Event Type : Stations

Jupiter stations and turns retrograde today.

Jupiter turns retrograde at 21° Gemini 20′.

Jupiter is retrograde from October 9, 2024, to February 4, 2025, in the sign of Gemini.

• Jupiter enters retrograde zone/shadow on July 15, 2024, at 11° Gemini 17′
• Jupiter stations and turns retrograde on October 9, 2024, at 21° Gemini 20′ Rx
• Jupiter stations and turns direct on February 4, 2025, at 11° Gemini 17’D
• Jupiter leaves retrograde zone/shadow on April 30, 2025, at 21° Gemini 20′

Note that Jupiter spends its retrograde cycle in the sign of Gemini.

The planet is retrograde in 2024 from October 9th to December 31st but continues into the year 2025 until February 4th.

See also Jupiter in Gemini.

While Jupiter is retrograde, we tend to re-think our goals and plans in the areas of life affected by Jupiter’s transit. It’s a time of questioning what we thought we already knew and developing a new perspective on events and beliefs.

Recognizing areas of excess or extravagance can help us. We may need to slow down specific endeavors if they’ve been moving too quickly, or this happens organically. Some enthusiasm may wane as certain realities of time and energy set in.

Pluto now turns direct at 29° Capricorn 38′, ending its retrograde. Pluto is retrograde every year for approximately five months. In 2024, Pluto was retrograde from May 2nd to October 11th.

 

• • Pluto stationed and turned retrograde on May 2, 2024, at 2° Aquarius 06′ Rx
  • Pluto stations and turns direct on October 11, 2024, at 29° Capricorn 38′

As Pluto advances in direct motion in the period ahead, our power to make profound changes in our lives is more externalized, insistent, and direct. We are less likely to brood over changes that we feel have been thrust upon us and more likely to take things into our own hands and make necessary changes.

Saturn stations and turns direct at 12° Pisces 42′ after several months of retrograde motion. This retrograde cycle lasted approximately 4.5 months.

• Saturn turned retrograde on June 29th, 2024, at 19° Pisces 26′
• Saturn turns direct on November 15th, 2024, at 12° Pisces 42′.

Saturn turns direct after retrograde motion since June 29th, and this change in direction reminds us to take care of our obligations and bring our goals down to earth. With Saturn’s direct turn, our responsibilities, and perhaps our limitations, tend to magnify. Gradually, our long-term goals and plans will clarify. We become more aware of rules, limits, and boundaries in our lives.

Read about Saturn Retrograde here.

Mercury now turns retrograde at 22° Sagittarius 40′.

Mercury is retrograde from November 25th, 2024, at 22° Sagittarius 40′, until December 15th, 2024, at 6° Sagittarius 24′.

Mercury Retrograde Cycle from November 25 to December 15, 2024:

• On November 7, 2024, Mercury enters the Retrograde Zone (pre-retrograde shadow) at 6° Sagittarius 24′
• On November 25, 2024, Mercury stations and turns retrograde at 22° Sagittarius 40’Rx
• On December 15, 2024, Mercury stations and turns direct at 6° Sagittarius 24’D
• On January 2, 2025, Mercury leaves the Retrograde Zone (post-retrograde zone) at 22° Sagittarius 40′

Read more about Mercury Retrograde. Where is Mercury Retrograde transiting by house in your natal chart? Does it conjunct a natal planet, your Ascendant, or Midheaven? Read interpretations of Mercury Retrograde in Transit for a more personalized meaning of the transit cycle.

Mercury spends this retrograde cycle in the sign of Sagittarius.

Note that the shadow period begins before Mercury turns retrograde–when Mercury first passes over the degree that Mercury later returns to in retrograde motion. The shadow period ends when Mercury again passes over the degree at which it first turned retrograde.

The shadow period is different than Mercury’s storm period in astrology, which refers to the period when Mercury is moving especially slowly.

Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow is generally better for new long-term endeavors than the pre-retrograde shadow. For new enterprises in the pre-retrograde shadow, the venture’s secondary progressed Mercury will turn direction (retrograde) in the coming years which may not be ideal.

Also note that things are most wonky on the days of the stations whether Mercury is turning retrograde OR direct (the start and end date of the retrograde cycle) as the shifts occur, after which we grow more accustomed to the energy.

Mercury is retrograde approximately three times a year for approximately three weeks each time. As such, retrograde Mercury is a fairly common occurrence (Mercury is retrograde approximately 18% of the time).

As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our “lower” mind–how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulership over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail and shipping, and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state. Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde.

Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. It’s a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly.

While Mercury is retrograde, we may be rethinking a previous opinion or idea. Looking to the signs and houses it transits can give clues as to what we may be reconsidering.

There is absolutely a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. We look at the world a little differently–through different filters–and can come up with some very important inner revelations. It may be difficult to communicate them under this influence, but not everything needs to be rationalized.

Mercury retrograde periods can be times of heightened inner awareness, when meditation, benefiting from keeping a journal, reworking old plans, and reviewing past work are favored. Mercury retrograde is powerful for studies, particularly for returning to old studies or for re-learning or refreshing knowledge in a subject already taken.

Minor breaks in the mechanical aspects of communication can actually reconnect us to other means of communication, such as when there is an unexpected power outage and we’re forced off the computer and television, finding different and often satisfying ways to entertain ourselves.

It is important to note that there is absolutely no reason to suspend projects or anything of the sort during the Mercury Retrograde cycle. It’s not an ideal time to start new ones or to sign contracts, simply because a change of mind is quite likely once Mercury turns direct. However, it’s a fabulous time to do some “outside of the box” thinking. Acting on our ideas, however, might be best left for a Mercury Direct period.

Pay close attention to what you say and communicate in general, particularly around the days of Mercury’s stations (in this case, November 25th, 2024, and December 15th, 2024), as well as around retrograde Mercury’s conjunction to the Sun (called the “inferior conjunction“) on December 5th, 2024, at 14 degrees Sagittarius (midway between the start and end of the retro period).

If you are itching to make a point with someone, especially, or if you are planning on “signing on the dotted line,” try to hold off. It is likely that you will have a change of mind once the station passes, and you can do some damage in the meantime. When a planet stations, its energies are very strong in our lives.

When Mercury stations, communications have more impact, so that negative ones could have long-term implications at this time. However, if you are very clear within yourself and about what you are communicating, this can be a positive thing.

With Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius:

Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius implies communication snafus revolving around communication and transportation, in particular. While Mercury is retrograde in Sagittarius, we look at past decisions and ideas from a new, possibly enlightened perspective. Reconsidering a long-term dream or vision of our future is a potential.

It’s a strong period for returning to an old study, writing project, or personal interest. It can be a time of scattered thoughts and mental disarray, however. The tactlessness of Mercury in Sagittarius magnifies, making it necessary to be especially careful with our choice of topics and wording. The chances of misinterpretation, slipshod thinking or work, and missing deadlines or appointments run higher than usual, even more so than with other Mercury retrograde cycles.

We may be returning to past projects and refining or tweaking them. We can find usefulness in old or past ideas and recycle them in new ways. We might consider renewing old studies, topics, projects, or interests and returning to places or diversions of the past.

Retrograde Mercury aligns with the Sun in Sagittarius on December 5th, bringing illumination to our thoughts. It’s a favorable time for processing recent events and ideas, and for beginning to look at problems or issues from a new perspective and with a new understanding. Significant new ideas can be birthed at this time.

We might look at past decisions and ideas from a new, possibly enlightened perspective, and find usefulness in old or past ideas and recycling them in new ways.

Mars now turns retrograde at 6° Leo 11′.

Mars Retrograde Cycle from December 6, 2024, to February 23, 2025:

Mars Retrograde Dates in 2024-2025:

Mars is retrograde from December 6th, 2024, to February 23rd, 2025.

• On October 4, 2024, Mars enters the Retrograde Zone (pre-retrograde shadow) at 17° Cancer 01′
• On December 6, 2024, Mars stations and turns retrograde at 6° Leo 11’Rx
• On February 23, 2025, Mars stations and turns direct at 17° Cancer 01’D
• On May 2, 2025, Mars leaves the Retrograde Zone (post-retrograde zone) at 6° Leo 11′

***See also an explanation of Mars Retrograde and Mars Retrograde Dates.

Mars spends its retrograde cycle in two signs: Leo and Cancer.

The Sun in Capricorn opposes retrograde Mars in Cancer on January 15th, 2025 (the Sun only opposes Mars while Mars is retrograde).

Mars is in its pre-retrograde shadow period from October 4th, 2024, forward, and is in its post-retrograde shadow until May 2nd, 2025.

When Mars is in its retrograde cycle, we must re-assess our current projects, our approach to getting what we want, and our desire nature. Rather than directly assert our desires, we tend towards introspection.

While Mars in direct motion is direct, straightforward, assertive, and aggressive, while it’s retrograde, Mars energy is essentially turned inward–it’s internalized, intensified, personalized, and perhaps pressurized. We can be hesitant about taking action, second-guessing our instincts or our natural impulses rather than acting upon them.

The way we react to situations under normal conditions doesn’t necessarily work for us now, or we don’t exactly trust our instincts during the retrograde phase of Mars.

When we internalize anger, there can be some rather challenging byproducts, such as tension, resentment, depression, apathy, and even some paranoia. On the other hand, we might choose to personalize it and make it more intimate.

With Mars retrograde in Leo specifically, pride can push us to greater heights, but it can also keep us from expressing our true feelings, for example, or prevent us from truly learning from our experiences and from others. With Mars retrograde in Leo, we might see more sulking or pulling away to make a point. Leo rules children, creativity, recreational pleasure, entertainment, and romance. As such, we may need to re-assess our approach to these matters. We might feel some frustration or anxiety about these matters.

Projects may not get off the ground as planned, perhaps due to hesitation, caution, and fear of taking risks. Health issues may be a factor (especially in areas ruled by Leo–the heart and back), and accidents a possibility throughout the Mars retrograde period.

Our goal during a Mars retrograde period should not be, however, to simply sit on our impulses or to squelch our enthusiasm. Rather, it should be to better understand our impulses, survival instincts, anger, sexuality, inner courage, and the ways we go about getting what we want from life. The cosmos are asking us to look before we leap rather than throwing ourselves into action, just for the time being.

Learn more about the meaning of Mars Retrograde.

Neptune now turns direct at 24° Pisces 53′. Each year, Neptune retrogrades for approximately 5 months. Today, this retrograde cycle ends.

• Neptune enters the Retrograde Zone on March 11, 2024,  at 27° Pisces 08′
• Neptune stations and turns retrograde on July 2, 2024,  at 29° Pisces 56′ Rx
• Neptune stations and turns direct on December 7, 2024, at 27° Pisces 08′
• Neptune leaves the Retrograde Zone on March 28, 2025, at 29° Pisces 56′

With Neptune direct, our creativity soars, or at least, we are more confident about applying our creativity in the real world. Instead of thinking of this period as a time of disillusionment, we can see it as a time of illumination–when we increasingly see the light. We have more faith in our dreams and visions, in others, and our belief systems. We begin to seek inspiration from external sources. With Neptune at a station today, we may have difficulty focusing long enough to tackle a task adequately.

Mercury now turns direct at 6° Sagittarius 24′.

Mercury was retrograde from November 25th, at 22° Sagittarius 40′, until December 15th, 2024, at 6° Sagittarius 24′.

Mercury Retrograde Cycle from November 25 to December 15, 2024:

• On November 7, 2024, Mercury enters the Retrograde Zone (pre-retrograde shadow) at 6° Sagittarius 24′
• On November 25, 2024, Mercury stations and turns retrograde at 22° Sagittarius 40’Rx
• On December 15, 2024, Mercury stations and turns direct at 6° Sagittarius 24’D
• On January 2, 2025, Mercury leaves the Retrograde Zone (post-retrograde zone) at 22° Sagittarius 40′

The year 2024’s final retrograde Mercury cycle began on November 25th and ends now.

Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow (from December 15th, 2024, to January 2nd, 2025) is generally better for new long-term endeavors than the pre-retrogrades shadow. For new enterprises in the pre-retrograde shadow, the venture’s secondary progressed Mercury will turn direction (retrograde) in the coming years, which may not be ideal.

Also note that things are most wonky on and around the days of the stations whether Mercury is turning retrograde OR direct (the start and end dates of the retrograde cycle) as the shifts occur, after which we grow more accustomed to the energy.

Mercury is retrograde approximately three times a year for approximately three weeks each time. As such, retrograde Mercury is a fairly common occurrence (Mercury is retrograde approximately 18% of the time).

As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our “lower” mind–how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulership over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail and shipping, and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state. Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde.

Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. It’s a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly.

While Mercury was retrograde, we may have been rethinking a previous opinion or idea. Looking to the signs and houses it transits can give clues as to what we may be deciding. In Sagittarius, we were reconsidering ideas, beliefs, modes of communication and transportation, and matters of faith.

Now that Mercury is direct, slowly but surely, information unclogs, and we can move on. Ideally, while Mercury was retrograde, we had the chance to catch up, refine details, and change our minds if needed.

Chiron now turns direct at 19° Ari 00′. This happens after retrograde motion since July 26th.

Chiron Retrograde Dates in the year 2024:

• On April 1, 2024, Chiron enters the Retrograde Zone (pre-retrograde shadow) at 19° Aries 00′
• On July 26, 2024, Chiron stations and turns retrograde at 23° Aries 32′ Rx
• On December 29, 2024, Chiron stations and turns direct at 19° Aries 00′
• On April 21, 2025, Chiron leaves the Retrograde Zone (post-retrograde shadow) at 23° Aries 32′

Chiron was retrograde in Aries since July 26th, starting at 23° Aries 32′, and turning direct at 19° Aries 00′.

[Chiron entered the retrograde zone (shadow) on April 1st, 2024, and will leave the shadow zone on April 21st, 2025]

The Chiron retrograde period in Aries has been one of reassessing our mental health and healing journeys, programs, or efforts. Chiron now stations and turns direct, ending its retrograde cycle. With this shift, we can feel vulnerable–emotional truths about matters we’ve been avoiding or confused about are beginning to emerge now and in the coming weeks. These may not always be comfortable, but they can motivate us to take appropriate action.

Mars began its retrograde cycle on December 6th, 2024 at 6° Leo 11′. Today, Mars–still retrograde–returns to the sign of Cancer, where it will remain for the rest of its retrograde cycle.

Mars Retrograde Cycle from December 6, 2024, to February 23, 2025:

Mars Retrograde Dates in 2024-2025:

Mars is retrograde from December 6th, 2024, to February 23rd, 2025.

• On October 4, 2024, Mars enters the Retrograde Zone (pre-retrograde shadow) at 17° Cancer 01′
• On December 6, 2024, Mars stations and turns retrograde at 6° Leo 11’Rx
• On February 23, 2025, Mars stations and turns direct at 17° Cancer 01’D
• On May 2, 2025, Mars leaves the Retrograde Zone (post-retrograde zone) at 6° Leo 11′

***See also an explanation of Mars Retrograde and Mars Retrograde Dates.

Mars spends its retrograde cycle in two signs: Leo and Cancer. At this time, retrograde Mars returns to the sign of Cancer.

The Sun in Capricorn opposes retrograde Mars in Cancer on January 15th, 2025 (the Sun only opposes Mars while Mars is retrograde).

Mars was in its pre-retrograde shadow period from October 4th, 2024, forward, and will b in its post-retrograde shadow until May 2nd, 2025.

When Mars is in its retrograde cycle, we must re-assess our current projects, our approach to getting what we want, and our desire nature. Rather than directly assert our desires, we tend towards introspection.

While Mars in direct motion is direct, straightforward, assertive, and aggressive, while it’s retrograde, Mars energy is essentially turned inward–it’s internalized, intensified, personalized, and perhaps pressurized. We can be hesitant about taking action, second-guessing our instincts or our natural impulses rather than acting upon them.

The way we react to situations under normal conditions doesn’t necessarily work for us now, or we don’t exactly trust our instincts during the retrograde phase of Mars.

When we internalize anger, there can be some rather challenging byproducts, such as tension, resentment, depression, apathy, and even some paranoia. On the other hand, we might choose to personalize it and make it more intimate.

With Mars retrograde in the already introspective sign of Cancer specifically, we might experience smoldering anger, finding it hard to discover direct and healthy expressions or outlets for frustrations. We can be more pensive and cautious, taking our time to reach our goals. If we push ahead impulsively anyhow, we run into problems, obstacles, and frustrations.

Cancer rules our inner foundations as well as outer ones–our homes, domestic affairs, and relationships with family. As such, we may need to re-assess our approach to our home lives. We are apt to feel some frustration or anxiety about our basic sense of comfort and security–our roots– and with regards to the development of our domestic affairs.

Health issues may be a factor (especially in areas ruled by Cancer, including the stomach), and accidents a possibility throughout the Mars retrograde period.

Our goal during a Mars retrograde period should not be, however, to simply sit on our impulses or to squelch our enthusiasm. Rather, it should be to better understand our impulses, survival instincts, anger, sexuality, inner courage, and the ways we go about getting what we want from life. The cosmos are asking us to look before we leap rather than throwing ourselves into action, just for the time being.

Learn more about the meaning of Mars Retrograde.

Uranus now turns direct at 23° Taurus 16′. Each year, Uranus is retrograde for approximately 5 months. Today, Uranus ends its retrograde phase, turning direct.

• Uranus enters retrograde zone/shadow on May 15, 2024, at 23° Taurus 16′
• Uranus stations and turns retrograde on September 1, 2024, at 27° Taurus 15′ Rx
• Uranus stations and turns direct on January 30, 2025, at 23° Taurus 16′
• Uranus leaves retrograde zone/shadow on May 17, 2025, at 27° Taurus 15′

 

Uranus has been retrograde since September 1st, 2024, and with its station now, Uranian energy hangs heavy in the air this week. As the planet gains speed in the next few weeks, our urge to express our unique selves, take some chances or risks, rebel, listen to our instincts, and stir up change are reawakened or externalized.