When it comes to astrological events that stir up a lot of hype, buzz, conversation, and concern, planet retrogrades are generally at the top of the list. After all, it's not exactly uncommon for your friend to text the group chat, "Umm, what is retrograde right now?" after an awful week.
All that to say, whenever you find yourself banging your head against the wall thanks to an unexplained delay, slowdown, or wrench being thrown in a seemingly perfectly laid plan, yes, it's likely because some planets are retrograde.
Although Mercury retrograde [1] tends to get the most heat and attention for bringing havoc to our lives, the messenger planet is far from the only celestial body that appears to move backward from our vantage point on Earth. Venus [2], Mars [3], Jupiter [4], Saturn [5], Uranus [6], Neptune [7], and Pluto [8] also go retrograde at various times of the year as well. (It's even possible for some of these planets to be retrograde at the same time.)
Wondering what planets are retrograde right now? Read on for all the dates so you can be absolutely certain of what area of life is being affected by a planetary backspin.
What Does Retrograde Mean?
Because Mercury is the fastest moving planet and celestial body closest to the sun (which represents self-image and identity in astrology), we usually feel its transits in a more apparent way than other planets. For that reason, when you hear about a retrograde coming up or happening right now, chances are the conversation is revolving around Mercury retrograde.
But all planets go retrograde at one point or another, and for each, the same thing is true: The planet will appear, from our vantage point on Earth, to be moving backward through the zodiac. And when it does this, for weeks or sometimes months at a time, we're encouraged to slow down and revise our approach to the themes of that planet. We're also meant to experience the areas of life that the retrograde planet oversees in a more introspective — versus external — way.
What Planets Are Retrograde Right Now?
Currently, Mercury is in its first retrograde of 2024. The current retrograde started on 1 April and will last until 25 April.
Mercury Retrograde 2024 Dates
When Mercury, the information-gathering planet, is retrograde, expect delays related to communication, transportation, and technology. These three-week periods, which occur three to four times a year, are opportunities for self-reflection, research, and revision in whichever house of your birth chart Mercury is moving backward through.
In 2024, Mercury will go retrograde three times, and each time, at least part of the time, it'll move back through action-oriented fire signs, urging you to gain clarity on passion projects and plans stemming from your inner drive.
Here are the Mercury Retrograde [9] dates in 2024:
- 1 April to 25 April in Aries
- 4 Aug. to 28 Aug. in Virgo and Leo
- 25 Nov. to 15 Dec. in Sagittarius
Venus Retrograde 2024 Dates
Venus, the planet of relationships, art, values, and money, goes retrograde every 18 months for about six weeks. During these periods, you're usually challenged to reflect on and tie up loose ends related to romance, earning, and your perception of beauty. Venus was retrograde [10] from 22 July to 4 Sept., 2023 in fixed fire sign Leo, so the next time it moves backward won't be until 1 March, 2025 to 12 April, 2025 in cardinal fire sign Aries and mutable water sign Pisces.
Mars Retrograde 2024 Dates
Every two years for about two to two-and-a-half months, Mars, the planet of action, energy, sex, and aggression, goes retrograde, slowing down your ability to build momentum, experience your libido to the fullest, get fired up, and hit the gas energetically. It's a time to reflect on passion, anger, and what fuels you.
In 2024, Mars will be retrograde at the very end of the year — thankfully, when we're winding down anyway — in fixed fire sign Leo, moving back into cardinal water sign Cancer. In turn, you may be nudged to meditate on how you self-motivate around creative, self-expressive endeavors and home life and family-related undertakings.
Here are the Mars retrograde [11] dates in 2024:
- 6 Dec. to 23 Feb., 2025 in Leo and Cancer
Jupiter Retrograde 2024 Dates
Lucky Jupiter, the planet of abundance, fortune, and expansion, goes retrograde annually for about four months. In 2024, it'll move backward through Gemini, the mutable air sign known for being curious, research-savvy, and possessing high cerebral energy. In turn, Jupiter's backspin through the sign of the Twins will fuel introspection, philosophising, and questioning the rules associated with communication and information-gathering.
Here are the Jupiter retrograde [12] dates in 2024:
- 9 Oct. to 4 Feb., 2025 in mutable air sign Gemini
Saturn Retrograde 2024 Dates
Saturn, the taskmaster planet, which oversees limitations and commitment, is retrograde annually for about four and a half months. In 2024, it'll be retrograde in Pisces, the empathic, dreamy, artistic mutable water sign, nudging you to reflect on foundations and boundaries you've set, specifically in terms of your spirituality, creativity, and self-healing. You'll have an opportunity to think about why you've set them, what you've accomplished and why, and possibly to edit your approach.
Here are the Saturn retrograde [13] dates in 2024:
- 29 June to 15 Nov. in mutable water sign Pisces
Uranus Retrograde 2024 Dates
Uranus, the planet of rebellion, sudden change, and innovation, is retrograde annually for about five months, and in 2024, it'll move backward through Taurus, the fixed earth sign known for being slow and steady, stubborn, and deeply sensual.
In turn, Uranus's retrograde in 2024 will urge you to consider changes you can make around how you're thinking and feeling about big-picture matters — perhaps specifically related to income and relationships, which are uniquely Taurean terrain.
Here are the Uranus retrograde [14] dates in 2024:
- 28 Aug., 2023 to 27 Jan. in Taurus
- 1 Sept. to 30 Jan., 2025 in Taurus
Neptune Retrograde 2024 Dates
Neptune, the planet of dreams, illusion, and spirituality, goes retrograde every year for five to six months. In 2024, it'll move backward through Pisces, the artistic, deeply compassionate, and escapist mutable water sign. Neptune is the modern ruler of Pisces, so the two energies go hand-in-hand, and in turn, you'll be inspired to revise whatever inspires you artistically and fuels you spiritually. This can also be an advantageous period for keeping a dream journal or diving into self-work.
Here are the Neptune retrograde [15] dates in 2024:
- 2 July to 7 Dec. in Pisces
Pluto Retrograde 2024 Dates
Pluto, the planet of transformation, death, power, control, and rebirth, goes retrograde once a year for five to six months. In 2024, it will move into fixed air sign Aquarius on Jan. 20, which is noteworthy because it moves very slowly and spends anywhere from 12 to 30 years in a sign. (Fun fact: since 2008, Pluto has spent most of its time in cardinal earth sign Capricorn.)
Pluto retrograde moves back and forth between Aquarius and Capricorn in 2024, nudging you to take stock of any toxic, negative, and self-destructive behaviors, patterns, and belief systems, particularly related to how you're showing up as a member of your community, relating to innovation and technological advancements, and putting your nose to the grindstone to earn recognition.
Here are the Pluto retrograde [16] dates in 2024:
- 2 May to 11 Oct. in Aquarius and Capricorn
Theresa Massony [17] is a former senior editor at POPSUGAR, overseeing home, food, love, sex, tech, astrology, and more content. Prior to joining POPSUGAR, Theresa was the senior style editor at Bustle Digital Group's Elite Daily, where she oversaw all daily operations for the Style vertical and fashion and beauty content. She was also the Beauty editor, senior Dating editor, and a copy editor during her time at Elite Daily.