Among the nine planets, Sun and Moon are always direct. Dragon's head (Rahu) and dragon's tail (Ketu) always move in retrograde motion, while Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn are sometimes direct and sometimes retrograde.
What is a retrograde planet ?
Retrograde planets are those planets whose speed is less than that of Earth or in other words, they move backwards, which is called backward motion. If a vehicle moves at a speed of 50 km per hour and another vehicle at a speed of 30 km per hour, then it feels as if one of the vehicle is moving in the opposite direction. Such an experience is often seen if travelling in a train. Similarly, retrograde planets confuse everyone during their transit period, but according to astrology, it is considered to be the power of the movement of the planets or the effort of that power. Just as a man, while walking naturally, sometimes suddenly starts walking slowly, similarly, the slow movement of the planets is called retrograde.
Results of retrograde planets
According to Shri Varahamihir, the author of Brihat Jatak, among the planets, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn are considered to gain more speed power when they become retrograde. According to the rules of astrology, every planet becomes retrograde for a specified time period. For example, Mars remains retrograde for 45 days, Mercury for 24 days, Jupiter for 120 days, Venus for 42 days and Saturn for 140 days. Before becoming retrograde, all these planets remain in a stable state for some days, for example, Mars for 3 days, Mercury for 1 day, Jupiter for 5 days, Venus for 2 days and Saturn for 5 days.
Vedic scriptures on retrograde of planets
According to the Sanket Nidhi (vedic text of astrology) of the timeless author Shri Ram Dayalu mars and mercury give results of the fourth house from the sign of the house in which they are retrograde. For example, if Mercury is retrograde in the ascendant, then Mercury will give more results of the fourth house than the ascendant. Similarly, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn, when retrograde, are considered to give the results of the fifth, seventh and ninth houses from their sign. According to Sarvarth Chintamani (vedic astrology text) if a retrograde planet is retrograde in any place other than its exalted position, then it is considered to give special auspicious results and the retrograde planet also gives the results of the house in which it is situated and the house in which it has an aspects. An auspicious planet (jupiter, venus, mercury) is considered to be stronger when it is retrograde and an inauspicious planet (mars, saturn) is considered to give more inauspicious results when it is retrograde. Many of astrologer often say that planets like mars and saturn gives good results if retrograde but this is totally against maharishi parashar vedic teachings. I personally felt that inauspicious planets like mars and saturn gives bad results if retrograde.
According to different scholars, it is believed that a retrograde planet has a direct half of its aspect at the previous house from its position. Whatever it may be, it is unanimously believed that a retrograde planet if situated in its exalted signs gives results like that of being in its debilitated signs, and a retrograde planet situated in its debilitated sign gives results like that of being in its exalted sign. This also stands true in prediction of any horoscope.
According to the opinion of the scholars, the retrograde planet is considered to destroy the Rajyog (signifies auspicious planetary alignments) etc, situated in the horoscope depending on the position. Although, there are many differences in the opinions of the scholars on many subjects of the retrograde planet, but we should consider the opinion of Maharishi Parashar (regarded as father of vedic astrology) appropriate and correct. For example, when Mars and Mercury are retrograde, they give the result of the fourth house from the sign of their position, when Jupiter is retrograde, they give the result of the fifth house from the sign of their position, when Venus is retrograde, they give the result of the seventh house from the sign of their position. Considering this to be correct, it is considered appropriate and correct to observe the results of the horoscope. The retrograde planets are considered to give results in this way in their respective dashas and antardashas.
For the sake of the intelligent readers, the effect of various planets on human life should be considered in the following way. When the Lord of ascendant is retrograde, it gives the result of physical weakness, frailty, moles in the body parts, marks or defects in the body parts etc. When the second lord is retrograde, it is considered to earn money by illegal or unnatural means or money comes unconventionally, when the fifth lord is retrograde, the person is eccentric or has unstable mind and the mistakes in the principles he thinks are revealed. When the seventh lord is retrograde, it is considered to delay marriage and bring unrest in married life. The sexual desire of such people also increases unnaturally. When three or more planets are retrograde in the birth chart, there is a possibility of physical illness or some sudden accident. When Mars is retrograde, there is a possibility of more than one accident or physical illness etc. When the ninth lord is retrograde, it gives beneficial results of luck and fame. When Venus is retrograde, it reduces sexual power. When Saturn is retrograde in the seventh house, it makes a person great and famous and when Saturn is retrograde in the ninth house, it makes a person attain high position or becomes spiritually inclined.
Mars in retrograde position indicates blood related diseases, accidents, bone problems, multiple operations. Mercury in retrograde position causes forgetfulness, loss of memory cells and evil character. Jupiter in retrograde position is considered to give results like arrogance, pride, selfishness etc. Venus in retrograde position gives results like sexual disorder or lack of sexual power, revenge taking etc. Saturn in retrograde position is considered to cause physical pain, air related diseases, gout, sciatica, paralysis or cough etc. Saturn is generally considered inauspicious in the fourth house and inauspicious results increase when Saturn is retrograde. If Saturn is retrograde in the fourth house, the person leaves his birthplace and lives abroad or elsewhere. If Saturn is retrograde in the second house, the person is cautious about his money and his love or sympathy towards the family members decreases. If Saturn is retrograde in the fifth house, the person starts feeling that no one is going to appreciate his feelings. The same Saturn being retrograde in the seventh house leads to decrease in the happiness of the married life by marrying an older husband or wife or being devoid of affection.
There is a possibility of the children of such natives getting in touch with or marrying a widow. If Saturn is retrograde in the ninth house, then the person stays away from worldly pleasures, does Sanyas Yoga or behaves like a Sanyasi, some natives are also Dandhadhari Sanyasis. If Saturn is retrograde in the tenth house, then it is considered to ensure sudden progress in the job or work being done, or sometimes downfall. Retrograde Saturn in the eleventh house increases family responsibilities and the person fulfils his responsibilities very well. Retrograde Mercury in the Ascendant is considered to increase nervous excitement. If Mercury is retrograde in the seventh house, the woman gets the company of many men and due to the talkative nature, the peace of married life is disturbed. If Mars is retrograde in the second house, then the person has a logical nature and does not pay attention to the opinion of others. If Jupiter is retrograde in the second house, then the person is considered to be stylish in conversation and spends a lot of money. If Jupiter is Yogakarka (most beneficial) and is retrograde in the eleventh house, then social respect increases.
If Venus is retrograde in the seventh house, then it makes a person very lustful, does not have deep contact with anyone and is not satisfied with any one man or woman. If Jupiter and Saturn are retrograde in the eighth house, then they are considered to give inauspicious results. If the retrograde planet is ossified, then sometimes it is capable of giving results and sometimes it is weak. If the retrograde planet is in the nakshatra of the direct planet, then there is a possibility of events happening after many obstacles. If any retrograde planet is in the nakshatra of another retrograde planet, then it is incapable of giving auspicious results in any way. If any obstructing or killer planet is retrograde in the horoscope, then the inauspicious results increase.
Conclusion
Uncanny predictions of number of horoscopes regarding retrograde planets can be done if examined or diligently scrutinized with extreme caution.