You’ve heard of Mercury retrograde, but did you know that all of the planets have apparent retrograde motion? That’s right, each planet appears to move backward in the sky at specific intervals—some for weeks and others for months at a time!

Mercury retrograde gets a bad wrap for causing horror stories and comedy acts, but astrologers believe that retrogrades are great times for deep contemplation and reflection.

Below are lists of ongoing and upcoming retrogrades, as well as a guide for understanding them. Learn how to utilize retrograde cycles for personal and collective healing! Read on.

2 Factors That Make Up A Retrograde

In astrology, retrogrades are thought to affect different aspects of life based on two factors:

1) The planet that is going in “reverse.”

2) The zodiac sign that the planet is moving through (transiting).

Planets closest to the Sun (Mercury, Mars, and Venus) affect individuals on a personal level while ones farther away (Jupiter and Saturn) affect society. The ones even farther away and slower moving (Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto) affect whole generations of people.

Learn more about the science of retrograde motion.

What Planets Are In Retrograde Now?

Here is a list of planets that are in apparent retrograde motion now, along with questions to consider during these times:

Pluto retrograde in Aquarius and* Capricorn: May 2—June 2 and June 3—October 10, 2023, respectively.

• What changes need to be made for the sake of everyone involved? (Aquarius)

• How can we improve on recent changes to  institutions such as government, health care, education, and nonprofits?  (Capricorn)

Upcoming Retrogrades in 2023

Here is a list of upcoming retrogrades in 2023:

Saturn retrograde in Pisces: June 17—November 3, 2023.

• How can I be more disciplined with my spiritual practices?

• What space can I create for more creativity in my life?

Neptune retrograde in Pisces: June 30—December 5, 2023.

• Are my spiritual practices serving me or am I?

• What is the benefit of regular meditation, prayer, and journaling?

Venus retrograde in Leo: July 23—September 3, 2023.

• How can I enjoy more bold, creative expression?

• Where have I dulled my light so someone else can shine?

Mercury retrograde in Virgo: August 23—September 15, 2023.

• Where can I add order to my environment?

• What contribution can my services be to the greater good?

• What area of my health can I improve?

Jupiter retrograde in Taurus: September 4—December 30, 2023.

• Am I being overly optimistic or cautiously pessimistic about my financial situation?

• What is the energy of optimism around money?

• What would it be like to feel more valued in this world?

Mercury retrograde in Capricorn and* Sagittarius: December 13—24 and December 25, 2023—1, 2024, respectively.

• How can solitude benefit me? (Capricorn)

• Where have I been too serious? (Capricorn)

• What is the benefit of  planning? (Capricorn)

• Where is my faith wavering? (Sagittarius)

• What adventures have I been afraid to take due to belief systems that are not serving me? (Sagittarius)

*Note: On rare occasions, planets will move through one sign and into another before resuming regular (direct) motion.

3 Steps For Working With Retrogrades

Retrogrades are a time to review the past rather than continually jogging forward. If you’ve ever wanted to impact humanity through your own thoughts and actions, these are great times for doing it.

In hindsight (that’s a pun for you), looking back and “going in” may be the best way to leap forward.

Here’s a fun exercise for understanding and contemplation in three steps:

1) Identify The Planet

Identify the planet going through a retrograde and imagine it has a personality. If each planet was a character in a play, here’s what they might be:

Mercury is like an ever-present reporter, just wanting to communicate findings.

Venus is like Marilyn Monroe. She concerns herself with the beautification of life.

Mars is a top-notch Roman military general ready to pounce on his enemy. He’s brash and ready to take action.

Jupiter is the cosmic cheerleader for society. She shouts “H-O-P-E!” across the global stadium.

Saturn is the cosmic thumb. Like a stern grandfather, he prefers limitations and a slow pace.

Uranus is futuristic and unique. She brings change, aches for freedom … and she wants it now! (Remember, these outer planet personalities affect generations of humans.)

Neptune is the dreamer, lounging near the ocean’s edge, thinking and feeling deeply all the while.

Pluto is like a Tasmanian devil. He has power to regenerate and evolve life. He will wipe out the old to make space for the new.

With these planetary personalities firmly in place you can take your next step toward retrograde work.

2) Imagine It’s Wearing A Costume

Once you have identified the retrograde planet’s personality, visualize it wearing a costume (according to the zodiac sign it is transiting). Here are some ideas—plays on their classical, astrological attributes:

Aries: Roman helmets, shields, and spears.

Taurus: Comfortable overalls with silver coins and vegetable seeds in the pocket.

Gemini: Plaid shirt with a pocket protector, glasses, and notebook.

Cancer: Fluffy pink bathrobe with bunny slippers.

Leo: An itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini and a microphone.

Virgo: White lab coat and a magnifying glass.

Libra: The famous white Marilyn Monroe dress with peace symbols on it.

Scorpio: A black hoodie with hood pulled up, black pants, black sneakers.

Sagittarius: Jeans, t-shirt reading “BLUNT,” Carl Jung books and a backpack.

Capricorn: Three-piece business suit and a clipboard.

Aquarius: Silver jumpsuit with blue-tooth capacity.

Pisces: Kimono style beach cover up and a box of tissues.

3) Meditate On Self-Reflective Questions (Examples Listed Above)

Finally, walk that planet to the nearest meditation cushion to contemplate what’s going on! Take a deep-dive into the recent past and start asking reflective questions (See suggestions for these in the lists of time frames above).

A Final Thought

It’s easy to ignore the more delicate astrological energies at play, such as those that an outer retrograde planet creates, but for the sake of new potentials and options, don’t ignore them. These occasions for providing input toward universal shifts can have a great impact.

Keep Learning

Mercury Retrograde Explained

16 Ways To Reflect And Restore With A Full Moon

When Is The Next Full Moon?

Join The Discussion!

Have you ever felt the effects of retrograde motion—Mercury’s or otherwise?

How do these self-reflective questions make you feel?

What questions do you have about planetary motion and astrology?

Let us know in the comments below!