Recently turtle made a request in the forums that I write a series on natal retrograde planets. I let her know that she must be psychic, because I was in the process of working on exactly that! Also, I LOVE requests like this, so I am happy to oblige!
When many of us see a retrograde planet in our chart, there’s a small moment of panic. We think about the horror stories of Mercury retrograde, the crushing weight of a Saturn station, or the long, burning grind of Mars staying on one sign for 6 months. They think they’re doomed!
Luckily, this isn’t the case at all! Most people have at least one retrograde planet, and nearly everyone born in the summer has several! And most retrograde planets function just fine, albeit a little differently. We’ll get into the details of each planet as the series progresses, but until then, here are a few of the most important differences.
- False starts – With retrograde planets, people often experience lots of false starts. Something seems great and shiny in the beginning but turns out to be just a little different than expected. Often this results in having to go back to the drawing board several times, or at least having to tweak, edit, and review before moving forward again. This can sometimes lead to paralyzing indecision around that planet’s area of life, but as the person goes through life and sees how their process actually serves them well again and again, this indecision often resolves itself.
- Delays – Just like when planets transit retrograde, natal retrograde planets can cause delays. We’ve all heard the Mercury retrograde stories of packages arriving weeks late. Now imagine that on the scale of a lifetime. People with Mars retrograde might not truly access their inner fire and drive until later in life. People with Venus retrograde may start dating a bit later than their peers. They always get down to business eventually, but these planets take their sweet time getting there.
- No Endings – Retrograde planets are a bit like compost piles. To keep them active, you have to turn it over to let the oxygen in. And when that happens, sometimes things that are long-buried come to the surface. Old issues or traumas you thought you had put to bed come back up over and over for further processing. The beauty here, of course, is that the person is able to engage more fully with their own depths as they encounter the same lesson again and again.
- Turning Inward – By far the most common and important manifestation of retrograde planets is that the energy tends to turn inward. The person becomes introspective or even a bit solitary in that area of life, sometimes preferring their internal landscape to the outside world. Someone with a retrograde Mars, for example, is more likely to be wrestling their inner demons than an external enemy. It’s not that these planets can’t manifest externally. It’s just that the most important processes happen internally first.
As we continue through the series, we’ll go over more examples of how these planets function. But for now, it’s important to remember that retrograde planets are a normal and even positive phenomenon that occurs in most people’s charts. I’ve talked before about how retrograde transits are valuable , and I believe natal retrograde planets have their own vital role to play. As the series progresses, we’ll see just how important they can be.
Do you have any retrograde planets? What do they mean for you?
I have Venus in Aquarius and Jupiter in Cancer retrograde. With Venus, I have no interest in dating and I feel like I’m just waiting for the one. Now regarding Jupiter, I don’t follow any set spiritual beliefs. I follow my own on that.
Saturn rx in the 5th, Chiron rx in the 3rd
As to your question, what do they mean for me? Oof. ‘Nuf said
I am so looking forward to your writing on this, Midara! I have 6, Mars – Pluto, and can confirm that you’ve pretty much just summarized my life. I’m constantly working on patience and paying closer attention, in so many forms. I feel like the universe really wants me to get it right this time, and in that regard, am grateful for the help these natal retrograde planets provide. It’s like having 6 tutors!
I can’t wait until I feel this way about my retrogrades. I have 6 as well and feel constantly isolated, lonely and like no one understands me.
Welcome, Ladyliz! I think you’ll find a very welcoming community here, and maybe a few kindred spirits as well! <3
Your series will be interesting, I’ll look forward to them! I have one retrograde planet, Uranus in the 6th House Gemini. Retrograde planets “are like compost” I could relate to that! Since Uranus is about revolutionizing and innovation and in my case the revolutionizing/innovation sextiles Mars-Saturn-Pluto that may account for the many versions of a similiar story that keeps composting; and false starts and editing what appeared to be a good thing relating to work and health.
This is extremely relevant in my life. I have Mars, Saturn and Jupiter all retrograde in my 10th in Virgo using Whole Signs. Mars and Jupiter are also conjunct. Career matters have always been a huge downside in my life. I also have Chiron in my 6th in Taurus.
Welcome, ArTee!
Thanks Midara! ❤️
Can’t wait for the new series, Midara! New information is always welcomed! Your black moon lilith series was a blast. I have uranus, neptune, pluto retrograde and pallas rx too.
Very interesting and educational topic! Thank you, Midara, for researching and sharing your information!
Just have to say that I really enjoy your insight and perspective. The Black Moon Lilith was especially enlightening. I’m really looking forward to this series! I have Jupiter rx in Taurus 7th house. It’s been a crazy and sometimes frustrating experience during the Uranus in Taurus transit. Perhaps understanding the impact of retrograde will help!
My natal retrogrades are Pluto, Uranus, Neptune and Jupiter, in houses 8, 9, 10, 11. I haven’t thought much about the Rx effect so am looking forward to more exploration. Thanks Midara.
Venus in Cancer Retrograde.
I have other Retrogrades, but the Venus by far is the most difficult for me.
Thanks for doing this series Midara. There is not very much online about retrogrades. But now there will be more!?
Chiron rx. I’ve never got a handle on it, so interested if it’ll be included.
How about when it (a planet) goes retrograde in progression? Or changes directions in general. My Mercury is stationing since last year and will be retrograde till I am 70 or something. Is that a strong influence to look at in progressions?
Soon after the progressed Venus went direct in my BF’s horoscope, I met him, and after a year we were on our first date.
Venus is in Gemini, and thus we needed to talk a lot over before going forward.
In the end it meant that we were very sure of each other because it meant that we could give it the time, space and effort it required.
My BF is 40 by the way. So yes – definitely. Dating later in life.
Can’t wait to read more about this topic Midara!
Doomed!?? As a poet, we say “doom-ed”!
When ever l see Mercury R in a natal chart, the person is usually “brilliant” in some obvious way…….they usually “think” differently. May or may not have a learning disability.
I can think of a number of people in my own life.
I would trade in my own Venus R for a Mercury R, in a heartbeat,
I have a wonderful moon Jupiter conjunction in Cancer in the 12th house. A real blessing! Trining my sun Uranus conjunction in Scorpio in the 4th. My natal Jupiter is retrograde. What do you make of that? It’s so auspicious and yet a little on it’s head.
saturn rx
neptune rx
uranus rx
pluto rx
so tired!!
The ONLY object in my chart that is retrograde, is Eris, and that includes the 4 Big Asteroids and the Nodes.
And yet, all the things you say about retrogrades apply to my WHOLE LIFE!
Now I’m wondering if maybe the fact that my Nodes are direct means they run counter to their more standard direction, and that could classify them as kindof-sortof retrograde too?
PS I can’t find the Saturn post?
PPS Are you going to do Chiron and the Nodes too? (Aw please?). And Lilith maybe?