Retrogrades are times when planets (and asteroids) look like they go backwards in their orbits for a while. This backwards motion happens because the planets and asteroids have less circular orbits and more oval/elliptical orbits so at the furthest points, due to an optical illusion, they look like they are going backwards. The smaller the orbit of a planet, the shorter their retrogrades.
One of the asteroids, Vesta went retrograde 2 days ago on the 19th January. It will "go back" to its normal forwards orbit on the 20th April.
While Vesta is an asteroid and not a planet, its retrograde can still affect us and is one of four asteroids that do affect us.
According to the ancient Romans, Vest was the daughter of Saturn and one of the Vestal Virgins in charge of ensuring that the sacred fires continued to burn so that the city was protected from strife. As such, the feminine was empowered due to all women keeping the sacred flame alive, although men were at the top of the hierarchy.
As the asteroid, Vesta is one of four goddesses who express different dimensions within our sexuality. In the natal chart, Vesta is representative of what is most sacred to us, our fire within, including how our spiritual devotion is expressed. Vesta is also known as the Goddess of Healing.
Vest is the light that motivates us to achieve our personal goals from within. While in the natal chart, Vesta is also connected to family and the home but dependent on which house it occupies and the planets that are aspected, it can show where you will shine in life.
When planets turn retrograde, they offer a chance of reflection, looking inwards. The same is true of the asteroids.
Vesta's retrograde is definitely not so different because it will bring nostalgic energy to shifts within our dreams, goals, our residences and/or our relationships with family. We're likely to be going back to an old dream and dealing with old family issues or just reminiscing.
Because Vesta is going retrograde in logical, systematic Virgo, a more critical and discerning viewpoint is likely to be available to us when looking back on times past.
This retrograde is likely to be a time of huge growth as it will encourage us to move forward with lessons we have learned in the past, and also help us to reconnect with the light of our inner fire. However, on the flip side, it could also make us feel more judgmental of ourselves, so we do need to try to take it easy and not let our expectations get the better of us.
Mercury is the next planet to go retrograde - I'll be doing a post about that closer to the start of that.
Hope this helps and informs you - stay blessed!!!!
Comments