Event Type : Stations

Pluto turns retrograde at 2° Aquarius 06′. Pluto is retrograde every year for over five months. In 2024, Pluto is retrograde from May 2nd to October 11th.

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

Pluto stations and turns retrograde today and will be retrograde until October 11th. This shift of direction tends to bring about some initial confusion, heaviness, and magnification of problems.

Pluto’s retrograde cycle itself, however, is an excellent period for research and gaining new insight into our self-destructive tendencies, needs for control, and search for the truth by looking within. Outward pressures may ease somewhat during this period. Over the coming months, we may be reassessing how we use our power.

Pluto begins its retrograde early in the sign of Aquarius (Pluto first entered Aquarius on March 23rd, 2023, and again on January 20th, 2024), but returns to Capricorn in retrograde motion on September 1st, 2024. This will be the final dip back into Capricorn.

Saturn now turns retrograde at 19° Pisces 26’Rx. This retrograde cycle lasts approximately 4.5 months.

Saturn turns retrograde on June 29th, 2024, at 19° Pisces 26′

Saturn will turn direct on November 15th, 2024, at 12° Pisces 42′.

 

While Saturn is retrograde, we are more likely to refine and review our status, reputation, long-term goals, and responsibilities.

Read about Saturn Retrograde here.

Neptune now turns retrograde at 29° Pisces 56′Rx. It’s getting very close to the end of the sign of Pisces, but retrogrades before it moves on (Neptune will only enter Aries in March 2025).

Each year, Neptune retrogrades for approximately 5 months.

 

 

• 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′

Note that retrograde times are approximate.

The Neptune retrograde cycle is a period of increased receptiveness, even if we’re putting some of our dreams on hold. It can be a time of indecision or feeling in limbo, but it can also be a period of personal discovery. We may feel let down by a matter when the shift happens, but this can lead us along a new and improved path.

Chiron now turns retrograde at 23° Ari 32′.

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 is retrograde in Aries, starting at 23° Aries 32′, and turning direct at 19° Aries 00′.

[Chiron enters the retrograde zone (shadow) on April 1st, 2024, and leaves the shadow zone on April 21st, 2025]

The Chiron retrograde period in Aries is one of reassessing our mental health and healing journeys, programs, or efforts.

Mercury now turns retrograde at 4° Virgo 07′.

Mercury is retrograde from August 5th, at 4° Virgo 07′, until August 28th, at 21° Leo 24′.

Mercury Retrograde Cycle from August 5 to 28, 2024:

 

• On July 16, 2024, Mercury enters the Retrograde Zone (pre-retrograde shadow) at 21° Leo 25′
• On August 5, 2024, Mercury stations and turns retrograde at 4° Virgo 06’Rx
• On August 28, 2024, Mercury stations and turns direct at 21° Leo 25’D
• On September 11, 2024, Mercury leaves the Retrograde Zone (post-retrograde zone) at 4° Virgo 06′

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.

Note that 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 change 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 around 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, August 5th and 28th), as well as around retrograde Mercury’s conjunction to the Sun (called the “inferior conjunction“) on August 18th.

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 Virgo:

We might look at past decisions and ideas from a new, possibly enlightened perspective, although we may be especially analytical and critical, perhaps to excess while Mercury is retrograde in Virgo. We may be returning to past projects and refining or tweaking them. We could feel stuck in the past if we continually redo and don’t feel satisfied with the results, however. We can find usefulness in old or past ideas and recycling them in new ways.

This is a good time for reviewing recent work, as long as we don’t get caught in a loop of perfectionism. We might discover new ways of doing work that has become routine, or we might consider renewing old self-care, health, or fitness programs. Plans may be considered then reconsidered. We are in a good position to reevaluate our routines and habits, and we might give more thought to the meaning of our work or services.

With Mercury Retrograde in Leo:

This is a time for reconsidering an initiative or venture. It’s strong for returning to an old project or pursuit.

It can be a period for returning to old hobbies or forms of recreation with a renewed perspective. We may be thinking about past accomplishments, loves, and creations more frequently, seeing them a little differently now. Past ideas and perceptions of lovers, children, and creative pursuits can emerge and change. Mercury in Leo likes to be on top of things, and this can be a time when a lot of little things can go wrong, however, so it can be frustrating at times.

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 past ventures where we may have had false starts, but this should be done in a new way for things to work this time around. With Mercury in Leo, we prefer to learn from our own experience rather than instruction, and not listening during this Mercury retrograde period can be especially costly.

Retrograde Mercury aligns with the Sun in Leo mid-retrograde — on August 18th, 2023 — bringing illumination to our thoughts. This inferior conjunction presents 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. What we say or write now has an impact, for better or for worse! Significant new ideas can be birthed at this time.

Mercury now turns direct at 21° Leo 24′.

Mercury was retrograde from August 5th, at 4° Virgo 07′, until now, August 28th, at 21° Leo 24′.

Mercury Retrograde Cycle from August 5 to 28, 2024:

• On July 16, 2024, Mercury enters the Retrograde Zone (pre-retrograde shadow) at 21° Leo 25′
• On August 5, 2024, Mercury stations and turns retrograde at 4° Virgo 06’Rx
• On August 28, 2024, Mercury stations and turns direct at 21° Leo 25’D
• On September 11, 2024, Mercury leaves the Retrograde Zone (post-retrograde zone) at 4° Virgo 06′

Note that the shadow period began before Mercury turned retrograde–when Mercury first passed 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.

Note that 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.

Things can be 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).

Pay close attention to what you say and communicate in general, particularly around the days of Mercury’s stations (in this case, August 5th and 28th), as well as around retrograde Mercury’s conjunction to the Sun (called the “inferior conjunction“) on August 18th (midway between the start and end of the retro period).

Especially if you are itching to make a point with someone, 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.

Now that Mercury is direct after several weeks of retrograde motion, recent problems with communications and decision-making should start to improve in the days and weeks ahead. The answers we’ve been waiting for can arrive. Plans or projects that have stalled might now resume. Ease back in–it’s best not to rush conversations and observations.

Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow lasts until September 11th, 2024.