Back to Sky Guide

Terminology

Retrograde

Picture standing at a train platform as a slower train pulls away beside yours. For a moment, it looks like that train is moving backward — even though it's still rolling forward the whole time. That's essentially what's happening when astrologers say a planet is "in retrograde." From our vantage point on Earth, a planet can appear to slow down, stop, and drift backward across the sky. It isn't actually reversing course. It's a trick of perspective, caused by the difference in speed between Earth and the planet we're watching.

Why it matters

Retrogrades are often associated with slowing down, reviewing, revising, and reflecting before moving forward again.

Why You Should Care

Life naturally includes seasons of action and seasons of reflection. A retrograde can be a helpful reminder that sometimes progress comes from pausing rather than pushing ahead. It is an important opportunity to look back and see, what have we missed? What can we resolve that needs finishing?

Related terms

Mercury DirectPlanetPost-ShadowPre-ShadowTransit