Uranus Retrograde 2024: What Is It and What It Means for You This Year

Once a year, Uranus goes retrograde for about five months. Uranus is the planet of radical change, revolution, modern technology, innovation, and shocking transitions. Whatever Uranus touches in the natal astrology chart generally becomes forward-thinking, freedom-oriented, and perhaps a bit quirky. Because Uranus is in retrograde for about half the year, this period is not as groundshaking as some other retrogrades. However, it is still a meaningful time.

How Do Retrogrades Affect Astrology?

Every planet goes into retrograde. Some do it more than others. Mercury goes retrograde three to four times per year. Mars only goes retrograde once every two years. How often a planet goes into retrograde has to do with that planet’s orbital speed compared to the speed of Earth and how often our planet passes the other planet, or how often the other planet passes us.

Retrogrades occur when another planet or orbiting body appears to move backward. However, the retrograde motion isn’t real. It only seems to move that way because we are passing it close by at a different speed. It is similar to the reason that a train may appear to be moving backward when you pass it in another train going faster than the first train.

Retrogrades are a phenomenon accepted by both astrology and astronomy. In astrology, retrogrades are typically a contemplative time to slow down and reflect on the lessons of that planet. It’s not usually a time to take action or start new projects, especially related to the topics of that body. However, with Uranus being in retrograde for nearly half the year, dealing with a Uranus retrograde is a bit more nuanced than just avoiding Uranian activities.

2024 Uranus Retrograde Dates and Meaning

We started 2024 with a Uranus retrograde from August 29, 2023, to January 27, 2024. Later this year, Uranus will go retrograde again from September 1, 2024, until January 30, 2025. Both of these retrogrades happen in the sign of Taurus. So, these two retrogrades may have a similar theme, or a story of your life that comes back during the second retrograde of the year. Uranus has been in Taurus since 2018, so these retrogrades are a good time to reflect on the themes of Uranus, of the house Taurus fills in your natal chart, and of the sign Taurus itself and how it shows up for you. You may also want to find out if Uranus will form any significant aspects to planets in your natal chart.

This retrograde will at least partially coincide with several others including:

• Mercury retrograde – November 25 to December 15, 2024
• Jupiter retrograde – October 9, 2024 to February 4, 2025
• Saturn retrograde – June 29 to November 15, 2024
• Neptune retrograde – July 2 to December 7, 2024
• Pluto retrograde – May 2 to October 11, 2024

With so many retrogrades happening in the end of the year, it is sure to be a rich time for reflecting on life’s lessons.

In general, when Uranus goes into retrograde, it gives you time to synthesize all of the external changes of the world. This transmutes change from outside of yourself to inside. You can think of it as giving your mind the chance to catch up with the outside world. In general, retrogrades are a good time to stay in, reflect, and do things like meditation or journaling. For many people, it’s not realistic to spend 6 months of the year avoiding life activities. But, you can integrate these thought-provoking and healing activities into your routines throughout these long periods of retrograde.

This particular retrograde in Taurus will likely play upon themes that have been going on for you since 2018. The changes you initiated then probably related to lifestyle, comfort, and security – some of Taurus’ favorite themes. However, unpredictable Uranus is in fall in security-loving Taurus. Its powers are somewhat weaker here, and changes may be more subtle. They may be the types of incremental changes you only notice months or even years after they start to happen.

Which Signs Will be Most Affected by the 2024 Uranus Retrograde?

Those with significant Taurus placements including Sun, Moon, Rising, Mercury, Venus, or Mars, will feel this Uranus retrograde the most. People whose chart is ruled by Uranus may also feel this retrograde. People who have their Uranus in Taurus, which includes people born since 2018 and between 1935 and 1942, will also feel it strongly.

What to Avoid During Uranus Retrograde

With such a long and frequent retrograde period, it’s not possible to put your life on hold. However, there are some things to be more thoughtful about and thorough with.

• Avoid suppressing your true desires. Feel into what you really want, even if that would mean huge change.
• Don’t let tradition dictate your actions if it doesn’t feel right.
• Avoid following the crowd. Now is the time to go your own way.

What to Focus on During Uranus Retrograde

During a Uranus retrograde, you should take the time to integrate the lessons of external changes. A major lesson of any retrograde is to go with the flow and accept changes as they come. This is especially true with Uranus because it is the planet of radical and rapid change. During Uranus in retrograde, you should:

• Follow your instincts when it comes to change.
• Make adjustments to traditions that feel outdated.
• Speak up, even in the face of adversity.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/IncrediVFX