Retrograde planets are evidence that we live in a world where growth is not linear. Not everything in life goes in one direction, and sometimes, it is necessary to reflect, go backwards, and to redo things. You can't take things back, but you can always do things over.
Retrograde planets tend to slow things down so that you could get a perspective you didn't see before. You can't know everything from one glance, and retrograde planets will teach you this for better or worse.
℞ ☿: Those with a retrograde Mercury have the opportunity to reflect and think over how they communicate with others and how they think. These individuals work hard for clarity and they make sure that exchanges between them and others are solid. They may feel misunderstood or that their method of communication is insufficient, but over time, these people become skilled at arguing, communicating, and listening.
℞ ♀︎: Those with a retrograde Venus have the opportunity to reflect and think over how they connect with others and how they find beauty in the world. These individual work hard for peace and they make sure that their relationships within themselves and with others are solid. They may feel disconnected or that their method of relating to others is awkward, but over time, these people become skilled at managing relationship dynamics and finding peace within and around them.
℞ ♂︎: Those with a retrograde Mars have the opportunity to recreate their authenticity and reflect over their inevitable differences with others. These individuals work hard to find the true colors in themselves and others and they make sure that conflicts are productive. They may feel volatile or that their approach to conflict is harmful, but over time, these people become skilled at knowing what is worth their time and how to be honest even in difficult times.
℞ ♃: Those with a retrograde Jupiter have the opportunity to reevaluate their talents and reflect over their given blessings. These individuals work hard to stretch their blessings the best way possible and they make sure that they're able to stay present while enjoying life. They may feel they can't relate to certain struggles or that they're privileged in certain aspects, but over time, these people become skilled at recreating needed ease in the world and opening opportunities for themselves and others.
℞ ♄: Those with a retrograde Saturn have the opportunity to reflect over their failures and reevaluate their expectations. These individuals work hard to be the best they can be and they make sure that they remain responsible and honor obligations. They may like their expectations are arbitrary or that they're not fulfilling their goals, but over time, these people become skilled that remaining disciplined during difficult times and knowing their responsibilities.
Now, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto can also go retrograde. However, as generational planets, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are often retrograde for a long while, and due to this, a retrograde Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto tell a lot more about a generation rather than a single individual.
However, you can use the house placement of generational planets to see how your generation has affected a personal part of your life.