3 Planets Are Retrograde Right Now — Here's What That Means For You

Although Mercury retrograde is an astrological shift you've already had to worry about three times this year, your focus may want to be on the other three planetary retrogrades happening right at this moment: Jupiter retrograde, Saturn retrograde, and Neptune retrograde.

With Jupiter retrograde until late December, Saturn retrograde until Nov. 4, Neptune retrograde until Dec. 6, and the final Mercury retrograde beginning again Dec. 13, there's no wonder you may be feeling some serious chaos. But don't completely freak out: not all retrogrades are created equal, and some actually bring a different and less-turbulent energy than the others. Some of them can even be overwhelmingly positive.

For example, astrologist Maressa Brown noted in a previous POPSUGAR article that while "Jupiter will crank up the volume of whatever's happening in the sky," that's not always a bad thing. She says that when Jupiter meets up with your Venus sign, it "could bring luck and energy to your relationships and finances" — even during a retrograde.

It's also not that big of a deal that three retrogrades are happening at the same time — it just means you may be feeling all the things as these three retrogrades overlap. Regardless, it's better to know when each planet is retrograde, as it can give you insight into what might be going on in your life and how it interplays with your birth chart.

So while we navigate this current retrogrades, study up on the upcoming retrogrades — and get some tips on how to manage them — with this list of all the planets that are retrograde in 2023. But first, let's clarify what being retrograde actually means.

As astrologist Valerie Mesa pointed out in a previous POPSUGAR article, the word retrograde simply refers to "the way the planet appears to slow down and backpedal through the sky." The term "retrograde" actually refers to the illusion created by planets in their retrograde periods, during which a planet's orbit around the sun makes it appear to be slowing down and moving backward.

In astrology, retrogrades are essentially periods during which your life might slow down significantly, prompting you to revisit certain themes or struggles, depending on which planet is retrograde and what that planet governs in astrology.

For example, Mercury is said to influence communication and logic — an enormous part of our day-to-day life. According to Mesa, when Mercury moves retrograde through a fire sign, you may be called to "reflect on your plan of actions." When Mercury moves retrograde through an earth sign, you may be called to reflect on "themes surrounding financial stability, daily routine, and professional life." When moving through an air sign, you may be called to reflect on your "communication style." And when moving through a water sign, you may be called to reflect on "logical sense."

Another example: when the planet of love, money, and pleasure, Venus, is retrograde, it can shed light on financial or relationship difficulties you may be dealing with at the moment. Earlier this year, Brown noted that, during the Venus retrograde, you may have felt compelled to "hit the rewind button — whether that means doing self-work around your love language, taking a walk down memory lane with your S.O., or reimagining your love life."

No matter which planet is retrograde, however, keep in mind that the closer the planet is to Earth, the more you may feel its retrograde movement, says Brown.

This is the most notorious retrograde of them all. If you find things going wrong left and right (especially as far as technology, communication, and travel are concerned), you'll probably end up wondering, "what planet is retrograde right now?!" — and the answer will probably be "Mercury." In 2023, Mercury retrograde occurs four times throughout the year, with each retrograde period lasting a few weeks at a time.

For the final Mercury retrograde of the year, Brown says to expect "the overall tone of this particular retrograde to stir up thoughts around putting your nose to the grindstone to achieve and earn recognition" and advises you to "nurture your most jovial connections and broaden your horizons."

Venus only moves retrograde once every 18 months, although it lasts for about six weeks, give or take. When this planet is retrograde, you can expect to feel it in your love life, personal values, beauty, and finances. Brown also notes Venus retrograde will "shape how you experience pleasure, what you value, how you'll go about making and spending money, and what you deem appealing aesthetically." Here's when to expect Venus retrograde in 2023.

Mars represents action, physicality, and sex in astrology and is often associated with high energy levels and aggression — so when this planet is retrograde, you can expect to feel dips in your libido, energy level, and motivation. "Mars retrograde will spur you to consider how you process and work through anger and require that you reassess how you've been caring for your health and well-being," says Brown. Mars retrograde occurs about every two years, lasting for a period of a couple of months. You can expect Mars retrograde toward the end of 2023.

Jupiter is the planet associated with luck, good fortune, and expansion. When this planet is retrograde, it can prompt a lot of self-reflection and philosophizing, as it nudges you to see the big picture, says Brown. "Because Jupiter oversees knowledge and wisdom, the planet's retrogrades also spur a lot of philosophizing and questioning the rules associated with the area of life that it's magnifying," she adds. Jupiter is retrograde once a year, and its slow retrograde period lasts for about four months, or 120 days.

A slightly difficult planet, Saturn governs all things related to structure and discipline. As such, when this planet is retrograde, it offers up reality checks that help promote personal growth. "It'll push you to think about the foundations you've set, and why you've set them, and what you've accomplished, and why, over the next few months," says Brown. Saturn retrograde also occurs annually, for a period of a little over four months. Get ready to restructure your life during the 2023 Saturn retrograde.

Uranus is a bit of a wildcard in astrology. It's known for ushering in rebellious, free-spirited energy and unexpected shakeups. With Uranus retrograde, instead of pushing for "external, apparent, concrete change," you could be inspired to "embrace rebellion and revolution in a more internal, psychological way," says Brown. Although it technically starts a new retrograde period annually, Uranus retrograde periods can occur twice in the same year because of how long they last (about five months).

Whimsical Neptune is said to rule our ideals and dreams. When this planet is retrograde, it's not too dramatic, astrologist Stephanie Campos previously told POPSUGAR; rather, it presents a time to reflect and revise your dreams and creativity. Neptune is retrograde about once a year, with its slow period spanning a little more than five months.

Although science likes to exclude Pluto as a true planet, astrology doesn't. This small planet carries a heavy weight, governing death, rebirth, and transformation — and when it's retrograde, it asks you to challenge yourself to check in with and address any toxic, negative, and self-destructive behaviors and beliefs. "Ideally during this period, you might become more interested in resolving these compulsive behaviors or addictions," says Brown. Pluto retrograde can last between five and six months and comes around once a year.