Retrograde of Planets

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Retrograde of Planets

- Written by Sreenadh OG

 

Retrograde of planet is not an actual phenomena. The truth is â€" planets never retrograde; they are always in direct motion. But since the speed of rotation of planets around Sun and their distance from Sun are different, while viewing from earth we at times feel some planets as ‘moving backwards’ or in other words as in retrograde motion, even though in reality it is not so.

Anyway, even though ‘retrograde motion of planets is not a scientific reality, their concept is given much importance in astrology. There is one unique concept related to retrograde that all astrologers should remember â€" i.e Cheshta Bala.

Cheshta Bala (Ability to act)

The 5 planets Ma-Me-Ju-Ve-Sa has the special ability to act (to provide a visible benefic or malefic result) while in retrograde. Planets who won the Graha Yuddha (Planetary war) and planets placed along with Moon also have the special ability to provide a visible result. It is due to this very fact that retrograde is considered important in astrology.

It is fun to note that, there are diametrically opposite viewpoints regarding the result of retrograde motion.

Retrograde planets are strong

As per Phaladeepika â€"

Vakram gate swacha phalam vidadyal

Sapatna neecharksha gato(a)pi khetaH

(Phaladeepika)

[Even if in enemy sign or in debilitation, if the planet is retrograde, the result equivalent to exaltation should be predicted (since exaltation makes them stronger)]

Retrograde planets are weak

As per the book Sri Trilokya Prakasa -

Vakraga abala vakran margagaH subhada ravi

Uttarayanago yuddhe grahanamuttaro bali

(Sri Trailokya Prakasa)

[Planets in retrograde are weak, and the planets in direct motion (are strong) and gives benefic results. Sun is strong during Uttarayana and weak during Dakshinayana. During planetary war, the planet in northern side wins (and not the one in southern side)]

Moderate View

Between these extreme views â€" one presented by Phaladeepika (considering all planets in retrograde as strong and benefic) and the other presented by Trilokya Prakasa (considering all planets in retrograde as weak and malefic), most of the popular and well-accepted traditional authentic texts such as Saravali, Dasadhyayi etc seems to take a middle path. As per them, ‘Benefics in retrograde gives beneficial results while malefics in retrograde gives maleficial results as well’.

1. Saravali

As per Saravali â€"

Vakrinastu mahaveerya subha rajyaprada nrinam

Papa vyasanadaH pumsam kurvanti cha vridhadanam

(Saravali)

[if benefic planets are in retrograde, they provide all kinds of beneficial results, makes the native a king by providing a kingdom to rule. But malefic planets in retrograde makes him wander a lot with out benefit (but provides the beneficial results at the end)]

2. Dasadhyayi

Dasadhyayi supplements this derivation with the following statement â€"

Vakram gatasya hi dasabhramayati kulalachakraval purusham

Vyasanani riipu virodham kurute papasya na subhasya

(Dasadhyayi, Saravli)

[Retrograde planets makes the native go in circle and circle (repeating the same task without success again and again) as if fallen into the circular wheel of the pot maker. Sadness, wrath of enemies etc will occur if malefic is in retrograde. (But benefic results will be received at the end). This derivation does not apply to benefics]

3. Jataka Parijata

Jataka Parijata provides some clues but does not provide a clear picture. As per Jataka Parijata â€"

1) Sun and Moon â€" are never in retrograde (so retrograde results does not apply to them)

2) Mars â€" gives good results while in retrograde.

3) Mercury â€" (no comments)

4) Jupiter - (no comments)

5) Venus â€" gives good results while retrograde

6) Saturn â€" is strong while in retrograde. (But no comment about whether benefic or malefic)

7) Rahu and Ketu â€" are always in retrograde (so retrograde results does not apply to them)

Considering the above 3 views together, we can arrive at the following understanding â€"

1) Sun, Moon, Rahu, Ketu â€" Retrograde results does not apply to them

2) Mars â€" Becomes strong in retrograde. Should provide bad results (at the beginning) as per Saravali and Dasadhyayi; but should provide good results (at the end) as per Jataka Parijata.

3) Mercury - Becomes strong in retrograde. Results depend on whether Mercury is benefic or malefic. Mercury alone with one or more benefic becomes a benefic (due to influence) and Mercury with one or more malefic becomes a malefic (due to influence). Benefic Mercury in retrograde gives good results throughout, but malefic Mercury gives bad results in the beginning and good results at the end.

4) Jupiter - Becomes strong in retrograde. Should give beneficial result as per the guidelines given by Saravali and Dasadhyayi. (Jataka Parijata’s silence on this matter is skeptical)

5) Venus â€" Becomes strong and gives good results in retrograde.

6) Saturn - Becomes strong and gives good results in retrograde. As per Saravali and Dasadhyayi the malefic Saturn should provide malefic results throughout till almost till the end. Near the end it should provide good results. (Jataka Parijata’s silence on predicting beneficial or maleficial result is skeptical)

Secret from the Master:

The general statement good-bad or beneficial-maleficial will not help much in practical astrological result derivation. The actual good or bad result that should be predicted as per the above guideline should be taken from -

1) The house-base result ascribed to that planet

2) The sign-base result ascribed to that planet

All the pointers regarding retrograde planets available, should be used only as a guideline to USE the actual RESULTS pointed by the above two statements.

 

Exercise

What are the results that should be predicted for -

1) retrograde Jupiter in Taurus in 5th house?

2) retrograde Mercury in Scorpio in 6th house?

3) retrograde Saturn in Aquarius in 9th house?

Take this or any similar example â€" my concern is with the type of example, than with the example itself. At the end I should stress the point, what ever the books and theories may state, being in tune with the actual experience is what makes a theory valuable and acceptable. Therefore while considering this whole theoretical foundation, you should also ask the question â€" whether my (your) actual experience was in tune with this theory for each planet or not? If deviated â€" where and why? It is such ‘processing’ that provides us with our own ‘quarter’ share of knowledge, based on the info provided by the master. (Acharyat padamadette, padam sishya swomedhaya......................)

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