(This is part of the “Ask An Astrologer” series, where I occasionally try to demonstrate how getting a consultation can genuinely help and provide real guidance, using real-life examples. Want to find out for yourself? There’s a link to my e-mail at the bottom of this blog entry.)
RJ writes:
“What is the significance of having Jupiter and Saturn retrograde in the natal chart?”
I’m glad you asked, RJ! This is a question I’ve been meaning to address here for some time now, and the answer (just like so many things in astrology and the world in general) may not be as clear cut and straightforward as you might think.
(Wondering what the next few months hold in store for you? Write me with your date, time, and place of birth — and I’ll send you a free sneak preview!)
First of all, let’s establish what “retrograde” actually means. All the planets move around the Sun, but astrology considers the placement of those planets as seen from Earth. Think of those planets, including ours, as cars all travelling the same direction on a big, circular, multi-lane highway — but travelling at different speeds. Every once in a while your car will appear to overtake another one of the cars in the other lane. At that time, that car will appear to be going backwards relative to your position. That’s how a “retrograde” works.
There appears to be a general consensus among Western astrologers that retrograde placements are powerful but have a hard time expressing themselves. Imagine that each planet occasionally goes through a time when it is both louder and dumber than usual. You’ll see a lot of references to the energies of a retrograde planet being “turned inward” or being “difficult to express.” Mercury is the planet that is retrograde the most often, and you don’t have to study astrology for too long to hear about the screwball effects Mercury retrograde can have on things Mercury rules: communications, short trips, and agreements.
How you express the energies of a planet in your birth chart is dependent on a lot more factors than just whether or not it’s retrograde. For example, communication and written ability are determined by Mercury and the Third House of the birth chart. I make my living by communicating, both by writing and doing readings. Having a Mercury-ruled Third House as I do is theoretically helpful. However, my natal Mercury is both retrograde and in a Sign where it is debilitated (Sagittarius). If one were to focus on the potential negatives of that, one might assume I couldn’t even complete a sentence, let alone make a living as a “communicator.”
(Although I will admit that my proofreading skills often kind of stink. I’ll give you that point.)
So: don’t worry too much about any retrograde placements in your birth chart. If they seem to be making trouble for you, it’s probably because there are also other issues contributing to that trouble. In fact, because of the strange “powerful but not as easily expressed” nature of retrograde planets, they can actually end up being a secret source of strength if you handle them properly. And as always, when in doubt — consult your astrologer.
Want to know how to work with the current and future energy to get maximum benefit? Feel free to write me about it!
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