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 traveling backwards. Astrologers over the ages, through observation and correlation, noticed these cycles do have influence and meaning in longer planetary cycles or birth charts.

How can this help you in your life?

The house in which a retrograde planet travels shows what area of life may be useful to reflect on.

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 added emphasis and 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 impact my birth chart.

Planet	Shadow Start	Retrograde	Direct	Shadow End
Uranus	April 15, 2017	August 2, 2017 28° Aries 32′	January 2 24° Aries 34′	April 19
Jupiter	December 12, 2017	March 8 23° Scorpio 13′	July 10 13° Scorpio 21′	October 6
Ceres	October 7, 2017	December 16, 2017 18° Leo 12′	March 18 4° Leo 43′	May 26
Mercury	March 8	March 22 16° Aries 54′	April 15 4° Aries 47′	May 3
Saturn	January 6	April 17 9° Capricorn 09′	September 6 2° Capricorn 03′	December 12
Pluto	December 30, 2017	April 22 21° Capricorn 17′	September 30 18° Capricorn 45′	January 21, 2019
Vesta	March 17	May 7 4° Capricorn 55′	August 11 22° Sagittarius 08′	October 2
Neptune	March 24	June 18 16° Pisces 30′	November 24 14° Pisces 42′	March 15, 2019
Mars	May 12	June 26 9° Aquarius 12′	August 27 28° Capricorn 37′	October 8
Chiron	March 11	July 4 2° Aries 25′	December 8 27° Pisces 54′	April 1, 2019
Mercury	July 7	July 25 23° Leo 27′	August 18 11° Leo 32′	September 1
Uranus	May 12	August 7 2° Taurus 34′	January 6, 2019 28° Aries 36′	May 7, 2019
Venus	September 2	October 5 10° Scorpio 50′	November 16 25° Libra 15′	December 17
Juno	August 20	October 11 00° Gemini 39′	December 23 20° Taurus 19′	February 12, 2019
Mercury	October 28	November 16 13° Sagittarius 30′	December 6 27° Scorpio 16′	December 24