11/17/2018 Shadow and Station

Retrogrades - Shadow and Station

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Shadow and Station

Stillness in the Dark

Repeat yourself.
If you like it, do it again.
If you don't like it, do it again.

- Bruce Mau, An Incomplete Manifesto for Growth Shortcuts in this article...

Shadow and Station -

Stillness in the Dark
Repeating Yourself
Repeating Yourself
When any planet goes retrograde, it actually goes through the same span The Station: Turning on a
of the zodiac three times—forward, then backwards, then forwards again. Dime
When the planet changes direction, this is called a "station" or "being
The Shadow: Definition by
stationary" (motionless). The planet's progress through the zodiac slows
Contrast
down until it pauses (the station). Then it gradually starts moving again in
There's a Hole in my
the opposite direction.
Sidewalk
If you were watching this in the sky over several days or weeks, you
would see the planet slowly trace a loop in the sky. This is what the
"astrologers of old" saw. You can just imagine them scratching their heads More Retrograde Articles...
at these wacko lights in the heavens! Introduction to Retrogrades -
Backwards in High Heels
The Station ~ Turning on a Dime Shadow and Station - Stillness in
the Dark
The station of any planet is a time of intensified energy. The planet has
stopped moving along the zodiacal path and seems to hover for up to Venus Retrograde - The B*tch is
several days before it resumes movement in the opposite direction. A Back!

planet's motion is slow enough before and after the station that its effects Mercury Retrograde - Alright...
can be felt for several days (Mercury) or up to a couple of weeks (Uranus, Who Stole My Brain??
Neptune and Pluto) before and after the station. Mars Retrograde - Transforming
the Brave Heart
The effect is a bit like running your finger through a candle flame. If you
do it quickly, you feel a little warmth but nothing painful. If you do it

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11/17/2018 Shadow and Station

slowly it will feel hot and intense! When a planet is moving at its usual Mars Retrograde 2005 - He's
speed, its effects are relatively light, compared to when it is going slowly Baaack!
at the station, which is much more powerful and extreme. Astrological Venus - Introducing
Miss Solar System!
The Retrograde Station (where the planet turns to go "backwards")
can be frustrating because we are used to progressing forward in the
circumstances, events and situations that have been developing during Back to Articles Index

the pre-retrograde phase. Then suddenly we may hit a roadblock or a

rough area of road, forcing us to slow down, proceed more cautiously, change direction, or stop what we're doing.

Alternatively, we may feel a sense of release and relief, because a

stressful situation may have reached a resting place and given us some
breathing time, during which we can regroup and figure out how to
deal with it more effectively.

The Direct Station (where the planet turns to resume forward

motion, at the end of the retrograde period) can also be frustrating,
because we were just getting used to the retrograde energy and
suddenly we have to change back to the other way again! However,
this can be an important release point for the processes that have been
evolving through the cycle so far.

It's not uncommon to reach a clear decision at the direct station about
something you've been wrestling with or researching. Stress that has built up through the retrograde period might be
released and let go. The shift in energy at the station can break a pattern of habitual or obsessive focus that you've
become locked into during the retrograde.

The Shadow ~ Definition By Contrast

The area of the zodiac where the planet goes through this loopy retrograde cycle is called the Shadow. The actual sign
and degrees are different for each retrograde cycle. That is, it's not like a planet goes retrograde in the same area of the
zodiac every time; it's different for each retrograde cycle. The pre-retrograde Shadow and post-retrograde Shadow can be
just as important and transformative as the actual retrograde period.

When I refer in this article to the "retrograde cycle," it means all

three phases: the pre-retrograde Shadow, the retrograde period,
and the post-retrograde Shadow. The descriptions below apply to
any planet, although the phases will be experienced a bit
differently for each planet according to the themes, patterns and
areas of life ruled by that planet.

Pre-Retrograde Shadow: This is the planet's first pass through

the Shadow. In this phase, the planet is going in its usual "direct
motion" (forward). This period typically brings up the issues that
are on the cosmic agenda in your life for the coming retrograde
cycle.
You can see composite photos of Mars retrograde in
Events and situations that take place during this time will often 2003, Mars in 2005, Venus 2000 and Venus in 2004,
unfold throughout the rest of the retrograde cycle. This might tracing various retrograde shapes across the sky (the
take the form of the same circumstances, or different ones which "Z," the "S" or loop shapes). Also, see an animated gif
showing 3 years of Saturn retrograde cycles.
hinge on the same kind of underlying dynamics and issues. This
phase begins when the planet passes the point of the zodiac
where it will later make the direct station, and lasts until the
retrograde station.

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11/17/2018 Shadow and Station

Retrograde Period: This is the second pass through the Shadow, when the planet appears to be going backwards in the
sky. During this phase you might find you are reconsidering some actions or decisions you made during the first pass.

It is a time when you may have to confront the situations in your life that are not working well (which often correspond to
the themes of that planet or the sign it's in). You might experience frustration, anger, fear, guilt or discouragement about
having to take a detour away from your original or preferred path—or you might welcome this as a way of exploring new
ideas and potentials.

Either way, the retrograde period is usually best travelled with some care
There's A Hole In My Sidewalk
and flexibility, being alert to the unexpected loose rocks and sinkholes that
can cause you to trip and fall if you try to go over them too quickly. The (Autobiography in Five Chapters)

retrograde period is typically a good time to pursue learning, research, By Portia Nelson

reflection and re-evaluation. This phase starts with the retrograde station
(1) I walk down the street.
and lasts until the direct station.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
Post-Retrograde Shadow: This is the third and final pass, when the I am lost ... I am hopeless.
planet is going forwards again after the direct station. During this phase you It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
apply what you've learned during the retrograde period. In your exploration
of new approaches to your issues and goals, it helps to reflect on what (2) I walk down the same street.
worked well and what didn't. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
What do you know now that you didn't know before? How has this I can't believe I'm in the same place.
knowledge changed your perception of how to proceed? How can you But it isn't my fault.
change your direction (or your attitude) to take this new information into It still takes a long time to get out.

account? Or do you even need to change direction at all? Maybe you can
(3) I walk down the same street.
resume the same course but with new knowledge and perceptions. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
If you've been struggling with "inner demons" (uncomfortable feelings, I still fall in ... it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
impulses, fears, etc.), this phase is a good time to try out new ways to deal I know where I am.
with them and express them. You often have opportunities to try out a new It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
strategy to deal with the situations that trigger those feelings in you.

(4) I walk down the same street.

Sometimes those opportunities can seem more like you're "back at square
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
one" and you're getting nowhere. But that doesn't mean you're backsliding I walk around it.
or that you've failed! It IS a chance to try responding differently this time,
based on what you've learned during the retrograde cycle. (5) I walk down another street.

You might still fall into the same "hole in the sidewalk," but you will have taken another step toward finding a way to
avoid it. And you might actually change the outcome, or perhaps change your position within the situation.

Gather your courage, ground yourself in realism and clarity, and give it a try!

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