How Retrogrades Work: The 4 Phases of the Hero’s Journey
Wonder Woman. Image credit: Clay Enos/Warner Bros.
In Astrology, planetary retrogrades are a common occurrence. Mercury stations retrograde about 3-4 times a year, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto station retrograde every year, and Venus retrogrades about once every 18 months, with Mars every 2 years.
These happen so often and are so frequently talked about in terms of what the sign or planet means and how it can wreak havoc in your life, but what isn’t always discussed are the mechanics of how these actually play out in our lives, from a spiritual and psychological growth perspective.
So let me break down retrogrades into four phases, to help you understand not only the retrogrades that may be occurring this month or year (whenever you are reading this), but every retrograde throughout life and how it is working in your life.
HOW RETROGRADES WORK
I am breaking these phases down through the context of Joseph Campbell’s Hero's Journey
The sword embedded in stone—-Excalibur—-is a great symbol and metaphor for Mercury Retrograde.
Each retrograde is broken into four parts: the pre-retrograde shadow phase, the retrograde phase, the post-retrograde shadow phase, and the integration/application phase.
Phase 1: Pre-Retrograde Shadow Phase (The Initiation or Invitation): The retrograde planet in question moves forward over the zodiacal degrees that will be visited by the upcoming retrograde. During the shadow we already start to feel something is off, things are coming to the surface, patterns are emerging, discomfort or confusion is rearing it's head. In the journey of the Hero, as featured in many mythological tales, or in books and film, the hero is first presented with an invitation. Perhaps a loved one falls ill and they have to go on a quest for the cure, or an enemy threatens their village and they must go out and fight. The initiation is when the challenge first presents itself. It is the call to adventure, or the summons to grow and evolve as humans.
Phase 2: Retrograde Phase (The Quest / Trial): Now the retrograde begins to travel backwards over the degrees just visited by the planet in question. This phase is akin to the middle chapters of a book. This is where the action is happening. The trial, the struggle, the challenge, the battleground, this is where we hash it out. At the beginning of any trial, we aren't yet sure at the beginning what we're in for. The monster hasn't yet revealed itself, or we've only just entered the mysterious forest where the magic elixir lives. During the retrograde cycle, we are doing an internal review, a processing and sorting, of the themes illuminated during phase 1. This is where we are doing the work within ourselves, in our minds, hearts, and spirits. External motion and development can be halted at this time.
Phase 3: Post-Retrograde Shadow Phase (The Return Home): The planet, which has now stationed direct, travels over the retrograde zodiacal degrees for a third and final time during this cycle. This is where we put into action, or seek to resolve, the challenge presented during the retrograde. In stories, this is where the hero returns home with their new skill, new medicine or cool weapon, or having conquered the monster and saved the world.
Phase 4: The weeks and months that follow (Integration / Application). Each planetary cycle will be revisited again the next time the planet forms a square, opposition, or conjunction to the original degrees of the transit. In other words---weeks, months, or even years from now (depending on the planet and how slow it moves), these themes will come up again, and you'll be given the opportunity to review what came up for you from a place of higher wisdom. The important thing to note about Phase 4---and Astrology and life in general---is that the Universe evolves through cycles. These are phases and patterns that repeat over and over again throughout each life and across the cosmos. Each time we revisit the same cycle or pattern, time has passed, we have aged, and hopefully have grown wiser. Each time we revisit a familiar pattern, we can choose to act differently. This is what it means to evolve as a soul. Learning from our mistakes, making healthier choices, embracing challenges, and living life to the fullest.
So how do these cycles play out based on the different planets?
Let’s review the length of each planet below, for an idea of how long each heroic journey will last, depending on the retrograde taking place. The house and sign where the retrograde is occurring will show you where the invitations and growth is happening.
THE INNER PLANETS. These planets move more rapidly, and signify day-to-day activities or smaller dramas that play out within the span of a few months, and up to a year or two. These smaller transits can still pack a powerful punch, and they teach us things about ourselves and how we show up in the world.
Mercury: retrogrades 3-4 times a year. The pre and post shadow phases last about 2 weeks, the retrograde itself for 3 weeks, for a total of 7 weeks. This hero’s journey is about how cognitive functioning, our mindset, how we process and internalize information and our experience, and how we communicate with others. The sign and house Mercury Retrograde is taking place in will reveal where the invitation for growth is taking place.
Venus: retrogrades once every 18 months. The pre and post shadow phase last about a month each, with the actual retrograde lasting for 1.5 months, so 3.5 months total. This 3.5 month hero’s journey relates to your love life, your self-worth, and your relationship with money. The Phase 4 integration phase will be about applying what you’ve learned, so the next time Venus visits the sign and house of this retrograde (about 18 months from now), you’ll be revisiting an old cycle and pattern from greater wisdom.
Mars: retrogrades every 2 years. The pre and post shadow phase lasts about 2 months each, with the actual retrograde phase lasting for nearly 3 months, for about 7 months total. This is a longer cycle, with the hero’s journey theme relating to our strength of will, how we assert ourselves and express anger, how we take action and go after what we want and need. Phase 1 may introduce frustrated will or difficulty asserting or standing up for yourself. Think of it like rapidly boiling water with the lid still on, or a volcano about to burst. Frustration and resentment are the language of Mars. Phases 2-4 will be about taking that stand, finding healthy outlets for anger, and making necessary changes.
THE OUTER PLANETS. Generally move slower, and thus signify longer periods in our life where shifts are taking place. These transits and retrogrades signify lifestyle changes, psychological shifts, and big life events.
Jupiter: retrograde once every year, with the pre and post shadow phase lasting nearly 3 months each, actual retrograde phase lasts nearly 4 months, so 10 months total. Hero’s journey themes here related to growth and perspective. During the initial shadow phase we are feeling pretty confident that we can see things clearly, or that we know which direction we want to grow in. Phases 2 and 3 can bring shifts in perspective or worldview, or a halt to our growth, or at least a pause. Phase 4 is about applying the changes or new insights so we can grow in the direction we want to move into.
Saturn: retrograde once every year, with the pre and post shadow phase lasting about 3.5 months each, actual retrograde duration is about 4.5 months, so total phase is approximately 8.5 months. The Hero’s Journey of Saturn is about boundaries, structures, authority, and real world achievement. These phases will introduce weakness to certain structures in your life, where they need fortification, and how you can take on greater responsibility or make changes in order to achieve your goals.
Uranus: retrograde about once every year, with the pre and post shadow phase lasting for nearly 4 months each, the actual retrograde cycle lasting for about 5 months, for a total of 13 months. This hero’s journey cycle is about breaking patterns, embracing changes, finding new ways of doing things, and learning to manage the inevitable chaos and upheaval that happens in a life that is defined by time, instability, and decay. Heavy I know. The house where Uranus in transiting will show you where breakdowns and breakthroughs are happening.
Neptune: retrograde about once a year, with the pre and post shadow phase lasting for about 4 months each, and the actual retrograde period lasting a little over 5 months, for a total of 13-14 months. This hero’s journey cycle is about evaluating our delusions, dissolving boundaries, facing escapist tendencies, surrendering to divine intelligence, and developing greater trust and faith in the Universe.
Pluto: retrograde about once a year, with the pre and post shadow phase lasting for a little of 4 months each, the actual retrograde phase lasting about 5.5 months, for a total of approximately 13-14 months. This hero’s journey cycle is about facing our shadow, our subconscious mind, our fears, insecurities, and confronting our mortality. Pluto journeys are about complete metamorphosis, and transformation takes time. Transformation is accelerated when Pluto forms an aspect to a natal planet. Look to the house Pluto Retrograde is occurring in for greater insights.
**It’s important to note—-since the outer planets move so slowly, it’s possible they will retrograde over a planet or significant point in your chart more than once before they move on. For example, retrogrades to your natal Midheaven by Jupiter could signify career changes over the course of a year or two, whereas retrogrades over your natal Venus by Pluto could indicate massive transformation in your love life that can last for 3-7 years.
Whew! That is a lot of ground to cover. I hope you found this to be a helpful resource.
Ready to dive into the upcoming retrograde journeys based on your personal astrology chart? Book a session with me, and be sure to mention this article if you want to dive deep into retrograde territory.
Lastly, don’t buy into all the fear-mongering about retrogrades. Yes, sometimes we do have to get serious when we talk about them, but remember that ultimately, retrogrades are invitations to grow as souls, and they can lead to profound healing and transformation if you stay open and are willing to do the work.
To your continued growth and transformation,
Caroline ♥
