Your birth chart is a snapshot of the moment you were born, while the sky keeps moving. When today's planets form aspects to points in your chart, this is called a transit. Astrological "phases" are read this way.
What is a retrograde?
Seen from Earth, a planet sometimes appears to move backwards for a while; this is a retrograde. Traditionally it is a time to review that planet's themes: correspondence and plans during Mercury retrograde, relationships during Venus retrograde, energy and ventures during Mars retrograde.
New moon and full moon
The new moon is considered good for beginnings and intentions, the full moon for completion and awareness.
Saturn and Jupiter returns
Saturn returns to its birth position about every 29.5 years. This Saturn return, around ages 28–30 and 57–60, is known as a time of restructuring and maturing. Jupiter returns about every 12 years and opens periods of growth.
The themes of your new year are described in a Solar Return report, the months ahead in a 12-month transit report.
Find this month's new moon, full moon and retrograde dates in our sky calendar.