Posted in HOROSCOPE ARTICLES on December 17, 2009
Provided by
Sam Geppi
How 2010's major planetary retrograde cycles will affect different areas of your life.
When a planet is retrograde it appears to be moving backward in the sky relative to our position here on Earth. Because our life of linear time moves forward on Earth, when this retrograde motion happens, many of the things the planet "rules" become confused and seem to back up in our minds.
This confusion is not necessarily bad. It causes a bit of hesitation. This hesitation makes us reflect on that energy in our consciousness. Imagine as you go to open your front door this evening that the key does not fit the lock. Immediately your attention will be drawn to the key in the lock. Typically, you mindlessly take your key out and stick it in the lock without carefully looking at it. But as soon as the key stops working, you examine it very carefully. "Is there a burr on one of the teeth? Is something stuck inside the lock itself?"
When there's a problem, your attention will be drawn to it very quickly, even something you would have otherwise overlooked. The same holds true with the retrograde planet and what it rules. The lack of confidence and the confusion around what the planet activates in our life becomes a source of greater scrutiny and (eventually) greater clarity in our mind. This leads us to improving this area of life, eventually.
Yet, during the retrograde cycle (if it's in the sky) we may experience problems with this issue. If a planet was retrograde when a person was born/in their birth chart, it will likely be a source of confusion in their life. Yet, as was said, the nature of that planet will also be something very present in the person's mind and will often be revealed as a special sort of "intuition" they have. Most people have at least one planet retrograde in their birth chart.
It is interesting that retrograde planets are closer to the Earth than they are at any other time. The phenomenon occurs because of the relative speeds of each planet. It is actually an optical illusion. Similar to when you are in a faster moving car and you pass a car that's moving slower, the slow-moving car can appear to be moving backward.
Specific Retrograde Cycles in 2010
Saturn
When Saturn is retrograde we tend to doubt our long-term plans. It is time for us to redouble our efforts on the long-term plans we've not yet completed. In 2010 Saturn will be retrograde from January 13 until May 30.
Jupiter
When Jupiter is retrograde we tend to question our philosophies, teachers, and sense of meaning and purpose. Jupiter will be retrograde in 2010 from July 23 until November 18.
Mars
When Mars is retrograde we reflect upon our principles and may become frustrated due to a lack of discipline with them. Mars turned retrograde December 20, 2009, and will stay retrograde until March 10, 2010.
Venus
When Venus is retrograde we reevaluate our romantic connections and the things we were hoping would make us happy in the world. Venus will be retrograde between October 8 and November 18.
Mercury
When Mercury is retrograde our communication systems get disrupted. Mercury will be retrograde from April 18 to May 11, from August 20 to September 12, and from December 10 until December 30 in 2010.
Retrograde cycles present a great opportunity for you to reflect upon one of these deep soul lessons. Mark these dates on your calendar in 2010 and make sure you're prepared for the next retrograde cycle.
