Throughout the year, the speeds at which planets orbit change. From Earth, this can make the planets appear to move backwards. In reality, no planet moves backwards. It's similar to watching the outside world from a fast-moving train. The scenery might seem to be moving backwards, but it's not; the train is simply moving quickly while the landscape remains stationary. Observing the sky from Earth is like being on that train, and the apparent backward movement we see is what we call retrograde.
Even though retrogrades are known as "backward movements," they offer us a metaphorical chance to reflect. During retrograde periods, planets can bring us back to unresolved issues, unfinished business, or areas needing improvement in the aspects of life they govern. Discussing these opportunities might not always be pleasant, as our fast-paced modern world doesn't leave much time for looking back. However, patiently and carefully handled matters tend to be less troubling during retrogrades. On the other hand, issues overlooked due to hasty actions often resurface during retrograde periods, providing us with a chance to perfect them.
Is a Planet Going Retrograde Negative?
This question inherently involves distinguishing between what feels good and what doesn’t. To determine whether something is beneficial or not, we might need to see the bigger picture. However, from a shamanic perspective, whatever happens, is as it should be and is for our highest good. A birth chart can feature retrograde planets, which is a normal indication. These planets highlight areas in our lives where unfinished business or unresolved issues need attention. In this sense, retrograde planets help define the theme of a birth chart. Thus, a planet going retrograde isn’t inherently negative or positive. It represents a deepened energy bringing out a natural process. Just as sunny, rainy, or snowy weather are natural aspect of the sky, a planet going retrograde is a natural aspect of that planet.
What Should We Do When a Planet is Retrograde?
When a planet is in retrograde, look at which house in your birth chart it is affecting. Assess the meanings of that house and relate them to the current active issues in your life. Revisit and complete ongoing matters in these areas. If new beginnings arise during this period, proceed with extra caution. Sometimes, despite a planet being retrograde, new opportunities come our way. When this happens, we should embrace them but remind ourselves: "I know this planet is retrograde and slowing down significantly, so I need to be extra diligent in handling its energy in my life. I must proceed with care and attention. If retrograde means revisiting the past, I can always reassess this new decision later on."
That's it. Awareness improves everything. Let's take a look at this year's retrograde movements together. You can keep these dates in mind while organizing your calendar throughout the year.
MERCURY RETROGRADE DATES
Before we dive into the Mercury Retrograde dates for 2024, let’s remember what the planet Mercury represents.
What is the Mercury Planet Related To?
Mercury is associated with business decisions, logical reasoning, and the ability to think critically. It symbolizes rationality and the conscious mind. It also governs communication and is connected to electronic devices.
When Mercury goes retrograde, the speed at which business decisions yield results slows down. Decisions made during this time might need to be reviewed later. If you buy any new electronic devices, you might end up returning or exchanging them.
Mercury Retrograde Dates for 2024:
April 2 - April 25, 2024: Mercury will retrograde starting at 27 degrees in Aries.
August 5 - August 29, 2024: Mercury will retrograde starting at 4 degrees in Virgo and move back into Leo.
November 26 - December 15, 2024: Mercury will retrograde starting at 22 degrees in Sagittarius.
During these periods, pay attention to the degrees and see which houses in your birth chart are affected.
MARS RETROGRADE DATES
Before we dive into the Mars Retrograde dates for 2024, let’s remember what the planet Mars represents.
What is the Mars Planet Related To?
Mars is associated with our physical energy, drive, and desire for action. It signifies new beginnings, goals, and competition. Mars represents an impatient, active, and courageous attitude. It fosters the development of courage and highlights the need for physical and sexual excitement. This celestial body emphasizes the hero archetype and can bring about themes of conflict and war. Aggressive and ruthless behaviors may become more apparent. Mars is also linked to burns, cuts, iron, steel, and knives. In terms of health, it brings attention to surgeries, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune disorders.
Mars Retrograde Dates for 2024:
Mars will go retrograde from December 7, 2024, to February 24, 2025, starting at 6 degrees in Leo and moving back to 17 degrees in Cancer.
During this period, pay attention to the degrees and see which houses in your birth chart are affected.
JUPITER RETROGRADE DATES
Before we dive into the Jupiter Retrograde dates for 2024, let’s recall what the planet Jupiter represents.
What is Jupiter Related To?
Jupiter is associated with justice and beliefs. It highlights wisdom and the search for meaning. It governs themes of religion, higher education, long journeys, and laws. In our personal lives, it reflects our faith, trust in the grand plan, and goodwill. On the shadow side, Jupiter can indicate laziness, scattered energy, irresponsibility, fanaticism, and extravagance.
Jupiter Retrograde Dates for 2024:
Jupiter will go retrograde from October 9, 2024, to February 4, 2025, starting at 6 degrees in Gemini and moving back to 11 degrees in Gemini.
During these periods, pay attention to the degrees and see which houses in your birth chart are affected.
SATURN RETROGRADE DATES
Before we dive into the Saturn Retrograde dates for 2024, let’s remember what the planet Saturn represents.
What is Saturn Related To?
Saturn is associated with structure, responsibility, patience, and self-discipline. It’s connected to the effort of creating an outer world that aligns with one’s inner self. Saturn also represents authority figures in society. Physically, it is related to our bones and teeth, and the connective tissues in our bodies. It is driven by the need for concrete success, strength, and security. On the shadow side, Saturn can bring fear, pessimism, restrictions, and rigidity.
Saturn Retrograde Dates for 2024:
Saturn will go retrograde from June 29, 2024, to November 15, 2024, starting at 19 degrees in Pisces and moving back to 12 degrees in Pisces.
During these periods, pay attention to the degrees and see which houses in your birth chart are affected.
URANUS RETROGRADE DATES
Before we dive into the Uranus Retrograde dates for 2024, let’s recall what the planet Uranus represents.
What is Uranus Related To?
Uranus is associated with themes of freedom and revolution. It brings sudden changes and surprises. Uranus governs rebellion, independence, and originality. It’s linked to societal upheavals, inventions, and technological advancements. This planet can instill a need for purposeless change and breaking free from the old to make room for the new. Sometimes, we need Uranus’s influence to free ourselves from the past and embrace the future.
Uranus Retrograde Dates for 2024:
We start the new year with Uranus already in retrograde, moving back to 19 degrees in Taurus until January 27, 2024.
September 1, 2024 - January 30, 2025: Uranus will retrograde starting at 27 degrees in Taurus and move back to 23 degrees in Taurus.
During these periods, pay attention to the degrees and see which houses in your birth chart are affected. Uranus is a collective planet, so its impact is more significant when it aspects personal planets in your chart. Collective planets include Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Personal planets are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
NEPTUNE RETROGRADE DATES
Before we dive into the Neptune Retrograde dates for 2024, let’s recall what the planet Neptune represents.
What is Neptune Related To?
Neptune is associated with visionaries, martyrs for beliefs, victims, mystics, and water. It has an inherent urge to escape the boundaries of the material world. Neptune represents the realm of illusions, fluctuating between reality and dreams. It can lead to escapism and avoidance of deep responsibilities and needs. It often creates a foggy lens through which reality is distorted, leading to forgetfulness. Themes of spirituality, illusions, music, creativity, art, and dreams are all connected to Neptune.
Neptune Retrograde Dates for 2024:
Neptune will go retrograde from July 2, 2024, to December 8, 2024, starting at 29 degrees in Pisces and moving back to 27 degrees in Pisces.
During these periods, pay attention to the degrees and see which houses in your birth chart are affected. Neptune is a collective planet, so its impact is more significant when it aspects personal planets in your chart. Collective planets include Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, while personal planets are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
PLUTO RETROGRADE DATES
Before we explore the Pluto Retrograde dates for 2024, let's recall the nature of the Pluto planet.
What is Pluto Associated With?
Pluto is linked to transformation and rebirth. It deals with destruction, deep analysis, and the process of shedding old to make way for new. It brings to light the areas in our lives that require purification and letting go, often through painful experiences. It is associated with renewal.
Pluto Retrograde Dates for 2024:
Pluto will retrograde from May 2, 2024, to October 12, 2024, starting at 2 degrees in Aquarius and moving back to 29 degrees in Capricorn.
During this period, consider the degrees and see which houses in your birth chart are influenced. Pluto is a collective planet, so its impact is more significant when it aspects personal planets in your chart. Collective planets include Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, while personal planets are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
As for Venus Retrograde? In 2024, Venus will not retrograde. However, starting March 2, 2025, Venus will retrograde in Aries, coinciding with Mercury also retrograding in Aries the same month. This will bring back themes related to Aries eclipses of the year. I recommend deeply internalizing the house and themes affected by Aries in your birth chart.
With love and friendship,
Münevver Büşra Beşiroğlu
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