What is a planetary retrograde in astrology?

I know, I know. You’ve heard all about it. Maybe you’ve heard about the overrated, over hated Mercury retrograde more than anything. Maybe you heard about the Venus Retrograde that tore a ton of celebrity relationships and working relationships apart.

But, why does a retrograde station do that? Don’t worry babes, I have the answer. 💋

Before a planet ever stations retrograde, that planet begins to slow down. This happens once the planet goes through the degrees that it plans on stomping through during the actual retrograde period. In this time the planet starts to say to itself: “huh…something feels off…”

That planet’s steps slow an dit starts to look backwards. During this time, people will already start to feel a shift here on Earth. That planet starts to do it’s job more slowly. During Venus Retrograde, this could slow your drive, if you know what I mean. When Mercury is about to station retrograde, you may feel like you’re waiting weeks to receive an email…only for the person to claim that they already sent it.

Once a planet finally stations retrograde it stops, looks back, and starts going backwards. Not only is it slow at this point, but it is simply not working the way that it should. This is like when you have a co-worker and you’re asking them to do something, but they seem to be watching Youtube videos at their desk all day instead. Like, thanks a lot, man!

This period of time takes power and agency away from the planet, and they start doing their job badly. Whatever that planet’s significations are suddenly seem like they’re on pause, or if they do come through they seem to come through in a weird or half assed way.

This is made better or worse depending on the essential dignity of a planet. A Mercury Retrograde in Virgo is always going to be easier than one in, say, Capricorn! And especially easier than one in Pisces! This is because Mercury is at home in Virgo, and at least has the tools and support to do it’s job a little.

When a planet does not have this support it will also be doing it’s job in weird, annoying ways. Mercury Retrograde in Virgo? An email gets lost. Mercury Retrograde in Pisces? You’re suddenly getting emails from weird people who left you on read a year ago, romanticizing your time together for no good reason. Or maybe you and your partner are arguing over nothing, only to realize you actually have the same point of view.

Once the planet’s retrograde ends, there’s still another shadow period…but this one is actually good. Ancient astrologers considered the secondary shadow period to be a good omen, as the planet begins picking up speed again. This is the time to clean shit up, to take care of the mess that the retrograde left behind.

And now, my beautiful angel, you understand the period of a retrograde.

And, no, it doesn’t mean that you need to put your life on hold. It just means to exercise patience and caution in one potential area of life, all depending on which house it may be impacting.

PS. Not every retrograde is going to be activated for you! Some will go by without you even noticing. It’s normal.