11/17/2018 Everything You need to know about Retrograde Planets in Vedic Astrology

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Everything You need to know about Retrograde Planets in Vedic Astrology

By Debraj - August 16, 2016 

Retrograde planets in Vedic Astrology, which is also known as Vakri grha in Jyotish, and its
effect is a subject to diversity of opinion. But I will try to give a basic idea about it. Before
understanding effects of retrograde planets in birth chart we should understand the
movements of the planets. According to accepted principles of Vedic Astrology, the Sun and
the Moon are always in direct motion (that is, they never move backwards) and Rahu and
Ketu are aiways retrograde (that is, they always move backwards). However, the five
planets, namely, Mars, Mercury, jupiter, Venus and Saturn have both direct and seemingly
retrograde motion.

What is retrograde motion of Planets

In Vedic Astrology all calculations are done taking earth as the reference point.In our solar
system, the planets are orbiting around the Sun with varying speeds. The earth is also doing
likewise. So if in a certain time they come in a position at the orbit that they appear to be
going backward from earth and that is what retrogression or retrograde motion of planets
and that particular planet in that particular time is called retrograde planet in Vedic
Astrology or sometimes also called as Vakri Graha in Jyotish.

This can be explained by the example of two trains moving in

the same direction on parallel rails. If the speed of one is less
than the other, then to the passengers of the faster train the
slower train would appear to be moving in the reverse
direction.In this relation it must always be kept in mind that in
Astrology, what we see is more important and acceptable than the factual position and the
effects of the planets should be judged accordingly by using logic.
For example,according to scientists he Sun is a star like other stars in the sky and does not
rotate like the Earth and other planets. Yet we on the earth see the Sun rising in the East and
setting in the West. Therefore in Astrology we accept the Sun as a
planet rotating like other planets.

How to Find Retrograde Planets in Vedic Astrology

In birth chart or Horoscope Retrograde planets are mentioned by Rx or simply by R sign. In

some charts it is also mentioned with a () sign also. for example Retrograde saturn will be
indicated as Sat(R) or Sat(Rx). so simply looking at the chart you can know which planets are
in retrograde motion and which are in direct.
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Now Let us Understand the retrograde planets in Vedic astrology and effects in different houses.

Retrograde Planets are one of the most difficult parameter to judge in a Horoscope. They
often give unexpected results both good and bad. Most of astrologers are of the opinion that a
planets in retrograde motion produces at least subtle different effect. In retrograde motion of
planets, they are more close to earth. So their effect is felt more. During the Dasa of
retrograde planets it will be difficult to differentiate the results or events but the native who
is under the Dasha of retrograde planets will react to the events differently in comparison to
the person who is having dasa of same planet but in direct motion. In my small experience i
have seen that though the result of Dasa may not be of much difference but the karakatwa or
significations of the retrograde planets in Vedic astrology suffers a lot. The energy of a
planet is not allowed to flow normally and the house occupied by the retrograde planets does
not function at its best.

Karma and Retrograde Planets in Vedic Astrology

Retrograde planets, which are often known as Vakri Graha, generally bring some amount of
unfulfilled desire from the past life. We need to learn the karmic Lessons attached with that
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planet in this life.We have some unfulfilled work related to the significations of the Vakri
Graha of our chart which we need to fulfill in this birth and in course we need to learn some 
karmic lesson out of it. If the Atmakarka Planet is a Vakri Graha in horoscope then we have to
understand that the unfulfilled desire is very intense and from several past life.

Lets see the result of Each retrograde planets in Vedic Astrology

Mercury Retrograde: When Mercury is retrograde or a Vakri Graha in birth chart, thinking
process is reverse. Direct Mercury likes sequential processing of information where as
retrograde mercury will do non-sequential intuitive processing. so it will affect the
signification of Mercury like intelligence, communication skill etc. Mercury is the significator
of Communication, Logic, grasping ability, intelligence etc in Vedic Astrology. So when
Mercury is Vakri in chart it shows that some sort of karmic lesson regarding communication
needs to be understand in this life. Retrograde Mercury in Vedic Astrology denotes that the
persons thought, communication skill or thinking process was impractical and impulsive in
past life. This created lots of confusion and chaotic situation.The native will find that the
manner in which he communicates to others is not proper and he has tendency taking
impractical approach to life .This is actually being repeated from the past lifetime.So in this
life, you need to learn communication skill and need to be logical in your thinking. With
retrograde mercury, person tries to become too perfect and hence may become
frustrated.Very few can reach perfection. There can also be a tendency to judge others in
comparison to himself which may bring disappointment also. Individuals with Vakri
Mercury should try public speaking and group discussion as much as possible.

With retrograde mercury in chart it is also possible that, you were a writer in your past life.
You may have some writing ability in this life also. It is very important for these persons to
conduct himself for the right manner in the right direction.They will not seem to be very
logical in their thinking. A person with mercury retrograde will lack the intellectual
communication skill which direct mercury gives.

Famous astrologer Susan Miller advice to avoid mercury retrograde phase in transit for any
kind of endeavors and says that “Don’t make any important moves when Mercury is
retrograde. Nothing will be settled successfully for the future during these periods anyway –
you will find it nearly impossible to nail down a plan. During a retrograde period, it is hard to
get decisions from others. Even if a decision is made, it will be subject to change, either just
after Mercury turns to direct motion or much later.Mercury retrograde periods would not be
good times to do anything involving communications.”

The time of Retrograde mercury in 2017

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11/17/2018 Everything You need to know about Retrograde Planets in Vedic Astrology

Dec 19, 2016 to Jan 8, 2017 earth-sign Capricorn, to fire-sign Sagittarius

April 9 – May 3, 2017 earth-sign Taurus, to fire-sign Aries
August 12 – Sept 5, 2017 in earth-sign Virgo, ends in fire-sign Leo
December 3 – December 22, 2017 in fire-sign Sagittarius

The first Mercury retrograde 2017 will happen on April 9th from Taurus to Aries.As Mercury
goes retrograde, Arguments may flare up for no reason and misunderstanding may occur.
Your mind will feel little cloudy. The electronics equipment like mobile phone etc may break
down without any apparent reason. If you have retrograde mercury in birth chart also, the
result will be felt more. Mercury goes retrograde 3 to 4 times in a year but influence of
malefic planets like rahu , saturn , ketu to retrograde mercury makes the situation little bit
difficuilt. With retrograde mercury in transit, please make sure that you have paid the
internet and phone bills. You carry an extra charger for safety. As Mercury is the planet of
communications, travel and technology, so it can be a little delayed during this period and
errors happen more often. During Mercury Retrograde period, please be extra patient,
cautious, listen and go with the flow. Use this time to reunite with old friends, reorganize
works etc.
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To sum up, During the Vakri Mercury period in 2017, We must be very careful regarding all
sort communication whether verbal or written, We should avoid arguments and debates. We 

should be careful about mobile, computer etc.

IMars Retrograde: Mars is the Planet of War. It signifies anger, courage, aggression etc in
Vedic astrology. Mars is the planet of Action. He is the warrior or commander. With
Retrograde Mars in birth chart the person will be reluctant to take action.He will wait for the
last minute or wait for the situation to become more critical before he takes any action. He
will not do it consciously always but mars retrograde need fire under his belt for taking any
action. A native with retrograde mars will move one step then he will stop and again he will
gather courage. He restart and gives the final blow and win the conquest. Retrograde Mars in
vedic astrology often denotes that perhaps in your last birth you were a soldier or military
and you did something regretful under pressure of your superior. For that anguish and guilt
feeling you were not being able to deal with your anger. Sometime you will not be able to
understand from where this anger is coming but the outburst will be in an inappropriate
way.

As you have misused the power or the energy in your past life, you need to learn to deal with
it in this life. The energy of Mars is usually directed into either positive, direct, aggressive
action in life, or into the areas of sexual gratification, temper, or violence. The location of the
retrograde Mars or Vakri Mars, according to house position and sign, would differentiate
what what qualities will be delivered. Often, house position and sign involvement tend to
stress certain qualities of a planet more than others.Negative character traits of retrograde
Mars could include an animalistic nature, an over-sensual character, a rash, impulsive,
violent temper. Negative Mars, retrograde or direct, brings an offensive nature to the native
of the chart, who would also be prone to accidents.

As Mars is the Karaka for Sex. When Mars goes Vakri in transit, it can complicate the sexual
life too. You should be careful and avoid all sort conflicts during the phase when mars in
retrograde in vedic astrology because anger may out burst in a uncontrollable manner. Mars
retrograde occurs once every two years and lasts about two and a half months. During the
period of vakri mangal in jyotish, the overall atmosphere changes, people have lower
physical energy, they get tired and feel stressed more easily and they need more time to
relax and recover.The mood, the desires, the initiative, the ambition, they all seem to function
on a lower level.

Jupiter Retrograde: Jupiter is the planet of wisdom, expansion, wealth etc. If the Jupiter is
retrograde in chart we can assume that in your past life you have not been able to achieve

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self development. You remained the same person throughout the entire life. So in this life you
need to use your free will and need to be more active. for achieving success in life. You have to
learn this lesson. You can not remain as a slave in the hand of fate anymore.It is also possible
that you might have been troubled for your religious or spiritual beliefs. So you are afraid of
guiding some one in this life. You do not want to be blamed for any consequences. you have
become skeptical. If Jupiter’s retrograde is in your chart, you are likely to be the type of
person who is always searching for ethics and values. You constantly seek truth and deeper
meaning in life. Ritual becomes very important to you. You suffer from feeling the lack of
spiritual fulfillment.You strive to find the right spiritual balance.

Retrograde Jupiter some time also mean that the native was probably a drunkard in his past
life, a very biased and prejudiced person.This tendency come in this life too. This would be
inner trait and the character which would drive the native.

Often person with a retrograde Jupiter is useful to revive any failed project. But this can lead
problem in relationship. Because these persons always looks for something better beyond
what they are having in current partnership. A problem with Jupiter retrograde people is
that sometime they fail to respond to the new opportunities timely. Too much Lazyness or
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optimism may lead to miss obvious benefits. Retrograde Jupiter natal chart gives delay in
marriage if it is connected with marriage house. 

Venus Retrograde: Venus is the planet of luxury, comfort, beauty, spirit of joy, romance etc.
Venus retrograde in birth chart denotes that in past life you may have misbehaved with your
spouse. You were not loyal. You had not tried to understand the value of relationship. So in
this life you have to focus in these areas. You are destined to learn lessons regarding Love and
relationship. For this reason you may have to face some broken relation ship also. With
retrograde Venus in birth chart, you should be very clear about what you want from your
relationship and what you are giving back to your partner. you may choose unusual
alliances. Venus retrograde will find it hard to express his love well. With Venus retrograde,
it indicates unusual interest in Love or affairs. Often they are found to be either celibates or
the reverse -sexual celebrants. They can swing between opposites. Socially they don’t fit into
the mainstream. Their expectation from Love is such a high that no body can meet it and so
often they have the feeling of not being Loved. Venus retrograde people do not get a good
married life often.

When Venus goes retrograde in transit, you should give more time to your partner. You
should try to understand your partner better. Unnecessary problem may arise during Venus
retrograde phase in cosmos. So you should be more caring about your partner. Venus is also
signifies vehicle. So please take are of your Vehicle during Retrograde Venus period. When it
becomes Vakri we understand the real worth or value of people and things in our life. In the
retrograde Venus period, feelings are not easily expressed. The general advise is to focus on
older relationships, to try to make them work.We may meet old friends or someone we loved
or cared for a long time ago, which might reactivate old feelings, possibly forgotten.

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Saturn Retrograde:Retrograde Saturn in a chart represents the neglect of responsibilities in

the past or previous life. The native comes into the current life, with a tendency to carry
forward the same goals that he had left unfinished in the previous life. The responsibilities
ignored or avoided in the past are the clear indicators with the quality of Sign in which the
Saturn is posited in retrogression in the current life.Saturn in retrogression in the Sign Leo
shows that the native avoided responsibility of leadership. Hi might have ignored duties
towards some fatherly figure.Had it been Sign Cancer, the feeling and those related to mind
would have been ignored by the native. It is also possible that he had ignored duties towards
mother or motherly figure.

It can also indicate that you were immensely impatient in your last birth. In this life you need
to understand the value of patience, responsibility and hard work. Saturn retrograde can
make them either workaholic or they will not work at all. They will try to cross the
boundaries and limitations. Their hunger for desire, materialistic prosperity is very difficult
to appease.

With Saturn retrograde it inspires a person to overcome the limitation or crossing the
boundaries. Often people with Saturn retrograde becomes more self isolating, monastic etc.
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They feel like they are alone, no one understand them. So some time they may feel inferiority
complex also. Saturn forces repetition until karmic lessons are understood and vakri Saturn 
enforces repetition.

Among all the Retrograde planets, Saturn transit is most important. In the retrograde Saturn
Period one should not start expansion of business or starting new venture. We should be
careful in regards to signing of agreement. Some people find themselves relieved when
saturn become retrograde and starts new ventures with full zeal but it becomes wilder ed
when Saturn becomes direct as their plan do not materializes. During Saturn Retrograde
2017, it will go from Saggitarius sign to Scorpio again. So the Makar rashi owner will get some
relief from Sade sati.

Now Lets Understand what happens when Retrograde planets in vedic astrology occupy
Upachaya houses

3rd, 6th 10th and 11th is called the Upachaya house. These houses are growth making house.
They are very helpful for materilistic gain They are part of Artha trikona and Kama Trikona.
Malefic planets like Mars saturn does very well in these houses. But what happens when
retrograde planets occupy them ? It is better to have a malefic retrograde planet rather than
forward moving malefic. we need to understand that a malefic planet wherever they sit, they
will do some harm to the native regarding that house. If saturn is posited in 3rd house, it will
do some harm related to the younger sibling. But if the saturn is vakri, it will do much less
harm to the sibling. Saturn as a retrograde planet does very well because saturn energy is to
create delay and frustration but when it is vakri it creates much less delay. Retrograde
saturn in 10th house is a blessing.

Some important information about Retrograde Planets in vedic astrology

Famous Astrologer James Braha while discussing about retrograde planets told that, the
malefics Mars and Saturn when retrograde give generally good results to the house they
occupy. The benefics Venus, Jupiter, and Mercury, when in reverse motion are weakened and
less capable of producing benefits but are still positive forces. Most Importantly any house
ruled by a retrograde planets in vedic astrology is greatly weakened or spoiled. Perhaps the
most important factor worth mentioning is the effect retrograde planets have on the house
they rule. It weakens the attribution of the houses it rules. For example if the Lord of the
Ascendant is Retrograde, the person will lack self confidence or self esteem greatly.

Eminent Astrologer J N Bhasin in his book Hora shatak written that Retrograde Planets in
Exaltation sign is equals to a debilitated planet and in a debilitation sign it will be equal to a
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11/17/2018 Everything You need to know about Retrograde Planets in Vedic Astrology

exalted planet.

Another principle that must be borne in mind is that the retrograde planets in vedic
astrology is supposed to exert its influence from its preceding house also.

House Placement of retrogrdae planets in Vedic astrology

House Placement of Retrograde planets in Vedic astrology is also very important. Imagine a
planet in the 9th house. This is one of the best placement. Now, if it is retrograde, it will be
giving the result of 8th house also. This is one of the worst placements for a planet. Thus, a
planet which was the bhagya-vidhata, now becomes the mrityu-data; the planet that was to
determine the ‘extent of luck’ now has to determine the ‘mode of death’. Take another
example, that of a retrograde benefic in the 5th house. It will exert influence from the 4th
house also, thus covering a Kendra and a trikona both. It will also influence the houses that
this planet aspects from both these positions. Thus, the influence of such a planet,
particularly, if it is Jupiter, can change the total complexion of the chart. Take another
example, this time of a retrograde malefic involved in causing a Paap-kartari yoga. Suppose,
there is a malefic in the 12th house and a retrograde malefic in the 2nd house. Together they
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would breathe down the neck of the 1st house and suffocate it!
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Our experience points out that the result of a retrograde planets in vedic astrology are
contrary to expectations, they are erratic, inconsistent and unpredictable.

I hope i have been able to give you all some information about Retrograde planets.I welcome
your feedback regarding the post.If you Like my Post please share it so that it can reach more
people.

If you have query regarding retrograde planets, please let me know with a comment. But
please understand nothing works in isolation in astrology. For knowing exact result of the
retrograde Planets complete birth chart needs to be checked. If you want me to check your
birth chart please check here

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Thanks.

Debraj
Debraj is a professional Astrologer with More than 10 years of Practical experience. Started
learning Vedic astrology in a very early age around 12 yrs and almost more than 20 years in
astrological study.

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