Pat replies:
The old rule about the two classical malefics is that Mars is More trouble when retrograde and Saturn is Less.

Mars is a direct, completely unsubtle planet--Ugh, me see target, me hittem. When Mars is retrograde, it's Ugh, me see target, target won't hold still, me gotta hit something, me hit anything that moves. Me get headache from being slapped down after picking on wrong guy.

When Saturn goes retrograde, it's like Oh, let's see, shall we do some damage or not? Aw shucks, let's wait a while. In fact, let's think about it a loooooooong time and then be careful we get what we're after. Maybe tomorrow. Or the next day. Or what's wrong with next month?

It's no coincidence that the old ruler of the Manana sign (That's Spanish for "tomorrow") is Saturn. Maybe it should be retrograde Saturn.

Yes, my friend, you are correct. I am neither sun, moon nor rising-sign Virgo but instead a member of a much older generation raised by some very tough nuns to a strict standard of English grammar and usage.

I grew up (this is a horror story for my grandchildren) BEFORE TELEVISION when skill at writing and extensive reading marked the educated person. We were taught to parse a sentence as a matter of course and today's kids barely know the difference between a noun and a verb, let alone the intricacies of that.

But I don't think you were taught to subvert--I think that came as the result of cultural changes that shifted the emphasis to the visual, rather than the written forms of communication, because of television.

Change is natural and I don't necessarily find it bad. American English --in all its mongrel glory --is becoming the world language as a result of the computer and Internet technology of today and its flexibility and adaptability is part of the reason. The vast melting pot of this country has infected the language with words, phrases and ideas from every incoming wave of immigrants. We eat, think and speak with a multitude of foreign ideas which have become our own.

Does that excuse us from all attempts to keep things straight verbally? Well, no, I don't think so. But then, I have Saturn in 3 and I take language seriously.

And isn't it fun how we astrologers who study the planets, find ourselves preoccupied with words when Mercury goes Retrograde? We have unfinished business, apparently.

Pat replies,
You were blessed greatly and everyone who knew your dad envies you--he is still talked about with love and respect. I'm sorry I never met him.

I, too, have a retrograde Saturn. My own dad was a great guy, too, who loved us and gave us as much of himself as a dad can, I'm sure. I remember him sitting on the floor with his knees up so I could use his legs as slides so I can't have been very old--2, maybe? I loved to go to his store with him and he always allowed us kids an occasional day "at work" with him when we were very young.

But he worked for Sears, and those were long hours on the job in those days, so he was often absent more than we liked, and when he was home, we were positively greedy for his attention. He didn't go off to war, but he didn't
have a 7-3 shift, either.

Much later, when I was a teen, he took a job that required a lot of traveling. My sister got rheumatic fever, my mom was ill and I was upset because Dad was not there every night. He found another job as quickly as he could because he didn't like it, either.

Does that mean I was neglected? No. Does every Saturn Rx mean neglect? No, but I maintain that it does mean that Dad's absences --unavoidable or not--are keenly felt and prolonged absences leave a lasting impression.

Pat replies,

I think you have hit the nail on the head here. There is a big difference in astrology between the "always repeatable" mathematical exactitude of chart calculation and the "never repeatable" dynamics of chart interpretation.

Each chart we do is unique. We have never seen it before and will never see its exact like again unless the individual has a true time twin. That means we are ALWAYS in terra incognita and we need some tools to help us find our way around. True, a measuring stick that always works would be wonderful, but until we find it, we are left with the process of using generalities to find the specific dynamic of THIS chart.

We are always learning, with every chart we do, I think. We test hypotheses and try to work our way to the truth of them.

I admire people who can be dead accurate 100 percent of the time, but I never expect that of myself. I study, I ponder, I ask questions and I search for what will help an individual find meaning in their life and what provides insight into the way they live it.

I've used retrogrades for years because they help me do that, and that's all there is to it.

While I see some astrologers do not make use of their subtle influences, I do, and I would like to mention some of the important things they tell me.

First of all, retrogrades frustrate the action of the houses they rule. They promise more than they deliver.

I have the chart of a woman with Gemini rising and a retrograde Jupiter in Cancer. It rules her 7th and such a dignified position usually promises a comfortable home and a generous spouse who makes a good living. The
retrogradation spoils that.

In her case she has supported both of her husbands. The first was a drinker, the second simply unsuccessful. She has had many lovely homes but works too hard to enjoy them and has been forced to leave each one behind by a job change or transfer as soon as she seems to get it decorated.

A retrograde Saturn always shows that the father's influence was missing in the early life. It may have been due to the father working two jobs, or having a traveling job or simply lacking interest in the child in the early years, but in any case, the child never gets enough of the father's attention/approval. Sometimes it was an extended period of such "neglect" rather than the entire childhood, but it always has an important effect. The individual must work to find inner security as an adult and learn to give themselves the approval they crave.

A retrograde Mars in a woman's chart shows she has fears of men and sexuality. She sometimes fears the whole notion of having a child (the physical delivery), as well.

In a man's chart, there is a doubt of one's masculinity and a compensating drive to prove it. In both sexes, there is an unwillingness to use physical energy for "work" and mental tasks will be chosen instead for money-making, if possible, so that the physical energy can be used for "play."

l find it fascinating that basketball superstar Michael Jordan has a retrograde Mars and he is the ultimate competitor. The story about the coach who cut him from his high school basketball team because he "just wasn't going to turn into a decent player" is legendary.

Of course, Jordan's Taurus ascendant will never give up, either, but a sports career is a classic case of finding a way to "play" in life.

A retrograde Venus child has great difficulty expressing affection/emotional give and take and love. In fact, they often distrust the expressions of love they receive from others, and prefer friendship, which they understand better, or lust, which they can cope with quite comfortably, thank you very much.

Retrograde Mercury types are seldom quick with repartee. They like to think about things a while before they talk, and I have heard retrograde Mercury people moan for years that they could think of a million things to say about a subject the day after the party (or whatever).

Charts with retrograde sun or moon mean somebody is pulling your leg. (Sorry, couldn't resist that.) The nodes are retrograde so much you can ignore their motion.

Retrograde Pluto is fearful of using power and will often avoid jobs that incur too much authority for that reason. It does not want responsibility if it can avoid it.

Retrograde Uranus hides its independence and will often appear to go along with the majority. They don't agree, they simply nod to acknowlege they know what you mean. Then they go do their own thing. But quietly. Sometimes they like to tell others what to do because they think they know better. This is the mark of the busy body.

Retrograde Neptune has problems with issues relating to charity and giving. They can't decide how much or how little to do, and seldom seem to hit a happy medium. Their "hunches" are untrustworthy. They may tip lavishly or not at all. They give gifts when the mood strikes them and may resent situations where giving is expected, such as Christmas, for instance.

During the life, progressions will often change the status of such planets. I strongly recommend that you take a paper ephemeris, go through it for the time after birth and note the years in which each planet will change direction. They will be vital information for the astrologer.

The year a planet goes direct marks a change in the way the individual uses the energy and the way they deal with the affairs of the houses the planets rule.

Example: A retrograde Mercury ruling 10 goes direct at age 33. The individual changes jobs--perhaps even careers--and there is a major change in the life of one of the parents. The mother may retire from her job, or the father will become ill, etc.

The year Venus goes direct always brings an important new love into the life of the individual. One man I know used to run around on his wife until his Venus went direct. They had been married several years, but that year he had a devastating extra-marital affair and then his wife became pregnant during the period when he was experiencing a renewal of his commitment to his marriage. The birth of his daughter turned him into a person who could finally say, "I love you" to the women in his life and softened his whole interpersonal relations. He quit "kicking against the goad," and relaxed and accepted love.

The years Mars goes direct changes the attitude to the opposite sex. Sex can become much less threatening and more enjoyable (it may even be the year there is the first really hot romance) and the individual finds more physical energy available for "work." They will often take up a sport or fitness program of some sort if they have not had that in their life before. It can also be a year when a sports nut simply doesn't find it as compelling as in the past and turns to more useful or practical pursuits.

These are just a few notes on how I find these planets working, and by no means exhaust the subject. However, if you will keep them in mind when you're doing a new chart and ask some questions, you may be able to easily verify some of this material yourself.

Charts in which there are many planets retrograde are said to lack "vitality" in some of the old texts and supposedly are not the mark of people who live long and healthy lives. Muhammad Ali has six retrogrades and became a sports superstar but has spent most of the rest of his life suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

I can't verify the truth of that one, but I watch it in the charts of people with 4 or more planets retrograde. In another 30 years or so I'll get back to you on that.

Pat replies,
This will change your 12 house affairs. If these have been unimportant in the past, they will become important. If you have been up to your neck in sick/needy people in the past, they will vanish in the future.

If you have children, this will affect them (if--as seems likely--Pisces rules your 5th) and some of them may need your help because of health, or job problems, perhaps.

It is bound to bring back into your life people you may have helped or who helped you in the past.

It is a "change in the wind," if you like.

Retrograde Uranus is the individualist...
 
However, this same Sun/Uranus retrograde synastry also gives the most beloved child ample opportunity to apologize for being a rebel. >>

Pat replies,

A pattern like this is invaluable for studying and shows how influences work. I think it is fascinating that it has happened in several cases.

Are there a lot of family stories about these clashes and how they become resolved and how the individuals with the Uranus eventually deal with rebel urges and the motivation for independence? The resolution is what interests me.

My nephew has been spending the summer with me and asked me for his chart yesterday before leaving today and as I was going over it I was struck anew by the contacts between his chart and mine and his mother's (my sister) and my father's. Exact degrees of planetary contacts in many cases for all of us.

These family patterns are wonderful material for study.

And he said:
Yes, relaxation was a major part of life for six months after I sold the business. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I painted a great deal for much of that time and produced a good many finished works (some of which I sold) and a good few which are still on my walls. Oddly enough I am back into it at the moment (whilst being on a 3 week vacation whilst our house extension is being started). I think Saturn
(in 5th) square my natal Sun which is current at present and was forecast to bring financial difficulties by Gonzo, (the money going out on the extension probably accounts for this??!!!) is also providing structure into
my creative side. Anyway this is surely all small beer, compared to the progressed Sun moving into Aries from Pisces next May. I am expecting great things!! Selfish here I come! >>

Sorry--with your rising Mars I think you will find that Aries sun just duck soup, congenial as hell. Pisces has been very Jupiterian (and Neptunian, with all that painting) but when you get into Aries I think you will find a lot more action on the agenda.

And I don't think action is necessarily selfish--sometimes it's just what we need.

Pat replies,

I thought you'd been awfully quiet. I appreciate your comments because nobody knows your life with 7 retrogrades better than you do, and your experiences are valuable.

>>Mercury went Direct at the age of 13. I was a very very shy child and definitely communications changed after that (also by chance date of Barmitzvah - when of course you officially become an adult). Uranus at 14 and Saturn at 15. By 16 I was a much changed and much more outgoing teenager. Oddly I had never realized these three planets changed at this time like this before!!! It may also account for general success in areas
mentioned above.<<

In my experience, when planets go direct at a young age, they shift into "proper" gear and people can be much more successful in the areas they rule. With Mercury, it's particularly valuable since that rules a key angle and your marriage.

You mentioned your Jupiter changing direction at 48 and that interests me greatly. Did you change anything PHYSICAL in that year? Go on a diet, gain weight, do more --or less--exercising, or get more time for relaxation, take up a hobby etc.?

I know your rising Mars probably masked some of the effect, but it would still be useful to know.

>>your comments on Neptune and charity certainly ring bells.<<

This is one of the more interesting effects I have seen with Neptune. In a large family you will often find one child who is remarkably cavalier about producing birthday presents for others "on time," but who may drop goodies on family members at odd times for no apparent reason. They turn out to have the retrograde Neptune. Enlightening.

I LOVED your analogy about Festival. I think it is a wonderful thing to have access to and we all owe Sandy Rozhon a deep debt for sharing Festival with us.

When I was learning astrology I didn't know a soul who knew anything about it. I had never met a real astrologer and I couldn't find any serious books in the libraries. I had no idea if there was actually an astrologer within a
hundred miles.

I eventually bought my first texts at a monstrous old used-book-store in downtown Cleveland that I went to in desperation. And then, the only reason I found them was the old woman who waited on me was interested in astrology. It was destiny, I guess. They were used of course, and I still have them.

What a difference from today's world where good, serious astrology is there for the asking and there is a mountain of readily available books.

And in a few years, we may actually have Kepler College up and running. Truly a new age.

Pat replies,
You have noticed something I first saw about 20 years ago--that those born with retrograde Mercurys "enjoy" the retrograde transits and things ruled by Mercury in their lives go better at this time.

Typically, Mercury Rx people who aren't much for talking normally start gabbing a blue streak during the retrograde periods, too.

Oddities we notice in life...