Planets do not always move east against the stars. While they generally move in an eastward direction from our perspective on Earth, their motion can sometimes appear to be retrograde or westward. This retrograde motion is an illusion caused by the relative positions and orbital speeds of the Earth and the planets.

When a planet is on the opposite side of the Sun from the Earth, it is said to be in opposition. At this point, it appears highest in the sky at midnight and moves eastward against the stars. However, as the Earth moves in its orbit, it eventually overtakes the planet, causing it to appear to slow down and eventually start moving westward. This westward motion is the retrograde motion.

The length of time that a planet appears to be in retrograde varies from planet to planet, depending on its orbital period. For example, Mercury undergoes retrograde motion for about three weeks every 116 days, while Venus retrograde lasts for about 40 days every 584 days. The most distant planets like Uranus and Neptune exhibit retrograde motion for several months each year.

During retrograde periods, planets are believed to have significant astrological influences on our lives. According to astrology, retrograde motion can indicate times of reflection, challenges, and personal growth. However, the scientific consensus is that planetary motion does not have any direct influence on human behavior.