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Mercury rules many different things, including travel, timing and perception, communication, as well as all one's basic mental and verbal processes.

When Mercury is retrograde, it will effect everyone differently, depending on which houses it is moving through in their natal horoscope and what planets it is aspecting.

From Christian Astrology by William Lilly ( pub. 1647), about the planet Mercury: with the good he is good, with the evil planets ill…[and] he is the author of subtlety, tricks, devices, perjury etc." In other words, Mercury takes on the characteristics of the signs, houses and circumstances in which he finds himself; he changes a lot.

And when Mercury goes retrograde, all these things can become somewhat unclear or muddled. It is not a good time to sign papers, make concrete plans, or have those little heart to heart talks. Many people experience computer, automobile, travel, telephone, and postal problems, during Mercury retrogrades, as well. Mercury can bring challenges to communication, self-expression and ability to complete projects that were
planned earlier.

For me, I pay close attention to my communications, making sure that everything is crystal clear. It just seems to be a time when it is easy for misunderstanings to happen. Also, my husband likes to do things like change the oil on the car. It's a great time to nurture your machines.

There is a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. When Mercury is retrograde, it is a better time for inner reflection and looking to past choices and how they are serving you now. Mercury retrograde is also good for brainstorming ideas, doing research, thinking about future plans, as long as you do not make your plans concrete. Any firm plans, made at this time, will most likely have many changes ahead.

Mercury usually turns retrograde about three times each year for a period of about 3 1/2 weeks at a time.

• Mar 5 - Mar 28 - starts at 29° Pisces, goes direct at 16° Pisces.
• Jul 7 - Aug 1 - starts at 04° Leo, goes direct at 23° Cancer.
• Nov 1 - Nov. 21- Starts at 27° Scorpio, goes direct at 11° Scorpio.

Mercury Retrograde Dates 2020

• Feb 16 - Mar 9 - starts at 12° Pisces, goes direct at 28deg; Aquarius.
• Jun 18 - Jul 12 - starts at 14° Cancer, goes direct at 5° Cancer.
• Oct 14 - Nov 3 - Starts at 11° Scorpio, goes direct at 25° Libra.

As the mythological Goddess of Love, the planet Venus governs all relationships ~romantic, platonic, esthetic, diplomatic, etc. The influence of Venus is to beautify, harmonize and soften.

When Venus turns retrograde, you may find yourself assessing, either actively, through dreams or through just quiet moments of reflection, what you have accomplished so far. What have you built for yourself lately, through your close partnerships and alliances? How are you handling your finances and possessions?

Venus Retrograde may also challenge you with a sense of what you are missing, what you don't have, whether it be money, love, or personal self worth.

Venus retrograde is a good time for looking at your personal love relationships, your sense of aesthetic taste, or your finances, and deciding if they could use some improvement or change.

• Venus will not be retrograde in 2019

Venus Retrograde Dates 2020

• May 13 - Jun 25 - Starts at 21° Gemini, Venus goes direct at 5deg; Gemini.

Mars represents our fiery energy, our ambition, drive, assertiveness, courage, and initiative. Mars also signifies our passion, our sex drive, and our anger.

During the retrograde period, the Mars energy is turned inward and does not work in a direct or forthright manner. It is possible for anger and resentment to build, creating an internal pressure that is released after Mars resumes its forward motion.

Mars can challenge the way you express your ego and your will. Are you hot tempered, aggressive, and impatient, or are you able to calmly and confidently stand your ground?

Have you been secretly angry or resentful towards somebody or something?

Do you harbor long standing grudges? Think about it.

Retrograde Mars is a great time for dealing with those kinds of issues. Try a little meditation, quiet time, or therapy, and allow these hidden resentments to surface.

Once you face them, Mars will assist in the release, and you will feel better. You may even find that your health improves, afterwards!

• There are no Mars retrograde dates for 2019.

Mars Retrograde Dates 2020

• Sep 10 - Nov 16 - Starts 28° Aries, Mars goes direct at  15° Aries.

Jupiter rules your potential for growth and expansion on many levels; physical, intellectual, spiritual, cultural, and the accumulation of material assets, power, and status. It describes your optimism and aspirations.

Jupiter retrograde can show where we have overextended ourselves, our resources, and where we may be overestimating or over optimistic. Some challenges may even relate to trust and broken promises.

Jupiter in retrograde isn't a great time for travel, as plans are likely to go awry or have to be changed.

On the upside, during this Jupiter retrograde period, you have a great opportunity to gain some spiritual or philosophical insight.

• Apr 10 - Aug 11 - Starts 24° Sagittarius, Jupiter goes direct at 14° Sagittarius.

Jupiter Retrograde Dates 2020

• May 15 - Sep 13 - Starts 27° Capricorn, Jupiter goes direct at 17° Capricorn.

Saturn rules responsibilities, restrictions and limitations you are apt to encounter, and the lessons you must learn in life.
Saturn gets a bad rap, I believe. Many times Saturn can bring success, but it is a kind of hard won success, brought about entirely by your skilled organization, and hard work. You cannot rest on your laurels with Saturn.

In retrograde, Saturn can show you where you have failed to plan, where you need to lay strong foundations, get organized, accept responsibilities, and where the floor may fall out, if you fail to do so.

Retrograde Saturn can be completely renovating some project, where you had previously tried to "get by" with a quick fix. It also involves unloading, paring down, streamlining. Retrograde Saturn can be great for getting rid of all those things, you think you "need", but are really just getting in your way.

• Apr 29 - Sep 18 - Starts at 20° Capricorn, Saturn goes direct at 13° Capricorn.

Saturn Retrograde Dates 2020

• May 11 - Sep 29 - Starts 1° Aquarius, Saturn goes direct at 25° Capricorn.

Uranus, is the planet of sudden and unexpected changes, rules freedom and originality. In society it rules radical ideas and unusual people, as well as revolutionary events that upset established structures. Uranus ushers in adventurous new ideas ... which then may require some study and incorporation to use properly.

When Uranus is retrograde, surprises pop out from every corner and this can be either marvelous or startling, depending on the situation. With Uranus, you may feel the need to break free in some area of your life, feel pressure to express yourself where you had previously kept it under wraps, no matter what...maybe you're aware of a stirring restlessness, an itch for novelty and excitement. It is a good time to think before you act, just a bit. Just be sure that you are ready to accept the consequences of your exploits, afterwards!

• Aug 11 - Jan 11 (2020) - Starts 6° Taurus, Uranus goes direct at 2° Taurus.

Uranus Retrograde Dates 2020

• Aug 16 - Jan 15 (2021) - Starts 10° Taurus, Uranus goes direct at 6° Taurus.

Neptune rules visionaries, represents spirituality, mysticism, and ideals, musicians, abstract thinking, illusion. It rules drugs and alcohol, derangement, guilt, imprisonment, abandonment, and relates to those who are glamorous and charismatic.

Retrograde Neptune may bring a gradual dissolution of previously held attitudes or perceptions, breaking down internal barriers to higher awareness regarding issues that are ruled by the house it's transiting.
Neptune may show you that what you thought about your spiritual path is somehow changing or needs to be redefined in some way. It is a fine time to look inward at your spiritual needs and beliefs.

With Neptune retrograde, conscious thought can be affected. Consider paying closer attention to your intuition and instincts. Plan accordingly.

Neptune retrograde may also show you where you have some dependency issues that need to be attended to...

• Jun 21 - Nov 27 - Starts 18° Pisces, Neptune goes direct at 15° Pisces.

Neptune Retrograde Dates 2020

• Jun 24 - Nov 29 - Starts 20° Pisces, Neptune goes direct at 18° Pisces.

On a personal level Pluto rules intense energy, signifying the areas in which you consciously or subconsciously seek to exercise power or control.

Pluto, linked to your karmic responsibility, also indicates those areas where you need to gain the deepest level of understanding.

Pluto just doesn't take "no" for an answer. Never did and never will. If you try to make the necessary changes that life is asking of you on a personal level for your own health (spirit, mental, emotional), it will never harm you.

BUT, if you have been allowing fear to direct your life, instead of listening to your inner self, and moving in that fear driven direction, then Pluto has a very abrupt way of showing you the error of your ways, whether you like it, or not.

When Pluto is retrograde, the things that we hang onto most tightly can suddenly be taken away. Pluto's retrograde is also a time of destruction and rebuilding, rejuvenation and regeneration.

Retrograde Pluto can show you how and where you need to transform yourself and to question how you use your own power.

• March 28 - Oct 3 - Starts 23° Capricorn, Pluto goes direct at 20° Capricorn.

Pluto Retrograde Dates 2020

• March 31 - Oct 4- Starts 24° Capricorn, Pluto goes direct at 22° Capricorn.