Sun and Moon by Meeus. Four Pillars derived from the Julian day and the Sun's longitude, checked against the Bazi engine on five dates from 1990 to 2027. Nakshatras at the Lahiri ayanamsa used by the Vedic calculator.

Plain English

What Does Any of This Mean?

Plain-English definitions for the terms above.

What is Mercury retrograde?

Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion. Mercury and Earth both orbit the Sun, but at different speeds. When Earth overtakes Mercury (or vice versa), Mercury appears — from Earth's perspective — to slow down, stop, and move backward through the zodiac for about three weeks. It then stations and returns to direct motion. Mercury retrogrades roughly three times each year. In astrology, the retrograde period is associated with delays in communication, travel, contracts, and technology — areas Mercury traditionally rules.

What does it mean when a planet is retrograde?

All planets except the Sun and Moon go retrograde. From Earth, they appear to reverse direction in the sky for weeks or months at a time. Inner planets (Mercury, Venus) retrograde for a few weeks. Outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) retrograde for four to six months each year. Astrologically, retrograde periods are interpreted as a time of internalization, review, and revisiting unfinished business in that planet's domain — Venus for relationships and values, Mars for action, Saturn for structure, and so on.

What is a moon phase?

The moon phase is determined by the angular distance between the Sun and Moon as seen from Earth. At new moon, the Sun and Moon are aligned (0°) and the Moon is dark. At full moon, they are opposite (180°) and the Moon is fully illuminated. The cycle takes about 29.5 days. Astrologically, new moons mark beginnings and intentions, and full moons mark culminations and revelations — each colored by the zodiac sign the lunation falls in.

What is a moon sign?

The moon sign is the zodiac sign the Moon is currently passing through. The Moon moves through the zodiac quickly — about one sign every 2.3 days. The current Moon sign colors the day's emotional weather and is one of the three foundational points (along with the Sun sign and Ascendant) used in any natal chart reading. This is different from your Moon sign, which is the sign the Moon was in when you were born.

How do you calculate this in real time?

The Sun and Moon positions on this page are computed using Jean Meeus's astronomical algorithms — the same equations used by professional ephemeris software (Chapter 25 for the Sun, Chapter 47 for the Moon). Accuracy is within a fraction of a degree. Retrograde windows are referenced from a standard 2026 transit calendar. Everything updates automatically when you reload the page.

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Answers

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