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Retrograde and combustion degrees

- Written by Neelam Gupta
The following article provides some useful information about the retrograde and combustion
degrees of planets.

Retrograde of planets

Mercury

Mercury remains in a sign for about 25 days. It becomes retrograde when it is 27 degree ahead of
sun. It stays direct for 92 days and is retrograde for approximately 23 days. It becomes retrograde
3 times in a year.

Venus

Venus remains in a sign for about one month. It becomes retrograde when about 27 degree
ahead of Sun. Venus turns retrograde every 18-20 months. It stays in direct motion for 510 days
and in retrograde motion for about 45 days.

Mars

Mars remains approximately 45 days in a sign. It becomes retrograde when 135 degree away
from Sun. Mars becomes very slow when in retrograde motion, moving only 12 degree in 65
days. It remains combust for about 120 days. After rising from combustion, it stays direct for 300
days and then becomes retrograde for about 60 days. In total Mars retrogrades for 72 days every
25.6 months. i.e. Mars turns retro only once every two years. Being so slow in retrograde motion,
it remains in one sign for a long time.

Jupiter

Jupiter retrogrades for 121 days every 13.1 months. Jupiter remains in a sign for 12-13 months. It
becomes retrograde when about 120 degree away from sun and becomes direct again when 120
degree behind the sun. Hence combust Jupiter can never be retrograde. So in one year Jupiter
retrogrades for about 4 months.

Saturn

Saturn remains in a sign for about 30 months. Like Jupiter it remains in retrograde motion for
about 4 months. It retrogrades at 120 degree from Sun and remains in this state for another 120

degrees. In total Saturn remains in retrograde for 138 days every 12.4 months. Normally
Saturn is fast moving Fast moving (Sheeghrgaami) when in 2 nd and 12th from sun, it is in
moderate speed (Samchari) in 3rd and 11th from Sun, and slow moving (Mandchari) in 4 th from
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sun, retrograde (Vakri) in 5th and 6th, maximum retrograde (ativakri) in 7 th and 8th, and is said to
have zigzag movement (Kutil gati) in 9th and 10th.

Uranus and Neptune

Uranus retrogrades for 151 days every 12.15 months and Neptune for 158 days every 12.07
months.

Combustion Degrees

The combustion degrees of planets are given below

Mercury: Mercury is considered as combust while within 14 Degrees, and within 12 degrees
when retrograde.
Venus: Venus is considered as combust while within 9 Degrees, and within 8 Degrees when
retrograde.
Mars: Mars is considered as combust while within 17 Degrees.
Jupiter: Jupiter is considered as combust while within 11 Degrees.
Saturn: Saturn is considered as combust while within 15 Degrees.

Note the following points -

Outer planets, i.e. Mars, Jupiter and Saturn can never be retrograde and combust. They
become retrograde only when they are opposite sun.
Inner planets, mercury and Venus can only turn retrograde and be combust
simultaneously.
Mercury can only be about 27 degree away from Sun and Venus can only be about 47
degree to the maximum. They do appear to be coming near the sun and getting combust
in retrograde motion also.

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