CALM GUIDANCE FROM THE LIGHT
Retrogrades Explained
What retrogrades actually mean. Spoiler: not doom, just review periods.
What Retrograde Motion Actually Is
Retrograde is an optical illusion. Planets don't actually reverse direction — they appear to move backward from Earth's perspective because of orbital mechanics.
Imagine you're in a car passing a slower car on the highway. For a moment, the other car seems to drift backward relative to you, even though it's still moving forward. That's retrograde motion.
Technically: When Earth overtakes an outer planet (or an inner planet overtakes Earth), that planet appears to move backward through the zodiac for several weeks or months.
What Retrogrades Tend to Feel Like
Astrologically, retrograde periods are associated with:
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Review
Revisiting old ground, reconsidering decisions
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Revision
Editing, fixing, refining what already exists
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Reconnection
People or situations from the past resurfacing
Retrograde periods often work better for finishing old projects than starting new ones. But this is a tendency, not a rule.
Mercury Retrograde: The Famous One
Mercury retrogrades 3-4 times per year for about 3 weeks each time. Because Mercury rules communication, transportation, and technology, these periods have gained a reputation for:
- Miscommunications and misunderstandings
- Tech glitches and device issues
- Travel delays and schedule changes
- Emails going to spam, texts not sending
- Contracts needing revision
But here's the thing: These things happen all the time. During Mercury retrograde, we're primed to notice them and attribute them to the planets. Confirmation bias is powerful.
Practical take: Use Mercury retrograde as a reminder to double-check details, back up files, and give yourself extra time. These are good habits regardless of planetary positions.
Other Planet Retrogrades
Every planet except the Sun and Moon goes retrograde. The outer planets are retrograde for months at a time — so frequently that it's less noticeable.
Retrogrades Are Not Bad Luck
Let's be clear: retrograde periods are not cursed. They're not cosmic punishments. They're regular, predictable astronomical events that happen multiple times per year.
The "retrograde = disaster" narrative is:
- Modern — Traditional astrology didn't treat retrogrades as uniformly negative
- Exaggerated — Social media amplifies dramatic stories; smooth retrograde periods don't go viral
- Disempowering — Blaming planets removes your agency
Many successful launches, relationships, and projects have started during retrogrades. The planets don't override your choices.
Practical Retrograde Checklist
Use these as general good practices — not because the planets demand it, but because they're helpful:
- □Back up important files — Good practice always, but retrograde is a reminder
- □Read contracts carefully — Double-check terms before signing
- □Confirm appointments — Miscommunications can happen anytime; verify details
- □Allow buffer time for travel — Expect the unexpected
- □Finish existing projects — Great time to complete what's already in motion
- □Reflect before reacting — Use the "review" energy to pause and think
The Shadow Periods
You might hear about "pre-retrograde shadow" and "post-retrograde shadow." These are the periods before and after the retrograde when the planet passes through the same degrees it will (or just did) retrograde over.
Some astrologers consider the shadow periods significant. Others don't. If you find the concept useful, work with it. If it adds unnecessary anxiety, ignore it.
Key Takeaways
- Retrograde is an optical illusion — planets appear to move backward but don't actually reverse
- Retrograde periods favor review, revision, and reconnection — themes of revisiting rather than initiating
- Mercury retrograde gets the most attention, but all planets (except Sun and Moon) go retrograde regularly
- Retrogrades are not bad luck. Many successful things happen during them.
Try This
During the next Mercury retrograde:
- Keep a simple log of communication issues vs. smooth interactions
- Note if any "blasts from the past" (old friends, old issues) show up
- At the end, review your log. Was it actually worse than usual, or just more noticed?
Common Misconceptions
- "Don't sign contracts during Mercury retrograde."
This is overly rigid. If you need to sign something, sign it — just read it carefully first. Waiting 3 weeks for a better "cosmic moment" often isn't practical. - "Everything will go wrong."
Things go wrong all the time. Retrogrades don't cause problems; they may correlate with certain themes, but correlation isn't causation. - "Relationships that start during retrograde are doomed."
No. Plenty of lasting relationships began during retrogrades. The quality of your connection matters far more than planetary positions.