Earthlings, brace yourselves — this month promises to be unpredictable.
Over the coming week, three planets will turn retrograde: Saturn, Venus, and Jupiter.
All three shift into retrograde within a span of less than 82 hours. If things feel like they’re slowing down, this cluster of retrogrades is a likely reason.
What Is Retrograde?
A planet is termed retrograde when, from our vantage point on Earth, it appears to move backward through the zodiac. It’s an optical illusion rather than a literal reversal. The Sun and Moon never go retrograde.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto each spend months each year in retrograde. Mercury retrogrades three to four times a year for several weeks each time; Venus retrogrades about every year and a half for roughly six weeks; and Mars retrogrades for approximately two months every two years.
Mercury, Venus, and Mars are personal planets closely tied to our day-to-day personalities, so we usually feel their retrogrades more intensely. The outer planets (Jupiter through Pluto) tend to make a subtler impact unless they strongly influence your Sun, Moon, or Rising sign or make major aspects to your birth chart.
If you don’t know your birth chart, use a free birth chart generator to learn more about planetary influences in your life.
Because planets appear to move backward, retrogrades often pull attention backward as well. Past issues can resurface, plans may be reversed, and life can slow as we re-evaluate. That slowdown often precedes the retrograde itself — we’re being invited to pause and review before retracing our steps.
What Is Venus Retrograde?
Venus governs love, relationships, and money, so Venus retrograde frequently highlights those areas. Expect relationship reassessments, encounters with people from the past, financial reviews, or work on security and stability. Venus retrograde can amplify stubbornness, selfishness, imbalance, and indecision in matters of the heart and value.
What Is Jupiter Retrograde?
Jupiter symbolizes growth, expansion, and opportunity. When Jupiter turns retrograde, expansion can slow, prompting reflection about direction and goals. This period is meant to uncover where you need to adjust so you can seize new opportunities later. It’s also a time to address blocks and work through karmic patterns.
What Is Saturn Retrograde?
Saturn represents structure, limits, and responsibility. Saturn retrograde can feel restrictive, especially if you’ve been struggling with a Saturn-related lesson. It can make you aware of where you’ve been off course and encourage corrective action. If you embrace the lessons and act responsibly, the long-term rewards can be substantial; if you resist, feelings of restriction may intensify.
To explore planetary retrogrades in depth, consult an ultimate guide to retrogrades for further context and timelines.
May 2020 Triple Retrograde
Saturn begins the sequence, turning retrograde on May 10 in the Air sign Aquarius. Saturn only recently entered Aquarius, so this retrograde asks us to pause and reassess early lessons of Saturn in this sign. Some unfinished business may need attention before we can make a clean transition into this new Saturn era.
Venus follows on May 13, retrograding entirely through Gemini, the sign of communication and expression. Since Venus governs relationships and values, this retrograde will emphasize how we communicate in partnerships. Misunderstandings and heated exchanges are more likely, so extra care with words and active listening will be important.
During Venus retrograde, practice mindfulness in conversation: think before speaking, listen closely, and avoid talking over others. Clear, compassionate communication will reduce friction.
Jupiter turns retrograde on May 14 in Earth sign Capricorn. Jupiter has been in Capricorn since December 2019, and this retrograde invites a careful review of the path you’re on. It can clarify whether your long-term goals align with your current direction and work in tandem with the Saturn retrograde to reveal lessons or karmic patterns that need attention.
With Jupiter and Saturn retrograding together, themes of karma and long-term structure may surface. Add Venus to the mix, and relational patterns or past relationship dynamics might be part of what needs re-evaluation.
Crystals for Each Retrograde: Support for Navigating the Energy
If you work with crystals, certain stones can help you channel and ground retrograde energy. Even simple practices—carrying a crystal in your pocket, placing one under your pillow, or holding one for a few minutes daily—can be supportive during this intense triple retrograde.
Crystals for Venus Retrograde:
- Rose Quartz: A classic love stone that supports compassion and healing in relationships. Helpful for repairing or soothing existing relationship tensions.
- Chrysocolla: Calms emotional turbulence and aids balanced expression—useful for the dual, communicative energy of Gemini.
- Carnelian: Transforms anger and negativity into vitality and motivation, helpful if conflicts become heated.
- Aquamarine: Supports clear, heart-centered communication, helping bridge the throat and heart energies during miscommunications.
Crystals for Jupiter Retrograde:
- Lapis Lazuli: Encourages introspection and honest inner work, ideal for reassessing direction and uncovering what needs change.
- Yellow Topaz: A stone that supports alignment with your best path and intentions, aiding clarity about long-term choices.
- Malachite: Assists in restoring flow and manifestation when expansion feels blocked.
- Clear Quartz: Amplifies focus and clarifies purpose; it also enhances the effects of other stones.
Crystals for Saturn Retrograde:
- Apache Tear: Grounding and protective, useful for processing limitation and emotional release tied to karmic lessons.
- Kyanite: Clears stagnant energy quickly without holding negativity, supporting rapid realignment during Saturn’s lessons.
- Tiger’s Eye: Eases anxiety, aids problem-solving, and bolsters resilience during restrictive or challenging periods.
- Angelite: Encourages connection to intuition and higher guidance, helpful for navigating Aquarius-related insight and direction.
Conclusion
These retrogrades are already influencing events, and their effects will persist: Venus through the end of June, Jupiter until mid-September, and Saturn until the end of September. Expect an extended period of review, reassessment, and potential relationship or karmic work.
Keep an eye on an astrology calendar for exact retrograde dates and follow your horoscope to see how these shifts may affect your sign.