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March 31, 2006 | More on Retrogrades

ACTUALLY I noticed the time period between December 2005 and March 2006 when I was working on Bridge to the Core. At that point, I was very glad it was a year away. Today, I am happy it's behind us. Of course, Mars retrograde in Taurus was at that point only six months away. And that looked formidable. But alas, we have come out on the other side, for the most part no worse for the wear, and a lot smarter.

Retrograde inner planets are some of the most challenging experiences in astrology, at least in my experience. But like any astrological process, they represent a vital time of clearing, review, changing the patterns of our lives, and making decisions.

Extreme emphasis is placed on one house and one sign (though sometimes they cross over to the their neighboring house and sign) and that allows, indeed, compels us to focus. In a sense, we get inner planets acting a lot more like outer planets, because they move so slowly and spend so much time in stationary position.

Outer planets do this all the time. They are so far away that their retrogrades occur every year for much of the year, and we are accustomed to that feeling of slow, agonizing stationary non-movement as part of their normal process. For sure, I think that the outer planets would be a lot more challenging to deal with if they went faster. Taking it slow gives us time to get a handle on the issues, feelings, subject matter and the potentials we're being offered.

The stage now shifts to some pretty significant outer planet events, principally the next approach of Saturn opposite Neptune. We have begun that process, which arrived with news like the big hurricanes last year, but also a general slow, gradual Neptune-styled awakening. I think for our era, Saturn opposite Neptune may be just what the cosmic doctor ordered. Neptune in Aquarius has most definitely been for the most part a long phase dominated by the drugs of television and religion.

Add a little Saturn in Leo to that, and you get something solid; something meaningfully individual; something with a bit of substance.

For those curious about retrograde planets, here is a compilation.

Overview of retrogrades from Astrology Secrets Revealed:

http://planetwaves.net/cainer/archive/002540.php

And four more entries that cover the subject:

http://planetwaves.net/cainer/archive/004100.php

http://planetwaves.net/cainer/archive/003480.php

http://planetwaves.net/cainer/archive/003310.php

http://planetwaves.net/cainer/archive/002550.php