First things first. Retrograde doesn’t mean your life is ruined at all. You must have found yourself blaming Mercury retrograde at times when you got that 2 am text from your ex or when your phone fell into a swimming pool all of a sudden, after you took every precaution. But here is the thing: retrogrades are not just some mischief makers, they are a sign from the universe asking you gently (sometimes not so gently) to pause for a moment, slow down and reflect.

So, what does retrograde even mean?

Okay. Fact time. So, a planet is considered to go retrograde when it appears to be moving in the sky backwards. In reality, it’s just an optical illusion, like a car looks like moving in the wrong direction when observed from a window of a moving train. But retrogrades hit hard. In astrology, each planet is said to rule certain energies, and when it turns retrograde, those energies turn inward. They become slower and demand introspection. 

The main players: Who goes retrograde and what does it mean

Now we will introduce you to all the main culprits (or the cosmic coaches in reality). 

Mercury Retrograde: This one is the most famous and quite truly the internet's favourite scapegoat. You must have surely seen memes or factoids on it somewhere.  Mercury Retrograde mainly messes with communication, technology, and travel. So, when it happens, expect emails to vanish, texts to misfire, and exes reappearing like some glitch in the Matrix.

Venus Retrograde: Oof. Venus retrograding means that love, money, and beauty are all up for review. Your relationships can feel weirdly nostalgic, and your past lovers may crawl out of nowhere, reciting bad poetry.

Mars Retrograde: During Mars retrograde, action slows down, and you may feel sluggish, angry, or like your motivation is hiding in a blanket fort.

Jupiter Retrograde: Jupiter retrograde makes big dreams get filtered. It is not about going big, it’s about going deep. You are meant to re-evaluate your purpose and beliefs during this time.

Saturn Retrograde: Saturn retrograde makes you review your responsibilities and life lessons. If you have cut corners, count on Saturn to call you out.

Uranus, Neptune, Pluto Retrograde: These planets stir up inner transformation when they go retrograde. These are slow-moving planets, but their effects are subtle but powerful, like emotional tectonic shifts.

Is retrograde always bad news? Actually, no.

Here is the hot take: Retrograde energy is not a punishment. It’s a nudge, or sometimes a cosmic slap, telling you to rethink, revisit, and redo. Some astrologers believe retrogrades are like healing cycles. They give us a chance to correct our course before life zooms forward again. Think of them as spiritual pitstops. They are not glamorous, but are quite necessary.

Retrograde and You: Why your birth chart matters?

Not everyone feels retrogrades the same way. If a planet is retrograde in your birth chart, you may feel oddly comfortable when that planet retrogrades in real time. It is like the world finally matches your internal vibe. Check where the retrograde planet is moving in your chart. If it is in your 7th house of relationships, you might need to have that talk. If it’s in your 10th house of career, old job offers might resurface.

What to do during a retrograde

Retrogrades do not require rituals with 13 herbs under a blood moon (though hey, no judgment). Here are some remedies you can follow:

Reflect: Journaling helps, and so does silence.

Review: Re-read that contract. Twice.

Reconnect: Old friends might DM you. Maybe say hi.

Repair: Fix that thing you have been avoiding, emotionally or literally.

Rest: Don’t push. Just flow with it.

What not to do (unless you really want drama)

• Sign big contracts (unless unavoidable)

• Launch something new

• Send that risky text

• Ignore red flags (they’ll come back, louder)

Honestly, retrogrades are just the Universe’s way of cleaning up your emotional inbox. At first, these periods could feel pretty chaotic, but when you observe them deeply, you find it to be a time for detox. Remember, it’s not always courageous to fight the tide; sometimes, it’s better to just float and wait for the current to change. 

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