RETROGRADE PLANETS IN BIRTH CHARTS

by Brian Habit

July 15, 2003

The Significance of Retrogradation

What does it mean when a planet is retrograde in your natal chart?

When a planet is retrograde, the person’s developmental process that is associated with that planet often has some timidness or backwardness to it, but it also often has a particular sensitivity and depth to it. At least some of a natal planet’s energy is always directed toward outward expression, but when the planet is retrograde, part of its vitality is directed inward, away from the world. To a great extent, the person’s expression of that planet develops away from the influence of society and social interaction, more independently from it than planets that are not retrograde. It’s as if that function is spooked into hiding, wary of how the world will treat it if it came out into the open.The planet expresses itself more quietly, but it could still express itself powerfully.

An Example: Jupiter Retrograde

For example, with Jupiter retrograde, a person may develop an internal sense of faith in herself or life in a way that is relatively independent of her environment. This might happen, say, if she is surrounded by pessimistic naysayers or overly strict Saturnine people while growing up. At the same time, she may present herself in a relatively serious way, turning much of the Jupiterian optimism or exuberance inside…maybe expressing itself in relatively private ways.

Planetary Functions

The greater the number of planets that are retrograde in a chart, the more all of this is likely to apply. Many of the person’s functions are involved, possibly including his or her:

-thinking, intellectual self-expression or use of the five senses (Mercury)

-creativity or social gracefulness or sense of attractiveness (Venus)

-expression of an active demeanor or asserting oneself (Mars)

-faith in oneself and life (Jupiter)

-self-discipline or self-sufficiency (Saturn)

-individuality or autunomous thinking (Uranus)

-psychic sensitivity (Neptune) and/or

-expression of one’s personal power or speaking the truth as one sees it (Pluto).

The Sun and the Moon are never retrograde.

Additional Considerations

If a retrograde planet is stationary (meaning, if it turned retrograde soon before the person was born or if it turned direct soon after the person was born), then that planet’s function is supercharged. Its expression is likely to predominate in the person’s life.

Another point to consider: If a planet that is retrograde in a natal chart will turn direct by secondary progression during the person’s lifetime, this is likely to mark a shift toward more outward or open expression of the planet. For example, if Mercury is retrograde but it will turn direct within 70 days or so after the person was born, then by the day-for-a-year method of progression, it’ll turn direct by the time that he or she is about 70 years old. (The easiest way to check this is by looking at either a hard copy or an electronic copy of an ephemeris.)

Also, it’s worth bearing in mind that Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are retrograde almost half the time, so not too much should be drawn from any of them being retrograde unless it is reinforced elsewhere in the chart or it is part of a larger pattern (such as one of several retrograde planets).

© Brian Habit - The Proud Phoenix, 2004
(All Rights Reserved)

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