Symbolic Retrogrades: Nothing to Panic Over

The term “Symbolic Retrogrades” is my personal understanding of the meaning of retrogrades according to the participating planet and it’s own symbolic meaning.

That said, what is the symbolism of retrogrades?  

Observed from Earth, some planets look as though they are traveling backwards in the sky.  And so, initial symbolism of retrogrades includes:

• Delay
• Recession
• Withdrawal
• Regression
• Hesitation  

Of course, the planets aren’t really moving backwards. 

Picture two cars on a highway.  One car is moving faster than the other, and passes the other car.  Both cars are moving forward, but the car that was passed looks like it’s moving backwards because the other car has moved ahead of it.

Same thing in the fast lane of planetary orbits.

So, if a planet is being passed on the cosmic highway, we could say that puts the energy of the planet in a reflective position.  That planet is in a position to observe all that flows before it. 

Using this example, the planet in the ”slow lane” (going retrograde) takes on symbolism’s such as:

• Pensive
• Reflective
• Observant
• Contemplative
• Different Perspective

When I first encountered the retrograde phenomenon in my studies, I was intimidated by some of the connotations a retrograde holds.

However, with a little more contemplation devoted to the subject of retrogrades, and a little common sense, I was able to find a different perspective on the retrogrades. 

Rather than subscribe to a slightly panicky view of retrogrades, I invite you to consider the softer side of the subject. 

• The side that steps into a different phase of time. 
• The side that allows events to take their natural course as we step back to watch what happens.
• The perspective that quietly observes the unfolding of events in  calm assurance that we are indeed moving forward in progress.
• The perspective that we are “just in time” for all that we do, and we can afford this span of calm reflection.

When we recognize everything in our Universe is always moving forward, it puts a positive spin on our outlook, doesn’t it? 

I hope you’ve enjoyed these thoughts on symbolic retrogrades.  Other pages of interest:

• Symbolic Planets
• About Astrology
• Zodiac Signs and Meanings
• Celtic Moon Astrology
• Nature Symbols
• Symbolic Sun
• Symbolic Moon