Swept Away in Retrograde

Summer Retrogrades for July & August 2024

Ready to ride the wild wave of Retrograde Summer?

Pluto in Aquarius has been Rx since early May BUT with Saturn and Neptune stepping in at the start of July, Rx rapidly intensifies, gaining gusto as a retrograde trio. The additional duo of outer planets are both in Pisces for their very last Rx in the Sign of the Fish (and in our lifetimes). By July 16th, the Mercury Rx shadow period will join the backspin boogie to scramble our communication especially in the realm of romance and relationships.

Pluto, Saturn and Neptune may be divided by the Solar System’s astroid belt but their influence is no small shake-up. Outer planet retrogrades have MORE impact on the individual than when direct; their backspin becomes noticeably internal, prying into our inner worlds, begging us to do the inner work. All Summers contain outer planet retrogrades, adding to the season’s transformative flavor. Perhaps it’s not just the taste of freedom and fun that we associate with the time in the sun, nor is the melancholy of the summer’s end or the rapid change of pace, but the awakened issues we’ve set aside in temporal pursuit of worldly wiles suddenly rudely awakened by Rx.

Retrogrades show cracks in our structural, spiritual and relational systems, a key to transformation and change if we want it.

The 1st week of July began absolutely adrift in emotional (yet enigmatic) Water energy including the recent Cancer New Moon. Though a mix of lovely AND loathsome astrology, especially considering the Solstice mid-year mark, it can be hard to hold a simple symbolic new start when pushed into a whirlpool of dampered plans, second guessing and uncertainty. With Pisces in two of these Retrogrades, the concentration of Water Sign wildness drifts us far beyond Cancer Sun salutations. We may feel like we’ve been swept out by a tsunami by the time we head into the Lion’s Den on July 22nd. By August, Mercury’s massive affect on humanity will be high-key annoying in tandem with the triple threat of outer planet pandemonium.

Summer Retrograde 2024 is truly a mixed bag: Dreams upon a shelf, in our grasp yet not quite, perhaps possible to plan around and make real; the U.S. Pluto Return, political prowess, whistleblowers and the ugly hook of tradition vs. techno nihilism and exposure; desires, delusions and illusions pulled back to reveal hard truths; home base, relationships and how we communicate within them undeniably tested. All Retrogrades are opportunities and review is the best way to get grounded. Read ahead for a breakdown of the backspins and how you can prepare for the best and the worst of the planetary motions.

JUMP AHEAD: Pluto Rx | Saturn Rx | Neptune Rx | Mercury Rx