Which planets are in retrograde right now: a full list of every retrograde in 2022
If you follow astrology, you’ll know that when it’s retrograde season life can feel topsy-turvy. Naturally, having an understanding of when the key retrogrades are placed across the year can help us manage those periods.
For example, did you know 2022 will have four Mercury Retrogrades, not just the usual three? Or that Mars starts its backwards spin on Halloween?
Knowing the retrograde cycles is especially pertinent when multiple retrogrades intersect all at once, like in September when there will be up to six planets in retrograde at the one time.
Each planetary retrograde comes with different meanings, and more importantly different learnings. With this in mind we’ve mapped out all of the coming retrogrades of 2022 below.
Read on to see which planets are in retrograde right now and all the dates you need to know.
What is a retrograde?
Before we get into the dates, we need to know what we’re dealing with. A retrograde is a period of time where a planet or celestial body appears to move backwards in the sky in relation to Earth.
Of course, these bodies don’t actually move backwards. But owing to their placement in relation to Earth, it will appear that they are taking a backwards spin through our sky – affecting the ruling area of each celestial body.
If you are a believer in astrology, these placements can impact everything from our moods down to luck and destiny.
Mercury Retrograde
- 14 January 2022 in Aquarius – 4 February 2022 in Capricorn – 21 days
- 10 May 2022 in Gemini – 3 June 2022 in Taurus – 24 days
- 10 September 2022 in Libra – 2 Oct 2022 in Virgo – 22 days
- 29 December 2022 in Capricorn – 20 January 2023 in Capricorn – 23 days
Probably the most well-known and often considered the most pervasive is Mercury Retrograde. And unfortunately for us, 2022 comes with four periods of Mercury in retrograde, rather than the usual three.
As the planet that of transit and communication, Mercury is considered to rule over things like travel, deliveries, talks, conversation, contracts and even just casual conversations.
Think of Mercury as the overseer of any movement from A to B. Whether it concerns something physical or even just information. So, when Mercury moves into retrograde, it means these areas of life can become chaotic. Think travel delay, misunderstandings, failed deliveries and more.
Some will go as far as to never schedule important meetings or sign contracts during a period of Mercury Retrograde. And then there are some who believe major tech outages – like the Instagram outage in 2021 – are caused by this phenomenon.
Venus Retrograde
- 19 December 2021 in Capricorn – 29 January 2022 in Capricorn – 60 days
Venus is the ruler of love and money.
As such, during a Venus Retrograde you’ll likely find yourself unlucky in love.
It wrecks havoc on the emotional side of your life and you could find yourself unable to connect with a prospective partner. Or it could drive you to feel distant with your current one.
It also hinders our ability to manage our finances. Money can seem to just slip through your fingers during this time, and some suggest you should avoid making big financial decisions or commitments in these moments. Carefully consider your actions. As they say, measure twice, cut once.
Luckily Venus Retrograde generally only comes around once per year, and the one for 2022 is over and done with early on.
Mars Retrograde
- 31 October 2022 in Gemini – 1 January 2023 in Gemini – 62 days
Mars, the warrior planet. This body rules over action, energy and lust.
Mars empowers us. Mars is often seen a provoker of conflict, and while this planet is known to incite the flames of anger, it really is more of an energy source. One that inspires us to do more and go further.
It gives us the fuel we need to act, assert ourselves and muster the energy to go above and beyond. So, during the period of Mars Retrograde, you may feel uncommonly sluggish, lethargic and without your usual drive – both in and outside of the bedroom. Don’t be surprised if you feel a little lacklustre.
The best way to manage this period is by learning to respect your body and its need for rest. If you feel totally uninspired to go out and socialise, then don’t! Give yourself the rest you need and know that your energy and passion will return.
Jupiter Retrograde
- 29 July 2022 in Aries – 24 November 2022 in Pisces – 118 days
Jovial Jupiter is the planet that rules luck and fortune, so is it any surprise that this is considered one the least favourable retrogrades?
Normally, Jupiter brings abundance. It makes us feel confident and guides our hand in the direction of good luck. But when Jupiter goes into retrograde it’s easy to feel as though your luck has run out.
It’s not pleasant to feel as though you’re at the end of your winning ticket, so the best course of action is to use this as a moment of reflection. Perennial optimism does not serve us well long-term and healthy dose of realism can aid us in restoring balance back into our lives.
Set yourself up so that when destiny swings back in your favour, you are well placed to enjoy its rewards.
Saturn Retrograde
- 5 June 2022 in Aquarius – 23 October 2022 in Aquarius – 140 days
Ruler of Capricorn, Saturn is the planet of hard work, responsibility and discipline. So, when Saturn takes a backwards spin through the sky, you can expect to see the rule book tossed out the window.
This is a divisive retrograde, and the way you manage this one will often depend on your sign. For those that prefer to live life colouring outside the lines like Sagittarius and Pisces, this period offers a welcome freedom from the shackles of daily life. But other like rule-loving Virgo and ever-balanced Libra, the sudden drop of responsibility can untether their world.
The energy out of a Saturn Retrograde is one of rebellion, so it’s important to channel this in the right way. Rather than removing the patterns of discipline that will see you lose motivation in work, love and life, try to instead feel inspired to take chances. Go out on a week night. Maybe book a spontaneous holiday? Try the expensive restaurant you’ve always wanted to visit!
And remember, Saturn Retrograde is a marathon, not a sprint.
Uranus Retrograde
- 19 August 2021 in Taurus – 19 January 2022 in Taurus – 152 days
- 24 August 2022 in Taurus – 23 January 2022 in Taurus – 152 days
Quirky Uranus is in retrograde for nearly half of the year, so thankfully this is one of softer and even positive planetary movements.
Uranus is the planet of unpredictability. An eccentric to its core, this planet rules over Aquarius, the sign of innovation and intelligence.
When Uranus is in retrograde its energy can almost flip (depending on the ruling sign of the retrograde) and its erratic idiosyncrasies will be toned down.
Some will see this as an inhibitor of necessary change and can even feel “stuck in the mud”. But, without the “gotcha”-style shock factor that Uranus often brings, we’re given more time to lean into the truly positive influences it can bring. Uranus can help us see things from different perspectives and open our minds in new ways.
This transit can be highly transformative if used in the right way. If you stay open and ready for change and you’ll likely come out the other side all the better for it.
Neptune Retrograde
- 28 June 2022 in Pisces – 4 December 2022 in Pisces – 159 days
Long and languid, Neptune Retrograde should be seen as more of a period for introspection rather than a short, sharp burst of disruptive energy like some of the others.
Also known as the God of the Sea, Neptune rules over Pisces – the mystic of the Zodiac. As such Neptune is associated with water, mysticism, dreams and psychic ability.
Neptune Retrograde is notorious for stripping back the barriers between our earthly selves and the more instinctive and intuitive selves. Expect to feel more in touch with your gut as the illusions used to cover up the true forces at work are shattered.
Use this time to dream big. Literally, this is the time get witchy and manifest.
Pluto Retrograde
- 30 April 2022 in Capricorn – 9 October 2022 Capricorn – 162 days
Ruler of Scorpio and God of the Underworld, Pluto is the planet of rebirth, power and transformation.
Pluto Retrograde is unique one. Rather than us feeling a flip of its typical influence, during the months that Pluto is in retrograde, we tend to feel its influence internally – instead of on the world around us as is typical when Pluto is in direct (normal or regular) transit.
Take this as the time to reflect on the power structures at play in your life. Is your habit of need to control everything stopping you from reaching your full potential? Is there a toxic influence in your life that is manipulating you?
This is the period to truly reflect on the controlling influences of your life and whether they continue to serve you – or whether you need to let them die. Small, but mighty, Pluto is often the planet that has the power to incite the most important changes we need to make.
Photo by Jake Weirick on Unsplash
