Fyi, I consider retrograde individuals to be 5 or more natal retrograde. Ime, 4 doesn't seem to have as much of an impact, but I could be very wrong. I'm exploring retrogrades in general, but I'm also interested in the impact many retrograde planets can have on an individual
Some people believe retrograde planets to not be very significant, but I disagree. Since I have 5, Mercury, Saturn, Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune, I can feel their power. Ordinarily, outer planets aren't seen as significant, but for me, Pluto, Uranus, and Neptune all form many aspects in my chart. Saturn not so much, but it makes important aspects like an aspect to my MC
The way I see them, they're more internally focused. I don't believe them to be less powerful, but to simply function in an alternative fashion, a more personal, subjective, and idiosyncratic fashion. The reason why they may seem to be less powerful than direct planets is because it may take years for a natal retrograde individual to harness the power of their retrograde planets since they don't function 'normally'
I have a theory that they can also make for a person who's more introverted or in the least maybe less socially graceful. Some celebrity examples would be Aubrey Plaza and Michael Cera. Both are heavily accepted by the masses, but both also have a bit of a name for themselves as awkward, offkilter individuals. Aubrey has 5 natal retrogrades while Michael has 6
I can relate personally to being extremely introverted, internally focused, contemplative, and awkward, not very socially graceful. Moreso than I think with other people, it's taken me a long time to find my way so to speak because I just don't function the way most people do. It's taken me many years to accept that I may not be meant to walk to beaten path,but to make my own and I do think natal retrogrades play into that
My retrograde Mercury is major player being my chart ruler and the ruler of the majority of my inner planets and not only is it rx, but it has oppositions to Neptune and Uranus. Needless to say, my communication and thinking are not exactly down to Earth and it's led to many selfesteem issues. Accepting myself hasn't been easy, but I've gotten there or at least am getting there. The way we think may seem to be slower, but I believe with natal Mercury retrograde, there's an inclination to more big picture thinking. So while it may seem someone with Mercury retrograde is taking slower to understand concepts, in all actuality they may be starting with the big picture and working to fit in all the little details, an innate intuitive grasp of the concept on an abstract level, but then it takes time for all the parts to be put together to figure out how they fit into the big picture
With Pluto retrograde, I think that intense dominating energy can be directed to the self. The advantage is the potential for intense self transformation, the disadvantage is that it may take a lot of time for the individual to find their power and it's a choice they have to make for themselves. They have to seize their power and very much walk their own selves through the journey. There is no guide because the energy is so self directed and so self referencial. But because of that, the transformative power is so much more intense and real. You embody the phoenix. That's not to say that this retrograde Pluto can't take the dark path of projecting ones feelings of lacking power onto others and trying to overpower them, in fact, that may in turn also be incredibly more intense and palpable. I've been through it. The darkness of it may be much more brooding and destructive. The way I see Pluto is that it's a planet that can either be healing or damaging. So harnessing the power of the retrograde Pluto can lead to much healing and transformation not only for the self, but through influence on others
Saturn retrograde is another dark one. I think with the retrograde, there' a desire to reject restriction, one doesn't one to be tamed. THey want to continue on with their wild ways, but time and time and time again, the universe will throw lessons at you until you accept that you do have to tame yourself. I also think that retrograde Saturn can yield an individual who's very very harsh on themselves, extremely self critical. It's because we have to be our own parent. No one else can. We're meant to be independent and no one else is ever gonna be able to teach us what we need to be taught to tame ourselves
I have to admit, I don't want to be tamed myself. I used to live in a way where I rejected any and all rules or restrictions placed on me. I think it's advantageous in that by nature we won't follow rules, but make our own, but earlier on this can lead to much immaturity and possible clashes with laws and academia. I still detest rules and restrictions and will only accept them if I see the value in them, but I have realized as I've matured that I can't live life like a wild child. I have to grow up and that's been a journey I've taken myself on by my own accord. I still refuse to follow rules if they feel to me to remove the spirit and passion
One story analogous to this journey... I'm a writer and for a long time, I outright refused to follow any of the rules. I rejected formal education in writing. I even refused to revise my writing because I felt if I did that, it would make it impure. My writing arises from something incredibly raw in the moment, something that can't be forced, it's almost Shamanic, connection to my spirit, trancelike state. So I felt that if I revised what I wrote, it would be removing that rawness that was so sacred to me. However, I decided to take a chance and take a creative writing course and Jesus... I learned so much. What I realized was that I was inhibiting my own growth with my stubborn immaturity. It's not about rules, but about tools. My writing grew exponentially after that. It gave me a whole host of new tools to use to help myself tap into those Shamanic, trancelike states rather than just waiting for them to happen and tools to help me use that connection with my subconscious, my spirit, in much more profound ways
With retrograde Uranus, I have a definite rebellious streak and Uranus also forms significant aspects to inner planets including oppositions to my Sun and Mercury. I haven't found it easy to find my place in this world by any means. I'm quite visionary, but the challenege has been finding ways to bring my visions into reality. With retrograde Neptune in close conjunction, I can be so engrossed in my mind, in my idealistic thinking, simultaneous presence in the past and the future as well as my own made up universe, that I find it hard to be in the moment. I may have beautiful visions and ideals for myself and for the world, but I can also easily lose touch with the physical world to the point I may be doing absolutely nothing but not even realize it because I'm existing solely in my feelings, thoughts, ideas, and in that made up universe of mine. This is an extremely destructive habit and for a very long time, it led me to stagnation and inaction. I still struggle with this sometimes, but I feel very appreciative I was able to find astrology to understand these aspects of myself
I find that I can also be quite offputting to people. Ordinarily, rebels tend to be glorified, but with the retrograde, this rebellion is even more selfreferencial so finding a place in the world really is not easy. Maybe I feel that more powerfully because of my Uranus oppositions
So to summarize, my theory is that retrograde planets are just self referencial, but they're also more intense energies because they're so subjective and so engrained in our innate selves. People with many retrogrades may find it a bit tougher to get on in this world and in the first parts of their lives, they may be very timid people because they have to learn for themselves how to use these energies. So if one doesn't seize their power and walk that path, they risk life trampling over them and making them into a place of pâté. But that's also the reason they can actually be advantageous and more powerful than direct planets because once the individual does find their way, they may be extremely sure of themselves in using those energies
That's just a start. There's so much more I could say but I'd love to hear other peoples' experiences even if they're not 'retrograde individuals'. Particularly, I'd love to hear about the rarer Venus and Mare retrogrades
I know this wasn't very well written. It's very late where I am, but hopefully the ideas are there
