Retrograde Cycles and Shadow Periods

What does it mean when a planet is retrograde? EarthSky.Org has a great graphic and explanation of this ‘illusion’ of planets going backward. Astrologers, through observation and correlation, noticed this cycle does have influence and meaning in a planetary cycle or chart.

How can this help you in your life?

The house a planet is traveling retrograde in show what area reflection might be useful during that time period.

When the actual change in direction happens (either Direct or Retrograde) and is close to a planet or angle (IC, MC, ASC, DESC) in the birth chart, there is an added emphasis of the meaning especially if that planet or angle is part of a longer cycle with the transiting planet.

When a planet comes close to conjoining an important point in a chart, then turns retrograde prior to becoming an exact conjunction, there can be a sense of frustration. The New Phase of the planetary energies is not quite ripe for an initiation.

I like to write down the retrograde and direct dates in my calendar if they look as though there may be some importance for me.

Planet	Shadow Start	Retrograde	Direct	Shadow End
Jupiter	November 10, 2016	February 5 23° Libra 8′	June 9 13° Libra 12′	September 17
Venus	January 30	March 4 13° Aries 8′	April 15 26° Pisces 54′	May 18
Saturn	December 29, 2016	April 5 27° Sagittarius 47′	August 25 21° Sagittarius 10′	November 30
Mercury	March 26	April 9 4° Taurus 50′	May 3 24° Aries 15′	May 20
Pluto	December 28, 2016	April 20 9° Capricorn 53′	September 28 16° Capricorn 51′	February 2, 2018
Juno	February 11	May 9 18° Capricorn 20′	August 28 2° Capricorn 43′	November 14
Neptune	February 23	June 16 14° Pisces 15′	November 22 11° Pisces 27′	March 12, 2018
Chiron	March 8	July 1 28° Pisces 51′	December 5 24° Pisces 18′	March 27, 2018
Uranus	April 15	August 2 28° Aries 31′	February 2, 2018 24° Aries 34′	April 18, 2018
Mercury	July 24	August 12 11° Virgo 38′	September 5 28° Leo 25′	September 19
Pallas	June 10	September 11 14° Taurus 16′	December 17 25° Aries 5′	February 26, 2018
Mercury	November 14	December 3 29° Sagittarius 18′	December 22 13° Sagittarius 00′	January 10, 2018
Ceres	October 7	December 16 18° Leo 11′	March 18, 2018 4° Leo 33′	May 26, 2018