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What is Retrograde Motion?



 What is Retrograde Motion?

As ancient astronomers observed the movement of the heavens they noticed that seven stars moved independent of the others. These they called planets or “wandering stars.” They believed them to orbit the Earth in perfect circular patterns. However, upon closer study they discovered that rather than moving in perfect circles a planet would often stop in its path, loop back on itself, and then proceed forward. This phenomenon of a planet doubling back on itself is what is known as retrograde motion.


Why is this blog called “Retrograde Motion?”


Man throughout history has sought progress and advancement in his understanding of the world and reality. God designed man to cultivate the world He created, so it is only right and fitting that we should desire to work and discover new things. We cannot live in the past. To progress means we must move on from the past. However, we do not disregard the past. We return to and examine the past, and using the information we find there we blaze ahead. In this way, we are like the planet that doubles back on itself before turning and moving forward again. This blog is an attempt to think progressively about the world we find ourselves in today by doubling back on the teachings of those who came before us. We listen to the wisdom of the wise, and avoid the folly of the foolish. As we grow we must also circle back on our own lives and critique our own minds and hearts. When we find fault we must correct it to move forward. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.”

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