Retrograde planets
For some weeks or months a planet moves backwards through the constellations and traces a loop in the sky. The movement arises because we watch from the moving Earth.
What does retrograde mean?
Most of the time the planets move from west to east in front of the constellations, in the same direction as Sun and Moon. This movement is called direct. At times a planet slows down, stands still and moves backwards for some weeks or months before it turns again. During this time it is retrograde. A loop or a zigzag appears in the sky, the retrograde loop.
The moment of turning is called a station. Every retrograde period begins and ends with a station.
Why planets turn retrograde
The loop comes from the point of view. The Earth overtakes the outer planets on the inside track, and while it overtakes, the planet seems to fall back in front of the stars. This happens around its opposition to the Sun. Mercury and Venus move on the inside and in their turn overtake the Earth, around their inferior conjunction.
Seen from the Sun, every planet moves steadily forwards. The Dyyna 3D model shows both points of view side by side.
How often and how long a planet is retrograde depends on its orbit. Mercury turns three times a year for a good three weeks, Venus every 19 months for about six weeks, Mars every 26 months for a good two months. Jupiter and Saturn are retrograde for about four months every year, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto for about five.
Retrograde motion in the calendar
A retrograde planet can leave a constellation again and enter it a second time later. This changes the positions on which trines in one element and the tree times depend. In the 3D model an R stands next to each planet that is retrograde at the moment.
Retrograde planets 2027
| Planet | retrograde from | direct from |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | 9 Feb | 3 Mar |
| Mercury | 10 Jun | 4 Jul |
| Mercury | 7 Oct | 28 Oct |
| Mars | 10 Jan | 1 Apr |
| Jupiter | 13 Dec 2026 | 13 Apr |
| Saturn | 9 Aug | 24 Dec |
| Uranus | 10 Sep 2026 | 8 Feb |
| Uranus | 15 Sep | 12 Feb 2028 |
| Neptune | 9 Jul | 15 Dec |
| Pluto | 8 May | 18 Oct |
Times for Central Europe (CET, CEST in summer). Venus is not retrograde in 2027; its next loop begins in May 2028.
Sources
- Retrograde and prograde motion, Wikipedia
- Apparent retrograde motion, Wikipedia
- Planetary positions: VSOP87 (Bretagnon and Francou 1988)
Frequently asked questions about retrograde planets
What does Mercury retrograde mean?
For a good three weeks Mercury seems to move backwards through the constellations. In 2027 this happens three times: in February, in June and in October.
Does a retrograde planet really move backwards?
On its orbit every planet always moves in the same direction. The backward movement only shows from the Earth, while the Earth overtakes the planet or is overtaken by it.
Which planets are retrograde in 2027?
All except Venus. The dates are in the table above.