One of the most sought-after questions in astrology is understanding one's life purpose. People often try or want to know the reason for which they are born. In other words, in astrology, this is often associated with karmic backlog or debt. It is believed that a person is reborn because they are tied to their karma and have come to repay their debts or enjoy the fruits of actions performed in their previous birth.
While I am not sure, as far as I know, there is very little scientific evidence suggesting reincarnation, although there has been considerable research in this area. One noteworthy book on this subject is Where Reincarnation and Biology Intersect by Ian Stevenson, which is worth reading.
However, the purpose of today's article is not to prove or disprove reincarnation but to explore, from an astrological perspective, how anyone can understand their life purpose through their horoscope. Understanding this purpose is beneficial in many ways because it helps an individual align with their cosmic vibration. This alignment enables them to discharge their pending karma, making manifestations more likely.
Whenever the term karmic debt is mentioned, two planets always catch attention — Rahu and Ketu. These are the planets most commonly associated with karmic burdens or lessons. Rahu represents unfulfilled desires from past karma, indicating the areas where we are consciously focused in this life. On the other hand, Ketu signifies experiences from past lives and areas where we were heavily attached, suggesting a need to let go of those attachments in the present life.
But have you ever wondered why Rahu and Ketu are always associated with karma? The reason lies in their motion, i.e., retrograde. Their ability to look back into the past connects them deeply with our consciousness. This is why Rahu represents our conscious mind, while Ketu symbolizes our subconscious.
However, is it always just Rahu and Ketu? Is it really that simple? No, it’s not only Rahu and Ketu. Any planet that moves in retrograde motion becomes a key to understanding karmic backlog. This is why retrograde planets play such an important role in shaping a person’s personality and often act as the drivers of their actions.
Now, let’s explore how different planets in retrograde motion help us understand our karmic backlog and life purpose.
Before we begin, a special mention must be given to the Sun and Moon. Astronomically, these two luminaries never go retrograde because of their unique positions in the cosmic system. However, understanding their astrological significance is essential.
The Sun and Moon are the brighter aspects of our consciousness, while karmic debt represents the darker, unresolved side. Additionally, the Sun is considered the Atmakaraka — the significator of the soul. The soul’s ultimate goal is to move forward, resolve karma, and attain liberation. Since a soul is always forward-looking, the Sun never moves in retrograde motion.
Similarly, the Moon represents the mind and intellect, which are predominantly concerned with the present and the future. This is one reason why we don’t remember our past lives. Consequently, the Sun and Moon are particularly vulnerable to affliction from Rahu and Ketu. The influence of Rahu and Ketu tends to distort the natural qualities of these luminaries.
Now, let’s delve into how each planet, when retrograde, influences our life purpose and helps us understand our karmic backlog.
Retrograde Mercury — Mercury is the karaka (significator) of communication, intellect, trade, commerce, siblings, neighbors, etc. This means the person will have karmic debts associated with these areas. However, the house in which the planet is posited and the house it aspects also become important.
I know everything cannot be explained in this one article, but to understand it better, let's take an example. Suppose a person has a retrograde Mercury in the 2nd house. This indicates that the person may have communication issues with their family members and might not feel comfortable expressing themselves around them. Since Mercury represents neighbors and the 2nd house signifies family, this can also indicate the presence of family members living nearby, forming a joint family setup.
Such individuals may not prefer living in a joint family, but they have karmic debts to repay towards their family and neighbors. Additionally, with retrograde Mercury in the 2nd house, its aspect falls on the 8th house, which represents in-laws. As a result, these individuals will often feel a strong sense of responsibility towards their in-laws.
Retrograde Venus — Venus is the karaka (significator) of wife, love, beauty, luxury, creativity, and daughter-in-law, among other things. Its effects are based on its placement and aspects.
Venus also signifies the natural 2nd house, representing wealth and family. People with a retrograde Venus may find it difficult to create a harmonious relationship between their wife and family. It also indicates a karmic debt towards their daughter-in-law, meaning maintaining a harmonious relationship with her is essential for fulfilling their karmic duties in this lifetime.
Additionally, Venus is also known as Shukracharya, the guru of demons, who possessed the Sanjeevani Vidya (the knowledge of resurrection). A retrograde Venus can signify an inclination towards secret knowledge, occult learning, and unconventional thoughts. However, one should be cautious and ensure any secret knowledge gained is used wisely and for the greater good of mankind.
Retrograde Mars — Mars is the karaka (significator) of power, ego, energy, electricity, metal, brothers, blood, and the husband in a female horoscope. People with retrograde Mars should always keep in mind that their hunger for power should not exceed a limit. They have a craving to gain power from their past birth and may go to any lengths to achieve it. This is also why people with retrograde Mars often possess a lot of ego.
These individuals tend to identify themselves with the power they are associated with and may be very short-tempered. They should understand that this psychological tendency has been shaped by their past actions, where they may have misused power for the wrong purposes. Therefore, they should consciously work on controlling their ego and avoiding the misuse of power.
People with retrograde Mars may have also been involved in activities requiring high energy, like sports, in their past lives. As a result, they may tend to overexert themselves or use excessive physical energy beyond their capacity, which can lead to physical injury and mental stress.
Additionally, individuals with retrograde Mars often have karmic debts towards their siblings. They might find at least one sibling dependent on them. In such cases, they should wholeheartedly support their sibling, as this is the best way to resolve their past karma and attract positive manifestations.
Similarly, females with retrograde Mars may find their husband dependent on them at some point, whether financially or emotionally. Supporting their husband during these times can help them dispel their past karmas.
Mars also has a 4th, 7th, and 8th aspect, which should always be considered when making any astrological judgment.
Retrograde Jupiter — Jupiter is the karaka (significator) of the native himself in a male horoscope and is often called Jeevatma. Apart from this, Jupiter represents teachers, knowledge, luck, wealth, and guidance.
People with retrograde Jupiter have a habit of overthinking and often live in their past. The first and foremost lesson they should learn is to understand, learn from their actions, and move forward in life. These individuals carry the baggage of knowledge from their past birth. They have gained immense knowledge in previous lives, which gives them a sense of superiority, shaping their consciousness accordingly.
Such people often consider themselves highly knowledgeable even after acquiring only a little knowledge on a subject. They should focus more on continuous learning rather than showcasing their knowledge.
Additionally, people with retrograde Jupiter have karmic debts towards their gurus or teachers. Due to their sense of superiority, they may sometimes unknowingly or knowingly insult their teachers, leading to karmic backlogs. Learning to respect and honor their teachers is the best way for them to dispel these karmic debts and attract manifestations.
Jupiter, like Mars, has special aspects on the 5th and 9th houses. The 5th house represents sons, and the 9th house represents fathers. Individuals with retrograde Jupiter may often find themselves caught between two different generations in their daily lives. Depending on Jupiter's position, they should carefully analyze the houses it aspects, as these also become key to understanding their karmic backlog and unlocking cosmic manifestations.
Retrograde Saturn — Saturn is the karaka of profession, elder brothers, workers, old people, subordinates, and the chin. A simple way to check if retrograde Saturn is affecting you is to observe your chin. If you have a noticeable mark on your chin, it may indicate retrograde Saturn in your chart.
Saturn represents elderly people or family members, suggesting significant karmic debts attached to them from past births. Therefore, it is always advisable for those with retrograde Saturn to support, help, and respect older individuals.
Similarly, there is often a considerable karmic debt associated with their profession. As a result, people with retrograde Saturn tend to be workaholics with an exceptional eye for detail. While they may work slowly, they are often perfectionists.
Since Saturn also signifies subordinates, individuals with retrograde Saturn must be mindful of their behavior towards their subordinates. Maintaining respectful and fair relations with them is crucial for resolving their karmic debts.
Therefore, retrograde planets offer a profound insight into our karmic backlog and life purpose. Each retrograde planet carries a unique story from our past lives, influencing our thoughts, actions, and relationships in the present. By understanding the lessons these planets bring, we can consciously work towards resolving our karmic debts, leading to personal growth and spiritual progress.
Whether it’s Mercury highlighting challenges in communication, Venus indicating the need to foster harmonious relationships, Mars calling for the balanced use of power, Jupiter urging us to overcome intellectual arrogance, or Saturn teaching the importance of discipline and respect — each retrograde planet acts as a guiding force on our karmic journey.
If you are curious to learn more about the karmic influences of Rahu and Ketu, the ultimate nodes of karmic lessons and life purpose, be sure to check out my other blogs Together, we can explore the deeper dimensions of astrology and uncover the wisdom hidden within our birth charts.
Thank you for reading. If you have any thoughts or personal experiences with retrograde planets, feel free to share them in the comments. And don’t forget to subscribe for more astrological insights!
