Retrogression

October 1, 2006

Sunflower

Learned Members,

There have been queries recently regarding the phenomenon of retrogression/ Vakratwa of Grahas. Some of these have been in independent threads while others have been intertwined with miscellaneous discussions. On one of these Lists, Shri Rohini Ranjan referred one of the querents to an article written by him in the past on this subject. It will be a good idea to visit this article as it furnishes some personal insights and views of the learned author on the subject. The link is available at the Vedic Astrology List in the relevent thread.

Some of my thoughts on the subject are laid down hereinbelow. These are only observations but they are sincere observations made with scholarly intent.

In a recent article on Prashna, Pt. Sanjay Rath taught that the energy of the retrograde planet is that of a 'Bhupa' or king. This is a good point to start with. It echoes the classical sentiment, as recorded by Shri Rohini Ranjan in the aforesaid article as well, that the retrograde planet is full of energy or 'Chestabal'. It has a lot of energy for Cheshta or for effort. Therefore, it is a powerful planet.

Now, it is also said that retrograde planets delay things they affect in life. Pt. Rath has also stated that the results linked with the retrograde planet may even be denied till the planet turns direct in transit. Soemwhere Pt. Rath gave the example of King Bruce and the spider indicating that the areas associated with the retrograde planet require persistent and ceaseless effort. The idea here is that the retrograde planet gives conventional struggle and will delay things. In my view, while I agree that the retrograde planet will delay, it is important to not view the retrograde planet pejoratively, especially if it is a benefic. It is usually thought that due to the increase in power, the benefic planet becomes more benefic and the malefic planet becomes more malefic. In other words, the planet becomes more powerful to do what it wants to do.

What is the nature of this 'delay'? Why is a given Vakri planet in a chart delaying something? Is a Vakri planet necessarily mischievous or adverse that it wants to torment the native with delay? Not really. As always, the person, or a given life, is to be evaluated from the entire chart. A life theme is to be gleaned. See the AK, Yogas, Dashas, special Dashas, Vargas...everything to see what this 'power' or 'intesity' or 'delay' is all about. Is it to hone some skill not fully developed in past lives? When Rohini Ji says, there is some internalising effect due to retrogression, it can be gleaned, especially in charts of contemplative people.

With retrograde planets in the nativity, it might be especially prudent to look for unusual factors that may point at delay in certain areas, even apart from the retrograde planet. It is important to see why a planet, especially a benefic has turned retrograde. The retrograde planet is unusual. It touches areas that are not usually touched. It is a path-breaker. It is only in this quality of breaking barriers that it is like Rahu. I do not think that a powerful and retrograde benefic will become malefic like Rahu. See the Amsha rulers of the retrograde planet in Vargas to see what sort of activity it is going to contribute to and whether it is a 'good' unusual or a 'bad' unusual. Not to say that 'good' and 'bad' are so cut-and-dried.

Look at the chart of Morarji Desai, discussed in Pt. Sanjay Rath's Collected Papers in Vedic Astrology-Vol. 1. (February 29, 1896; 13:38:00, 4:51 east;72 E 56, 20 N 38). Both the 9th and 10th Lords are retrograde in their exaltation signs giving effects of debility! This is the chart of a very accomplished person. The 10th Lord is retrograde in its exaltation sign and in the 2nd House of resources, a houses that otherwise is a participant in Simhasan Yogas. Also, the 9th Lord of luck is retrograde in the 5th House of power in its exaltation sign! Yet, the native achieved a great degree of poilitical prowess. Of course, the fructification of life potential is seen in the Maharaja Yoga etc but as far as the Vakratwa of two crucial planets goes, even their effects of debility did not hinder rising to one of the highest offices of the land.

Thus, retrogression or any other single factor are just that, singular factors, that have to be studied in the overall context of the charts.

Regards,

Anurag Sharma.

Web: http://www.planetarytransformation.blogspot.com

http://www.astrologyguild.com at the Articles page