WHAT SIGNIFICANCE KP ATTACHED TO RETROGRADE PLANETS IN NATAL AS WELL AS HORARY CHART?

First of all, we should know what is meant by retrogression of planets? The movement of the planet is always in the forward direction. No planet actually moves in a backward direction in the Zodiac. When observed from the earth due to the difference in speeds of the planets, their movement appears to be backward. This apparent backward motion is called 'retrogression.' It is caused by the combined motion of a planet and the earth and their positions relative to the Sun.

      The term applied to an apparent backward motion in the Zodiac of certain planets when decreasing in longitude as viewed from the Earth. It can be compared to the effect of a slow-moving train as viewed from another train traveling parallel to it but at a more rapid rate, whereas the slower train appears to be moving backwards. However, in the case of the celestial bodies it is not a matter of their actual speed or travel, but of the rate at which they change their angular relationship.

      Coming to the predictive part, the impact of a retro planet is considered as different from that of its normal times. Predictive theories differed in giving importance to the retro position of planets. However, the study of retro planets is useful to know the native's past karma influence if his birth chart has any retro planet(s). Study of a retro planet is, in fact, revealing valid information on the past karmic influence of the native.

      Following is the frequency of planets "retro" movements:

• Sun and Moon are never retrograde. Rahu and Ketu are always in retrograde motion.
• Saturn is retrograde for 140 days and stationary about 5 days before and after retrogression.
• Jupiter is retrograde for 120 days and stationary about 5 days before and after retrogression.
• Mars is retrograde for 80 days and stationary 2 to 3 days before and after.
• Venus is retrograde for 42 days and stationary 2 days before and after.
• Mercury is retrograde for 24 days and is stationary one day before and after retrogression.

The rules given in different classical astrological text about the effects of retrograde planets are summarised below:

• "UTTARA KALAMRITA" by Kalidasa, chapter II, Verse 6: When a planet is retrograde in his motion, his strength is similar to that when in exaltation. If a planet is conjoined with a retrograde planet, his strength is increased. If a planet be retrograde in his motion while in his exaltation house, he gets only his neecha-bala. If a planet is retrograde while in his debilitation house, his strength is similar to that when in his exaltation.
  
• "PHALADEEPIKA" by Mantreswara, chapter IV, verse 4: Z planet is said to possess strength when his is retrograde or when his rays are full and brilliant though posited in depression or inimical rasi or amsa.
• "SARAVALI" by Kalyana Verma. Chapter V. Verse 30: The benefics being strong with the strength of retrogression will bestow kingdom and malefices in retrogression will cause miseries and unnecessary travels.
  
• Llewellyn George in his "A to Z horoscope maker and Delineater" writes "We believe that the influence of benefic planets is weakened when they are retrograde. The condition of retrogression is contrary or inharmonious to be regular dissection of actual movement in the Zodiac and is in that respect will, hence when malefic planets are retrograde their malefic is increased."
  
• Grace Inglis observes in her book "Retrograde Planets": "In our experience, we have observed that when a planet is in retrograde, it fails to give the result of the house or houses of which he is the lord or the significator."
  

Effects of retro planets in Natal Chart: The actual results from a retro planet depend much on the strength and weakness of the natal chart. There is a need to analyze birth charts with retro planets because of present day complex and complicated life events. Following are some of the views of eminent authors on the effect of a retro planet in Natal Chart.

i. Karakatwa of a retro planet works in an adverse manner.

ii. Retro planet in birth chart - indicate the deficiency of that chakra in the body and of that     karakatwa at birth time.

iii. Retro planet as a karmic planet - indicates more about bad karma committed by the native in his previous life connected to that karakatwa. What happened exactly in previous life cannot be narrated - literally - but a retro planet indicates the area of error(s) based on its karakatwa.

iv. A debilitated planet if in retro motion - gives GOOD results

v. An exalted planet if in retro motion - give difficulties in the dasa period of that retro planet.

vi. Retro planet exalted in Rasi and debilitated in Navamsa varga - indication is GOOD result in the dasa periods of that planet.

vii. Functional benefic - if in retro motion - give GOOD results

viii. Functional malefic - if in retro motion - give BAD results

ix. A retro planet during retro motion is likely to enter into the previous sign - even then such a retro planet continues to give the result of the sign where it started retro motion. Jupiter is an exception to this. Jupiter gives the result of the sign where it is actually posited.

For example:

1. Saturn started retro motion in Libra and happened to enter Virgo during the period of retro motion - Saturn gave the results of Libra sign while in Virgo also.
2. Jupiter starts retro in Gemini and happens to enter into Taurus. Jupiter gives the        results of Gemini while in Gemini and of Taurus while in Taurus.

     According to K.P. a retrograde planet in the Natal Chart does not deny, whatever it portrays, in its dasa or bhukti or anthara period, it only contributes to frustrating attempts and delays whenever it is retrograde by transit. At the same time, it does not deny favourable results when it transits in direct motion.

      Our late Guruji K.S. Krishnamurti in his 'Horary Astrology' states: "In a natal chart, do not worry whether a planet is in direct motion or retrograde. There is no difference. Retrograde planets neither lose strength nor are they harmful".

     However, in the case of Hoary Astrology its interpretation is completely different. Which I am going to discuss now.-

• In a Prasna/Horary Chart, if a retrograde planet is posited in the Star of a planet which is in direct motion, it indicates that after an obstacle and/or a delay, the matter will materialize when the planet goes direct, and passes beyond the point from where the retrograde motion initially began.
• However, planets in retrograde motion, if posited in the Star of another retrograde planet or in its own Star when retrograde, can promise only failure. And planets in direct motion, if posited in the Star of a retrograde planet, will not see success.