A Study on the Meaning of Retrograde Planets in Astrology
All of the planets, except for the Sun and the Moon, will travel in a retrograde pattern from time-to-time.
Retrograde means that they are traveling backwards.
They don't actually travel backwards, but only appear to do so when viewing them from the planet Earth.
Basically what happens astronomically is planets travel forward in what is called a direct motion. Then they appear to stop, which is called stationary. Then they begin to move again, but to us looking up at the night sky, it looks like they're moving backwards.
When the planet stops moving backwards, its retrograde period is finished. It will stop again (become stationary), before it will then start moving forward again.
Planets are retrograde only in appearance, not in actuality.
Let me explain this with an example.
If you're in a slow-moving car and a very fast car passes you, it can feel like you're moving backwards. You're not actually moving backwards, but you have the sensation of moving backwards. This is what retrograde means. Planets aren't moving backwards; they only appear to be.
The Meaning of Retrograde Planets in Your Astrology Chart
If you look at your astrology chart, you probably have at least one planet that is retrograde. You probably have several retrograde planets in your chart. Most people do.
You can identify retrograde planets in your astrology chart by the symbol 
next to them.
Retrograde planets aren't as powerful in your astrology chart as stationary planets because their energy isn't as strong.
When a planet is retrograde in your chart, it means you don't fully express its energy outwardly. Some part of it is internalized.
This isn't a good or bad thing. You still get to decide how you handle the energy.
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