5 Planets Are Retrograde: What It Means for Your Energy & Productivity

AJ Sharp
Nov 14
2 min read

Person with a book over face reclines on bench in sunny outdoor setting. Wears plaid pants and sneakers, under a leafy tree. Relaxed mood.

If you've been feeling unusually sluggish lately, you're not alone. Currently, five planets—Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus—are all in retrograde.

What's Happening in the Sky

These five planets are slowing down and backsliding into previous signs, which can wreak havoc on our sense of progress and momentum. The most common experiences during a multi-planet retrograde like this are fatigue and lack of motivation.

Even as an astrologer, I'm not immune to these planetary effects. Writing content this week took every ounce of energy I had. But what I do know is how to use these challenging astrological events to my advantage and I'm here to share those strategies with you.

Your Most Important Retrograde Task: Rest

The number one piece of advice during any retrograde, but especially a 5-planet retrograde, is simple: rest. Seriously.

With cold, gray weather settling in (at least here in NYC), it's the perfect season for cozy couch sessions and giving yourself permission to slow down. Maybe it's time for that 47th rewatch of Gilmore Girls.

Of course, life doesn't always cooperate with cosmic timing. Between preparing students for finals and grading 25 dance appreciation presentations, my schedule is far from restful. But that's exactly why it's crucial to remind ourselves to take pauses whenever we can.

Celebrate Your Wins

The second piece of advice is to take stock of everything you've accomplished in the last few months and I mean everything, big or small. Acknowledge your wins!

Retrograde periods aren't ideal for making progress, but they're perfect for looking back at what you've achieved and celebrating those accomplishments. This reflection helps maintain perspective during slower periods.

Understanding Your Personal Impact

The retrograde planets are currently moving through Cancer, Pisces, Sagittarius, and Taurus. To understand where you're most likely to experience these slowdowns and fatigue, locate which houses in your birth chart contain these signs. These areas of your life are where the retrograde energy will be most noticeable.

Keep It in Perspective

And here's some good news: this is nothing compared to the unpredictabilities of Eclipse season. Retrograde energy, while challenging, is ultimately more manageable and predictable.

So be gentle with yourself during this time. Rest when you can, celebrate what you've already accomplished, and remember, this cosmic slowdown is temporary.