Understanding Retrogrades: What They Really Mean and How to Work With Them

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “Mercury is in retrograde,” with a sigh, you’re not alone. Retrogrades get a lot of blame — but they aren’t always bad. In fact, they serve an important spiritual purpose.

What Is a Retrograde?

A retrograde happens when a planet appears to move backward in the sky from our perspective on Earth. It’s not actually moving in reverse, but astrologically, this motion symbolizes reversals, slowdowns, and reflection.

The Purpose of Retrogrades:

Retrogrades are not meant to punish you. They’re an invitation to pause, revisit, and reassess.

Each planet has its own retrograde themes:

• Mercury: Communication, technology, travel, contracts

• Venus: Love, relationships, self-worth, money

• Mars: Motivation, anger, energy, action

• Saturn: Discipline, boundaries, long-term goals

• Pluto: Power, control, transformation

How to Work With Retrograde Energy:

• Don’t force new beginnings. Instead, focus on reviewing what’s already in motion.

• Slow down communication. Double-check emails, contracts, and details.

• Reflect rather than react. If conflict arises, look inward before lashing outward.

• Be gentle with yourself. Old emotions may resurface to be cleared — not to haunt you, but to free you.

Retrogrades aren’t roadblocks. They’re checkpoints. Use them wisely, and they’ll help you realign with what truly matters.