What is a retrograde?
A planet in retrograde appears to move backward through the zodiac for a few weeks or months. This is an illusion. All planets go around the Sun in the same direction, but the Earth moves at a different speed from the other planets, and when the Earth overtakes a planet, or is overtaken by one, that planet seems to move backward against the stars for a while. It is the same effect as passing a slower car on the motorway: for a moment, the car appears to move back.
Before and after each retrograde the planet seems to stand still for a few days. These turning points are called stations. The date a planet stations retrograde and the date it stations direct are the two figures that most people want to know.
How often each planet goes retrograde
- Mercury goes retrograde about three times a year, for roughly three weeks each time.
- Venus goes retrograde about every 18 months, for around six weeks.
- Mars goes retrograde about every two years, for around two months.
- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are retrograde every year, for between about four and six months at a time.
- The True Node of the Moon moves backward almost all of the time. It is a point, not a planet, and its retrograde motion is the normal state.
The Sun and Moon never go retrograde.
What each retrograde means in astrology
Mercury rules communication, travel, contracts and technology. A Mercury retrograde is read as a time to review, revise and double-check. Many astrologers advise saving and backing up work, leaving extra time for travel and reading the small print before signing. It is also seen as a good time to reconnect with people from the past.
Venus rules love, values and money. A Venus retrograde is read as a time to reassess relationships and spending. Old partners and old questions about worth can return. Many advise against major changes of appearance or large purchases of luxury items.
Mars rules action, energy and anger. A Mars retrograde is read as a period of frustration or low drive, when it is better to reconsider a plan than to push harder.
Jupiter rules growth and belief. Its retrograde is read as a time to look inward at what you believe and what you want to expand, and to consolidate gains.
Saturn rules structure, duty and time. Its retrograde is read as a review of commitments and responsibilities, and of what has really been built.
Uranus rules change and independence. Its retrograde is read as an inner review of what freedom means to you.
Neptune rules dreams, imagination and illusion. Its retrograde is read as a time when illusions fade and the real picture becomes clearer.
Pluto rules deep change and power. Its retrograde is read as a time of private transformation, with a focus on what must end.
The outer planets are retrograde for much of the year, so their effects are read as slow and personal, not as events that happen on a particular day. The inner planets, especially Mercury, are the ones that most people notice.
How to read the retrograde list on this page
The list at the top shows which planets are retrograde today, the sign they are in and the date they will turn direct again. The table below it shows the next stations, with the date and time in your local zone when available and the sign and degree of each. Retrograde status is the same for everyone in the world, so there is no need to choose a city.
Shadow periods
Astrologers often talk about a retrograde shadow. Before a planet turns retrograde, it passes the degree of the zodiac where it will later turn direct. The time from that point until the station is called the pre-shadow, and the time after the station direct, until the planet leaves that degree behind, is the post-shadow. Mercury shadow periods last a couple of weeks on either side. Many astrologers treat the shadow periods as a milder version of the retrograde.
Using the dates on this page
The Retrograde now list shows each planet that is marked retrograde today, the sign it is in, and the next Direct on date from the station table. The Next stations table lists the next ten turning points, with local date and time when your browser can supply a time zone, or UTC with a UTC label as a fall back. You do not need a place form, because retrograde status does not depend on your city.
People use this page to see whether Mercury or another planet is retrograde before they travel, sign a contract, or launch a plan. The Direct on line answers the first question most readers have: when the planet turns forward again. The stations table then shows both retrograde and direct turns ahead, with the sign and degree of each station, so you can place the event in the zodiac as well as on the calendar. Outer planet stations move slowly, so the same names can stay on the list for months; inner planet stations come and go more often. If no planet is retrograde today, the list at the top will say so, and you can still use the stations table to see what comes next.