A planet is retrograde (vakri) when it appears to move backwards through the zodiac. This tracker shows which planets are retrograde right now and lists every Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn retrograde window for the year, with exact dates.
Retrograde motion is an optical effect: as Earth and another planet move at different speeds, the planet seems to loop backwards for a while before resuming direct motion. Astrologically, a retrograde planet is thought to turn its energy inward — a time to review, revisit and reconsider rather than launch anew.
The Sun and Moon are never retrograde, and Rahu and Ketu (the lunar nodes) are always retrograde, so this tracker follows the five planets that actually change direction: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.
This tracker shows the current status at the top — it checks today's planetary motion live and lists Mercury among the currently-retrograde planets whenever it is moving backwards.
Mercury turns retrograde about three to four times a year, each time for roughly three weeks, making it the most frequent — and most talked-about — retrograde.
Not inherently. It is traditionally a period for review and caution with new starts, signings and gadgets, but many people simply slow down, double-check details and revisit unfinished work.
For educational purposes. Astrological interpretations are traditional and not a substitute for professional advice.