As FOUR planets go into retrograde in December, astrologer reveals what that means for your life

Four different planets will be in retrograde during the month of December, and according to astrologers, you might want to brace for a ‘storm’ because ‘people, events, and unresolved situations’ from your past will most likely return to haunt you over the next month.

When a planet goes into retrograde, it means that it appears to go backwards while the Earth passes it – and during that time, astrologers believe that the planet’s movements can make things in our lives go amiss. 

From struggling at work to facing problems in their relationships, many people are convinced that the planets going into retrograde can spark a slew of misfortunes – so it’s no surprise that four moving past Earth at the same time will make for a wild ride.

Astrologer Kyle Thomas weighed in on the phenomenon exclusively to DailyMail.com, and he warned that things will likely feel ‘chaotic’ over the next few weeks because ‘shocks and surprises are bound to happen.’

When a planet goes into retrograde, it means it looks like it’s going backwards while it passes the Earth. Mars, Mercury (seen), Neptune, and Uranus, will all be in retrograde next month 

He revealed that the planets being in retrograde can affect everything from your sex drive and desires to your aggressions and addictions.

Another astrologer, named Yasmin Boland, also spoke about it to DailyMail.com, and she said you should beware of ‘radical changes, confusion, mixed messages, and miscalculations’ while the four planets pass Earth.

Kyle (seen) said ‘shocks and surprises are bound to happen’ during this ‘chaotic’ time, and warned it can affect everything from your sex drive and desires to aggressions and addictions

The planet expert explained that you could expect your patience to be ‘tested’ during this time since ‘old arguments’ often come up – and that the next month might even ‘make your brain feel like scrambled egg.’

Mars retrograde began on October 30 and will continue until January 12, while Neptune retrograde is set to kick off on December 3 and will last until March 24.

Uranus has been in retrograde since August 24 and will finish on January 22, while Mercury retrograde will commence on December 29 and finish on January 18. 

But do the planets’ motions really have such a large impact on our lives and what exactly is the science behind it? What should you expect when four go into retrograde next month? And most importantly – what can you do to help ease the affects? 

From how it works to why it happens, here’s what you need to know about the planets being in retrograde. 

How does each of the four planets that will be in retrograde during December impact your life?

According to Thomas, Mars (seen) being in retrograde will most heavily impact your ‘courage, sex drive, desire, and aggression,’ as well as heighten any ‘competitions and conflict’ 

According to Thomas, Mars being in retrograde will most heavily impact your ‘courage, sex drive, desire, and aggression,’ as well as heighten any ‘competitions and conflict.’

‘Mars rules how we fight, f**k, and flee,’ he said. ‘Mars Retrograde typically makes us feel exhausted, burnt out, frustrated, overly triggered, angry, and defeated. 

‘Sometimes people feel extra aggressive – ready to charge into every battle at the drop of a hat – or hypersexual. 

‘Others may feel broken and refuse to face conflict or have no sex drive at all. This all ties to the natural energy of each individual and where the Mars Retrograde is taking place in their own unique birth charts.’

In addition, because Mars is going into retrograde during the zodiac sign Gemini, which is the sign of ‘communication,’ Boland warned that ‘old arguments’ may come up and that you may find yourself ‘getting stuck on one particular issue or point and arguing about it non-stop.’ 

She explained, ‘Because Mars is the planet of anger and war, having Mars going backwards can mean that old arguments are going to come up. 

‘On the world stage, it could be that old issues between nations could come up again as well.

‘It can make for confusion and even disappointment when it comes to whatever it is you’re trying to achieve, men in general, and also any fighting. 

‘The risk with this particular retrograde is getting stuck on one particular issue or point and arguing about it non-stop between now and the end of the retrograde in January.

‘We just need to expect a fair bit of confusion between now and the end of the retrograde in January.’ 

As for Mercury being in retrograde, Thomas said it’s most likely going to ’cause problems in all sorts of communication or technology.’ 

In addition, because Mars is going into retrograde during the zodiac sign Gemini, which is the sign of ‘communication,’ astrologer Yasmin Boland warned that ‘old arguments’ may come up

‘It is crucial not to sign paperwork, make agreements, or start new relationships (in business or love),’ he warned.

‘Because if you do, when Mercury returns to normal orbit, it is going to become clear that whatever foundation the agreement was made upon, it wasn’t what you (or the other person) thought it was.’ 

Boland, who has her own book about the Sun, Moon and stars called Moonology Diary 2023, added that ‘communication mix-ups’ are common during this time, and said you should expect your patience to be ‘tested.’

‘This is a time of confusion, mixed messages, missed appointments, forgotten passports, and miscalculations,’ she revealed. 

‘It can make your brain feel like scrambled egg. The solution here is to keep your sense of humor intact. 

‘It’s as though the Universe is testing you and the question is, how are you going to handle it? 

As for Mercury (seen) being in retrograde, Thomas said it’s most likely going to ’cause problems in all sorts of communication or technology’ 

‘Are you going to take trickster Mercury’s bait? Or are you going to do your best to see the funny side of life, even when it seems to be going off-piste?’

As nor Neptune, the planet of ‘illusion, mystery, spirituality, and transcendence,’ Thomas said you should ‘expect your dreams to become more intense’ when it goes into retrograde.

‘It is crucial not to sign paperwork, make agreements, or start new relationships (in business or love),’ he warned

He also warned that the planet’s movements can cause ‘a darker vibration to emerge within people,’ and said you should be wary of ‘gaslighting and deception.’

‘Neptune helps us to see beyond flesh and bone deep into the soul,’ he told DailyMail.com.

‘This powerful energy can be funneled in positive means: bringing you the greatest union of true love with a soul mate or inspiring a brilliant masterpiece that inspires the world. 

‘However, it can also cause a darker vibration to emerge within people, that of gas lighting, addictions, and deception. 

‘We must face the truth during Neptune Retrograde, as well as become in touch with our heightened intuition. 

‘Listen to the voice inside of you and watch for messages from the Universe. It is subtly guiding you.’

Boland echoed these sentiments, adding, ‘Confusion is Neptune’s middle name and it often bamboozles us.

As nor Neptune, the planet of ‘illusion, mystery, spirituality, and transcendence,’ Thomas said you should ‘expect your dreams to become more intense’ when it goes into retrograde

‘Neptune is actually all about altered states – from the affects of drugs and alcohol to pure transcendence. 

‘It’s about dreams and soulmates, and disappointment. Neptune retrograde can mean old deceptions rear their head again, leaving everyone unsure of what is going on.’

According to Thomas, Uranus is the planet of ‘transformation, radical change, crisis, and freedom,’ so it being in retrograde means ‘shocks and surprises are bound to happen’

According to Thomas, Uranus is the planet of ‘transformation, radical change, crisis, and freedom,’ so it being in retrograde means ‘shocks and surprises are bound to happen.’

The astrologer added that while it may ’cause things to feel chaotic,’ it could be a good thing since it’s ‘forcing us to move forward and bring better institutions into creation.’ 

‘Uranus pushes humanity toward its greatest good and to find newfound ways to grow and solve the problems of the collective,’ he explained.

Boland called Uranus the planet of ‘rebellion,’ and said its retrograde often presents ‘second chances’ for people. 

‘This could be [a time to make] radical changes in your life or make a 180 degree U-turn,’ she said. 

‘If you missed an opportunity to break free from anything which is holding you back – from a job, to a town, or a relationship – now might be your time to jump on this second chance at disruption 

‘The key is: don’t try to control anyone. Go with the flow, even if it feels like you’re going backwards. Cut loose what you should have cut loose before. Evolve, embrace change.’

What can you expect from four planets being in retrograde at once?

With four planets being in retrograde at the same time, a lot can go awry – however, according to Thomas, it can also be a great opportunity to ‘review, revisit, and reflect’ 

With four planets being in retrograde at the same time, a lot can go awry – however, according to Thomas, it can also be a great opportunity to ‘review, revisit, and reflect.’

He explained that ‘people, events, and unresolved situations’ from your past will likely ‘present themselves for closure’ during this time.  

‘We can use this moment to truly reflect on where we have been and what matters most to us,’ the planet expert recommended. 

Boland (seen) added that because the new year is going to start while so many planets are moving past us, people should be wary of making too many plans for 2023 until the retrogrades end – specifically, Mars 

‘2022 [is ending] with a major cycle of nostalgia and an opportunity to reunite with the past.

‘Take this moment and find gratitude in your heart for what you have and who is in your life. Give thanks to them. Honor them. 

‘If you wish to return to the past, whether that’s a relationship, a project, an aspiration, or previously tread path, you are being given a very small remaining window in time. Use it now to your greatest advantage. 

‘And if you’ve found closure with the past and are at peace with it, use this time to appreciate the present moment, rest, and recharge.’

Boland added that because the new year is going to start while so many planets are moving past us, people should be wary of making too many plans for 2023 until the retrogrades end – specifically, Mars.

‘2023 is going to dawn with Mars retrograde. That means that although it’s an extremely good time to set intentions and make resolutions, as usual, it’s probably not worth trying to forge ahead with your plans until the middle of January when Mars retrograde will be over,’ she said.

What can you do to lessen the affects of retrograde?

‘The best thing to do is to surrender, go with the flow, rest, and recharge,’ Thomas said of the time when all four planets will be in retrograde. Mercury is pictured

First and foremost, many astrologers have recommended that you don’t freak out when retrogrades hit, but rather, proceed with caution.

‘The best thing to do is to surrender, go with the flow, rest, and recharge,’ Thomas said. 

‘Don’t fight against the storm, just embrace the slower pace to be present and live in the moment.’

Boland added that the four planets being in retrograde can be a good thing, as long as you remind yourself to ‘slow down.’ 

She said: ‘Many of us are feeling very impatient to get completely back to normal after the pandemic, and to sort things out with anyone we fallen out with because we want everything to be as perfect as possible before the year ends, but retrograde is here to remind us that everything happens at its own pace.

Boland added that the four planets being in retrograde can be a good thing, as long as you remind yourself to ‘slow down’

‘So rather than wishing this cycle away, as many people seem to do because they don’t really understand it, think about where in your life you need to slow down.

‘Maybe you need to be more patient. Maybe you need to be more patient with someone else.

‘One thing to do while [the planets are in] retrograde between now and January is to take a look at what is going on in your life now and put all your energy into whatever needs your attention and determination.

‘Focus on what is and what needs work, rather than thinking about the next big thing.

‘It’s a very good time to stop fighting. Go back over the old issues which have come up and sort them out rather than continuing to batter your adversary.’

What does it even mean when a planet is in retrograde?

All the planets move around the sun at different speeds – which means they sometimes pass the Earth or the Earth passes them. And when one passes another, it creates an optical illusion

‘From our vantage point here on earth, it looks like [the planets are] retrograding or reversing,’ Boland (pictured) told DailyMail.com. ‘Of course, the planet is not actually going backwards’ 

All the planets move around the sun at different speeds – which means once in a while, they pass the Earth or the Earth passes them.

While all the planets in the solar system move in the same direction, when one passes another, it creates an optical illusion that makes the planet look like it’s reversing course and going in the opposite direction – something known as retrograde. 

‘Due to the way the planets orbit the Sun, there are times when, from our vantage point here on earth, it looks like [they are] retrograding or reversing through the zodiac,’ explained Boland. 

‘Of course, the planet is not actually going backwards. It’s a bit like if you are going very fast on a train and outside there is a horse slower than the train. It can appear that the horse is going backwards, even though it’s not.’ 

If it’s not really going backwards, how does it impact us?

While the planets are not actually going backwards, they are still passing us during that time, and astrologers believe that the movements can make waves here on Earth. Mars is pictured

Thomas said that while retrograde is an optical illusion, the planets’ movements certainly have ‘powerful affects here on Earth’ 

While the planets are not actually going backwards, they are still passing us during that time, and astrologers believe that the movements can make waves here on Earth – like a boat that leaves a wake in its path.

‘As [a planet] speeds by, it is like a train flying past, creating a powerful, turbulent gust of “wind” in its wake,’ astrologer Susan Miller wrote in a previous essay for Astrology Zone.

‘The turbulence and disruption [the planet] creates when it retrogrades can affect what we feel on Earth in our everyday lives 

He added that every planet rules different things, and warned that the stuff associated with each one will likely ‘go awry’ or get ‘thrown off’ during the period. Uranus is seen

‘In astrology, we always believe the following rule is true: “As above, so too below.” By that we mean there is a fractal relationship between the orbits and human activity down here on Earth.’ 

Thomas said that while retrograde is an optical illusion, the planets’ movements certainly have ‘powerful affects here on Earth.’ 

He explained that every planet rules different things – Mercury is the planet of commerce and communication, for example, while Mars was named after the Roman God of war, passion, and sexuality – and warned that the stuff associated with each one will likely ‘go awry’ or get ‘thrown off’ during the period.

‘Planets don’t actually move backward, but this optical illusion does have mysterious and powerful affects here on Earth,’ he said.

‘When a planet retrogrades, the things that it rules tend to go awry and be thrown off.’