My son said that the planets do not retrace - it is an illusion.   I tried to find evidence disputing him but I couldn't. 

If it doesn't retrace or actually retro, then why does it have an effect?

Thanks - I'm sure this is so basic I should be embarassed.

MZS 

I only learned about this when a guy I work with, a skeptic and an astronomer to boot, used this argument to dispute astrology in general. I don't fare well when people want to the legitimacy of astrology...I simply don't give 2 shits about if they believe it or not, ha ha. Um...and on that note, I think it has to do with the Earth's orbit and how far/close it is to the Earth?? Isn't that bad? I can't remember his argument! Maybe someone in the know will show up.

astrology is about the earth's perspective and patterning, not what's actually going on with the planets. planets do not actually, physically retrograde. they merely appear that way here on earth.

If you were standing off center in the middle of a racetrack sometimes it would appear that the cars were moving toward you and sometimes away from you though they didn't change direction.  It's kind of like that.

Right Lupa.  He said that it's like if you pass a car on the freeway, while you are passing the car, the car has the illusion of going backwards (which to me it never does - it looks like I'm over taking).

June - I really like that explanation. 

My son is Virgo sun, Leo Moon, Aries rising.   he's has more factoids than anyone I've ever met however he's never  he's told me anything 'personal' about himself. (really)

When he says stuff, its so professorial - like its a absolute truth and  it is hard to refute.  We went for a walk and i asked him- why don't you feel the wind at all when its at your back but the second you turn around and walk the other direction, you are buffeted by this gale?

He had this HUGE, complicated explanation about the mass & sq volume on your back as opposed to the front of your body.  Here I thought the front of my body looked like my back.

But I totally believe I exp all that goes with  RX.

Have you ever parked your car some place, and suddenly slammed on the break (and then felt like an idiot) because the guy next to you was moving and it gave you the illusion that it was your car that was still rolling?

That's a good one Luci.