Retrograde Shadow Period

The Retrograde Shadow Period is the span of zodiac that a planet travels three times during a retrograde cycle, once moving forward, once backward, and once forward again. Because the planet covers the same degrees more than once, these degrees are highlighted for an extended stretch around the retrograde itself. There is a pre-retrograde shadow before the planet turns back and a post-retrograde shadow after it turns direct. During the pre-shadow, the themes of the coming retrograde often begin to stir, giving early hints of what will be reviewed. The retrograde itself is the inward, reflective core of the cycle. During the post-shadow, the planet retraces the degrees a final time, and matters that were reconsidered during the retrograde tend to settle and resolve. The shadow periods explain why the effects of a retrograde can seem to start before and linger after the official dates. This idea is most often applied to Mercury, whose frequent retrogrades make the shadows easy to notice. The work of the shadow period is patience, recognizing that a full retrograde cycle takes time to begin, deepen, and complete.