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.

Here are lists of ongoing and upcoming retrogrades, as well as an easy guide for understanding them better. Learn how to utilize retrograde cycles for personal healing!

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:

There are no planets in retrograde until April 1, 2024

Upcoming Retrogrades in 2024

Here is a list of upcoming retrogrades in 2024:

Mercury retrograde in Aries:  April 1- April 24, 2024

• Who can I be to start new projects with ease?

• How can I slow down so that I can improve my results?

Pluto retrograde in Aquarius:  May 2 – September 1, 2024

• How are recent changes in the world affecting me? Are they worth keeping or can I adjust them again? 

• What do I notice about how we care for the group, rather than the individual? 

Saturn retrograde in Pisces:  June 29 – November 14, 2024

• Is the time right for me to improve my spiritual practices?

• How have I applied limitations to my creativity or compassion?

Neptune retrograde in Pisces: July 2 – December 6, 2024

• Am I emotionally attached to this dream, person, job, or way of life? 

• How can I be a full participant in co-creating my ideal life through personal spiritual development? 

Mercury retrograde in Virgo, and* Leo: August 5-15 and August 16-27, 2024, respectively

• How can bringing order to my environment benefit me? (Virgo)

• What areas of my health need reviewing? (Virgo)

• What space can I be to allow more play?

• How has romance been for me lately?

Uranus retrograde in Taurus: September 1 – January 29, 2025 

• How can I be in nature more often in order to receive revelations? 

• Have I been using my resources well? 

• What can I adjust? What do I value the most? Am I making decisions in alignment with these? 

Pluto retrograde in Capricorn: September 2 – October 11, 2024

• What is the benefit of revisiting and revamping recent global transformations in government, big business, healthcare, education, and non-profits? 

• Should I adjust my plans? How may I affect transformations at a larger level?

Jupiter retrograde in Gemini:  October 9, 2024 – February 3, 2025 

• What am I curious about learning now? 

• Where might I travel for new educational experiences?

Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius: November 26 – December 14, 2024

• What adventures can I plan for the year ahead?

• What truths need to be told and how can I best speak them?

Mars retrograde in Leo: December 6, 2024 – February 23, 2025 

• Where has my passion been quelled?

• Have I fully participated in romance?

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

Note: Venus will not retrograde in 2024

3 Steps For Working With Retrogrades

Rather than passing off retrogrades as simply being a slow period, use 2024 to finally manage outcomes by slowing down your own life and going inward. The year itself holds spectacular occasions for creating balance and grounding your dreams into reality. By actively participating in changing direction, adding in or seasoning your thoughts and actions, you can actualize the life you’ve envisioned. Don’t let the nuances of retrograde seasons pass you by. Engage in the change you are wanting. 

Always, the benefit of looking back at recent events can only benefit the way that you move forward in the months that follow.

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 The Planet Is 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!