What are you hoping to understand?
: Schulman defines a person as a "retrograde individual" if they have three or more retrograde planets, a personal planet retrograde, or a retrograde planet near the Ascendant or Midheaven.
Karmic astrology : Schulman, Martin, 1941 - Internet Archive
Lessons centered around self-worth, creativity, deep bonds, and your place within a community. karmic astrology vol. ii retrogrades and reincarnation pdf
The rain in Seattle didn’t touch the pavement; it seemed to dissolve into the gray atmosphere before it ever landed. Inside the cramped back room of "Celestial Dynamos," a bookstore that smelled permanently of dust and patchouli, Elias sat hunched over a scanner.
Let the backward steps lead you forward.
One of the book’s most celebrated contributions is its rejection of simplistic labels. Instead of classifying retrograde planets as obstacles, Schulman explains in which these energies can be expressed. Depending on the planet, the sign, the house, and the individual’s overall chart, a retrograde planet may represent a gift, a challenge, or an opportunity for spiritual evolution. What are you hoping to understand
Volume II outlines three foundational rules for interpreting retrogrades:
“Karmic Astrology, Vol. II: Retrogrades and Reincarnation” is the second installment in Martin Schulman’s seminal Karmic Astrology series. First published in 1977 by Samuel Weiser Inc., this 204‑page work moves beyond traditional interpretations of retrograde planets. Instead of labeling retrogrades as simply “good” or “bad,” Schulman presents a nuanced framework that sees these planetary energies as karmic messengers—carriers of memories, patterns, and unresolved issues from past incarnations.
Mars rules action, passion, and aggression. A retrograde Mars suggests that in a past incarnation, the individual may have used violence, manipulation, or excessive force to get their way—or, conversely, completely suppressed their desires. Today, they might struggle with sudden outbursts of anger or a paralysis of will, needing to learn how to assert themselves constructively. 🟢 Venus Retrograde: Unresolved Love and Value The rain in Seattle didn’t touch the pavement;
If you’ve ever felt like you’re replaying the same emotional tape or battling invisible obstacles that seem to have no origin in this life, you may already be sensing the subtle pull of karmic astrology. For decades, seekers have turned to the written works of Martin Schulman, and few are as consistently praised as In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the book’s core insights, explain why retrograde planets are the gatekeepers of past‑life memory, and show you how this volume fits into Schulman’s larger series. We’ll also touch on how you can locate the book and integrate its wisdom into your personal spiritual practice.
Then he found it.
Karmic Astrology Vol. II , written by respected astrologer Martin Schulman (first published in 1977), offers an unorthodox interpretation of retrograde planets. While many mainstream astrologers view retrogrades simply as periods of delay or re-evaluation, Schulman argues that they represent "karmic baggage"—specific, unresolved lessons or actions from past lives that a soul has brought into the present. The book is recognized for:
There is often a profound sense of relationship anxiety or a feeling of being unworthy of love. The individual may attract unconventional relationships or soul-mate connections that require intense emotional clearing.