Mercury joins the retrograde planets

When viewed from Earth, planets sometimes appear to stop and go backwards, which is called “retrograde”, then stop again and move forwards, which is called “direct”. This is an optical illusion, but because retrogrades are different from the norm, they are often seen as bad, negative and disruptive.

There are periods in 2021 where ALL of the outer planets, including Chiron, will be retrograde at the same time

Retrograde dates for 2021

Jupiter: ?21st June until 18th October 2021

Saturn: ?23rd May until 11th October 2021

Uranus: 20th August 2021 until 19th January 2022

Neptune: 26th June until 2nd December 2021

Pluto: 28th April until 7th October 2021

Chiron: 16th July until 19th December 2021

AND NOW, from 27th September until 19th October 2021, inner planet Mercury joins in with its third retrograde of the year, in the zodiac sign of Libra.

BRIEFLY

Jupiter retrogrades in Pisces

Jupiter moved into Pisces on 14th May 2021, turning retrograde on 21st June and retreating back to Aquarius from 29th July until 18th October, when it turns direct again. As it moves forward it returns to Pisces on 29th December. Jupiter was the ruler of Pisces until 1846, when Neptune was discovered and took over this rulership. Some astrologers still view both of these planets as sharing the rulership of Pisces. Jupiter is normally a beneficial planet, bringing good luck, fortune, money, happiness and expanded consciousness. During this retrograde there will be changes in society, in the environment, in politics and in the economy. We will probably feel our spiritual progress has stopped, or even reversed. The energy of Pisces encourages us to spend time in nature: quiet, alone, using solitude to pause, review and adjust our plans for the future.

Saturn retrogrades in Aquarius

Saturn retrogrades in Aquarius from 23rd May until 10th October 2021, bringing a time for rest, relaxation and solitude. We will go deep within ourselves to reflect and analyse our ideas; deciding what is essential for a comfortable future and re-defining our boundaries. We will review, question and re-adjust our life styles. We will be patient as Saturn limits and slows the progress of any new projects we have planned. This may be a time of depression and lack of energy as we let go of that which no longer serves us well and change some of our long-standing beliefs, but we will emerge from this period stronger and with greater self-discipline and determination to succeed.

Uranus retrogrades in Taurus

Uranus retrogrades in Taurus from 20th August 2021 until 19th January 2022, then from 25th August 2022 until 23rd January 2023. Taurus is a fixed Earth sign that is concerned with physical, material things, such as money, nature, the environment and anything to do with the Earth. Uranus is renowned for creating chaos and upheaval, so we can expect to see some quite serious changes during this transit: for example, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or other disruptions to the Earth. It is unpredictable, unexpectedly shaking things up and bringing revolution as it seeks more freedom, (seeking freedom is a huge current issue around the world). Taurus is also concerned with money and business matters, so we may experience big changes in banking systems and will be learning new approaches to money and material possessions.?Uranus breaks things down, but there will eventually be a breakthrough, with new, innovative and progressive ideas, especially in business, banking and our changing sense of values. We will be processing information, adapting and learning new ways.

Neptune retrogrades in Pisces

Neptune retrogrades in Pisces from 25th June until 1st December 2021.This planet is the ruler of Pisces, usually bringing illusion, dreams, creativity and fantasies, affirming what we WANT to believe, whether true or not. In retrograde, Neptune clears its usual fog, enabling us to clearly see beyond illusion and into reality. Pisces is the most sensitive and compassionate sign of the zodiac, but when any planet retrogrades in this sign, it brings confusion. Seeing things more clearly only confuses what we thought we knew with what is real. The symbol for Pisces is two fishes, joined at the back and swimming in opposite directions, indicating an ebb and flow of emotions and difficulty making any decisions. During Neptune’s retrograde, we feel even more sensitive, psychic and creative, and will need to find ways of staying grounded.

Pluto retrogrades in Capricorn

Pluto retrogrades in Capricorn from 28th April until 7th October 2021, uncovering that which has been hidden, requiring a personal review of control and power issues. Are we being manipulated and/or controlled by others? This is the time to let those people go. Or perhaps WE have been the ones trying to manipulate or control; in which case we will need to review our behaviour. Either way, we must now take our power back! Our personal, spiritual growth depends on taking responsibility for our lives. It is necessary to let go, allow things to come to an end, in order for progress to occur.

Chiron retrogrades in Aries

Chiron, although an asteroid rather than a planet, (sometimes called a ‘planetoid’), retrogrades in Aries from 16th July until 20th December, bringing a time for us to be more introspective and reflective, looking deeply within to gain greater understanding.

Mercury retrogrades in Libra

Mercury retrogrades in Libra from 27th September until 19th October, bringing its reputation for causing communication problems, difficulties with technology (cars, ‘phones, computers); disruption to travel plans (think petrol problems!) and an inability to think straight or make logical decisions.

Retrograde periods are thought to be times of confusion and disorder, but they're not all bad. When planets are retrograde, their energies turn inwards, providing us with opportunities to reflect on the past and review our inner selves. We can finish all the projects we've left undone and improve our plans for the future. These challenging planetary movements bring amazing opportunities for growth. The past is brought into the conscious mind for healing, increasing awareness, greater happiness and a massive shift in our personalities, beliefs and behaviours.

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