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 retrograde planets, 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.

What Planets Are Retrograde Now?

There are three planets currently in retrograde motion. Here is more information, including questions to ask yourself during this time:

1) Uranus is retrograde in Taurus from September 1, 2024-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? 

2) Jupiter is retrograde in Gemini from October 9, 2024-February 3, 2025.

• What am I curious about learning now? 
• Where might I travel for new educational experiences?

3) Mars will be retrograde in Leo from December 6, 2024-January 6, 2025 and* Cancer from January 6-February 23, 2025.

• Where has my passion been suppressed? (Leo)
• Have I fully participated in romance? (Leo)
• What actions have I taken toward personal healing? (Cancer)
• How can I improve my care for others? (Cancer)

Upcoming Retrogrades in 2025

Venus will be retrograde in Aries from March 1-27 and* Pisces from March 27-April 12, 2025.

• What lessons have I learned about relationships?
• Are my values reflected in my relationships?
• Is spirituality a part of my current relationship?

Learn more about Venus retrograde 2025. *Note: On some occasions, planets move through one sign and into another before resuming their regular (direct) motion.

Pluto will be retrograde in Aquarius from May 4-October 13.

• Are technological advances being handled responsibly?
• Am I experiencing the level of freedom I desire?
• How do we care for the group over the individual?

Neptune will be retrograde in Aries from July 2-September 10 and Pisces from September 10-October 23.

• Am I addressing life head-on or relying on escapism?
• How can I combine faith with action?
• Where can I add compassionate leadership?

Saturn will be retrograde in Pisces and Aries from July 13-November 28, 2025.

• How can I strengthen my spiritual foundation?
• Am I limiting my creativity or compassion?
• What lessons am I learning about timing and responsibility?

Uranus will be retrograde in Gemini from September 6-December 31, 2025.

• How have I adapted to changes in the economy?
• Am I making decisions aligned with my values?
• What shifts are occurring in education and social networks?

Jupiter will be retrograde in Cancer from November 11, 2025-March 11, 2026.

• How has education evolved, and is it beneficial?
• What am I curious about learning now?
• Am I listening to my inner wisdom?

Mercury Retrograde:

Mercury retrogrades at least three times each year. The ruler of communication, it can create distortions inside of information sharing and will certainly create mishaps with your use of technology. It’s typically advised to not travel during these time periods. Instead reflect on the associated zodiac sign and bring your unconscious thoughts to the surface for correcting. 

March 15-April 7 in Aries: Revisiting Leadership

• What am I still afraid to be or do? 
• How can being bold serve me and humanity?
• What generative energy can I be to be individually me?

July 18-August 11 in Leo: Reigniting Passion

• What space can I be to receive more inspiration?
• What is the benefit of being more expressive?
• Where has my passion fizzled, and why?

November 9-29 in Sagittarius: Reinspecting Routines

• What space can I be for new ways of thinking to find me? 
• What is the benefit of being adventurous
• How can being open-minded serve me? 

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.

Moon Deck

Our “Moon Deck” consists of 52 beautiful watercolor cards that show how the planets, zodiac signs, and houses relate to each other.

You can use them to understand the current position of planets or to decipher your natal chart.

Buy now

They’ll even teach you how to benefit from a retrograde!

The information on the cards is kept simple with basic words and high-level themes. Great for beginners.

Join The Discussion!

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

What questions do you have about planetary motion and astrology?

Ask us in the comments below!

Tam Veilleux

Tam Veilleux is an accomplished writer, life coach, and artist. She is the lead writer of the Energy Almanac, an annual publication focused on simplifying personal and professional change through astrology, wit, and wisdom. Tam Veilleux has written a children's book (Growing Up & The Facts of Life), two self-help publications, and multiple ebooks. She also contributes to Spirit of Change and Retail Insights magazines. For more information visit: www.choosebigchange.com

• Tam Veilleux

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  October 25, 2022

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