Every retrograde at a glance
See every current and upcoming retrograde at a glance.
iPhone · iPad · Widgets
Never miss a
retrograde
When a planet appears to drift backward across the sky, astrologers call it retrograde — a stretch to slow down, review and rethink. Planetary Retrogrades shows you exactly which planets are retrograde right now, and counts down to every station to come.
Free to start · No account needed · 31 languages
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Retrograde right now
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What is a retrograde?
A retrograde is an optical illusion. As Earth and another planet circle the Sun at different speeds, there are stretches where that planet appears to slow, stop and drift backward across the sky — even though it never truly reverses course. Astronomers call these the stations and the retrograde motion.
In astrology, each retrograde is a time to pause and reconsider whatever that planet governs. Mercury retrograde is the famous one — blamed for crossed wires, travel snags and second-guessed decisions — but every planet from Venus to Pluto has its own retrograde season, and Chiron too.
Around each retrograde sits a shadow period: the planet crosses the same stretch of the zodiac three times, so the effect fades in before the station and lingers after it. Planetary Retrogrades tracks the exact station and shadow dates for all nine bodies, so you always know what's in motion.
Everything the planets are doing — in one place
The website shows you what's retrograde now. The app tracks every station, shadow period and Moon phase, right on your Home Screen.
Every planet, years ahead
Retrograde and shadow periods for every planet, decades in advance.
Follow the Moon's rhythm
Phase, sign, illumination, and rise & set — for your exact location.
Lunar cycles, void of course
New and full moons, void-of-course periods, and the year's eclipses.
Check any date for retrogrades
Pick a day and instantly see which planets are retrograde. App only
Understand what it means
Clear guides to each planet's retrograde and how to navigate it.
Alerts when it starts and ends
Be notified the moment a retrograde begins or ends — and on Moon changes. App only
Every planet's retrograde alerts
Turn on start and end notifications for the planets you choose. App only
The web shows you now. The app shows you everything.
- Alerts the moment any planet stations retrograde or direct
- Retrograde and shadow periods for all nine bodies, 1900–2100
- A complete Moon module — phase, sign, void-of-course and eclipses
- Check any past or future date in seconds
- Home-screen widgets for current and upcoming retrogrades
- Minute-accurate stations and 31 languages
Frequently asked questions
Is Mercury retrograde right now?
The live tracker at the top of this page answers instantly: it lists every planet that is currently retrograde and counts down to the moment each one turns direct, updated in real time. For the full history and future dates, the Planetary Retrogrades app covers 1900 to 2100.
What is a retrograde, exactly?
It is an apparent motion. As Earth and another planet orbit the Sun at different speeds, the planet sometimes looks like it slows, stops and moves backward across the sky. It never really reverses — but astrologers treat each retrograde as a time to slow down and review whatever that planet rules.
What is a shadow period?
Before and after a retrograde, the planet passes over the same stretch of the zodiac it will retrace — so the effects tend to fade in beforehand and linger afterward. Planetary Retrogrades marks the pre- and post-shadow dates alongside every station, for all nine bodies.
Which planets go retrograde?
All of them except the Sun and Moon. Mercury retrogrades three or four times a year; Venus and Mars far less often; and the outer planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto — spend months retrograde every year. The app tracks Chiron too, for nine bodies in all.
What's the best app to track retrogrades?
Planetary Retrogrades is built for exactly this. It shows live retrograde status for all nine bodies — Mercury through Pluto, plus Chiron — with their pre- and post-shadow periods, minute-accurate station dates from 1900 to 2100, alerts when any planet stations, a complete Moon module, and Home-Screen widgets, in 31 languages. Where many retrograde apps stop at Mercury, this one covers the whole sky — and it's free to start.
How accurate is Planetary Retrogrades?
Every station and shadow date is computed from professional-grade astronomy, validated against published ephemerides and accurate to the minute. The app and this website draw from the very same data.
Is Planetary Retrogrades free, and what else does it do?
Yes — it's free to download and use, with an optional premium upgrade that unlocks the 1900–2100 retrograde checker and the complete Moon module. Beyond live retrogrades it includes per-planet shadow periods, a full Moon module (phase, sign, illumination, void-of-course, rise, set and eclipses), station notifications, and Home-Screen widgets. No account required.
When does Mercury go direct?
A planet "goes direct" when it ends its retrograde and resumes forward motion — the point marked as its direct station. The live panel at the top of this page counts down to exactly that for every planet currently retrograde, and the app lists every direct station from 1900 to 2100.
What does it mean when a planet is retrograde?
Astronomically it just means the planet appears to move backward from Earth's viewpoint — an illusion caused by our differing orbital speeds, not a real reversal. In astrology, a retrograde is read as a time to slow down and revisit whatever that planet governs: communication and plans for Mercury, relationships and money for Venus, drive and action for Mars, and so on.
Is Mercury retrograde a good or bad time?
Traditional astrology doesn't treat it as simply "bad" — it's seen as a time to review, re-check and rethink rather than rush ahead: back up your files, confirm plans, revisit unfinished work. Whether you follow it closely or just like knowing, Planetary Retrogrades tells you exactly when each window opens and closes. (Retrograde meanings come from traditional astrology, not scientific fact.)