The big astrological event happening now is that Mercury, Venus, and Mars are beautifully in sync and moving retrograde at the same time. What does this mean for you?
If you watch the night sky in coming months you’ll see Mercury, Venus, and Mars, appear to retrace steps and travel backward. Astrologers use the word ‘retrograde’ to describe this phenomenon.
From our perspective on Earth, all planets in our solar system are sometimes retrograde in their orbit. But these three backpedal a lot less often than the others.
The wow factor of these current retrogrades is that they occur in an unusual overlapping sequence, over a brief 4 ½ month period (from late November 2024 to mid-April 2025).
For these planets to be retrograde is infrequent. For them to be retrograde at the same time is rare. And in astrology, rarity equals potency.
What is the meaning of this remarkable coincidence? And how may its wisdom prepare us for an extraordinary astrological pattern that follows in 2025?
Let’s start with the basics.
What do Mercury, Venus, and Mars mean in astrology?
Each of these planets corresponds with a psychological drive.
- Mercury – the mind, how you think, perceive, and communicate
- Venus – the heart, what you love, desire, and value
- Mars – the fire, your energy, your actions, how you fight for what you want
How we express each of these drives is individual and can evolve over time.
What does it mean if these planets are retrograde?
A retrograde planet symbolises a psychological drive that is much more introverted than usual.
Is a retrograde planet in your birth chart a problem?
A retrograde planet may feel uncomfortable. It may even challenge your confidence, especially early in life. The psychological drive it symbolises tends to operate in a more subjective way than for other people. Possibly more awkward, stuck, unworldly, embarrassing, or even inadequate.
When teaching students, I invite those with retrograde Mercury, Venus, or Mars to share their experience. Here is a quick summary of their gifts and challenges.
|
GIFT or TALENT
|
LIFE
CHALLENGE |
|
| MERCURY | Thinks freely.
Thinks imaginatively |
Hard to find the words
Learning difficulties Painful communication issues |
| VENUS | Unique love attractions
Unique artistic expression |
Socially awkward
Fear of being hurt in love Insecure attractiveness |
| MARS | Staying power
Controlled anger |
Fears to act directly
Pent up anger Passive aggressive |
How can you live a retrograde planet well?
If you have a retrograde planet in your birth chart, respect its introverted nature. The best strategy for living it well is to slow down, turn within, and explore what this part of you needs.
In moving beyond frustration and toward self-enquiry you may discover your retrograde superpower. It’s precisely because this part of you is a little different, or less orthodox, that it is less hamstrung by how others think you should be. More than this, these unique qualities of your retrograde planet are needed in the world. Seek the support you deserve to make this happen.
What is the lesson of the rare retrograde period happening now?
If you have a retrograde planet in your birth chart, living it well is a lifelong journey. The current planetary patterns, however, speak to us all. They are one with the spirit of the times.
As Mercury, Venus, and Mars move retrograde, and revisit the journey they’ve travelled, we may each be asked to do the same.
The motivation for retracing steps will hopefully follow from any frustrated expression of psychological drives symbolised by these planets. The tension or discomfort that can come with the territory becomes meaningful if it triggers reassessment of your true needs. This is the wisdom of now.
Strategies for navigating the retrogrades of Nov 2024 – April 2025
Mercury Retrograde – 26th November 2024 till 16th December 2024 (in Sagittarius)
15th March 2025 till 7th April 2025 (in Aries and Pisces)
Challenges:
Confused thinking, communication breakdowns, problems getting the facts
Resolution:
Rethinking, remembering, rechecking, reorganizing, relearning, recommunicating
Zodiac sign strategies:
In Sagittarius (now), your intuition is key. In Pisces, (April 2025), tune into vibes and sensitivities, dreams and synchronicities, as they say what you need to hear.
Venus Retrograde – 2nd March 2025 till 14th April 2025 (in Aries and Pisces)
Challenges:
Feeling disliked, unattractive, undervalued, insecure in a relationship, in discord with others, imbalance, unfairness, failed diplomacy, frustrated desire, loss of values, loss of worth
Resolution:
Re-evaluating relationships, valuing partnerships, trying out new tastes, desires, and styles, successful diplomacy, living by values that are true for you
Zodiac sign strategies:
In Aries (March 2025), ‘my’ desires may clash with ‘yours’, and in Pisces (April 2025), themes of unrequited love or co-dependency may need attention.
Mars Retrograde – 7th December 2024 till 24th February 2025 (in Leo and Cancer)
Challenges:
Low energy, irritability, reactivity, stress, burn out, impotence, failed goals, jealousy, envy, passive aggression, redoing old conflicts
Resolution:
Patience, positive self-assertion, going after new goals, rebalancing energy.
Zodiac sign strategies:
In Leo (now), your ego’s need to be proud, wilful, and creative can seem unappreciated; in Cancer (January, February 2025) the focus is your inner child.
After April – the extraordinary transits of 2025
The retrograde phase of a transit typically throws up issues that inspire a personal review. Wrestling with these issues triggers a phase of introspection that can hopefully inspire positive change. Change typically comes to pass once each planet goes direct again.
With the complex interweaving of retrograde cycles now underway, expect renewal to be fully active by late April 2025. As with all astrological events, this is perfect timing.
Slowly taking shape in 2025 is an extraordinary dance between outer planets that becomes exact mid-year. The retrograde journey of Mercury, Mars, and Venus happening now has a clear message. That reviewing what we think, want, and value, is a necessary step to engaging more authentically with the possibilities of this new era.
