What Are Retrograde Planets In Astrology?

Retrograde planets in astrology are when the planets appear to be moving backwards. This isn't the case though as planets do not move backwards. Its actually an optical illusion. When an astrologer looks up to sky they see the sun and all the planets orbiting around it, the sun being the centre of our universe. There are times looking at the planets from earth that they appear to slow down, pause and even move backwards. They haven't stopped or slowed down its just an illusions from looking at the planets from earth. The best way to explain this is to imagine there are two trains going the same way with you on one of them. As one train starts to accelerate, it appears from inside this train that the slower train is moving backwards. But we know its not going backwards, its just the train we are in has sped up. This again is an optical illusion and the retrograde motion of the planets works in the same way.

The only exception with the planets going retrograde is the Sun and Moon, they are never in a retrograde motion. Mercury is the planet that retrogrades most often, 3 times a year and for about 3 weeks each time. This year (2011) the planet Mercury will be retrograde from 30th March to the 23rd April, the next one is from 3rd August to the 26th, then the last one is from the 24th November through to 14th December.

Mercury is associated with the rational mind and all forms of communications such as travelling, conversations in any form such as email or over the telephone. It governs how we trade and exchange goods, services and contracts. If Mercury is retrograde its influences becomes magnified and turbulent. Almost like a storm is brewing. Gemini and Virgo signs are ruled by this planet so this means you will be more affected. There could be delays with travel or car problems, delays with mail or contracts, misunderstandings and communication breakdowns, cancelled appointments and problems with electrical equipment especially anything to do with communications such as computers telephones etc. This explains the trouble we had here in the UK regarding all the travel problems caused by the snow. If you look at the dates of when Mercury was retrograde last year you will see its exactly when the storm broke as it were.
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About the Author:Carolyn Clayton writes for English Astrologer Patrick Arundell who offers Horoscope & Astrology readings including love horoscopes, chinese horoscopes and much more.

Don’t Let the Lunar Eclipse Pass You By

 

“WM (Sun, Spirit):  Brother SW.  Why in the west?

SW (Moon, Soul):As the Sun is in the west at the close of the day, so stands the SW in the west to assist the WM with the opening and closing of the lodge, pay the craft their wages that none may be dissatisfied, harmony being the support of all institutions, especially this of ours.”

 

How appropriate.  In just a few hours a Total Eclipse of the Moon will take place.  This means of course that the moon will be full and that the path of the moon will pass in the earth’s shadow.  The last Total Lunar Eclipse was about 3 years ago.  There is no debate that the affect of an eclipse is powerful but subtle.  If you are caught up in the mundane things of the world and don’t spend any time traveling and journeying within yourself, then you probably won’t even notice anything special.  But those who “travel in foreign lands” will feel this special time.  It’s extra special because it is taking place right at the beginning of the Winter Solstice.  This hasn’t happened since 1554 AD.  Why is this all so special (especially to Master Masons)?

Well, let me break it down for you.  Sun = spirit.  Moon = soul.  Earth = body.  As MMs, we should already be aware of the obvious:  the Moon has no light but it reflects the light of the Sun.  The Moon also affects water (emotions).  Thus our souls (Moon) reflects wisdom/knowledge/understanding (light) from our spirits (Sun), while also being responsible for our emotions (water).  When the moon is full, it is reflecting the maximum possible light.  All though the moon can be seen during the day during other moon phase, a full moon can only be seen after the Sun sets (obviously because they are opposite each other).

Now is appropriate to explain day and night symbolism.  “As the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night….: is a Masonic statement that often escapes true understanding and meaning.  “Day” means your waking consciousness. Night means your subconscious.  The sun ruling the day, refers to the spirit having dominion over the consciousness.  The moon governing the night refers to the soul having dominion over the sub consciousness.

Therefore, full moons are special to the psyche of humans because it is a time when the spirit/conscious and soul/subconscious are basking in each other’s glory.  It’s a time when the consciousness can very easily delve into the subconscious, because they are directly opposite each other.  Many people, animals, hospitals and police departments around the world know how people act different during the full moon.  Mystics have known for a long time that a full moon is an appropriate time to work on their sub conscious directly via their consciousness.

The specialness of a Total Lunar Eclipse is that the earth will pass between this monthly reunion of “fullness” between the Sun and the Moon.  Let me restate that this way:  your body will pass between your spirit and your soul.  In other words, your body will temporary “block” the return reflected light from the moon.Your conscious can examine your subconscious in a meditative or dream state without any interference from your subconscious.  This is helpful because it will allow you to examine self in a unique way.

The full moon that will happen tomorrow December 21, 2010 at 12:32 AM CST is a very special and powerful time to do this because it is also the Winter Solstice.   I can’t begin to tell you the reverence for the Winter Solstice among all religions.  Our Christmas, the Pagan Yule and the Jewish Hanukah are all celebrations that actually celebrate the Winter Solstice.  As Master Masons,  “Riding the Goat” during the Third Degree of Freemasonry is all about the Winter Solstice.  “Riding the Goat” actually refers to the fact that the Sun enters the “goat” constellation of Capricorn as we Mason’s re-enact the dying Sun God that has been slain awaiting to be resurrected 3 days later as the Sun comes back to life and starts to move forward.  This is KEY to understanding not only Freemasonry, but all religions.  The dying God represents the alchemical process of self improvement. It is the lower half of man that needs to die in order for the spirit of God to resurrect with in him  The Third Degree of Freemasonry is about using our working tools (which I will collectively call our conscious) to build a structure with a foundation (our subconscious). 

If these are the things that you subscribe to and you want to do a little self improvement or even manifestations, then this Total Eclipse is just too good to pass up.