What It Means If You Have

Retrograde Planets in Your

Natal Chart, According to
an Astrologer
Mary Grace Garis 12 months ago

Photo: Getty Images/Kathrin Ziegler

Retrogrades in astrology are generally

associated with mishaps and slowdowns—
so you might find yourself a little put off if
you notice, as I just did, a little “R” next to
certain planets on your birth chart. Yup,
that means those celestial bodies were
retrograde on the day you were born. Dun,
dun, dun! But according to Ambi
Kavanagh, astrologer and founder
of Soulstrology, retrograde planets in a
natal chart are a lot more common than
you might think. In fact, most of us have at
least one.

ICYWW, when a planet is “retrograde” it

means that Earth is passing it in orbit and
that planet appears to be moving backward
from our vantage point. “All the planets
experience retrograde motion, with
Mercury the most common—and feared!—
as he often creates what I like to call
‘Mercury mischief’ in his multiple three-to-
four annual retrogrades,” says Kavanagh.
“The larger, outer celestial bodies, such as
Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Pluto, and
Chiron, all experience a long annual
retrograde motion—usually four to five
months. Venus and Mars, who orbit closer
to Earth, retrograde every other year.” The
sun and moon never go retrograde, she
adds.

“Retrograde essentially means the

planet’s energy is somewhat blocked
externally, so those life areas that
come within that planet’s domain are
not as easily expressed.” —astrologer
Ambi Kavanagh

So what does it mean if you have a

retrograde planet (or several) on your
natal chart? Think of it as a karmic lesson
to be learned within your lifetime. “It isn’t
by any means all doom or gloom, and
certainly does not make for a ‘bad’ chart,”
says Kavanagh. “Retrograde essentially
means the planet’s energy is somewhat
blocked externally, so those life areas that
come within that planet’s domain are not
as easily expressed. The chart holder’s soul
chose to incarnate to learn deeper internal
lessons regarding the areas of life ruled by
that specific planet.”

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You may experience a few challenges when

you navigate a retrograde planet’s life
themes—at least, until you work on these
areas of life internally and can then enjoy
them externally. Kavanagh stresses that
the purpose of this process is not to punish
you, “but to develop a deeper internal
understanding and strength of the traits
associated with that retrograde planet.” So
below, learn the lesson each of the
retrograde planets in a natal chart stand to
offer. (Not sure which planets are
retrograde in your chart—if any? Run a
free online generator, like this one, to
check it out.)

Here are the cosmic lessons

you’re meant to learn from each
of the retrograde planets in your
natal chart.

Mercury
Chatty, brainiac Mercury is voted “Most
Likely to Go Into Retrograde,” so it’s not
uncommon to see Mercury retrograde in a
natal chart. It may mean that you have
lessons to learn related to thinking,
communication, and the mind. Astrologer
Susan Miller previously pointed out that
being born during Mercury
retrograde makes you more philosophical.

Venus
Romantic, smoldering Venus rules over
relationships and all things enjoyable. If
you were born during a Venus retrograde,
you may take the long road when it comes
to love, creativity, beauty, pleasure,
receiving, peace, and inner harmony.

Mars
Mars is a spitfire planet with lots of
physical energy—its placement in your
chart informs your fitness personality and
sex drive alike. If you were born during
Mars retrograde, you may grapple with
issues relating to energy, drive, ambition,
autonomy, leadership, and manifestation.

Jupiter
Jupiter is a magnanimous, magnificent
planet—we are very pro-Jupiter. If Jupiter
was retrograde during your birth, you may
have inner work to do around abundance,
expansion, luck, and generosity.

Saturn
Oh stable, structured Saturn. We associate
this planet with Saturn return—a landmark
astrological event that occurs in a person’s
late 20s— because it speaks to our need to
mature. Saturn’s themes are all about
authority, responsibility, stability, success,
and boundaries.

Uranus
Uranus has a lot of mad scientist energy—
in totally not-shocking news, it’s the ruler
of rebellious Aquarius. If you were born
during Uranus retrograde, you may
struggle to fully express your inner
originality, innovation, liberation, or
ingenuity.

Neptune
Neptune ebbs and flows along the same
wavelength of the water sign it rules:
empathic Pisces. You may be on a lifelong
journey to deeply understand spirituality,
creativity, compassion, and unconditional
love.

Pluto
Finally there’s Pluto, who deals with the
shadow sides of life. If you’re born during
Pluto retrograde, you’ll face growth
opportunities in the areas of personal
power, transformation, and the ability to
dive deep beneath the surface.

Tags: Astrology, Spiritual Health

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