What is a planetary retrograde in astrology?

A planetary retrograde occurs when a planet appears to move backward in the sky from Earth's perspective. It signals a period of review, reflection, and reassessment in the life areas governed by that planet.

Which planets go retrograde?

All planets except the Sun and Moon go retrograde: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Mercury retrogrades most frequently (3 times/year), while outer planets retrograde once per year for several months.

How does retrograde affect daily life?

Retrogrades encourage slowing down, reviewing past decisions, and completing unfinished business. Mercury retrograde affects communication and tech; Venus retrograde affects love; Mars retrograde affects energy and ambition. The outer planets produce subtler, longer-lasting internal shifts.

♻️ Planetary Retrogrades — Complete Schedule & Guide

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto Retrograde Dates

Content curated by TheAstroking Astrology Team, specializing in Western planetary retrogrades.

⚠️ Currently Retrograde

☿ Mercury is retrograde from February 25, 2026 to March 20, 2026 (22 days) — moving from 22° Pisces back to 8° Pisces.

In Western astrology, a retrograde occurs when a planet appears to move backward in the sky from Earth's perspective. While no planet actually reverses its orbit, the optical illusion created by orbital speeds carries profound astrological significance — signalling periods of review, reflection, and reassessment in the life areas governed by that planet.

Retrograde periods are not inherently negative. They offer valuable opportunities to slow down, revisit unfinished business, correct past mistakes, and deepen self-awareness. Understanding which planets are retrograde — and in which zodiac signs — helps you navigate these periods with clarity and intention.

♻️ Upcoming Planetary Retrogrades

All dates and times are shown in UTC. Retrograde periods indicate when the planet stations retrograde (begins apparent backward motion) through when it stations direct (resumes forward motion).

♄ Saturn Upcoming
Retrograde: August 09, 2027, Monday at 10:37 AM UTC
Direct: December 23, 2027, Thursday at 07:17 PM UTC
Duration: 136 days · From: 27° Aries → 21° Aries
♄ Saturn Upcoming
Retrograde: August 22, 2028, Tuesday at 02:48 PM UTC
Direct: January 05, 2029, Friday at 05:09 AM UTC
Duration: 135 days · From: 11° Taurus → 4° Taurus
♃ Jupiter Upcoming
Retrograde: December 12, 2026, Saturday at 05:27 PM UTC
Direct: April 12, 2027, Monday at 06:42 PM UTC
Duration: 121 days · From: 27° Leo → 16° Leo
♀️ Venus Upcoming
Retrograde: December 16, 2029, Sunday at 04:18 PM UTC
Direct: January 26, 2030, Saturday at 02:04 PM UTC
Duration: 40 days · From: 24° Capricorn → 8° Capricorn
♃ Jupiter Upcoming
Retrograde: February 10, 2029, Saturday at 05:37 AM UTC
Direct: June 13, 2029, Wednesday at 01:37 PM UTC
Duration: 123 days · From: 27° Libra → 17° Libra
♂️ Mars Upcoming
Retrograde: February 14, 2029, Wednesday at 12:47 AM UTC
Direct: May 05, 2029, Saturday at 11:30 AM UTC
Duration: 80 days · From: 13° Libra → 24° Virgo
☿ Mercury ℞ Active Now
Retrograde: February 25, 2026, Wednesday at 11:19 PM UTC
Direct: March 20, 2026, Friday at 12:03 PM UTC
Duration: 22 days · From: 22° Pisces → 8° Pisces
♂️ Mars Upcoming
Retrograde: January 10, 2027, Sunday at 05:30 AM UTC
Direct: April 01, 2027, Thursday at 06:39 AM UTC
Duration: 81 days · From: 10° Virgo → 20° Leo
♃ Jupiter Upcoming
Retrograde: January 12, 2028, Wednesday at 01:24 AM UTC
Direct: May 13, 2028, Saturday at 12:31 PM UTC
Duration: 122 days · From: 27° Virgo → 17° Virgo
♆ Neptune Upcoming
Retrograde: July 07, 2026, Tuesday at 03:26 AM UTC
Direct: December 12, 2026, Saturday at 02:49 PM UTC
Duration: 158 days · From: 4° Aries → 1° Aries
♆ Neptune Upcoming
Retrograde: July 09, 2027, Friday at 03:12 PM UTC
Direct: December 15, 2027, Wednesday at 01:38 AM UTC
Duration: 158 days · From: 6° Aries → 3° Aries
♆ Neptune Upcoming
Retrograde: July 11, 2028, Tuesday at 05:34 AM UTC
Direct: December 16, 2028, Saturday at 01:14 PM UTC
Duration: 158 days · From: 8° Aries → 6° Aries
♄ Saturn Upcoming
Retrograde: July 26, 2026, Sunday at 12:27 PM UTC
Direct: December 10, 2026, Thursday at 04:02 PM UTC
Duration: 137 days · From: 14° Aries → 7° Aries
☿ Mercury Upcoming
Retrograde: June 29, 2026, Monday at 10:06 AM UTC
Direct: July 23, 2026, Thursday at 03:28 PM UTC
Duration: 24 days · From: 26° Cancer → 16° Cancer
♂️ Mars Upcoming
Retrograde: March 28, 2031, Friday at 05:05 PM UTC
Direct: June 13, 2031, Friday at 04:27 AM UTC
Duration: 76 days · From: 21° Scorpio → 4° Scorpio
♇ Pluto Upcoming
Retrograde: May 06, 2026, Wednesday at 08:05 AM UTC
Direct: October 15, 2026, Thursday at 07:10 PM UTC
Duration: 162 days · From: 5° Aquarius → 3° Aquarius
♇ Pluto Upcoming
Retrograde: May 08, 2027, Saturday at 05:27 AM UTC
Direct: October 17, 2027, Sunday at 08:21 PM UTC
Duration: 162 days · From: 7° Aquarius → 4° Aquarius
♇ Pluto Upcoming
Retrograde: May 09, 2028, Tuesday at 02:03 AM UTC
Direct: October 18, 2028, Wednesday at 08:13 PM UTC
Duration: 162 days · From: 8° Aquarius → 6° Aquarius
♀️ Venus Upcoming
Retrograde: May 10, 2028, Wednesday at 03:33 PM UTC
Direct: June 22, 2028, Thursday at 02:43 PM UTC
Duration: 42 days · From: 19° Gemini → 3° Gemini
♀️ Venus Upcoming
Retrograde: October 02, 2026, Friday at 11:46 PM UTC
Direct: November 13, 2026, Friday at 04:58 PM UTC
Duration: 41 days · From: 8° Scorpio → 22° Libra
☿ Mercury Upcoming
Retrograde: October 23, 2026, Friday at 11:43 PM UTC
Direct: November 13, 2026, Friday at 08:25 AM UTC
Duration: 20 days · From: 20° Scorpio → 5° Scorpio
♅ Uranus Upcoming
Retrograde: September 10, 2026, Thursday at 10:58 AM UTC
Direct: February 08, 2027, Monday at 05:00 AM UTC
Duration: 150 days · From: 5° Gemini → 1° Gemini
♅ Uranus Upcoming
Retrograde: September 15, 2027, Wednesday at 01:40 AM UTC
Direct: February 12, 2028, Saturday at 04:20 PM UTC
Duration: 150 days · From: 9° Gemini → 5° Gemini
♅ Uranus Upcoming
Retrograde: September 18, 2028, Monday at 04:32 PM UTC
Direct: February 16, 2029, Friday at 03:22 AM UTC
Duration: 150 days · From: 14° Gemini → 10° Gemini

Understanding Planetary Retrogrades in Western Astrology

A retrograde occurs when a planet appears to move backward through the zodiac from our earthly perspective. This happens because of the relative speeds at which Earth and other planets orbit the Sun. Inner planets (Mercury, Venus) retrograde when they "lap" Earth, while outer planets (Mars through Pluto) retrograde when Earth overtakes them.

Inner Planet Retrogrades — Personal & Immediate

☿ Mercury (3×/year, ~3 weeks): Disrupts communication, tech, travel, and contracts. The most commonly discussed retrograde.
♀️ Venus (every 18 months, ~40 days): Re-evaluates love, beauty, self-worth, and finances. Exes may reappear.
♂️ Mars (every 2 years, ~2.5 months): Saps motivation, stalls projects, and redirects anger into reflection.

Outer Planet Retrogrades — Collective & Transformational

♃ Jupiter (1×/year, ~4 months): Turns growth inward — reflecting on beliefs, education, and expansive goals.
♄ Saturn (1×/year, ~4.5 months): Tests structures and demands accountability. Karmic lessons surface.
♅ Uranus (1×/year, ~5 months): Internalises rebellion and innovation. Breakthroughs come through introspection.
♆ Neptune (1×/year, ~5.5 months): Lifts illusion, reveals hidden truths, and deepens spiritual clarity.
♇ Pluto (1×/year, ~5.5 months): Intensifies internal transformation and power dynamics. Shadow work deepens.

How to Navigate Retrograde Periods

Retrogrades are ideal for activities that begin with "re-": review, revise, reconnect, reflect, repair, and reassess. Avoid launching entirely new ventures, signing binding contracts (especially during Mercury retrograde), or making impulsive decisions. Instead, use retrograde energy to strengthen existing foundations, resolve past conflicts, and gain deeper self-awareness.

Do Retrogrades Actually Affect You?

The impact of a retrograde depends on your natal chart. If the retrograding planet rules your Sun, Moon, or Rising sign — or aspects key placements in your birth chart — you'll likely feel its effects more intensely. A free natal chart reading reveals exactly how each retrograde interacts with your personal cosmic blueprint.

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