What it's associated with
In astrology, a retrograde is a time when what that planet stands for turns inward, towards going back over things. The prefix is the hint: review, revisit, reconsider.
- Mercury: communication, travel, plans and details.
- Venus: relationships, what you value and what you enjoy.
- Mars: drive, anger and how you go after things.
How often, and for how long
- Mercury: three or four times a year, about three weeks each.
- Venus: about every 19 months, for about six weeks.
- Mars: about every two years, for about two and a half months.
- Jupiter and Saturn: once a year, for about four months.
- Uranus, Neptune and Pluto: once a year, for about five months or more.
The Sun and Moon never go retrograde.
Why it lands differently on each of us
The cosmic weather is shared, and it depends on what it touches. A planet that crosses your Sun or your Moon three times, forward, back and forward again, makes for a very different stretch from one crossing a quiet part of your chart.
Ally's sky calendar lists every retrograde, new and full moon, eclipse, solstice and equinox ahead, dated in your own timezone, for free.
The detail, if you want it
A planet appears to stand still as it turns, both going into a retrograde and coming out. Those days are called stations, and they're when its themes are usually said to be felt most. In Human Design, the same movement can take a planet back through a gate it just left, and activate it for you again.
Written with AI and reviewed by a person at Stellar Ally AB. Published November 3, 2026.
Human Design and its terminology originate with their respective authors and rights holders. Stellar Ally AB is independent and unaffiliated, and claims no trademark rights in the Human Design System. Ally uses these systems as one lens for self-reflection, nothing more. Nothing in Ally is medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice.