Retrograde motion of Planets on Our Life

Horoscopes are drawn and analyzed on the basis of astronomical speed of planets. Some horoscopes indicate “Retro Planet” if the planet is going back. 

In real cosmic setup no planet moves “backward” or even “slow down” in its orbit. So retrogression is termed as an “apparent” phenomenon. 

Retrograde-station-direct cycles are essentially illusions from Earth’s point of view. This is because the Earth is also orbiting around Sun with a different speed. Men on Earth do not feel the speed of Earth and feels that other planet is going back.

There are 8 types of motions to the 5 Visible Planets (The two luminaries have always Direct motion and the two Shadow planets have always retrograde motion) The eight types of planetary motions are: Astangata, Ruju (Direct), Sheeghra, Ati Sheeghra, Manda, Vakra, Ati Vakra, Sthambhana 

Further micro division of these 8 motions is also made based on the distance of a planet from Sun in the zodiac. 

 Arka muktashcho ditasyaa, dwitheeyo sheeghrago bhavet, 

Ravi triteeye samathaa, gati mandaa chathurthage, 

Panchametyadhavaa shashte, kinchit vakraata vakragaa, 

Saptamaa Ashtamayo Arkaa, ativakra gatirbhavet 

Navame Dashame Bhaan:, Khetaanaa kutilaa gathi: 

Ekadashe Dwadashecha, Sheeghraashsheeghra taraat kramaat, 

Ravi samyutha Khetasya, gatirastaahvayaa bhavet.

In the Zodiac, when a planet (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter or Saturn) is 

1. moving out from Sun after conjunction, it is called RISING (Udayam) 

2. in 2nd House from Sun, it will have “fast” (Sheeghra) motion 

3. in 3rd House from Sun, it will have “equal” (samaana) motion 

4. in 4th House from Sun, it will have “slow” (manda) motion 

5. in 5th House from Sun, it will have “stable” (stambhana) motion 

6. in 6th House from Sun, it will have “some retro” (kinchit vakra) motion 

7. in 7th House from Sun, it will have “retro” (vakra) motion 

8. in 8th House from Sun, it will have “severe retro” (ati vakra) motion

 9. in 9th House from Sun, it will have “direct” (Ruju) motion 

10. in 10th House from Sun, it will have “receding retro” (kutila) motion 

11. in 11th House from Sun, it will have “fast” (sheeghra) motion 

12. in 12th House from Sun, it will have “severe fast” (ati sheeghra) motion 

13. in 1st House in conjunction with Sun, it will have “COMBUSTION” (astangata) motion .

To interpret the influence of planets in their retro motion, the following sloka is available. 

Vakraati taara yuktaanaam poorva rashee gatam phalam

 Brihaspathesthu tannasti yukta raashi gatam phalam 

 Meaning: When planets are in retrograde motion, the influence of planet as if it is in preceding house should be taken. This does not apply to Jupiter. For Jupiter, the influence of same House in which Jupiter is posited should be taken.

The timings of retrograde motion, distance from Sun at such times and timings of turning to direct motion and distance from Sun at such times are given in a table below: 

Retrograde frequency of Planets: Following is the frequency of planets “retro” movements: Sun and Moon never seen on retro motion. Rahu and ketu - being points of intersection are always seen on reverse motion in the horoscope.

Effects of retro planets in Natal Chart :: Eminent authors have differed in their views. The actual results from a retro planet depend much on the strength and weakness of the natal chart. There is need to analyze birth chart with retro planets because of present day complex and complicated life events.

 Following are some of the views of prominent authors on the effect of a retro planet in Natal Chart.

 i. Karkatwa of a retro planet works in an adverse manner. 

ii. Retro planet in birth chart – indicate the deficiency of that chakra in the body and of that karakatwa at birth time. 

iii. Retro planet as a karmic planet – indicates more about bad karma committed by the native in his previous life connected to that karakatwa. What happened exactly in previous life cannot be narrated –literally – but a retro planet indicates the area of error(s) basing on its karakatwa. 

iv. A debilitated planet if in retro motion – gives good results 

v. An exalted planet if in retro motion – give difficulties in the dasa period of that retro planet. 

vi. Retro planet exalted in Rasi and debilitated in Navamsa varga – indication is GOOD result in the dasa periods of that planet. 

vii. Functional benefics - if in retro motion – give GOOD results 

viii. Functional malefic - if in retro motion – give BAD results 

ix. A retro planet during retro motion is likely to enter into previous sign - even then such retro planet continue to give the result of the sign where it started retro motion. Jupiter is an exception to this. Jupiter gives the result of the sign where it is posited actually. 

For example: (1) Saturn started retro motion in libra and happen to enter Virgo during the period of retro motion - Saturn give the results of Libra sign while in Virgo also.

(2) Jupiter starts retro in Gemini and happens to enter into Taurus. Jupiter gives the results of Gemini while in Gemini and of Taurus while in Taurus.