How to use
- 1
Check the list at the top for planets that are retrograde at this moment.
- 2
Choose a year; the timeline shows each planet’s retrograde stretch across the months.
- 3
Scroll to the station list for exact dates, times and zodiac degrees.
- 4
Change the time zone if you want the times for another place.
Why planets turn retrograde
All planets move forward around the Sun. Seen from the moving Earth, though, each one periodically seems to stop, reverse and stop again. For the inner planets this happens when they pass between Earth and the Sun; for the outer planets when Earth overtakes them, around their opposition. The two turning points are called stations.
How long each planet stays retrograde
Mercury is retrograde about three weeks, three or four times a year. Venus turns retrograde for about six weeks every 19 months, Mars for roughly two to two and a half months every 26 months. Jupiter and Saturn spend about four months a year retrograde, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto around five months — so at almost any time at least one planet is retrograde.
Reading retrogrades in astrology
Astrologers traditionally treat a retrograde as a time to revisit the themes of that planet: Venus with relationships and values, Mars with drive and initiative, Saturn with structure and responsibility. The slow outer-planet retrogrades are usually seen as background tones rather than events. These readings are tradition and symbolism, offered for entertainment and self-reflection.
Frequently asked questions
Which planets can be retrograde?
Every planet from Mercury to Pluto. The Sun and Moon never are. The lunar nodes are almost always in backward motion, so they are not listed here.
Why are some periods outside the selected year?
A retrograde that starts in December or ends in January belongs to two calendar years, so it appears in both. The day count next to each planet only counts days inside the chosen year.
How accurate are the station times?
Station moments are calculated from a planetary ephemeris and refined to about a minute. For the slow outer planets the motion around a station is so tiny that the exact minute is less meaningful than the day.
Is it normal for several planets to be retrograde at once?
Yes. Because the outer planets spend four to five months of each year retrograde, overlaps are common and nothing unusual.