RETROGRADE PLANETS

When a planet is retrograde, its energies are turned inward

and becomes more subjective. The energy is slower manifesting in
the external world, partly because the individual with retrograde planets
tends to think more deeply about the energies involved. Many geniuses
and leaders have retrograde planets.
According to Martin Schulman, in his Karmic Astrology: Retrogrades
& Reincarnation, Vol. II, retrograde planets tend to break the time barrier.
The individual brings memories of prior lifetimes into the present
incarnation. There may be feelings of a blending of lifetimes
characterized by the person attempting to resolve issues that still
appear to be unfinished. The memories can be so vivid that the
person does not recognize them as memories. In Schulmans
words: He is living in a dulled phase of another time zone whose
irresistible magnetism seems even more important than his current life.
The individual keeps re-living the experiences that relate to the particular
retrograde planet.
Retrogrades operate through multiple dimensions at the same
time. Thus, the person may be either behind or ahead of himself in this
life while still another part of self is not yet in this life at all. In addition to
this lack of synchronization with chronological time, which in itself would
be enough to upset most individuals, he also experiences on still another
plane, a rather unique orientation in space. (Schulman)
Schulmans definition of a Retrograde individual refers to
having either: 1) 3 or more retrogrades in the natal chart, 2) any one of
the personal planets Retrograde, or 3) even one single Retrograde planet
near the Ascendant or Midheaven (the 10th house cusp is called the
Midheaven).
Again quoting Schulman: The Retrograde planet, with its powerful
karmic lessons being brought forward in this life tends to emphasize the
matter or form side of life, throwing man into the more primitive parts of
himself where his struggle for survival amidst the conditions and people
around him becomes predominant over the fulfillment of his Soul. This
becomes even more heightened in the case of the inner [personal]
Retrogrades (Mercury, Venus, & Mars) through which man deals with the
very same intimate, personal, and private parts of himself which he has
been struggling with since his beginning in time.

It is comforting and encouraging to know that soul and

spirit are above the laws of karma and all difficulties can be
resolved. Much spiritual growth can take place through the
overcoming of the difficulties involved with Retrograde planets.

PERSONAL RETROGRADE PLANETS

ASSIGNMENT: Go over your Natal Chart to determine whether or not you

have planets that are retrograde. We are talking of planets only here;
there are other factors that can express in a retrograde manner as well.
List your retrograde planets. Do you meet the requirements for
being a Retrograde individual? See Schulmans definition above. The
planets that are Retrograde will have the retrograde sign included in the
degree/sign indication. Confused? Refer to the Sample Chart Venus
is Retrograde in the 2nd house.

The SUN and MOON do not go retrograde.

MERCURY RETROGRADE turns the mind inward, giving a tendency to

repeatedly go back over prior events and lessons. The thought process is
based in the subconscious rather than the conscious mind. This means
the learning process is more Right Brain than Left Brain; you
absorb the essence rather than the details. For this reason, you are likely
to score lower on standardized and/or facts-oriented tests than those
students not having MERCURY RETROGRADE.
PARENTS, BE ALERT The child with MERCURY RETROGRADE is
likely to be made to feel and told that he/she is less intelligent than he/she
really is. This childs learning process is different, not less
intelligent.
The MERCURY RETROGRADE individual is capable of tapping into the
collective unconscious and of perceiving knowledge from prior times. This
process is unconscious. Because you know more than you can
consciously communicate, frustration may set in. You may become
preoccupied with the form of your ideas, creating barriers to the essence
of your knowledge.
Creative outlets that require non-verbal communication,
such as music and painting, are an excellent means of expression

for MERCURY RETROGRADE. Many of our musical geniuses have

MERCURY RETROGRADE. History is also a natural outlet.
MERCURY RETROGRADE KARMA: Relationships with a
tendency to react to others as if they symbolize persons from the past.

VENUS RETROGRADE indicates difficulty in expressing freely your love

and affection for others. You may feel that you lack emotional fulfillment
and tend to interpret lifes events through the lens of how much am I
loved or deprived of love? Emotionally based relationships can be
difficult because you tend to internalize and thereby exaggerate hurts.
VENUS RETROGRADE KARMA: Relationships reveals that
your soul carries memories of past life painful relationships and a great
misunderstanding about the nature of love. The prior life intense
emotional pain may result in a present tendency to cut yourself off from
fully experiencing the richness of loveout of fear of being hurt once
more. You will tend to react to the present as if it is the past, thereby preprogramming your present love relationships. You tend to block yourself
from happiness by trying too hard to achieve it.
PARENTS: Encourage your VENUS RETROGRADE child to engage
in all activities that add beauty, art, and love to his/her daily life. VENUS
is the planet of beauty; teach your child to think and create in terms that
focus on enhancing lifes situations. Loving an animal may be helpful; just
make sure the child is also learning to love people freely and within the
present context.

MARS RETROGRADE shifts the outward thrust of energy characteristic

of MARS and directs it inward. You will tend to expend a lot of energy
reliving internally your past experiences. Because you are constantly to
the past, you may inflict past life roles upon the persons in your present
lifes environment. There is a strong tendency to place priority upon
fulfilling your spiritual desires, resulting in neglect of the physical
bodys needs. An intentional focus on holistic growth is needed.
Sexual experiences can be less fulfilling because your energy is turned
inward. However, sex that is deeply rooted in love between two partners
and that strives for a mutual spiritual orgasm can be a much more natural
expression for MARS RETROGRADE.
MARS RETROGRADE KARMA indicates your actions tend to
be an effort to recreate situations from your prior lifetimes. You
may expend energy in attempting to find people in the present who can
symbolize those who fulfilled you in the past. You may try to act out all
that you could not express in prior lifetimes. You may over-react when

your efforts fail to produce your desired results. This over-reaction can
result in coming on too strongly, only to have people pull back.
PARENTS: Assist your MARS RETROGRADE child to form a daily
routine of plenty of sleep, a nutritious diet, lots of outdoor exercise. Since
MARS RETROGRADE tends to be more interested in spiritual desires, help
the child to understand the physical body is the Temple of God
and must be cared for accordingly.
With both VENUS & MARS RETROGRADE children, parents can
be helpful by discussing with the child the difference between past life
memories and present experiences. Help your child to discern when
he/she is over-reacting.
WARNING, PARENTS: If you choose to assist your Venus
Retrograde or your Mars Retrograde child to discern past life memories
from present experiences, DO NOT DENY PAST LIVES. To do so would
simply create more confusion. Instead, recognize the past life memories
as real, then guide your child in discerning whether or not the events
he/she remembers happened in the present environment.
PARENTS: I know this is hard to understand if you have
not experienced it, so let me give an example from my life. Although my
Venus or Mars are not retrograde, I have memories of having lived in
Egypt for several lifetimes. When I entered my private counseling
practice, I barely managed to hold things together financially. This went
on for years. Finally, one day I was sitting at my computer and I heard
myself think, If I had plenty of money, I would not complete my souls
mission for this incarnation. Shocked, I realized that I had been telling
myself that for years. I asked in meditation to understand this thought
pattern and was shown a lifetime in which I had been very wealthy.
Instead of using my talents in that past life, I used my money to play. It
wasin Soul termsa lifetime in which I did not complete my souls
purpose. Completing my souls purpose and mission for this incarnation
has been uppermost in my mind since a small child. I realized that,
heretofore, I had not experienced financial abundance in this incarnation
because that past life memory remained in my semi-conscious
awareness. As a result of separating past life experiences from those of
this incarnation, my needs are abundantly met as I continue to fulfill my
mission for this lifetime.

JUPITER
Rules the Eternal Self, the Planet of Wisdom
Jupiter is a source of enthusiasm, optimism, and the urge to seize the
opportunities offered to you in life.

JUPITER RETROGRADE turns its energy of expansion inward, so that

much inner growth takes place, often through spiritually oriented studies.
JUPITER RETROGRADE tends to procrastinate and to plan, then re-plan,
to the point of failing to get anywhere with the thoroughly planned
project. JUPITER RETROGRADE offers the opportunity for a highly
spiritual incarnation. You must seek your own Truth; for, the
mundane and status quo is likely to leave you feeling discontent. You are
a free-spirit and cannot follow happily in the footsteps of others. Great
wisdom and prophetic ability can be present, especially as you attain
spiritual maturity. JUPITER RETROGRADE can bring many dj-vu
experiences; you can feel at home anywhere on the planet.
PARENTS, your JUPITER RETROGRADE child will likely find little
value or meaning in much that our society regards as cherished
traditions. Your child incarnated to live out the richness in life, both
outwardly and inwardly. Too strict an environment can result in inner
restlessness and discontent that the child may be unable to verbalize or
define. Know that your child needs to explore a variety of places,
activities, philosophies, and to determine for self the lasting significance
of each. Enjoy the versatility and unique insights that your JUPITER
RETROGRADE child can offer you.

THE DWELLER ON THE THRESHOLD

The planet of self-discipline, SATURNs goal for you is perfection.

SATURN helps us bear our karma and successfully pass our tests. Until
we willingly accept self-discipline, we experience SATURN as
feelings of limitation, deprivation, delay, and disappointment.
SATURNs true desire is to grant us wisdom and compassion.

SATURN RETROGRADE is your signal that you are re-doing a

lifetime. This incarnation is your 2nd chance; thus, you will feel the
burden of dealing with two lifetimes at once. You can, therefore,
experience inner doubts about your self-worth and your ability to
overcome difficulties. The good news is that your soul knows you have
achieved the spiritual maturity required to re-do successfully a lifetime.
You have in prior lifetimes advanced through great personal struggles and
sacrifices. Now, as you learn to flow with SATURNs discipline, you will be
rewarded with enormous wisdom. SATURN is comfortable in RETROGRADE
motion, and as you flow with it, you develop the capacity to tap into all of

your past life wisdom and talents. SATURN RETROGRADE is a sign of

an old Soul who has advanced far on the spiritual path. Now, you
have incarnated to perfect what you have learned.
PARENTS: your SATURN RETROGRADE child is likely to possess a
serious nature and to feel overly responsible. You can assist your child by
incorporating regular periods of play into the daily schedule. You might
need to reassure this child that until he/she grows into adulthood, you will
be the parent while he/she enjoys being the child. Self-discipline learned
through play can be effective. Competitive sports may overload the child
with the need to be responsible and do well for his/her team. Individual
sports, such as swimming, track, and tennis may be more helpful.
Observe your child and follow your intuitive guidance. Sculpture, sewing,
and woodworking can be playful ways to satisfy the SATURN need to build
structures.
SATURN RETROGRADE KARMA the re-doing of a lifetime,
with the extra weight that entails. SATURN RETROGRADE will be serious
about getting it right this time.

OUTER RETROGRADE PLANETS

URANUS RETROGRADE creates difficulty in being aware of and

expressing your inner individuality. There can be a rediscovery of ideas
from previous lifetimes. URANUS RETROGRADE gives you a compelling
sense of responsibility toward personal growth because you sense that
human progress as a whole is enhanced as well. You are a forerunner
of the future, very tapped into the richness of life. You must be
original; you must explore the new; you must share your ideas with
others. You are a free spirit and cannot be bound by seeking to have
others understand what you are about. Your path may be long and
crooked, but you can know extreme happiness while traveling it.
URANUS RETROGRADE KARMA relates to karmic family and
societal difficulties. In your efforts to both relate to others and to
reform, your unconscious mind can be transformed. URANUS
RETROGRADE can play havoc with relationships because of your
changeability, which can make you appear hypocritical. Your mental and
emotional bodies may struggle with each other, as you know you need to
do one thing while feeling that you need to do another. URANUS
RETROGRADE would have you lift your consciousness above the
emotional/mental bodies and focus on the intuitive body.
PARENTS appreciate your free spirited child. Encourage
his/her originality and inventiveness. Do not try to possess this child;

URANUS RETROGRADE is his/her own unique self and will rebel against all
attempts to chain him/her.

NEPTUNE RETROGRADE gives the desire to unveil mysteries and

to expose religious shams. You will have an intuitive awareness of
your subconscious mind, but may have difficulty making conscious
attunement. NEPTUNE RETROGRADE attunes much easier to the
subconscious/unconscious when the focus is diverted by the use of a tool,
such as astrology, or while the conscious mind is occupied with the task at
hand. It is, therefore, important to listen to and heed insights that
appear to come to you from out of the blue.
NEPTUNE RETROGRADE indicates the urge to view the material
world in terms of its significance to the Soul and its growth. Thus,
NEPTUNE RETROGRADE offers you the opportunity to achieve a very
advanced stage of spiritual evolution during this incarnation. NEPTUNE
RETROGRADE requires that you live in the material world while remaining
separate from it. To others, you will seem to lack the common
sense that motivates the behavior of others. Instead, you vibrate
to a higher music, possessing a direct attunement with your
Soul. You are much more in touch with the cosmos than the material
world and know far more than you can express in words.
NEPTUNE RETROGRADE KARMA You are living through a
karma of learning how to distinguish between the dreams that will
bring true fulfillment and those that simply appear to do so. This learning
process can mean that you attempt living one dream after the other.
Because NEPTUNE RETROGRADE, functioning on the personality-centered
level, can be confusing, you may tend not to trust your intuitioneven
though you are highly intuitive.
PARENTS your NEPTUNE RETROGRADE child may appear
impractical in comparison to societys status quo. You may be tempted to
stifle your childs dreams or to dismiss them as off the wall. Know that
your child lives in two worlds simultaneously. Simply be supportive
and allow his/her uniqueness to manifest. This child will enjoy serving
others, even at a young age. Artistic and musical activities are
satisfying.

PLUTO RETROGRADE turns its transformative energy even more

deeply into the superconsciousness, bringing about an inner
illumination long before you are able to give it expression in the
outer world. PLUTO RETROGRADE indicates a carry-over of psychic
powers from previous lifetimes. These powers are to be used in
constructive ways only. You will feel the struggle humanity is going

through within yourselfhumanitys struggle is your struggle. You

are aware of and feel responsible for lifting your conscious awareness so
that the consciousness of humanity can be thereby lifted.
PLUTO RETROGRADE KARMA A karmic debt is owned to
humanity stemming from the age indicated by the sign in which
PLUTO is located. This debt is to be paid through selfless service to
humanity. Tremendous spiritual growth is possible; you have the
opportunity to rise above the karma of the human race and step off the
wheel of rebirth. PLUTO RETROGRADE joins NEPTUNE RETROGRADE in
asking that you live in the world, while remaining separate from it.
PARENTS you will need to understand the psychic powers
your child may naturally demonstrate and strive not to stifle
them. Instead, help your child use them for constructive purposes while
making no big deal over them. They are natural for your child; treat your
child as you would any other child.
(PRECESSION OF AGES found in Lesson 4 will reveal the time of the
Age indicated by the sign location of your PLUTO RETROGRADE.)

CONTRADICTIONS

As you move deeper into your Natal Chart Interpretation, you will
find that some configurations appear to contradict others.
You are a product of your eternal past. You have developed some
aspects of self more so than others. Since energy is permanent, the ways
in which you have qualified that energy remains with you.
As I stated earlier, it is best to focus on those qualities and talents
that are repeatedly mentioned in your Natal Chart. The lesser mentioned
ones are weaker and need not be focused on, unless you sense intuitively
that they represent karmic residual characteristics or issues that have not
been completely transmuted and transformed into the positive
expression.
Focusing on developing your positive characteristics and talents
usually allows the negative ones to fall away.