Retrograde in Vedic Astrology

What is retrograde in vedic astrology? How do you determine if a graha is retrograde? What are the effects of the graha being retrograde in a chart? These are the main questions we will answer in this blog.

What is Retrograde?

A graha is retrograde when it appears to move backward relative to the motion of the Earth. The concept only applies to the true planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Sun and Moon are never retrograde. Rahu and Ketu are always retrograde.

Retrograde is an astronomical phenomenon caused due to the different speeds with which the true planets go around the Sun relative to the speed of the Earth around the Sun. It is an application of the principle of Relative Motion. For example, consider a passenger on a train who sees another train moving in a parallel track in the same direction. If the other train is slower, the train would appear to move in the reverse direction when the faster train passes the slower train. You can experience the same concept observing cars on a freeway.

In the case of planets, we look at the angular speed from the Earth as the planets orbit the Sun. The angular speed of the planet is slower when it is closer to the Earth. As a result, the main point to note is that Retrograde implies that the planet is closer to the Earth.

How do you determine Retrograde?

You can use any vedic astrology software to determine is a planet is retrograde. In some software, the planet has an underscore to indicate Retrograde. In others, you will see an (R) after the planet to indicate Retrograde.

For the outer planets – Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – you can also look at the position of the planet from the Sun to determine if the planet is retrograde. If the planet five (150 degrees) to nine (270 degrees) signs away from the Sun, the planet is retrograde.

What are the effects of Retrograde?

Retrograde adds strength to the planet. In Phala Deepika it is stated a debilitated planet that is retrograde can be considered exalted. This implies that Retrograde adds strength to the planet. If the planet is already exalted, Retrograde makes it more powerful. There is a notion that an exalted-retrograde planet will act like it is debilitated. This is, however, not true. There is no scriptural reference to confirm this claim. Chesta Bala, part of Shad Bala, also confirms that Retrograde adds strength. A planet that is Retrograde gets its full Chesta Bala.

The next question is whether the strength is for the good or the bad? This is dependent on whether the planet is benefic or malefic in a chart. If the planet is benefic in a chart, Retrograde will make it more benefic. If the planet is malefic in a chart, Retrograde will make it more malefic.

Is Retrograde Rare?

Retrograde is rare for some planets and not as rare for others.

• Saturn
  • Number of days in each retrograde cycle = 140 days
  • Frequency = once a year
  • Probability of retrograde per year = 140/365 = 38%
• Jupiter
  • Number of days in each retrograde cycle = 120 days
  • Frequency = once a year
  • Probability of retrograde per year = 120/365 = 33%
• Mercury
  • Number of days in each retrograde cycle = 24 days
  • Frequency = 3-4 times a year (3.5 average)
  • Probability of retrograde per year = 24*3.5/365 = 23%
• Mars
  • Number of days in each retrograde cycle = 80 days
  • Frequency = once every 2 years (0.5 average)
  • Probability of retrograde per year = 80*0.5/365 = 11%
• Venus
  • Number of days in each retrograde cycle = 42 days
  • Frequency = once every 18 months (0.67 average)
  • Probability of retrograde per year = 42*0.67/365 = 8%

So, Venus retrograde is the rarest in a chart and Saturn retrograde is the most common.

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