6 Retrograde planets: how are you dealing with yours?

[JUPITERASC]

Originally Posted by chappygirl

@Kali: thanks a lot!
The reason I asked you a few days ago if you agreed with the description is that it partly fit but not that much at the same time..I wish

What I meant is: why did they provide such an analogy? Because it fitted with the physical observation of the planet: for them, such planets did "walk" backwards. So as you said, I definately understand the logic that:So we agree that the greeks gave a symbolism that was in accordance with the (supposed) physical nature of that planet.

However, if they had known that it was just an illusion from the observers' side, would they still have sticked with the same symbolism knowing it didnt fit with the physical observations?

I wondered if, for them, "A person that seems to walk backwards from the eye of an observer" was indeed a "person that is walking backwards"?
The physical illusion of that backwards motion being on the observer's side and not the planet, could for example a retrograde planet give an "impression", an illusion to the outside world?
For example, Kali mentionned the effect of his retrograde Mars: So this is why I wanted to ask experts like you guys on your own experience, and also from retrograde people to see if there was a symbolism if any, that best fitted with the real experience of retrograde planets..That is why "I agree but I wonder..."

I'm no expert ~ however there's plenty of FREE information on HELLENISTIC astrological thinking
at http://actastrology.com/viewforum.ph...99e769091ee00f

there is also now a course:
PROJECT HINDSIGHT http://www.projecthindsight.com/

[Kali]

Erin Sullivan posits that it is the relationship between the retrograde and the sun (because it is the angle between the sun and the Rx planet that causes the planet to appear Rx) that determines how the retrograde is experienced.

@Chappygirl, her description of Mercury Rx made me think of our conversation. And you having Mercury Rx, I thought you might be interested? She says that in a retrograde, Mercury is between the Earth and sun "blinded by solar power." The will and ego struggle intensely, consciously and also unconsciously. "Rather than weakening the mind, the mind becomes a powerful resource of analytic stamina because it is inherently necessary for the individual to reason everything out." Then because the mind is constantly moving between ego control and exhaustion from having to reason things out continually, it is exercised far more than a Mercury direct placement and becomes powerful. "Often Mercury retrograde people have great mental endurance and the stamina for long and arduous projects involving research and inquiry."

[chappygirl]

Hi,

thanks...
I do have Mercury Rx combust the Sun in Aries.

"Rather than weakening the mind, the mind becomes a powerful resource of analytic stamina because it is inherently necessary for the individual to reason everything out."

I agree. But it is exhausting and sometimes, too much thinking makes me do nothing which is against my Aries sun ..So the idea of "struggle" was very much how I felt it around my mid 20s.

"Often Mercury retrograde people have great mental endurance and the stamina for long and arduous projects involving research and inquiry."

I think it has helped me in my introspection on the meaning of Life, fate, my personal path ("why is it happening to me"'s moments lol, what do I want? how can I accept this fate I dont want etc etc)
Processing, inquiring, researching is part of my everyday job and the way I handle personal matters/projects: that is exactly my thinking process.

So at the end of the day, it has been a good help when enduring the darkest times of my life.

[JUPITERASC]

Originally Posted by chappygirl

Hi,

thanks...
I do have Mercury Rx conjunct the Sun in Aries.

I agree. But it is exhausting and sometimes, too much thinking makes me do nothing which is against my Aries sun ..So the idea of "struggle" was very much how I felt it around my mid 20s.


Then later, I had to cope the successive deaths of important persons in my life, in a few months timeframe, work burn out, love and family problems all at the same time which I had to drag for the next 3 years: I think it has helped me in my introspection on the meaning of Life, fate, my personal path ("why is it happening to me"'s moments lol, what do I want? how can I accept this fate I dont want etc etc)
Processing, inquiring, researching is part of my everyday job and the way I handle personal matters/projects: that is exactly my thinking process.

So at the end of the day, it has been a good help when enduring the darkest times of my life.

Interestingly, there are researchers and academics who process projects yet they do not have retrograde planets natally

[chappygirl]

Interestingly, there are researchers and academics who process projects yet they do not have retrograde planets natally

Are you reacting on my personal experience or on Erin Sullivan's interpretation mentionned by Kali?

Of course, as there isnt only one placement for research ability.
For my concern, I do have that ability and this could be explained so. As it could be explained by other elements of my chart.

However, I relate to it not so much for research ability (ie work ability) but really as a "way of thinking and processing information", in everything I do in my life

[Kali]

Originally Posted by JUPITERASC

Interestingly, there are researchers and academics who process projects yet they do not have retrograde planets natally

Interestingly, there are researchers and academics who process projects yet they do have retrograde planets natally...no, I'm sure that's not true. They're all walking backwards, stumbling into each other. 😉

[Staci6993]

Hi I’m Staci, and I have 7 in retrograde. Feels like AA! Just joking. But OK. Geez where do I begin. I guess all of this started when I got introduced to the whole natal chart thing some 6 years ago. Someone I was working with where we had a lot of free time, introduced me. He was majoring in astrology at LSU so he gave me a lot of valuable insight that I didn’t realize how valuable it was until about 2 years ago when I looked into it myself, got overwhelmed & have just recently revisited.
The 1st thing that is the most obvious that overwhelmed me of course is the retrogrades, but it gets waaaaay deeper than that. At this point that’s like the last thing I really worry about. But since that’s the forum question, I will comment. I’m not like a pro at this and really honestly it’s my 1st time to comment on anything about this or anything at all. I started a thread about retrogrades & got fussed at for not giving feedback so there ya go.
Ok so in my chart the moon is like really important. It doesnt go retrograde though so just wanted to put that out there bc it truly does have to do with your chart as a whole. Some things it may affect and some it may not and some it may actually make you cooler depending on a host of things, like what house its in and under what sign and then what placement in regards to the sun and then what other planets are in that house as well and then after that in what regard to the placement of which planet and other planets that may be in the same house may cancel that planet out altogether. In my opinion thats why there isnt that much information out there about it because its just another placement on your chart. I think with mine im just a freaking empath like to the 100th degree. But then again im so many other things, like that doesnt define me but it affects me and in my case almost every area if life but not really. My sun along with 2 other planets are in the 12th house. So being that those 2 other planets are in a house with the sun, does that cancel them out? Just the fact my sun is in the 12th house probably cancels out my sun sign altogether, who knows.
The absolute only way, i have come to realize, after end less hours of reading and research, that the only way to understand anything in anyones chart, is to have the whole chart there. Otherwise, what i do is research like each placement specifically. Thats what its all about anyways is the placements because even though its retrograde, mine may be more retrograde than yours in regards to venus. You know so there are so many ways to look at it, its so deep. Thats what makes each one of us so different and unique. There is no way to just put a number on your retrogrades and the classify you as this certain kind of person. The entire chart has to be broken down piece by piece & when that is done you still have to compare it to whats going on out there right now in the sky, because ultimately that has the biggest effect on it.

[helike13]

Staci, I think you have a similar chart as mine... Sun in H12 but 'only' 6 retrogrades.

[Estella]

Originally Posted by Kali

I understand what you mean about getting a 360 of situations. I am an empath. I can read a room full of people in minutes and tell you all sorts of things about them--that they would never realize are visible. I can sometimes see people's trauma--who caused it, how it affects them. I don't often share that though, unless someone makes it obvious that they are ready to deal with it as I firmly believe that unsolicited help is not help.

I take on roles and be what is needed then, and then lay the role aside when it is finished. It's very much a reaction to those I'm with and based on their needs. I work with youth, and for that reason, I find myself pulled to the misfit kids. I am the tough adult, the silly adult, the soft adult, per their needs, but often the only one who understands them.

I think because it is easy to me get lost in others, I need physical reassurance of myself. When I have some particularly difficult mergings or I've been too long in public places, I find that I need sensation to bring me back and separate me. I get in the car and drive too fast because I need to feel the cornering. The radio is blasting so I feel the music in my chest and the windows are down so I feel the sharp cold of the wind. People see that and see happy-go-lucky. In truth, it is refuge from others and solitude.

I am very private in my personal life and let very few people into my interior world, past my public personas. Even those that are "in" just get glimpses. I don't wish to lock out those close to me, I just find myself editing my words and actions perhaps too much.

I have 7 retrograde planets myself (except venus), and what you have written deeply resonates with me. I work with children/youth as well.

[greybeard]

I have only 4 rx planets.

I don't deal with them; I just live with them. I do not pretend that I have power (the ability to manipulate, guide or control their expressions in my life) over them. The opposite is the true state of affairs: they dominate me.

One of the attributes of retrogradation is "highly subjective", which means that the planetary energy turns inward where it becomes largely unconscious energy. And we have no control over what lies beyond consciousness.

[Estella]

Hello everyone,

https://imgur.com/HmY7vz8

I have 7 planets retrograde, except venus which is in virgo. How do they affect me or how do I deal with them? Well I am not sure where to even begin. I have always felt that I am very different from other people. Somebody metioned that having retrogrades means "not operating normally" and I think it describes the way I feel I operate.

Mercury (in leo): I overoveroverthink. My mind is always busy. I doubt. Re-check. I always think things through before I speak, if I don't, I am often sorry. I speak very quicky and use a lot of words, tend to be drammatic. I don't like phone conversations, I rather write an SMS and I hate unexpected visitors.
Saturn (in mars): this is probably the toughest one. I am really harsh on myself. I have some sort of inferiority complex and the virgo venus eventhough direct, probably doesn't help much here. I am prone to overeating when things get tough. Was obese in childhood and had episodes of overeating and throwing up in rough times during adolescence. I have become a highly attractive woman, but still have self-esteem issues (there are days when I feel really confident, though, but they come and go).

I was brought up as the older of two daughters in a home where manipulation and violent verbal abuse were a part of our daily life. My parents are still (quite happily) together. I have always had a close relationship with my younger sister, I might even say, that she is my best friend, if not the only true friend. I never really struggled in relationship with her, I did have severe issues growing up because of my parents, especially my father (and even later on, when I was on my own). I always felt that they loved me less than my sister, that I never did anything OK, that I was inadequate, ugly, stupid, etc.

It took about 30 years to realize that the problem was not in my parent, It was in me. I was and am different. They gave me their love in the terms they believed were best for me. When I started accepting this, my relationship with them changed too, and I started making lots of progress in other relationships as well.

I never have trouble achieving my goals. Some say school might cause problems to retrograde people, but for me, success in primary, secundary and later in university was not a question. I did always feel that I take in the info differently, I often studied on my own (didn't really learn much during lectures). Maths and science were never really fields that I'd enjoy or be particularly good at, but I have always excelled in everything else (I have especially been drawn to psychology). I don't think that I am soooo intelligent, I believe it has more to do with the way I think and can focus for really loooong times, some kind of mental stamina and love for research. I am also very creative and lately I have focused lots of energy there and it makes me feel wonderful I paint, garden, sing, play the guitar I feel I can be successful in all the things I put my mind to, but I often have trouble deciding what those things are, because I lose my interest often.

Retrograde people are said to be introverted. I am not really sure what it makes me. People that know me, would definitely say that I am an extrovert, but that is probably just the role I am playing, my persona. When socializing, I am loud, definitely noticed, I do like being around people, but I honestly prefer being on my own. I need to retreat a lot, otherwise I get irritated. I need a lot of freedom in relationships. I could say I am self-sufficient.

What makes me different and is an integral part of me is my deep empathy. And my ability to see through "bulls**t". I work in education, with children, I can really relate to them, I see and feel things that others can't. Sometimes I even feel it's much easier for me to relate to kids than to adults.


I am new to this forum but astrology has been my passion for a long time. I have studied planets a lot, but still "see so many trees that I fail to see the forest". I see a t-square. I also think this is a splash chart, but am not sure.

I'd appriciate you sharing anything else you see in my chart, since I an having trouble putting it all together.

P.S: It took about two days to write this post. A lot of thinking, writing, deleting, re-writing, re-thinking, etc. And I will probably edit some more after I post it. That's how I am dealing with all my Rs

P.S.S.: As Greybeard said, there is not much I can do about it. They are an integral part of me. They dominate me. All I can do is embrace them for making me unique.


Estella

[greybeard]

Originally Posted by chappygirl

Hi,

thanks...
I do have Mercury Rx combust the Sun in Aries.
I agree. But it is exhausting and sometimes, too much thinking makes me do nothing which is against my Aries sun ..So the idea of "struggle" was very much how I felt it around my mid 20s.

I think it has helped me in my introspection on the meaning of Life, fate, my personal path ("why is it happening to me"'s moments lol, what do I want? how can I accept this fate I dont want etc etc)
Processing, inquiring, researching is part of my everyday job and the way I handle personal matters/projects: that is exactly my thinking process.

So at the end of the day, it has been a good help when enduring the darkest times of my life.

Try asking, "Why is this happening FOR me?" (Elijah Cummings)

[chiamaria]

I have four rx planets and two stationary direct planets. Could so many retrogrades make someone a late bloomer by any chance?

[helike13]

I never have trouble achieving my goals

Your Mars is exalted in Capricorn....

[helike13]

Originally Posted by chiamaria

I have four rx planets and two stationary direct planets. Could so many retrogrades make someone a late bloomer by any chance?

I'm 35 and not yet bloomed.... so yes.... A late bloomer or a non-bloomer....

[Estella]

Originally Posted by helike13

I'm 35 and not yet bloomed.... so yes.... A late bloomer or a non-bloomer....

I am 33. 7 retrogrades. Have startes blooming in mid 20s. But I need to constantly remind myself of that and I dont think I have fully "bloomed" yet. My partner has 6 retrogrades. He was a born bloomer i guess it depends on the whole chart.

[Lykanized]

I have 5 retrogrades myself all playing pivotal roles in my chart--
That matrix theory is very intriguing and actually, it makes a whole lot of sense. As a retrograder, you're forced not to take 'reality' at face value. Eventually that does bring one to harness the potential to 'break through the matrix'

In fact, I'd argue that breaking through the matrix to some degree might be a requirement for a retrograde individual to be able to enter the external world and function. I think retrograde planets can make one far more likely to be introverted to a degree that leads to dysfunction, therefor they have to find their own way to function in this world that just doesn't make sense to them the way it does to other people

I can say I've successfully broken through myself, or I've at least started. My worldview is vastly, vastly different from that of anyone else's because it has to be. It's only now that I'm fleshing out this worldview that I feel I'm actually able to function in the real world. I may not be functioning the way non retrograders or those with few or insignificant retrogrades would, but I've discovered my own little tricks because of it

I am being serious here. I know a lot of people enjoy using astrology to fluff up their egos, but as someone who's had to battle a completely dysfunctional habit of not being present or taking action in the external world and instead indulging in my internal world, I've had to find out how to balance this for myself. Thinking about my retrograde planets has helped immensely for me to understand

A retrograde planet is more intense, but that intensity is focused inward and it doesn't function the way it's "supposed to", so we're tasked with finding our own ways to thrive

That's why I believe the 'late bloomer' trend associated. I'm one. I'm 26 and Im just starting to figure out how to function in this world. I had to do so by realizing that the ways other people do things are just never gonna work for me and I have to have the confidence to go with my own methods

I wonder if self confidence is an issue other retrograders face since we may easily be able to see the discrepency between us and those around us

What's more is that because of this subjective nature of the retrograde planet, two individuals even if they have all the same retrograde planets, hell, even if they have the same exact chart including 5+ retrogrades, may be very very different in their ways and thought processes


This was a handicap for me earlier in life, but now it's becoming my strength

[Lykanized]

Originally Posted by Lykanized

I have 5 retrogrades myself all playing pivotal roles in my chart--
That matrix theory is very intriguing and actually, it makes a whole lot of sense. As a retrograder, you're forced not to take 'reality' at face value. Eventually that does bring one to harness the potential to 'break through the matrix'

In fact, I'd argue that breaking through the matrix to some degree might be a requirement for a retrograde individual to be able to enter the external world and function. I think retrograde planets can make one far more likely to be introverted to a degree that leads to dysfunction, therefor they have to find their own way to function in this world that just doesn't make sense to them the way it does to other people

I can say I've successfully broken through myself, or I've at least started. My worldview is vastly, vastly different from that of anyone else's because it has to be. It's only now that I'm fleshing out this worldview that I feel I'm actually able to function in the real world. I may not be functioning the way non retrograders or those with few or insignificant retrogrades would, but I've discovered my own little tricks because of it

I am being serious here. I know a lot of people enjoy using astrology to fluff up their egos, but as someone who's had to battle a completely dysfunctional habit of not being present or taking action in the external world and instead indulging in my internal world, I've had to find out how to balance this for myself. Thinking about my retrograde planets has helped immensely for me to understand

A retrograde planet is more intense, but that intensity is focused inward and it doesn't function the way it's "supposed to", so we're tasked with finding our own ways to thrive

That's why I believe the 'late bloomer' trend associated. I'm one. I'm 26 and Im just starting to figure out how to function in this world. I had to do so by realizing that the ways other people do things are just never gonna work for me and I have to have the confidence to go with my own methods

I wonder if self confidence is an issue other retrograders face since we may easily be able to see the discrepency between us and those around us

What's more is that because of this subjective nature of the retrograde planet, two individuals even if they have all the same retrograde planets, hell, even if they have the same exact chart including 5+ retrogrades, may be very very different in their ways and thought processes


This was a handicap for me earlier in life, but now it's becoming my strength

I do have to consider that perhaps some of my aspects influence this and perhaps my experience is more of an extreme. To note, My rx Mercury rules 3 inner planets and my ascendant, and it also opposes very very closely Uranus-Neptune which are also both retrograde. Then a nice little trine to an also retrograde Pluto