What do you want to know?

kbin-scoped

I started with the book “Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need” I did my own natal chart and my spouses with that. From there I actually started studying Jyotish astrology, https://vaultoftheheavens.com/VOTH_ChartCreator/Welcome.aspx, which has some similarities and differences to western astrology.

For good online sources that is tough to say as there are so many out there and it honestly seems like the sites disappear and reappear.

At the end of the day to me astrology is a means to understand myself more, not in absolutes like, I am this way because of my cancer moon, but rather give insights to myself. Like my mars is conjunct with moon in the 6th house so keeping an exercise routine is really beneficial to my body which compared to my own experience of sporadic vs scheduled exercise. As well as the best way to work through my emotions is through a physical activity.

Short Long answer would be discussing the rise of pop astrology which is essentially capitalism finding a way to profit.

https://www.astrology.com/retrograde

Based on that common definition a long short answer would be that a retrograde mercury’s energies are different than the typical form causing disruptions. Mercury’s association with perception, communication, electronics, short duration travel can bring one to the conclusion that a disruption in those areas could be bad.

If you were to examine the transit chart containing the retrograde planet in context of one’s natal chart you would be able to get a more useful picture. For example someone that had a mercury opposite Venus in 7th house may have issues communicating in relationships but when experiencing a mercury retrograde simultaneously as a venus/moon conjunction it may be the catalyst for you to communicate your hidden emotions to a partner, the disruption could literally cause one to break a shy cycle and finally ask someone out.

Hope that answers your question, please feel free to follow up if it didnt