to distract us from learning our lessons, hence make the cycle more difficult to get through. Planets are very big, and powerful things, they take their time and that means you should too!

Approach a coming retrograde cycle with an open mind and eyes. The sooner you grasp this message from your unconscious, the less force it will need to get your attention. You can save yourself a lot of grief by simply being aware. Knowledge is power!

Finally, a retrograde zone is not only active in that one zodiac sign. Due to the way aspects work, those same degrees are active in all 12 signs, giving you 12 times the chance to experience this "growth opportunity" of a lifetime. That is what a retrograding planet is.

Lets take Pluto in retrograde for instance. Pluto usually goes into retrograde about 4-6 months a year. As I have briefly explained in the Planets link, Pluto is the planet of renewal, destruction of the old, and rebirth of the new.. regeneration, you get the idea. If there is something about yourself that really needs to be changed, take the opportunity to change the one aspect of yourself that needs to be changed. While Pluto is in retrograde, you will subconsciously know that this is the time to work on yourself. Because once Pluto goes into direct motion, either way you will be forced to change the one thing about yourself that needs the changing. The effects can be harsh if you go against Pluto's wishes (and no I never instill fear because there is nothing to fear). However while Pluto is in retrograde, you will be given the opportunity to either let Pluto's harshness hit you like a tonne of bricks when it goes back into direct motion, or choose "the butterfly effect", hence your own pace, and style. That basically goes for any planet that is in retrograde.