WHAT IS RETROGRADE?
(currently under editing)

All planets move across the sky following the Sun's path, which is also called the Ecliptic. When observing the planets and stars night after night however, one of planets might appear to slow down and move in the opposite direction it was heading in. When the planet moves in the opposite direction, from our perspective on Earth, this is called a retrograde planet. Eventually the retrograding planet will once again seem to pause, then again switch directions and 'station direct' back to it's original direction until a specific period of time goes by and it once again retrogrades.

Retrogrades only appear to move in an opposite direction relative to the earth's perspective and it is very much like an optical illusion. The planets actually never switch direction. The Sun and Moon never station retrograde either.

Mercury will retrograde three to four times per year for about 3 weeks. Venus flows into retrograde every 18 months for about 6 weeks. Every two years Mars retrogrades for 2-2.5 months, Jupiter retrogrades for about 4 months a year. Saturn also retrogrades for about 4 months a year. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto all retrograde for about 5 months a year.

In the emphemeris, you can spot a retrograde planet because it has an R or an Rx next to it. You can follow the column down until you see a D next to the plant indicating it has stationed direct.

Another way to explain or visualize the action of retrogrades is found in the speed of a planet and where it is located in the sky relative to the earth. So for an example, you may have been on a train or in a car when another car was close by riding side by side and then one car suddenly seems to go backwards, only the car is not really going backwards. The same sort of optics happens from the earth's perspective too when we are looking at other planets.

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From an astrological point of view, all planetary phenomenon, even retrogrades, even an optical illusion, have their own particular set of characteristics, qualities, emanations, and manifestations for the earth and its inhabitants.

A terrific amount of outstanding work already written about retrogrades can be found on the internet and in many books.

For a psychological introduction to those new to astrology: When interpreting a natal chart, individuals born with the personal (inner) planets in Venus, Mars or Mercury in retrograde, seem to be internally guided by a powerful direction to go within themselves and viewlife from a position which is less seduced by mass collective conditioning. Their inherent disposition is a natural resistance to go along with anything status quo. They internalise a quiet rebellion against being conformed to think or act in a particular prescribed or programmed way. Eventually a profound and fundamental questioning occurs of the actions and thoughts of those in their immediate environment.

Obviously these are deep thinking natives with a tendency towards being independent. Their gifts are freed up once they recognize and honor their innate expressions of uniqueness. They feel more comfortable within themselves as they accept that they are here to move consciousness forward. Parents would do well to obtain astrological information at birth as it would make a substantial difference in raising thier child's ability to be self-accepting in a world that prefers conformity.

Natives with personal retrograde planets in the birth chart can choose to be in long term relationship depending on other factors, and, they will still always hold an independent vision of themselves and their world and the world of the others.

When an outer planet (Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto) in real time in the solar system stations retrograde by transit and/or progessions* and when this planet closely aspects an inner planet in our natal horoscope, there is increasingly a huge shift in psychological scope. We are given to a deeper introspection surrounding of life and various issues we are struggling with. The timing seems off for initiating things. When the retrograde period is over, there is a consequent release of the energy that has gathered.

When the planet stations direct, these transits may be worth waiting for, if at all possible, to put one's plans into action because then we are co-operating and participating with our solar system. The same is true of APDM. We can use this time period to put forth our ideas, both individually and collectively.

Read more about Stephanie Forest's understanding of her APDM on her site. www.allplanetsdirect.com

*(transits and progressions are basic astrological terms, transits involve real time planetary positions and progressions are a mathematically derived method for interpreting various potentials in a future setting.)