Retrogradation, Our Karma it’s speaking to us
Everyone has probably heard the term “retrograde” in relation to a planet at some point. But what exactly does it mean, and how does it affect our lives?
Understanding Retrograde Motion in Astrology
First and foremost, it’s essential to clarify that astrology is geocentric. This means that, despite what science tells us about the heliocentric solar system, astrology places Earth at the center. The Sun and the Moon are considered planets in this context, even though they are a star and a satellite, respectively.
In astrology, planets follow orbits around the Earth and complete these 360-degree circuits at varying speeds.
What Happens During Retrograde?
When a planet is said to be in retrograde, it doesn’t actually move backward in its orbit. Instead, from our perspective on Earth, it appears to slow down, stop (stationary phase), and then move backward before resuming its forward journey.
The Three Phases of Retrogradation
- Pre-shadow: This is when the planet starts to slow down.
- Shadow: This is the stationary phase, where the planet appears to be still.
- Post-shadow: This is when the planet slowly starts to move forward again.
The Impact on Our Lives
Retrograde periods invite us to pause and reflect. They ask us to reconsider past decisions and realign with our deeper values. While often seen as challenging times, they offer opportunities for growth and introspection. Embracing these phases can lead to profound personal transformation and greater clarity in our lives.
Which Topics?
That depends on the planets involved, and I’ll delve deeper into each one in future posts.
Embracing Retrogradation
What I want to emphasize here is that retrogradation doesn’t mean bad things are coming. Instead, life might place us in uncomfortable positions to review and revise our patterns. Events and emotions related to past experiences might resurface. It’s crucial to value these events without judgment. Simply observing what happens to us and around us during retrogradation can be a profound teaching.
Karmic Events
I like to call them Karmic events: some attitudes we’ve been perpetuating for a long time might not work anymore. Retrogradation helps us understand these patterns and make conscious choices to change them.
Transit vs. Natal Retrograde Planets
The transit of retrograde planets gives everyone a chance to observe, but having retrograde planets in our birth chart is much deeper and more personal. As a Karmic Astrologer, I’m fascinated by this topic. I’ve delved into many birth charts to understand the soul’s journey across multiple lifetimes.
Retrograde Planets in Birth Charts
Retrograde planets in a birth chart suggest our soul carries the energy of past life experiences, making it challenging to break these patterns. They’re often hidden deep in our subconscious, and we may not detect them. Sometimes, they’re so strong that we identify with them. Retrograde planets can feel like extra baggage of Karma. Paying attention to transits over our Natal Retrograde Planets can help us catch these patterns.
The Lunar Nodes
The Lunar Nodes are central to my study. These mathematical points on the Moon’s orbit are always retrograde, traveling from Pisces to Aries in the opposite direction of the planets. They’re also called Karmic Nodes, carrying the essence of past life experiences and showing us attitudes to learn.
Deep Karmic Reading
If you feel the call to delve deeper, I offer a reading called Deep Karmic Reading. It focuses on studying and understanding the soul’s journey, starting from the Karmic Nodes.
With Love,
Claudia Maria Adele
