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The 10 Planets in Astrology and What They Mean

Astrology uses ten bodies, counting the Sun and Moon as 'planets'. They fall into three groups by speed.

SunMoves through all 12 signs in about a year
MoonAbout 2.5 days per sign; full cycle in ~27 days
MercuryAbout a year per cycle; retrograde ~3 times a year
VenusAbout a year per cycle; retrograde every ~18 months
MarsAbout 2 years per cycle
JupiterAbout 12 years; ~1 year per sign
SaturnAbout 29 years; ~2.5 years per sign
UranusAbout 84 years; ~7 years per sign
NeptuneAbout 165 years; ~14 years per sign
PlutoAbout 248 years

What is retrograde?

At times a planet appears to move backwards through the zodiac as seen from Earth—this is retrograde motion (℞). It is an optical effect of differing orbital speeds. A planet retrograde at birth is often read as working inwardly.

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