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When you hear the term retrograde, does it make you think of something negative? Or perhaps ominous? If it does, you're not alone, as retrogrades have gotten a reputation over the years as “bad” periods of time, or are blamed when something inevitably goes wrong during our lives. While it may be convenient to put the blame of something negative that happens in your life into the cosmic forces, the truth is, it’s not that simple. We’re all responsible for navigating the ups and downs of life, and placing blame on a planetary phenomenon isn’t exactly a great way to go through life.
But what does retrograde mean anyway, and is it really something we should fear or at the very least, be prepared for? If you’d like to learn more about this concept keep reading, because today we’re covering:
First off, the term retrograde means to move backwards, but not to worry, the planets don’t actually stop their orbits and begin to move in a reverse direction like you’re backing up a car. The name is a little misleading, which is why planetary scientists and astronomers instead refer to this event as “apparent retrograde motion.” Planets don’t decide to stop following the laws of physics and just start to reverse as the term retrograde would have you believe. Instead, it refers to the apparent reversal from our limited perspective on Earth.
Retrogrades occur when a faster moving planet takes over the Earth, or when the Earth takes over a slower moving one with a larger orbit. The closer the planet is to the sun, the faster (and shorter) is its orbit, so it only makes sense that once (or a few) times a year, we would view that planet going in a retrograde motion. It’s helpful to think of the runners on a track analogy, where the faster runners will eventually lap the slower runners. Although all runners on the track are moving forward, it appears from the perspective of the faster one that the slower one is moving backwards. This is exactly what happens when Earth (faster orbit) overtakes Jupiter, which has a larger, slower orbit around the sun.
So now we know what retrograde is when we’re referring to the cosmic event, but what’s the big deal when it comes to astrology? You’ve probably heard from people who think that retrogrades are a negative time, and that you shouldn’t start anything new or go about your life as you normally would. And while that might be a fine way to experience this phenomenon, it’s not the only way. Traditionally, those who follow or are interested in the astrological meaning behind planetary events view these normal transits in a negative light, and dish out a whole list of should and should not do items.
Each planet has its own energy and qualities that are associated with it or have influence over—think Mercury and communication and Venus and outward appearances. When these planets go into their retrograde motion from our perspective on Earth, it’s not a scary, negative time, but rather a time to review or reframe if you are in alignment with the aspects associated with that planet.
Keep in mind planets can go into retrograde a few times per year like Mercury, or just once, like Neptune. Retrogrades typically last for a few weeks, or for the outer planets, a few months. These are large chunks of time, and it simply isn’t realistic to constantly worry if you’re “doing retrograde actions” correctly. Going about your life but keeping some of these thoughts in mind is one of the best ways to continue to enjoy yourself, as well as see if you’re where you want to be personally.
The short answer to this question from a strictly cosmic point of view is that no, a planet that appears to go in a backward direction from our perspective on Earth does not have an impact on our everyday lives. However, if you’re speaking from an energetic perspective, the backward motion can affect you in some ways, depending on the planet. However it’s a good idea to be aware of some common themes that seem to come up with every retrograde.
Although all the planets go retrograde at some point, there are some planets that don’t have a yearly retrograde period of time. Both Venus and Mars fall into this category, but we’re lucky that in 2025 they do go retrograde!
Mercury gets a lot of attention for its retrogrades, perhaps because it is associated with communication, and may impact misunderstandings or devices seeming to blank out or stop working for no reason.
The planet closest to the sun has the shortest orbit, which is why we can see it go retrograde a few times a year. In 2025 expect Mercury to go retrograde:
Venus has a retrograde this year from March 1-April 12. This planet may influence personal relationships as well as individual values.
Mars is the 4th planet from the sun, and it has a larger orbit than Earth. In 2025, it goes into retrograde one time, from Dec. 6, 2024-Feb. 23. During this retrograde, it may be helpful to pause and review your motivation, goals, and overall health.
The largest planet in our solar system also goes into retrograde, and in 2025, we’ll see it move in a backward direction twice:
When this ringed planet goes retrograde, be sure to pay attention to your responsibilities and long term commitments
This larger outer planet stays in a retrograde motion for a long period of time, giving you lots to think about with regards to independence, stability, and innovation.
Revisit your relationships with spirituality, intuition, and creative projects when Neptune goes retrograde.
Although not officially a planet, instead a dwarf planet, Pluto still goes retrograde. Take a look at your feelings towards transformation, fears, and emotional intensity.
Retrogrades of all the planets happen sometimes a few times a year, other times just once. While retrograde might seem a little intimidating, it’s nothing that you can’t handle. After all, we’re all accustomed to the ups and downs of life, so learning to thrive during retrograde time is nothing new. Remember to keep focused on the positives, and not worry too much about what might happen!
