The term “retrograde” might bring to mind miscommunication, bumper-to-bumper traffic, or curveballs you really have no interest in dealing with. But this astrological phenomenon is far more nuanced than we give it credit, and it doesn’t only apply to Mercury, which went retrograde in Taurus from April 21 to May 14, and is retrograde again in Virgo from Aug. 23 to Sept. 15.
Every single year, each of the planets in our solar system go into retrograde at one time or another, sometimes for months on end. In fact, Venus retrograde, which hasn’t occurred since 2021, moves backward this year July 22 to September 3. And Pluto retrograde, which kicked off on May 1, goes through October 11. The latest one you need to know about? Uranus retrograde.
In astrology, Uranus is the planet of change, revolution, and innovation. It urges you to break free of anything that’s holding you back from being your true, genuine self, to rebel against limitations and boundaries, and to think creatively. As the “awakener” planet, Uranus may very well be at the root of unexpected situations, forcing you to think a little differently than you normally would when finding a solution. However, these trying times offer opportunities that ultimately nudge you to move in a radical — and ideally happier — direction.
Uranus retrograde happens every year for about five months. In 2023, Uranus is retrograde through the fixed earth sign Taurus, symbolized by the bull, from Monday, Aug. 28, to Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Read on for more details about Uranus retrograde, as well as how each astrological sign will be affected by the planet of rebellion as it moves backward in 2023.
What Does Uranus Retrograde Mean in Astrology?
In order to understand what happens when Uranus is retrograde, it’s important to consider how the planet affects us when it’s moving forward. Under normal circumstances, the awakener planet brings surprises — for better or worse — and encourages innovation. When Uranus syncs up with, squares off against, or opposes other planets in the sky or in your birth chart, it urges you to question the norm, strengthening your capacity to embrace change.
However, when Uranus moves backward, its electric, change-making energy chills out a bit. Instead of pushing for external, apparent, concrete change, you could be inspired to embrace rebellion and revolution in a more internal, psychological way. This time offers everyone an opportunity to rethink larger life goals like how you’re going about looking for a partner or pursuing your long-term professional aspirations.
It bears noting that as with any astrological event, you may not feel this Uranus retrograde as acutely as you might experience, say, a full moon or Mercury retrograde. This is due to the fact that Uranus moves slowly, so its effects tend to build over the course of its long-term transits. However, specific signs may feel this retrograde period a little more than others.
When Is Uranus Retrograde 2023, and How Can You Prepare For It?
Uranus has been direct since January 22, 2023, but the planet of innovation and revolution will be retrograde on Aug. 28, moving backward through fixed earth sign Taurus until Jan. 27, 2024. Thanks to these long retrograde periods and just how slowly Uranus moves in general, it spends about seven years in a sign. It has been in Taurus since May 15, 2018 and will not fully exit the sign of the bull for Gemini until April 27, 2026.
In turn, we’re currently in the midst of Uranus spurring shake-ups related to Taurus, which is ruled by Venus, the planet of relationships, money, and art. It’s why we’ve seen recent shifts in the financial world (hello, crypto and inflation), beauty ideals (look no further than our evolving relationship to filters on social media), and even what people are looking for from a partner (ethical non-monogamy has been having a moment).
But while retrograde is in effect, you could find you’re compelled to focus less on creating external changes and more invested in working on switching up how you’re thinking and feeling about big picture matters, such as your professional goals or what you want out of your next long-term relationship. A few ways to prepare for and make the most of this transit:
1. Slow down
Taurus is known for being the least hurried sign of the zodiac, in terms of how they move through the world and make decisions. The bull is intent on taking its time and finding room in the hustle bustle of life for being languorous. In turn, you could find that by building in more time for meditation or even leisurely evening walks, you’re able to carve out valuable time for self-reflection that could lead to new ways of thinking about whatever aspect of your life this retrograde is influencing (more on that in a bit).
2. Try a new form of self-work
Because Taurus is ruled by self-love-ruling Venus, Uranus’s retrograde in the sign is a moment in which you can change up how you’re nurturing your relationship with yourself. For instance, you might try using oracle cards to hone your inner voice in order to feel more confident in what your intuition is telling you over your head. This could also be a lovely time to talk about this concept with your therapist, if you see one.
3. Rethink limits you’ve put on yourself
Uranus is the planet that challenges boundaries and limitations, pushing us out of our comfort zones. If you’ve been holding yourself back from pitching a creative idea to a higher-up or considering whether a platonic relationship might grow into something more, now’s your moment to explore why. In doing so, you might be inspired to adopt a whole new outlook entirely.
How the 2023 Uranus Retrograde Will Affect the Zodiac Signs
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Uranus’s retrograde occurs in your second house of income, Aries, making this a time to find ways in which you’d like to change up how you’re bringing in cash as well as what you’re spending on. You’ll be asking yourself about your values. It could be that what you’ve been prioritizing — like, a bigger paycheck or residence in an “ideal” location. Spending this time reassessing issues like these can set you up for bolstered financial well-being down the road.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This Uranus retrograde falls in your sign and, therefore, your first house of self, Taurus. Over the next few months, you’ll be reflecting on how to best pursue goals tied to your personal brand and identity. Although you’re very much a creature of habit, you might feel more compelled to break out of stale patterns and ruts. Change — at least in terms of how you’re thinking about long-term passion projects and aspirations — will feel comfier and more secure than continuing down the same old path.
Gemini (May 21-June 21)
The planet of innovation and sudden change will be moving backward through your twelfth house of spirituality, which is already a pretty dreamy, mystical area of your chart. You’ve likely been doing some deep inner work that is making you more aware of unconscious beliefs. Uranus’s retrograde here can intensify this work, boosting your self-awareness and revitalizing your imagination. You could find that your dreams are more intense and vivid and offer valuable intel on past wounds and present desires.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Uranus’s retrograde falls in your 11th house of friendships and long-term wishes, Cancer, making this a moment in which you’re stirred to think about the groups and teams you associate with. If you’re super-active on social media, maybe you’re thinking about the audience you want to attract and speak to. Either way, you’ll see how the people you’re connected to can further aspirations that are near and dear to your heart. Maybe you care deeply about discussing health and wellness, so you’re realizing you should open up more about that topic with friends or followers. You could also have lightbulb moments that ultimately inspire you to change up collaborative game plans.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Uranus’s retrograde falls in your 10th house of career and public image, Leo, bringing a blast of electrifying, innovative energy to your professional game plan. Over the next few months, you can take a step back, slow down, and revise and perfect your plan, especially when it comes to your career. During this time, it’s OK to say “no” to opportunities that aren’t in line with your vision. Uranus retrograde will offer you more clarity on exactly what you want to achieve.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Uranus’s retrograde falls in your ninth house of higher learning and adventure, creating changes related to how you’re experiencing the world around you, traveling, and soaking up new knowledge. As it moves backward here, you could have more eye-opening experiences, perhaps spurred by interactions with people outside of your typical friend group. Self-reflection and horizon-broadening experiences may also inspire you to lay the groundwork to hone your skill set (like pursuing an advanced degree or signing up for mentoring sessions).
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Uranus moves backward through your eighth house of emotional bonds and joint resources, Libra, which spurs you to rethink how you’re relating to your nearest and dearest — especially around shared income matters. You might be reimagining the best way to invest alongside your partner or how to tackle a conversation related to your aging parents’ will. This is also a time in which you can do some soul searching around inner work-fueled changes (like talking to a therapist or trusted confidant about self-image) that would boost fulfillment in your sex life.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Uranus retrograde hits your seventh house of partnership, Scorpio, which means your one-on-one relationships are very much a focus now. Friendships and relationships that have been either toxic or unfulfilling are sure to fade away as Uranus moves backward. Try not to mourn these dying connections, though! Over the next few months, you can likely gain a new perspective on these changes and discover what you want future bonds to look like as you move ahead.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Uranus’s retrograde will fall in your sixth house of wellness and daily routine, Sag, which is a signal to slow down and reassess your day-to-day hustle. It’s possible that saying “yes” more than you’ve been saying “no” just isn’t working out, and you feel spread too thin. Now’s your opportunity to reflect on what compels you to take on so much and to come up with simple, everyday ways you can bring more balance into your schedule. Thanks to Taurus’s influence, you might consider how some of the most cherished people in your life can support you in these efforts.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Uranus will be moving backward through your fifth house of romance and self-expression, Cap, which can be as exciting as it sounds. You have a chance to reimagine how you’re pouring your emotions into your most artistic endeavors and how you’re owning your voice in your most playful, heartfelt bonds. You might realize you’d do well to speak up more about your needs in a new relationship or that it’s time to put pragmatic goals aside for once in order to chase after an aim that brings you a great deal of joy. Either way, this transit was made for tuning into your heart over your head.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Uranus’s retrograde falls in your fourth house of home life, Aquarius, which means it’ll influence your relationships with loved ones, your literal home, your sense of security, and your inner world. Ever since your ruling planet moved into this zone back in 2018, it’s been shaking things up around your family and home. You might be paving your own path in this part of your life, refusing to conform to what’s expected of you. Or perhaps an unconventional form of healing like EFT tapping or psychodynamic therapy has helped seal old emotional wounds. Either way, the next few months will offer plenty of opportunities to reflect on your journey.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
This Uranus retrograde falls in your third house of communication, which can be really electrifying for your social connections, brainstorming sessions at work, and opportunities to learn something new. You’ll likely be thinking about new ways in which you can satiate your curiosity and wanderlust, whether that’s by kicking off a book club in the fall with friends or planning more short-distance road trips with your S.O. Before making any bold — even risky — moves, be sure to check in with your gut. Your intuition can be especially powerful as you navigate new terrain related to your friendships and self-expression.