Retrograde Planets Maria J. Mateus March 21, 2009

From James Wilson’s Complete Dictionary of Astrology “In horary questions it is reckoned one of the worst symptoms. Nothing signified by a retrograde planet can come to good, however good the planet itself, or its aspect, may be, but with the exception of horary questions, I am not aware that a planet is weaker when retrograde than when direct.” “Placidus was of the opinion that retrograde planets caused disease…This may be so because planets when retrograde are nearer to the Earth and I have generally observed that whatever good qualities they may possess, they are apt to disturb our atmosphere when in perigee, which will naturally cause distempers.

From William Lilly Lilly does not give a general interpretation for retrograde motion. But he gives many examples where they are interpreted. A retrograde planet is considered an accidental debility that warrants a score of -5 points on his Table of Planetary Fortitude or Debility. (p.115) However, in his many examples, retrograde planets do not always show debilitated or negative outcomes. It depends on what is being signified. “Every planet that is retrograde sheweth slownesse.” Yet, in many examples, he interprets events happening quickly and unexpectedly.

Explanation by Olivia Barclay A normal application of a faster planet applying to a slower planet is like a car approaching a garage. The garage (the slow planet) does not approach the car. If the slower is retrograde, it is like a head-on collision because both planets are moving toward one another. Thus, the event occurs more suddenly and unexpectedly. If they are both retrograde, they are both slow and everything is delayed.

Lilly’s example interpretations Retrograde planets can signify positive outcomes when it signifies: the return of lost or stolen possessions the return of people on a journey the return of sailing ships the return of missing animals the return of someone imprisoned the return to health after illness the return of a betrothed

Lilly’s example interpretations Retrograde planets can signify negative outcomes when it: Signifies the return of an illness Signifies the return of a ship that is afflicted Signifies the return of a traveler being impeded by another planet Is a malefic in the 1st, it shortens the length of life

William Lilly Example Retrograde example with a positive outcome Mercury Rx = the significator of the horse the Sun = the significator of possessions Mercury Rx conjuncts the Sun in 40’ Lilly judges the horse will return in 1 or 2 days at the most. The horse returns after 3 days. He says this was signified by the Mercury Venus conjunction since the Sun does not have enough dignity.

William Lilly Example Retrograde example with a positive outcome Mercury Rx = querent, under the beams: describes her distress Jupiter = quesited; exalted and in terms: “the man stands on high terms” Moon carries the light from Jupiter to an applying Mercury Rx: Lilly says a 3rd person intercedes on their behalf and makes the marriage come to pass.

Anonymous Natal Example Traditionally the natal represents the life not character. Saturn Rx rules 3rd and 4th and is in the 9th. This represents a recurring event that solidifies a commitment in a foreign place which changes his neighborhood, siblings, family and/or homeland. This person was born in the US but moved abroad at age 6 to his family’s homeland. He then returned to the US at age 12, changing his homeland, his neighborhood and schooling once again.

Transiting Retrogrades Here we have the date of the first move abroad for the previous chart. Notice that in the transits we also have Saturn Rx at 03º Libra. The native does not have any planets at 03º but does have the Part of Foreign Travel at 04º of Sagittarius. Thus, Saturn is echoing the natal retrograde and activating this Part by sextile.

Transiting Retrogrades Here we have the date of the second foreign move back to the birth country. Notice that in the transits we again have Saturn Rx, this time at 04º Sagittarius. This transit of Saturn Rx is exactly conjunct the Part of Foreign Travel.

Retrogrades in a Mundane Chart Here we have an example of things can go very wrong with a retrograde planet: the chart for the Call by CNN of the 2000 Presidential elections! Mercury was not only retrograde, but was ruler of the ASC and stationed to go direct on this very day. Two problems: it stationed on the cusp of two signs darting into Libra for just a little over a day… …as it went direct it then squared Neptune on Nov. 14, the statutory deadline for the recounts in FL, which Sec. Harris rejected. It then aspected the Sun on Dec. 12, the date the Supreme Court ruled in favor of George Bush. This chart has the Sun parallel Sirius. Bush has the Sun conjunct Sirius in his natal chart.

Summary A retrograde simply indicates a return to a situation that was previously experienced. The type of outcome depends upon: what the planet signifies in the chart what the applying aspects are whether there is reception between the applying planets In natal charts, a retrograde planet indicates a repeated experience signified by the placement and rulerships of the planet.