A review on retrogrades

Retrogrades are an important phenomenon that is poorly understood by many people, although the name is recognized by many. We recently gave you an introduction to retrogrades in the natal chart and in everyday life, looking at what a retrograde means in general. We are looking at the outermost four planets. Read on to find out what gets turned topsy-turvy when Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto look like they are going backwards!

Saturn in retrograde

Saturn is in retrograde for a good portion of the year -- four-and-half months at a time. If you have Saturn retrograde in your natal chart, you are likely to be in conflict with authority. The conflict can come from either direction -- you may feel that people use their power to abuse you, or you may have a tendency to mismanage your own authority. In general, during a Saturn retrograde event, the rules are questioned, but extra effort and contemplation is put into projects.

Uranus in retrograde

Uranus is known as the wild card among the planets of the solar system. In general, surprises are common and the unexpected is expected when Uranus is in retrograde. If your natal chart identifies that Uranus was in retrograde when you were born, your personality may be notoriously erratic, encompassing different extremes at different times.

Neptune in retrograde

The planet of illusion and make believe has more physical influence on our lives than we might expect, according to belief in astrology readings. A retrograde here tends to make logic secondary to the imagination -- this might foster great creativity or great disasters! A person with Neptune retrograde in their natal chart could have issues with drug and alcohol abuse (escapism and fantasy worlds), or may tend to become deeply involved in stories and games.

Pluto in retrograde

Pluto is the planet of the underworld -- power and personal mastery are associated with it. When it is in retrograde, the things which were buried come to the surface -- the underworld becomes the above world. Fresh starts are possible, and dead ends are encountered. When Pluto was in retrograde in your natal chart, the power aspect is the one which tends to surface. Extreme power and corruption may be features in your life - whether you are on the delivering or receiving end.