In the zodiac of precession. * In the fixed zodiac. $ More detailed data concerning these

cycles are appended to the discussion undcr Cycles.

Refranation. A term used in Horary Astrology when one of two planets applying to an aspect
turns retrograde before the aspect is complete. It is taken as an indication that the matter
under negotiation will not be brought to a successful conclusion.

Relative Houses. v. Houses.

Retrograde. The term applied to an apparent backward motion in the Zodiac of certain
planets when decreasing in longitude as viewed from the Earth. It can be compared to the
effect of a slow-moving train as viewed from another train traveling parallel to it but at a
more rapid rate, wherein the slower train appears to be moving backwards. However, in the
case of the celestial bodies it is not a matter of their actual speed or travel, but of the rate at
which they change their angular relationship.

Retrograde planets in a birth map were anciently said to be weak or debilitated, but a more
logical interpretation would seem to indicate that the influence is rendered stronger, which in
the case of a malefic planet is definitely unfortunate. That it continues to retrograde for a
period after birth might detract from its capacity to incite progress, but if so the extent of
retardation must be judged from its relative nearness to its second station.

It is averred by some astrologers that a planet in retrograde motion partakes of the nature of
the Mars end of the spectrum. This hardly appears a safe generalization, for according to the
laws of spectroscopy a planet moving away from us - the distance between it and the Earth
increasing - produces a slight shift of frequences toward the red end of the spectrum, and with
diminishing distance a relative shift towards the red end begins immediately after the
opposition of a major planet to the Sun, and continues until just before the conjunction; and
that it can hardly be said to apply at all to a minor planet.

It would appear that consideration of this factor involves the direction of the planet's motion,
whether toward or away from the Earth, rather than the character of the motion as either
direct or retrograde. In fact it appears to have bearing on the doctrine of orientality. This
Doppler displacement has been noted in observations of Venus, which indicated that a
differentiation of influence should be studied as between Venus when in motion away from
the Earth, and when moving toward it.