It's Not All About Mercury! Here's What Happens When Other Planets Go Retrograde

All planets—not just Mercury!—go retrograde periodically, so we need to embrace these inevitable cycles as a fact of life, and an opportunity to build character. As the Buddha said, "No mud, no lotus." Sometimes, it takes a challenge for us to develop the inner strength and self-knowledge we need to evolve as humans.

The most commonly known retrograde is Mercury—planet of communication, transportation, travel, and technology—which goes retrograde for three weeks, three or four times a year. During a Mercury retrograde cycle, arguments and misunderstandings rage, plans fall apart, cars break down, and computers crash suddenly. Astrologers advise precautions: Back up your digital files before this period begins, postpone any deals, and plan to repeat or explain yourself a few extra times.

Love planet Venus goes retrograde every 18 months, which can reveal any weak links in a relationship or bring back past paramours. Astrologers advise against proposals, weddings, and any major relationship moves during this four- to six-week period, although the tabloids are predictably peppered with celebrity breakups each time Venus goes rogue. Mars is retrograde every two years for about two months, which can stir up conflict and fighting. The "outer planets"—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto—all go retrograde for four to five months every year. So forget about hiding under a rock, because most of the time at least one planet, if not more, is retrograde.

The prefix re- means "to go back"—and retrogrades are a time to polish up projects already in the works or to dig up ones you've set aside. Retrogrades turn our attention to the past and can actually be cosmic "grace periods" when we can finish all the things we've started or strengthen our plans, ensuring that we don't move forward on a shaky foundation. Old friends, lovers, and past issues can resurface, giving you a chance to reconnect or revise. This can be a useful time to resolve any arguments, revisit old ideas, research an idea, or renew a commitment. Tighten up your routines and plans during these periods, and you'll be ready to rock when the retrograde period ends.

Get in touch with old friends and contacts, back up devices and data; edit and clarify your thoughts; dust off an old writing project or course of study. Polish up your social media profiles.

Heal any issues in your relationship or blocks to love. Recognize when you're in the wrong match, and move on. Gain closure with an ex…or reunite if the timing is better.

Learn how to handle pressure and conflict more effectively. Release a grudge; lay down your swords. Slow down and stop rushing to avoid accidents. Have sex with an ex (with caution!). Work on practicing patience. Get back to an old sport or exercise routine. Find the courage to confront someone.

Slow down the risk-taking and evaluate before rushing ahead. Travel to an old favorite place. Pick up an abandoned entrepreneurial venture. Go back to school; finish a degree or certification.

Tighten up your plans; rethink your goals and career path. Practice self-discipline, and delay instant gratification. Work through father issues (good thing Saturn goes retrograde once a year, eh?).

Watch your contrarian tendencies, and make sure you're not being a rebel without a cause. Question your political stance; study up on politics, scientific developments, and current events; reconnect with a humanitarian cause. Distance yourself from destructive and disruptive people who bring chaos into your world (you don't need any more than you're already getting!).

Resume a creative, musical, or artistic project. Dive into your subconscious, do healing work and therapy, explore and question your spiritual beliefs. Meditate to get more in tune with your intuition. Watch out for denial and codependence. Cut the energy vampires out of your life.

Explore your "shadow side" and delve into old fears, limiting beliefs, and entrenched unconscious patterns. Remove toxic energies from your world via feng shui, space clearing, burning sage, decluttering. Protect yourself against unsafe people and situations. Recognize where you are being bullied or dominated—or where you may be overpowering someone else—and resolve the situation. Watch out for projecting your own unconscious baggage onto others.

This is the time the direct planet needs to recover the distance that it retreated through while in retrograde. It's a bit like retracing steps, which can be a powerful time for integrating lessons that we learned during the retrograde fog—but we may still be integrating the wisdom and unable to rush ahead with clarity.