Retrograde Planets

In Vedic astrology, the ‘Geocentric’ way of perceiving the movement of planets and other celestial bodies is taken into consideration. In the Geocentric system the Earth is taken as the center of the Universe, and all the planets revolve around the Earth.

Retrograde means moving backwards. Planets do not move backwards in their original disposition. The relative speed of planets in their orbits around the Sun while passing each other, creates this optical illusion. However, it is subjective and depends upon the point of incidence of the viewer.

In Vedic astrology, it is from the Geocentric point of view that they appear to move backwards or be retrograde at certain times. It creates an optical illusion for the viewer standing upon Earth that the particular planet travels backwards. Somehow, this apparent retrograde disposition of planets influences life upon Earth in a peculiar manner.

 

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Which Planets Retrograde in Vedic astrology?

There are nine planets in Vedic astrology where Sun, Moon, Rahu and Ketu are also considered planets. Rahu and Ketu are imaginary points of intersection called shadowy planets. The retrograde planets are Saturn, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter.

Sun and Moon never retrograde while Rahu and Ketu always retrograde.

 

Vakri Graha

Retrograde planets are called Vakri Graha in Vedic astrology. ‘Vakri’ is the Sanskrit word which means ‘twisted’.  The other meanings are deviant, crooked, unconventional, ambiguous, indirect, winding etc.

Every planet has its own characteristics and personality. However, when they are retrograding in their motion, they suddenly start behaving differently. They do not follow their own characteristics anymore. They instead acquire completely indirect or twisted personalities.

The personality of a planet is carpeted around various dimensions of human life viz., spiritual, psychological and mental, physical, financial, relationship, material prospects etc. The planets cast their characteristics upon an individual and thus the person behaves in the particular manner influenced by the planets. When a planet turns retrograde it influences the person to behave differently too. In other words, a person is anointed with the twisted or indirect characteristics of the concerned retrograde planet.

 

The Insight into Retrograde Planets. Is it good or bad?

The planets that are retrograde are flexible in their natural characteristic disposition. It is a general notion that retrograde planets are not considered good. However, it is not so for every horoscope, as it depends on the individual charts and other permutation & combinations to put a discretionary outlook at it for correct predictions to be made.

When a person is born under the influence of a retrograde planet he/she is bestowed with a flexible attitude regarding the domain of a particular planet. He/she is no longer bound to behave in the traditional manner and instead they acquire an unconventional quality. A well-placed retrograde planet with benefic aspects makes a native liberal, flexible, innovative and has the capacity to think out of the box. They have the capacity to become innovators, think tanks, creators and are highly strategic/diplomatic.

Such retrograde planets, if negatively placed or negatively aspected, can twist the thought process of a person and in the worst scenario can also confer criminal mindset. They, due to their unsettling mental faculty, can result in an insecure, cunning, manipulative, thug, vague, perverted and biased kind of personality. Such retrograde planets can intensely modify a mind to become selfish, destructive, mean and negatively alarming for his/her surroundings.

The difference lies in the intension of the individual who carries the influence of a retrograde planet. With positive influence of beneficence upon retrograde planets in a horoscope, the general intension of the native leads towards constructive purpose, while negative retrograde planets astray a person to be destructive in his/her intension.

 

Effect of Retrograde in Mundane Astrology

It is observed that the day planets turn retrograde or direct, marks as a major transformational period, good or bad for the country concerned, geographical area, world as collective or even individual personalities.

Example:

In an innate conversation with Lord Krishna, the warrior Karna who was also an eminent astrologer, told Krishna that he chose the Kauravas’s side in the great war of Mahabharata even after knowing that they would be defeated. Karna further told Krishna that planet Mars was retrograding in the nakshatra of Jyeshtha which was entering in Anuradha nakshatra ensuring in the destruction of the existing King.

Reference:  In Mahabharata, Udyog Parva, chapter 143, Shloka 8,9,10.

 

Retrograde Planets when Debilitated

Retrograde planets when are also debilitated in a horoscope gives beneficial results to the native. Debilitated planets lose their brilliance giving impolite and negative psychology to an individual.

If such a planet is also retrograde then this negative disposition and psychology is twisted around to confer a creative, positive and an innovative mind to the native. Such individuals have unconventional solutions to problems.

Retrograde Planets when Exalted

It is observed that when an individual has exalted planets in his horoscope it bestows him with the higher qualities of humanity. But when it gets retrograde as well, they tend to get deviated from the path of morality and get a crooked psychology. Thus, a planet when exalted and retrograde at the same time, is not considered good.

 

Different Retrograde Planets

 

Mars

Mars is the red planet. It is the commander in chief of the celestial realm. It is a force, power, energy and dynamism. When it is retrograde it confers on a person with more energy than required. Such conditions make a person uncontrolled, and he/she does not understand boundaries.

Malefic planets when retrograde tend to become more malefic, twisted, cunning and overbearing.

Mars in a dominant position, especially during its retrograde phase, makes a person more forceful, controlling, and overbearing in their approach.

The potency retrograde Mars gives is too powerful, which makes a person angry, immature, stubborn, headstrong, demanding, destructive and lacks compassion. Such individuals tend to become violent and highly volatile.

However, if such Mars retrograde is also debilitated in horoscope, then such a person does not have to suffer from the above-mentioned negative conditions. 

 

Saturn

Saturn is the master strategist. A retrograde Saturn usually becomes more strategic, manipulative, silently hijacking, and cunning. It is also seen that males with such Saturn can get involved with immoral women. They also become too lethargic, destructive and ill mannered. They also acquire a tendency to solicitate materials in their lives.

In their personal lives they face hurdles and especially during Sadesati their lives become too problematic. They may be indulgent and get into gambling as well. Know more about retrograde Saturn

 

 

Jupiter

Jupiter confers on dharma, morality, principles, benevolence and auspiciousness to a human being. If a horoscope has retrograded Jupiter, it will make a person immoral and such person won’t follow dharma or the higher principles of life.

They give wrong advice to people. This is because such natives lack wisdom. Jupiter is light; in this case there is no light in the intellect and mind of the native. Such natives are often seen to earn from immoral sources.

In a female chart such natives attract partner whose mindset is ambiguous or twisted. Physically such natives are noticed to suffer from indigestion and other stomach troubles. Know more about retrograde Jupiter 

 

Venus

Venus is feminine. Retrograde Venus usually gives masculine disposition to a female or lack of compassion in a male. Such individuals do like the feminine side of human beings. They become harsh. Such females usually dress up in a masculine way. Males who are born with Venus retrograde in their charts are found to be rude and harsh in their approach.

In relationship matters such people are detached from their partners or they marry late. They are also found to be insecure.

Speaking of devotion these natives usually do not prefer to worship female goddesses.  The creative side of such individuals may be different from the rest of society. Know more about retrograde Venus

 

Mercury

Mercury bestows us with the art of good communication. When Mercury becomes retrograde it is seen that miscommunications happen. A native with retrograde Mercury usually miscommunicates with others and becomes less talkative or stammers. They are unable to convey their thoughts properly to others.

Retrograde Mercury natives lack the quality of self-restraint. Their speech can be untactful.

Such natives while they are students use the process of ‘learn by heart’. They are good at memorizing anything which is their specialty.

In the modern world, retrograde Mercury natives are said to be good at earning money and other material gains. Know more about retrograde Mercury

 

Conclusion

While judging the qualities of a retrograde planet in a chart one should be very careful to see if such retrograde planets are harmful for the native or not. They are to be observed with other permutations and combinations as well. Not only this ‘desh, kaal and patra’ (time, geographical area, and native himself) are also to be taken into consideration. If a person must live in a crooked country or at chaotic times, then retrograde planets come in handy as survival strategy for him/ her. Thus, the conventional approach towards retrograde planets need a change in today’s fast growing materialistic world.