In astrology, a planet in retrograde motion has special significance. The effects that the planets produces when in retrograde motion are far different than the ones they exert while moving directly. In the horoscopes, retrograde planets acquire special power and effects while in retrograde motion at the time of birth. These are known as `Vakri` planets in Hindu astrology.
The Sanskrit name for retrograde planets is known as Vakri. Vakri means twisted, crooked, winding, roundabout, indirect, evasive and ambiguous. Vakragati means retrograde motion. The term retrograde comes from Latin for “backward step.” You’ll hear it a lot in astrology.
A person might be born when certain planets are in the retrograde phase. In such a case, the person tends to internalize the energies represented by the planet or to look within for the expression of the planet’s power rather than investing that power outside of oneself.
Planets from the point of view of the earth will slow down and become stationary. Then they appear to move backward in the sky this motion is known as retrograde motion of the planets. This apparent retrograde movement is due to the motion of the earth’s orbit.
As the Earth passes by a planet that particular planet appears to move backwards i.e. westward, amid the stars, this phenomenon is called retrograde motion, which motion invariably occurs at a time when that planet is visible for a relatively longer period.
The approximate midpoint of which period in respect of the superior planets coincides with opposition and the Earth is between the Sun and that planet. This is an optical illusion where a planet appears to move through the zodiac opposite its usual direction.
The planet only appears to retrograde, actually it does not and in which event if the faster planet is retrograde it can approach the slower planet from a later degree by backward motion which phenomenon is known as - "the applying aspect" in the Western astrology.
Picture the planets orbiting the Sun like a racetrack. Each planet has its own track, a different distance from the Sun, traveling each at different speeds. A retrograde happens when the Earth passes a planet, making that planet appear to slow down, stop and then go in reverse. it appears to be moving backward.
This illusion is like when you are passing a car that's going slower than you are, as you pass it, it seems to go backwards, but it's still traveling at the same speed and in the same direction.
All the Planets in our Solar system appear to stop (this is what is called a "Station")and then start to move backward. After some time they stop again (station)and appear to start to move forward again. Because some planets have faster orbits than others the time they stop and start movement varies from planet to planet.
It is indeed hurtling forward through space, but because the planets do not revolve around us and we are also in motion, sometimes a planet appears to go backwards. In that process, it backs up over a certain range of degrees in the zodiac and ends up passing through that range three times: first forward, then backward and lastly forward again. Thus you will sometimes see mentions of three related time frames for certain influences; circumstances may be related around these times. Usually the second of the three occurrences is the toughest transition, where the planet’s message is most strongly conveyed.
The Sun and the Moon, the two luminaries, do not have Vakra state, they do not acquire retrograde motion, they are always in direct motion, the other five planets (Tara grahas) have Vakra state, they acquire retrograde motion from time to time when they transit from 5th to the 8th house from the Sun.
A planet hemmed between two Vakri grahas behaves as a Vakri graha, this applies to the Moon.Whereas Mars, Jupiter and Saturn appear to retrograde in the signs opposite to the one occupied by the Sun, Mercury and Venus appear to retrograde when they are farthest away from the Sun. Mercury and Venus can never be in the 5th to the 8th house from the Sun.
On the other hands, the two imaginary planets or lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu, which are not planets but termed as Lunar Nodes in true sense, always have perpetual retrograde motion. Pluto, Neptune and Uranus (not considered in Vedic astrology) also go through the retrograde motion along with Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn.
Usually the retrograde planets in the natal chart or ephemeris are marked by R or Rx or Ret. Mars R or Jupiter Rx, Ret all indicates that these planets were retrograde at the time of the chart.
Rahu Ketu are forever moving backwards and this has lead to them being described negatively in the classics. But they also have the potential to view everything in a complete different manner and therefore can be quite innovative and make individual reach heights that they never thought they would conquer, by going against the grain.
Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn turn retrograde at regular intervals. They generally move direct, then for a time period they (appear to) slow down and seem stationary for a long time (Stationary retrograde). At this time their powers are at their highest. Then they move retrograde, giving erratic and more prominent effects. After a particular time span, they again seem to slow down and seem to be stationary (stationary direct). Then they once again acquire a direct motion.
Mercury retrogrades for 21-23 days and is stationary one day before and after.
Venus is retrograde for 40-42 days and is stationary approximately two days before and after. Mars retrogrades for 77-79 days and is stationary 3 to 4 days before and after.
Jupiter retrogrades 115-118 days is stationary 5 days before and after.
Saturn retrogrades for 142-145 days and remains stationary 5 day before and after.
Each planet has it’s own percentage of time when it must retrograde. They are:
Mercury - 6.02 %
Venus - 11.23 %
Mars - 21.36 %
Jupiter - 32.05 %
Saturn - 39.45 %
Whenever a planet starts in a motion other than the normal course, it yields unusual effects as well. In general, the fields ruled by these planets suffer the major influence. For example, communication hazards will be more during Mercury retrograde. Accidents due to rashness will be enhanced during Mars retrograde and so on….
Hence, each planetary retrogression should be considered as a time to be cautious, and to consider things from a different viewpoint.
Suryasiddhanta refers to eight verities of motion of which Vakra, Ativakra and Kutila refer to Vakragati i.e. retrograde motion, when they are believed to be moving away from light, and the remaining five verities viz; manda, manda tara, sama, sighra and atisighra refer to Rujugati i.e. direct motion, when planets are freed from vakragati and are known as Margi grahas that are believed to be moving towards light.
According to Sanketa Nidhi of Ramadayalu when it is retrograde Mars gives the results of the 3rd house from the house of its occupation, Mercury gives the results of the 4th, Jupiter of the 5th, Venus of the 7th and Saturn of the 8th house. Vakri grahas and Paramuchcha grahas no doubt gain superior strength but do not produce identical results and even become over-powered in Grahayuddhas. If the Sun is Arohi a Vakri graha although very strong but because of the variations in its motion does not produce results uniformly.
Situated in their debilitation sign if owning good houses Vakri grahas produce good results, if owning bad houses they give bad results. Phaladeepika holds the view that a retrograde planet in its sign of debilitation is equal to its occupation of exaltation sign, and that exalted retrograde planets act as though they are debilitated. And, excepting the retrograde ones, those planets which occupy unfriendly signs take away 1/3rd of their allotted term of life. Vakra also means Kuja (Mars). Vakri grahas having gained exceptional strength give thrice the term of life allotted to them.
Vakra Asana in Yoga twists the body from back to front. Usually this asana are done to strengthen the spine and make them flexible. The potential of the retrograde planets is to be flexible, to twist thing around, to make them unclear, to teach its message in an indirect way, to view life in a different way to others. By doing it correctly they can strengthen themselves and become adaptable, original, innovative and different. On the negative side they can be twisted thinkers, crooked and dishonest. The individual can deal with the quality of their retrograde planets in a positive manner or can use their potential in a totally negative way. The essence is there to do good or bad in the planet but it is up to the individual to use this in the right way.
If a planet is retrograde in your birth chart, you may face obstacles in that area, In fact, you could find that because you spend more time with these challenges, they actually become strengths. Using Mercury and Venus as examples again, if either of these planets is retrograde in your chart, you may or may not have problems with communication or love. It could take you longer to write papers in school but the time you've spent will make your language skills stronger. You may be unlucky when it comes to relationships and marriage, but when you finally fall in love it's more likely to be the real thing.
When you understand how a retrograde can affect you, either in your birth chart or during normal transits, you can prepare yourself to deal with them.
In the continuing cycles of the planets’ motions, retrograde periods are a time to research, review and re-do, any “re-” word. Our culture likes to pretend that we can move forward in linear progress, but nature tells us everything goes around in a circle or spiral. So sometimes we have to circle around before we go forward again. That’s what retrogrades are good for.
The slower-moving outer planets spend more time retrograde than the quicker-moving inner planets. Even though Mercury Retrograde only lasts three weeks at a time (three times a year), we seem to feel them the most. Possibly that’s because Mercury is in charge of all forms of communications and those touch every area of our lives. Mercury is also associated with all means of local transport. Hence its retrograde times are when we are more likely to be delayed by traffic snarls (allow extra time) or need car repairs (try to anticipate with preventive maintenance). Allow extra time for everything because you’ll need to doublecheck your work.
The five planets Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn express the practical reality of our life. They are the planets that form the Pancha Mahapurusha Yoga that bestows greatness on earth. The rule the Pancha Mahabhutas, the five primary elements that influence our physical body but also sheath the eternal consciousness. These elements control our organs of desires, emotions and senses. They can keep us grounded in gross reality but if we start to use their energy spiritually they become infused with a different power.
To see if you have planets whether are in retrogade, look at your natal chart and find the sign and degree where the retrograde begins and ends. To obtain your natal chart, find out your exact birth time and go to the apt website.You should be able to print your chart from there (or save it to your computer) and access a brief interpretation report.
Planets are retrograde when they are closest to the earth, so think of bringing the planet’s meaning closer to you. The retrograde period is usually a time of relearning lessons related to the planet in question, so sometimes it presents difficulties as part of that lesson-learning.
During a 'retrograde,' the areas of life that the retrograde planet rules will feel crazy until it catches up to Earth again. Each planet exerts influence over certain aspects of life. When a planet goes retrograde, the effects of its influence are reversed. During a Venus retrograde, don't expect love or relationships to come easily.
Once you have your birth chart, you can see what part of it any planet is retrograding over by comparing the degrees of the retrograde range to the houses of your chart. You can also discover if any planets were retrograde at your birth.
When you have a personal consultation, your astrologer can explain the influences in your life of natal and current retrograde planets.
The Sanskrit name for retrograde planets is known as Vakri. Vakri means twisted, crooked, winding, roundabout, indirect, evasive and ambiguous. Vakragati means retrograde motion. The term retrograde comes from Latin for “backward step.” You’ll hear it a lot in astrology.
A person might be born when certain planets are in the retrograde phase. In such a case, the person tends to internalize the energies represented by the planet or to look within for the expression of the planet’s power rather than investing that power outside of oneself.
Planets from the point of view of the earth will slow down and become stationary. Then they appear to move backward in the sky this motion is known as retrograde motion of the planets. This apparent retrograde movement is due to the motion of the earth’s orbit.
As the Earth passes by a planet that particular planet appears to move backwards i.e. westward, amid the stars, this phenomenon is called retrograde motion, which motion invariably occurs at a time when that planet is visible for a relatively longer period.
The approximate midpoint of which period in respect of the superior planets coincides with opposition and the Earth is between the Sun and that planet. This is an optical illusion where a planet appears to move through the zodiac opposite its usual direction.
The planet only appears to retrograde, actually it does not and in which event if the faster planet is retrograde it can approach the slower planet from a later degree by backward motion which phenomenon is known as - "the applying aspect" in the Western astrology.
Picture the planets orbiting the Sun like a racetrack. Each planet has its own track, a different distance from the Sun, traveling each at different speeds. A retrograde happens when the Earth passes a planet, making that planet appear to slow down, stop and then go in reverse. it appears to be moving backward.
This illusion is like when you are passing a car that's going slower than you are, as you pass it, it seems to go backwards, but it's still traveling at the same speed and in the same direction.
All the Planets in our Solar system appear to stop (this is what is called a "Station")and then start to move backward. After some time they stop again (station)and appear to start to move forward again. Because some planets have faster orbits than others the time they stop and start movement varies from planet to planet.
It is indeed hurtling forward through space, but because the planets do not revolve around us and we are also in motion, sometimes a planet appears to go backwards. In that process, it backs up over a certain range of degrees in the zodiac and ends up passing through that range three times: first forward, then backward and lastly forward again. Thus you will sometimes see mentions of three related time frames for certain influences; circumstances may be related around these times. Usually the second of the three occurrences is the toughest transition, where the planet’s message is most strongly conveyed.
The Sun and the Moon, the two luminaries, do not have Vakra state, they do not acquire retrograde motion, they are always in direct motion, the other five planets (Tara grahas) have Vakra state, they acquire retrograde motion from time to time when they transit from 5th to the 8th house from the Sun.
A planet hemmed between two Vakri grahas behaves as a Vakri graha, this applies to the Moon.Whereas Mars, Jupiter and Saturn appear to retrograde in the signs opposite to the one occupied by the Sun, Mercury and Venus appear to retrograde when they are farthest away from the Sun. Mercury and Venus can never be in the 5th to the 8th house from the Sun.
On the other hands, the two imaginary planets or lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu, which are not planets but termed as Lunar Nodes in true sense, always have perpetual retrograde motion. Pluto, Neptune and Uranus (not considered in Vedic astrology) also go through the retrograde motion along with Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn.
Usually the retrograde planets in the natal chart or ephemeris are marked by R or Rx or Ret. Mars R or Jupiter Rx, Ret all indicates that these planets were retrograde at the time of the chart.
Rahu Ketu are forever moving backwards and this has lead to them being described negatively in the classics. But they also have the potential to view everything in a complete different manner and therefore can be quite innovative and make individual reach heights that they never thought they would conquer, by going against the grain.
Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn turn retrograde at regular intervals. They generally move direct, then for a time period they (appear to) slow down and seem stationary for a long time (Stationary retrograde). At this time their powers are at their highest. Then they move retrograde, giving erratic and more prominent effects. After a particular time span, they again seem to slow down and seem to be stationary (stationary direct). Then they once again acquire a direct motion.
Mercury retrogrades for 21-23 days and is stationary one day before and after.
Venus is retrograde for 40-42 days and is stationary approximately two days before and after. Mars retrogrades for 77-79 days and is stationary 3 to 4 days before and after.
Jupiter retrogrades 115-118 days is stationary 5 days before and after.
Saturn retrogrades for 142-145 days and remains stationary 5 day before and after.
Each planet has it’s own percentage of time when it must retrograde. They are:
Mercury - 6.02 %
Venus - 11.23 %
Mars - 21.36 %
Jupiter - 32.05 %
Saturn - 39.45 %
Whenever a planet starts in a motion other than the normal course, it yields unusual effects as well. In general, the fields ruled by these planets suffer the major influence. For example, communication hazards will be more during Mercury retrograde. Accidents due to rashness will be enhanced during Mars retrograde and so on….
Hence, each planetary retrogression should be considered as a time to be cautious, and to consider things from a different viewpoint.
Suryasiddhanta refers to eight verities of motion of which Vakra, Ativakra and Kutila refer to Vakragati i.e. retrograde motion, when they are believed to be moving away from light, and the remaining five verities viz; manda, manda tara, sama, sighra and atisighra refer to Rujugati i.e. direct motion, when planets are freed from vakragati and are known as Margi grahas that are believed to be moving towards light.
According to Sanketa Nidhi of Ramadayalu when it is retrograde Mars gives the results of the 3rd house from the house of its occupation, Mercury gives the results of the 4th, Jupiter of the 5th, Venus of the 7th and Saturn of the 8th house. Vakri grahas and Paramuchcha grahas no doubt gain superior strength but do not produce identical results and even become over-powered in Grahayuddhas. If the Sun is Arohi a Vakri graha although very strong but because of the variations in its motion does not produce results uniformly.
Situated in their debilitation sign if owning good houses Vakri grahas produce good results, if owning bad houses they give bad results. Phaladeepika holds the view that a retrograde planet in its sign of debilitation is equal to its occupation of exaltation sign, and that exalted retrograde planets act as though they are debilitated. And, excepting the retrograde ones, those planets which occupy unfriendly signs take away 1/3rd of their allotted term of life. Vakra also means Kuja (Mars). Vakri grahas having gained exceptional strength give thrice the term of life allotted to them.
Vakra Asana in Yoga twists the body from back to front. Usually this asana are done to strengthen the spine and make them flexible. The potential of the retrograde planets is to be flexible, to twist thing around, to make them unclear, to teach its message in an indirect way, to view life in a different way to others. By doing it correctly they can strengthen themselves and become adaptable, original, innovative and different. On the negative side they can be twisted thinkers, crooked and dishonest. The individual can deal with the quality of their retrograde planets in a positive manner or can use their potential in a totally negative way. The essence is there to do good or bad in the planet but it is up to the individual to use this in the right way.
If a planet is retrograde in your birth chart, you may face obstacles in that area, In fact, you could find that because you spend more time with these challenges, they actually become strengths. Using Mercury and Venus as examples again, if either of these planets is retrograde in your chart, you may or may not have problems with communication or love. It could take you longer to write papers in school but the time you've spent will make your language skills stronger. You may be unlucky when it comes to relationships and marriage, but when you finally fall in love it's more likely to be the real thing.
When you understand how a retrograde can affect you, either in your birth chart or during normal transits, you can prepare yourself to deal with them.
In the continuing cycles of the planets’ motions, retrograde periods are a time to research, review and re-do, any “re-” word. Our culture likes to pretend that we can move forward in linear progress, but nature tells us everything goes around in a circle or spiral. So sometimes we have to circle around before we go forward again. That’s what retrogrades are good for.
The slower-moving outer planets spend more time retrograde than the quicker-moving inner planets. Even though Mercury Retrograde only lasts three weeks at a time (three times a year), we seem to feel them the most. Possibly that’s because Mercury is in charge of all forms of communications and those touch every area of our lives. Mercury is also associated with all means of local transport. Hence its retrograde times are when we are more likely to be delayed by traffic snarls (allow extra time) or need car repairs (try to anticipate with preventive maintenance). Allow extra time for everything because you’ll need to doublecheck your work.
The five planets Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn express the practical reality of our life. They are the planets that form the Pancha Mahapurusha Yoga that bestows greatness on earth. The rule the Pancha Mahabhutas, the five primary elements that influence our physical body but also sheath the eternal consciousness. These elements control our organs of desires, emotions and senses. They can keep us grounded in gross reality but if we start to use their energy spiritually they become infused with a different power.
To see if you have planets whether are in retrogade, look at your natal chart and find the sign and degree where the retrograde begins and ends. To obtain your natal chart, find out your exact birth time and go to the apt website.You should be able to print your chart from there (or save it to your computer) and access a brief interpretation report.
Planets are retrograde when they are closest to the earth, so think of bringing the planet’s meaning closer to you. The retrograde period is usually a time of relearning lessons related to the planet in question, so sometimes it presents difficulties as part of that lesson-learning.
During a 'retrograde,' the areas of life that the retrograde planet rules will feel crazy until it catches up to Earth again. Each planet exerts influence over certain aspects of life. When a planet goes retrograde, the effects of its influence are reversed. During a Venus retrograde, don't expect love or relationships to come easily.
Once you have your birth chart, you can see what part of it any planet is retrograding over by comparing the degrees of the retrograde range to the houses of your chart. You can also discover if any planets were retrograde at your birth.
When you have a personal consultation, your astrologer can explain the influences in your life of natal and current retrograde planets.
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