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Mercury

The Mercury retrograde is perhaps best known of all retrogrades. This celestial body requires 88 days to make a complete pass around the Sun and remains stationary for anywhere between a few hours and a few days, depending on the time of year. This planet goes into retrograde three times a year for around three weeks each time. Mercury has the highest frequency of retrograde and stays in this position for the shortest length of time of any other planet.

Communication is Mercury's main domain. Therefore, communication is greatly affected by this planet's pull. During the period Mercury is in retrograde motion, individuals may find their message is better conveyed through another less familiar medium. Messages may be misunderstood; whispers may be overheard and mail or email may be misdirected. Those who are usually constrained by public speaking may have moments of clarity, while those giving a public address may be dramatically misquoted. This is a good time to explore new outlets of communication. Choose your words carefully.

If Mercury retrograde is in your chart, your tongue is likely to get you into trouble or you may be afraid to speak your mind for fear of the consequences. There may be an issue with intellect or intelligence. You may find your self-expression is "heard" through other forms rather than verbal or written.

Venus

Venus revolves around the Sun in 225 days and remains stationary for three to four days. Every eighteen months or so, this planet slips into retrograde for approximately six weeks.

In general, Venus retrograde forces us to take an examining eye to our romantic relationships. Suppressed feelings may rise to the surface, and we may reevaluate what we want and where we seek it. The rules that structure our value system may come into question; suddenly what we valued most may seem inconsequential. We may find ourselves rethinking the meaning of beauty and aesthetics. Financial issues may step into the limelight as well.

If Venus is retrograde in your chart, you may have some relationship issues to overcome. Oftentimes you feel too inhibited to seek what you really want and you withdraw from your partner. You find it hard to get exactly what you need from the people who are close to you. Some of this influence that applies to emotional matters also applies to money matters: You never quite feel that you have enough in your pockets. Self-worth becomes a large issue for you in your lifetime.

Mars

Mars requires 687 days to travel one cycle around the Sun and, depending on the time of year, this planet is stationary for up to five days. Its retrograde period happens every two years and it stays in this state for two to two-and-a-half months.

Mars is the Planet of War, and in a retrograde period it causes anger and discord to turn internal. Passive aggression, inner angst, stress and anguish are all attributed to this planet in retrograde. Turning emotions inward rather than releasing them in a more healthy manner can cause anger and hatred to be misdirected. Like Don Quixote, you are battling demons you can't even see. Severe road rage and issues with internal wellness may be highlighted during this time. More balanced individuals aren't as affected by Mars in retrograde, but during its influence none of us are as saintly as we'd like to be.

If you have Mars in retrograde in your chart you may find that you have difficulty in asserting yourself. Timidity, lack of direction and other self-imposed emotional obstacles hold you back from realizing your dreams. Often you rely on others to fight your battles; too often you feel you are being used as someone else's doormat. You may find others around you to be particularly aggressive during the period when Mars is in retrograde.

Jupiter

It takes 12 years for Jupiter to travel around the Sun; then it pauses at its stationary position for five to eight days. Approximately once a year, for around four months or so, this planet is in retrograde.

Jupiter, like Saturn, is a social planet. Its actions affect people in a very holistic manner. The retrograde of Jupiter causes us to reevaluate our ethics as a society. Philosophies are rewritten, religious or spiritual beliefs are questioned and the very fibers of our being are scrutinized. Lessons that have become commonplace and routine are seen in a new light. The results of these changes can be either fruitful or inauspicious, depending on the individual, the culture and the situation. Working from the premise that the universe flows within us and that individuals are connected by a greater thread, we focus more on the similarities and trends that span the globe than on the individual. Jupiter in retrograde isn't a great time for travel, as plans are likely to cave in on themselves.

If Jupiter's retrograde is in your chart, you are likely to be the type of person who is always searching for ethics and values. You constantly seek truth and deeper meaning in life but rarely reach a stage of understanding. Ritual becomes a chore and you feel uneasy in your skin as you follow in blind faith. Oftentimes you jump onto the current intellectual bandwagon only to be disappointed in the end. You suffer from feeling the cold lack of spiritual fulfillment or you feel tugged at by the constant demands of your spirituality or philosophy. You strive to find the right spiritual balance.

More on Retrogrades