Planetary Retrograde Dates for 2012

Planetary Retrogrades for 2012

(For an explanation of retrograde and direct, please click here)

Mercury
Mercury turns retrograde on 12 Mar at 6 Aries 49 
Mercury turns direct on 4 April at 23 Pisces 50

Mercury turns retrograde on 15 July at 12 Leo 32
Mercury turns direct on 8 Aug at 1 Leo 25

Mercury turns retrograde on 6 November at 04 Sagittarius 18
Mercury turns direct on 26 November at 18 Scorpio 10 

Venus
Venus turns retrograde on 15 May at 23 Gemini 59
Venus turns direct on 27 June at 07 Gemini 29

Mars
Mars turns retrograde on 24 January at 23 Virgo 05
Mars turns direct on 14 April at 03 Virgo 41

Jupiter
Jupiter turns retrograde on 4 October at 16 Gemini 22 
Jupiter turns direct on 30 January 2013 at 06 Gemini 19 

Saturn

Saturn turns retrograde on 8 February at 29 Libra 30
Saturn turns direct on 25 June at 22 Libra 45

Uranus

Uranus turns retrograde on 13 Jul 2011 at 08 Aries 32
Uranus turns direct on 13 December at 04 Aries 36

Neptune
Neptune turns retrograde on 4 June at 03 Pisces 09

Neptune turns direct on 11 November at 00 Pisces 21

Pluto
Pluto turns retrograde on 10 Apr at 09 Capricorn 33  
Pluto turns direct on 18 Sep at 06 Capricorn 57

Chiron
Chiron turns retrograde on 12 June at 09 Pisces 45
Chirons turns direct on 14 November at 04 Pisces 58

Note: dates are based on European time zones and may vary by a maximum of one day for other time zones.

See also:

An Explanation of Retrograde, Station and Direct
Retrograde Planets in the Birth Chart

Mandi

http://www.mandilockley.com/

December Astrology Part 2 - Season's Meetings and Greetings

Season's Greetings!

Continuing Astroair's summary of December's astrological happenings...

Love, peace and harmony planet Venus moves into Aquarius, the sign of friendship and teamwork on December 20. This might not be the sexiest or most affectionate placement for Venus, but it's good for getting together with groups of people during this seasonal time, be that your complicated family or your circle of friends. Venus in Aquarius can seem detached at times, so if you or a loved one comes over a little aloof, just give yourself or them a bit of space and you/they will soon be back to their sociable self.

A Square between Venus and Jupiter on December 21, can only be a good thing, so expect peace, love and harmony to break out all around!

On December 22, the Sun moves into Capricorn. As a December Capricorn myself, I feel bound to defend my much maligned sign. Far from being serious and boring, Capricorns can be a wacky bunch, just check out these quotes from some famous cappies. Far from being slow and patient, Capricorns are dynamic and swift acting once they decide what they want and work out how to get it. However, discovering what they want and being in a position to get it might take some some time. This is because Saturn is trying to teach them the lesson of patience and well earned reward. This might be hard for cappy to swallow at times, but unfortunately there it is!

The Sun's entry into Capricorn marks the Winter Solstice (the Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere). The chart for the Solstice is commonly used as a predictor for the season to come, at least until the Spring Equinox which marks the Sun's passage into Aries.

In the Solstice Chart the Sun trines Jupiter, presenting us with an opportunity to feel optimistic about the end of this year and the beginning of next, especially as Jupiter turns direct on December 25, after being retrograde since the end of August. Sun square Uranus asks us to brace ourselves for the unexpected, as disruptive and perhaps surprising elements come into play. Without a doubt, change is in the air in the coming months, another indicator of which is Sun conjunct Pluto. This aspect is still quite wide in the Solstice Chart, but becomes exact on December 29, in time for the tail end of the year. Of course, with Pluto being in Capricorn since 2008, every winter solstice chart for the past few years has had Sun conjunct Pluto. This reflects the fact that Pluto’s idea of change is slow, deep, transformation. We cannot doubt that the world is slowly becoming a very different kind of place for so many of us. In this season’s solstice chart, Jupiter opposite Saturn arms us with a sense of purpose to help us tackle any challenge that comes our way. Finally, Moon square Neptune suggests that the general mood will be our collective desire to escape, dream and get away from it all. Indulge if you must, but beware of deceiving yourself about what is real and what is not. Strictly speaking, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is!

December 24 brings a New Moon in Capricorn. I always think of the Capricorn New Moon as the start to the New Year... New Moons are seeding times, when we can ‘plant’ our intentions and watch them grow. Therefore, if you do have any New Year’s resolutions, decide upon them around this New Moon. OK, with the holiday indulgences in full swing, it might not be practical to put them into action until the New Year but setting the intention now can’t hurt, can it? And make a note to check back in on those resolutions around the time of the Aries Equinox in March, a time which marks another new beginning.

Wishing all my readers a happy and peaceful end to the year and a happy and healthy 2012.

Thanks for reading.

With love, Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Summary of December's Astrology

December 1: Venus conjunct Pluto
December 2: Sun square Mars
December 5: Venus trine Mars
December 9: Uranus turns Direct
December 10: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini
December 13: Mercury turns Direct
December 18: Venus squares Saturn
December 20: Venus enters Aquarius
December 21: Venus squares Jupiter
December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): Sun enters Capricorn
December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): The Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere)
December 22: Sun trines Jupiter and squares Uranus
December 24: New Moon in Capricorn
December 25: Jupiter stations Direct

December 29: Sun conjunct Pluto

December Astrology Pt. 1 Letting Go and Moving Forward

Welcome to December, the final month before we enter the long awaited year of 2012. More on that to come, but for now, what opportunities and challenges will the end of 2011 bring? Look no further, because here's the first of Astroair's monthly summaries...

December 1: Venus conjuncts Pluto
It’s a passionate start to December, as love planet Venus gets into bed with intense Pluto. This alignment creates an atmosphere where deep feelings surface. Love affairs can feel fated and emotions are experienced at the most profound level. You may become aware of your own or someone else’s jealousy during this transit. It could also prompt a new understanding of what or who you need to let go of.  The power of money is also highlighted when Venus and Pluto join forces.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.
 

December 2: The Sun squares Mars
When the Sun and Mars square up we can expect to receive a welcome energy boost and find renewed vigour and courage to pursue our goals, but this gift comes with conditions. The Sun is in optimistic, risk-taking Sagittarius but Mars is in the cautious, pedantic, less confident sign of Virgo. Being competitive just for the sake of winning (and boosting your ego) is not the best approach during this transit. Instead choose to act in a way that helps others, not just your-self. Also try to think things out carefully and check all the details before proceeding especially so because Mercury is currently retrograde and hovering very close to the Sun.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.
 

December 5: Venus trines Mars
After the intensity of Venus conjunct Pluto, this pleasant trine between Venus and Mars should be a welcome relief. It’s a time to rebalance your emotions and send out the ‘olive branch’ if things need smoothing over with your loved one. Doing something nice for someone you care about is a great way to make the most of the energies now.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.
 

December 9: Uranus turns direct
Uranus has been retrograde since July and now finally starts to move forward again. Whenever, Uranus is activated the motto is to ‘expect the unexpected’. It’s not easy to plan for surprises, but at least it can help reduce the shock factor if you are open to change and ready to be flexible. In fact, this turn around can really help you to let go of the past and move forward into your future with a renewed sense of hope. Embrace change, be open to new possibilities and this can be an exciting time. More so, if you are currently experiencing a Uranus transit.

You are having a Uranus transit – which can last up to a year -  if you have planets or angles in the very early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, or even if you have planets or angles in the last degree of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces. (Get your chart for free at www.alabe.com.) Click on the link for more on how to cope/get the best out of your Uranus transit.
 

December 10: Total Lunar Eclipse in Gemini

A Lunar Eclipse is an extra special Full Moon. Expect relationships to come under the spotlight and be prepared to receive new information about just about anything. This is a good time for finding out exactly where you stand and using that new information to progress with plans and goals that have felt like they were never going to move forward. The fact that Mercury turns direct the day after and Uranus turns direct the day before will help add momentum to that moving forward feeling. Although, with Uranus in the mix, don’t forget to expect the unexpected (see above).
 

As this is a Gemini Eclipse, charge your cellphone and check your email, because you may receive the news that you have been waiting for. If you do, be ready to act quickly! This is also a great time for getting out and about and socialising, so polish off those party shoes!

Under a Lunar Eclipse things tend to peak, to come to a head, and often something you no longer need will come to an end, so that you can begin anew. This is especially so if the Eclipse touches your chart. This Eclipse affects you directly if you have planets or angles between 17 and 19 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces (get your chart for free at www.alabe.com). If your birthday falls between December 8 and 11, this could be potentially life changing year ahead for you.

December 13: Mercury in Sagittarius turns direct
 

What a relief that Mercury, the planet that rules postage, turns around just in time to send out those Christmas packages!

Communication should become easier all round now. Decisions can finally be reached and acted upon, which is great if you're the organised type who wants to plan for the new year ahead. Bear in mind though that Mercury will be in the 'shadow' of its retrograde until December 31, so it won't be until then that all things Mecurial (communication, learning, thinking, travelling, commerce, negotiations, contractual issues and general to-ing and fro-ing) really pick up momentum. Save the longer term planning until then, to be on the safe side. An Eclipse a few days before Mercury direct and Uranus' renewed forward motion (see above), will also help us to make the most of the opportunity to let go of the past and plan for an exciting future.

Mercury turned retrograde on November 24 at 20 degrees Sagittarius. It turns around on December 13 at 4 degrees Sagittarius. It remains in the shadow of its retrograde (re-covering the degrees it’s already passed through) until December 31. Mercury is in Sagittarius until January 8, 2012.

Summary of December's Alignments

December 1: Venus conjunct Pluto

December 2: Sun square Mars

December 5: Venus trine Mars
 

December 9: Uranus turns Direct

December 10: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini
 

December 13: Mercury turns Direct

December 18: Venus squares Saturn (coming in Part 2)

December 20: Venus enters Aquarius (coming in Part 2)

December 21: Venus squares Jupiter (coming in Part 2)

December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): Sun enters Capricorn (coming in Part 2)

The Sun into Capricorn marks the Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere) 

December 22: Sun trines Jupiter and squares Uranus (coming in Part 2)

December 24: New Moon in Capricorn (coming in Part 2)

December 25: Jupiter stations Retrograde (coming in Part 2)

December 29: Sun conjunct Pluto

With love, Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

Come back soon for part 2 of December's astrological picture, or better still, subscribe below to receive Astroair Astrology direct to your inbox. Astroair will never pass on your details to a third party.

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