WTF are stationary planets and what does it mean when a planet has stationed?! How could a planet that has stationed (either retrograde or direct) be delineated in an astrology chart? This is something that a YouTube watcher asked in a comment a while back and I never got around to addressing…until now. 

There are two ways that stationary planets can exist:
1) Station Retrograde
-This happens before a planet turns retrograde from direct motion
2) Station Direct
-This happens before a planet turns direct from retrograde motion

Essentially, before a planet turns retrograde or direct there is a period of time where its movement appears to slow down. THIS is the stationary phase/period. A planet is considered to station retrograde or station direct on the within a few minutes of the degrees and minutes that it’s at when it turns from direct to retrograde or retrograde to direct. The definition of stationary planets are a little all over the place and it seems like that is because the planets all spend a different amount of time in the stationary phase and while actually stationing. For instance, Mercury will spend MUCH less time than Pluto in the stationary phase and when stationing retrograde and direct…because Mercury has a faster orbit than Pluto. What follows below are MY own definitions/guidelines/whatever for when a planet is in the stationary phase vs when the planet has stationed:

Stationary Phase – When a planet hovers at the same degree (no matter the minutes) for an extended period of time before turning retrograde or direct
Stationary Planet (retrograde or direct) – when a planet is within a few degrees and minutes of what it will be at when it changes motion
THE CLOSER THE PLANET IS TO THE DAY/TIME IT CHANGES MOTION (from retrograde to direct or direct to retrograde), THE MORE IMPACT THE PLANET STATIONING WILL HAVE ON THE PERSON.

How do you know if you have a planet in your astrology chart that is in the stationary phase or a planet that has stationed (direct or retrograde)? Look at an ephemeris (or at the “planet positions” in the PDF additional table on astro.com)! Below you will find examples of both:
**And side note – if you want any help interpreting your own chart/would like to get a reading from me, you can do that by clicking here.**

So, why does this matter? Planets in the stationary phase tend to exhibit the planetary energy of that planet in an intensified/amplified way. This will be expressed through the house that it happens to fall and in the manner of the sign that the planet takes residence. The planetary energy of the planet is FURTHER amplified when the planet stations retrograde or direct. You might be wondering if there is a difference between a planet that has stationed retrograde vs a planet that has stationed direct (maybe?). Should they be weaved differently? To me, the answer is yes. Planets that station retrograde in a chart feel like they are “going into hibernation.” That’s because retrograde energy internalizes, spiritualizes, and (I think) deeply personalizes the planetary energy (turning it inward onto the person, thus “hibernation”). Planets that station direct in a chart feel like they are coming out of “hibernation.” These planets are emerging from their time turned inward, trying to force themselves out into the world.

With stationary planets (either direct or retrograde), there might be a feeling of NOT really knowing what to do with the planet and that planet finding itself in a sort of limbo. This doesn’t translate to the person not feeling the planet, though. On the contrary, the planet is usually felt VERY strongly making it imperative the person guide the planet from this limbo. A person with a planet that is station retrograde (but not actually having turned retrograde yet) might not realize turning that planet’s energy inward is an EASIER way for them function the energy of that planet. In the case of Jupiter station retrograde, a person might look for understanding and belief outside of themselves or feel that they need to express their beliefs and understanding outwardly without first going inward regarding such. A person with a planet station direct (but not actually having turned direct yet) might not realize that turning the planetary energy outward is what they “should” be doing. In the case of Jupiter station direct, a person might not outwardly share the beliefs they hold and understandings they have as often as might actually be good for them.

Oh, and FYI – stationary planets shouldn’t be confused with the pre or post “retrograde shadow.” The stationary phase and when a planet stations happens during the pre or post retrograde shadow, but planets aren’t station the entire shadow period (the pre and post retrograde shadow periods are longer).