Planets orbit along their path in the Zodiac in a clockwise direction i.e., from East to South than to the west and then to North and so on. And factually, no planet travels in a retrograde direction or an anticlockwise motion.
But the relative motion of planets to each other may make them appear that one is traveling in an anticlockwise direction or in the reverse direction to another. And this is solely because of its distance from the Sun and relative speed. For example, if a person is traveling in a fast-moving car and overtakes a slow-moving car then for the person in the fast-moving car the slow-moving car is traveling in the opposite direction but in factuality, the slow-moving car was indeed traveling in the same or front direction and not in the reverse direction.
This apparent reverse motion of the planet is taken as retrograde motion, and it has got much of a significance while predicting events.
It must be known that it is only Rahu and Ketu that are retrograde planets means these 2 planets travel in the retrograde or reverse motion. Whereas the other planets travel or transit in variable speeds which can give rise to the following motions:
- Chaari or Direct motion
- Retrograde or Vakri
- Ati Chaari or high-speed direct motion
- Sthambhan or Stationary
- Mand or slow motion
- Ati mand or very slow motion
But, I would like to clarify again that these motions are those that virtually appear, but in actuality, each planet transits at its constant speed.
Therefore, we can very well term retrogression as a paradox due to the rotational difference of motion of planets with respect to the earth.
Retrograde planets -Period of retrogression of various planets:
Retrograde Saturn: Retrogression period of Saturn:
- The time taken by the Saturn to revolve around the Sun: 29.5 years.
- Saturn becomes Retrograde every year when it is 251 degrees away from the Sun.
- When Saturn comes at 109, it becomes direct.
- It can remain stationary for 5 days.
- In a year, it remains retrograde for 140 days.
Above are the characteristics of a Retrograde Saturn.
Period of Retrogression of Jupiter: Retrograde Jupiter
- The time taken by Jupiter to revolve around the Sun: 12 years.
- Jupiter becomes Retrograde every year when it is 245 degrees away from the Sun.
- When Jupiter comes at 115 it becomes direct.
- It can remain stationary for 5 days.
- In a year, it remains retrograde for 120 days.
These are the characteristics of retrograde Jupiter.
Retrograde Mars: Period of Retrogression of Mars:
Now let me explain regarding the retrogression period of Retrograde Mars.
- The time taken by Mars to revolve around the Sun: 687 Days.
- Mars becomes Retrograde every two years.
- It can remain stationary for 5 days.
- In a year, it remains retrograde for two to two and a half months.
These are the time cycle/motion period of Retrograde Mars.
Retrogression period: For retrograde Venus:
- The time taken by Venus to revolve around the Sun: 225 Days.
- Venus becomes Retrograde every two years when it is 29 degrees away from the Sun
- It can remain stationary for 3-4 days.
- In a year, it remains retrograde for two to two and a half months.
These are the time cycle/motion period of Retrograde Venus.
Retrograde Mercury : Retrogression period of Mercury:
Now let me explain the retrogression period of retrograde mercury.
- The time taken by Venus to revolve around the Sun: 88 Days.
- Mercury becomes Retrograde three to four times a year.
- It can remain stationary from 5 hours to several days.
- In a year, it remains retrograde for 22-24 days.
So these are time cycles/motion of a Retrograde Mercury.
What is an Atichaari planet?
The result or the fortune-telling of the planet varies with the motion of the planet as described above. That means that Chaari or Direct motion, Retrograde or Vakri, Ati Chaari or high-speed direct motion, Sthambhan or Stationary, Mand or slow motion or Ati mand or very slow motion attributes to different results.
Even though this write-up is specifically dedicated to retrogression of the planet, I will just briefly describe what does Ati-Chaari planets means.
Ati means more or great, whereas Chaari means transit. A planet that transits with great speed is called Ati- Chaari planet. Usually, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn do not get Ati-Chaari that frequently and therefore, whenever they get, they can really cause havoc.
Normally Mercury becomes frequently Ati-Chaari, and it transits in one sign in 14-15 days.
Do the Retrograde planets aspect in the opposite direction?
Many astrologers assume that when one planet is transiting in a retrograde motion, its aspects (Dristhi) also get reserved. This assumption is grossly wrong and misconceived. The aspects are always considered in the forward direction, even if the planet is in retrogression. Sage Parashara has aptly explained this in his work Parasharhora Shastram.
Results of the retrograde planets
Now, when a planet turns retrograde, then the following things will necessarily happen:
- The speed of the planet increases.
- The retrogression of all the planets depends upon their distance from the Sun (as explained above).
- The apparent speed of any planet shall increase only when it is closest to the Sun.
- Those planets which have an increased speed their ‘Chestha Bal’ also increases.
- Sage Varahmeer has also said that the ‘Chestha Bal’ or strength of the planet is maximum when they are retrograde or are in association with the Moon.
All the above postulates signify that a rapidly transiting planet shall have more strength, and a planet transits rapidly only when it is in retrogression; therefore, a planet in retrogression is extra strong.
Are the retrograde planets always evil?
Sage Varahmeer says that the retrograde planets shall be extra strong, and the result of the planets depends upon its significations. If the lordship of the planet is beneficial for the ascendant, then it will be extra good results. And if the lordship of the retrograde planets is inimical to the ascendant, the consequences could be more negative. These are general guidelines & facts regarding the Retrogression of planets. However actual results of retrograde planets may vary person to person so consult a good astrologer for this.
My next article shall clarify the results of Exalted Retrograde and a Debilitated Retrograde planet. I shall also try to explain the method to decode the effects of retrograde planets. Now if the results of retrograde planets can be good, same way negative planets can also give positive results.
