Stop Doing This! Don’t Hit Pause: What to Do During Retrogrades and Thrive with Astrology
- Shanae Smith
- Aug 24, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 5
In the previous post, we explored how black-and-white thinking can paralyze us during transits. Similarly, retrogrades aren’t meant to stop your life, but too often, people treat them like a cosmic ‘off-limits’ period. The truth? Retrogrades aren’t roadblocks—they’re tools for fine-tuning your path.
Instead of feeling stuck or tempted to "give up and relax," I want to empower you with tools to stay aligned and actively engaged with your life’s unfolding.
So, what SHOULD you do during retrogrades? Here we will answer not only 'What to Do During Retrogrades' but also give a practical example, so you can better understand how to navigate astrology retrogrades of all the planets.
Why Should You Read This? - What to Do During Astrology Retrogrades
By reading this post you'll know how to better manage your momentum during retrograde periods.
Recognize when you're using astrology as an excuse to avoid action so you can move forward with confidence instead of waiting indefinitely.
Understand how to work with retrogrades instead of fearing them so you can use these cycles for growth, refinement, and alignment.
Learn practical ways to reflect and reassess during retrogrades so you can make adjustments that set you up for long-term success.
Shift your mindset from seeing retrogrades as obstacles to seeing them as opportunities so you can stop feeling stuck and start making progress.
Use astrology as a tool for clarity, not confusion so you can navigate retrogrades with ease instead of anxiety.
What NOT to Do During Retrogrades
As a reminder of what we covered in the previous post, retrogrades aren’t cosmic stop signs, but many people still default to avoidance and over-caution when they show up. If you want to actually benefit from these cycles, here’s what not to do:
🚫 Don’t put your entire life on hold.
Waiting for the “perfect” time to act? That time may never come. Life keeps moving, and astrology works best when you work with it, not against it.
🚫 Don’t assume every delay means failure.
Retrogrades can slow things down, but that doesn’t mean progress isn’t happening. Sometimes, setbacks are just part of the natural cycle—and they may be revealing exactly what needs improvement.
🚫 Don’t get stuck in fear-based astrology thinking.
Thinking "I shouldn't start this because Mercury is retrograde" is often an excuse for inaction. There are always ways to move forward that align with current astrology—whether through research, soft launches, or internal work.
🚫 Don’t use astrology as an excuse to stay in indecision.
Retrogrades are for reworking, refining, and reviewing, not just waiting. If you’re feeling stuck in decision-making, ask yourself: “Am I hesitating because of real obstacles, or am I using this transit as a reason to stay in my comfort zone?”
🚫 Don’t ignore the bigger picture.
Retrogrades aren’t the only astrology happening. If you’re obsessing over them but ignoring larger transits like Pluto, Saturn, or your own personal progressions, you might be missing a bigger influence at play.
👉 For a deeper breakdown on why astrology fear-based thinking holds you back, read Stop Letting Transits Hold You Back: Overcoming Astrology Transit Fear and Anxiety.
What to Do During Retrogrades - Astrological Guidance for Retrogrades
Now that we’ve covered why waiting on retrogrades keeps you stuck, let’s get into how to actually work with them to your advantage.
1. Reassess Your Goals and Priorities
Retrogrades are an ideal time to take a step back and evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. Ask yourself:
What am I holding onto that no longer serves me?
Where am I pushing too hard against the natural flow?
Which goals truly light me up, and which feel misaligned?
Am I overcomplicating a solution I already have?
For example: Am I telling myself I need to wake up at 5 AM to be productive, when I already accomplish the same goals by staying up late (assuming I like staying up late more than getting up early)?
2. Realign Your Energy
Each retrograde planet offers specific lessons. Here’s a quick guide:
Mercury Retrograde: Double-check plans, clarify communication, and embrace flexibility.
Venus Retrograde: Reflect on relationships, self-worth, and financial values.
Mars Retrograde: Conserve energy, revisit old projects, and focus on mindful action.
Outer Planet Retrogrades: Observe broader patterns in your life and consider long-term adjustments.
3. Embrace the “Re” Actions
Retrogrades are famous for their “re” themes. Use this time to:
Reconnect with people or projects from your past.
Revise your strategies and plans.
Reflect on your choices and adjust course where needed.
Each planet has its own thematic opportunities to revist. Instead of seeing retrogrades as a ‘no-go zone,’ think of them as a time to adjust, recalibrate, and gain clarity before moving forward with intention.
✔️ Mercury Retrograde? → Revisit conversations, contracts, or projects that need fine-tuning.
✔️ Venus Retrograde? → Rethink relationships, money habits, or creative pursuits before making major changes.
✔️ Mars Retrograde? → Pay attention to burnout, energy cycles, and frustration—use the time to refine your strategy instead of forcing progress.
4. Avoid the Trap of Perfectionism
Retrogrades don’t demand flawless execution; they encourage thoughtful progress. Let go of the idea that everything needs to be perfect. Progress happens in cycles—allow yourself to grow incrementally.
5. Practice Active Self-Care
Retrogrades are a reminder to nurture yourself. Consider:
Journaling your thoughts and emotions.
Engaging in mindfulness or creative activities.
Taking intentional breaks to recharge—not to avoid.
Navigating planetary retrogrades - Why Aligned Action Matters
The truth is, retrogrades aren’t about waiting for a better time; they’re about using the present moment wisely. When you take aligned action—small, deliberate steps that honor the energy of the moment—you move forward in a way that feels natural and sustainable.
A Practical Example: Using Retrograde Shadow Periods to Plan and Reflect
Meet Jess, a freelance graphic designer who feels stuck in her career. She’s been juggling several demanding clients and feels her creativity waning. When she notices an upcoming Mercury retrograde in her natal 6th house of work and routines, she decides to use the retrograde and its shadow periods for a career reset.
Pre-Shadow Period (The Build-Up)
As Mercury enters its pre-shadow phase two weeks before going retrograde, Jess starts noticing communication mishaps with clients and minor technical glitches in her design software. She decides to take this as a cue to assess her current work systems. During this time, Jess:
Reviews her client agreements to ensure clear expectations.
Compiles a list of tools and processes that feel clunky or outdated.
Starts brainstorming new project ideas she’d like to pitch after the retrograde.
During the Retrograde (Recalibration)When Mercury officially goes retrograde, Jess uses this reflective energy to refine her workflow. Instead of pushing through her creative block, she:
Revisits an old passion project she had set aside.
Experiments with new design techniques without the pressure of client deadlines.
Has a heart-to-heart with a long-term client about adjusting their working arrangement for better alignment.
She also takes this time to reflect on her long-term goals, asking herself:
Which projects bring me joy?
Are my current work habits sustainable?
How can I better balance creativity and productivity?
Post-Shadow Period (The Integration)
As Mercury enters its post-shadow phase, Jess feels ready to take deliberate action on her insights. She integrates her findings by:
Upgrading her design software and streamlining her workflow.
Declining a misaligned client project to free up time for a new creative endeavor.
Pitching her refreshed portfolio to a dream client she had been hesitant to approach.
Outcome
By the end of the retrograde shadow period, Jess not only feels re-energized but has also taken tangible steps to realign her career. She sees the retrograde not as an obstacle but as a necessary pause to recalibrate and move forward with clarity.
All Transits Are Temporary
Remember, no transit lasts forever. Knowing the duration and theme of a retrograde helps you navigate it with patience and perspective. Life is an unfolding story, and retrogrades are just one chapter—important, yes, but not the whole narrative.
Stuck waiting for the “perfect” timing? Astrology is meant to guide you—not paralyze you. My 5-Day Mini Course: Setting Aligned Goals That Work for You helps you work with planetary cycles so you can take meaningful action instead of feeling stuck in analysis mode.
Not sure how transits are influencing you? A one-on-one astrology consultation can help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters for your path forward.
Astrology should help you move forward—not hold you back. Let’s get you unstuck.
Key Takeaways
Retrogrades are not cosmic stop signs—they’re opportunities for reflection and recalibration. Instead of avoiding action, use them to refine, review, and reassess your path.
Fear-based astrology thinking leads to stagnation. Waiting for the “perfect” transit can keep you in a cycle of overthinking and inaction.
Each retrograde has a unique focus. Mercury influences communication, Venus affects relationships and values, and Mars challenges how you assert yourself—knowing this helps you work with the energy instead of resisting it.
Using astrology intentionally means working with transits, not pausing your life for them. Strategic adjustments during retrogrades set you up for long-term success.
Stop waiting for the stars to align—align yourself with the stars. Astrology should be a tool for movement, not an excuse for hesitation.
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