This is the normal forward motion of all planets as they travel through the zodiac.

All planets (except the Sun and Moon) go retrograde some of the time. When Mercury goes retrograde, usually 3 times a year, it's an opportunity to take some time out to catch up on forgotten tasks and review decisions and plans.

When a planet is retrograde, it appears to go backwards in the sky. Astrologically, its energy tends to be internalised and intensified.

The Retrograde Shadow is the span of the zodiac where a planet goes retrograde, between the retrograde station and the direct station.

A Station is when a planet changes direction from direct to retrograde, or from retrograde to direct. Astrologically, a planet's energy is extremely intensified for at least a day or more when it becomes stationary.