How to Emerge From a Retrograde

Retrogrades occur when a planet or body appears to be moving backward through the Zodiac. Retrograde planets operate differently from usual since their normal motion is forward, and some can really throw things off (hey Mercury, Venus, Mars!).

But it doesn't have to be that way at all. Astrology always offers a way out, and you can learn how to make almost anything positive. Even if you didn't get to do much at the start or during the retrograde, you can still make it work for you coming out of it. So what is the best way to emerge from a retrograde? Let's explore!

First: Prepare

First, you want to prepare yourself. Be mindful of when the planet ends its retrograde, and know that anything that’s going on at that time can be reversed once the retrograde is over. You should either finish things quickly before the planet is moving forward again, or be super flexible once it is moving forward, ready for adjustments.

Look at what is ruled by the house the retrograde ends in, and what aspects it makes to your chart (within 3 degrees). These are where you can focus your attention to finish, or to plan to be more flexible.

Second: Slow Down

It’s usually a good idea to slow things down in your life around the end of a retrograde so you can handle whatever monkey wrenches the end of the retrograde throws at you.

When a planet ends its retrograde, the energy can be supercharged, so we can all be a little frazzled and exhausted anyway, and need the extra time to rest so we’re not completely burned out. Once the retrograde is over, work on replenishing your energy levels so you can quickly get back on the right track.

Taking things slower also helps you see things more clearly and get your head back on straight. You can pinpoint what will need your attention, what you've been missing, and what solutions are available to you.

Third: Plan Solutions

The areas of life ruled by the house the planet retrograde's in tend to get the brunt of the problems during the retrograde, so start to make plans for how you can right whatever went wrong, and get everything back to normal (or better than normal) soon after the retrograde ends.

The problems that come up during retrogrades don’t have to remain once they’re done, but if you don’t tackle them, they can last for a while. So, don't stick your head in the sand, hoping it'll go away on its own. Be proactive!

Suggested Reading: Mercury Retrograde Preparedness