In astrology, a retrograde describes the apparent backwards movement of a planet. It is said to be ‘Apparent’, because the planet isn’t actually moving backwards; it’s only an illusion. This optical illusion occurs due to the relative positions and motions of Earth and the other planets in our solar system. The planets don't actually move backward, but the motion backwards has a big impact on astrology and is thought to have many impacts on people's lives and actions.