Hi Ace,
I think there is hugely different opinions about retrograde (I am only an astrology beginner really but read different views). In modern pop psychology, retrogrades have become something you should fear! Everything will go wrong that is associated with that planet. However other astrologers just see it as a time when you need to deal with something in that area and turn inwards! I guess it could cross both points of view, your phone dies and a person realises that they are missing interaction with real people, that could be one mercury retrograde happening perhaps. Other people think they don't change anything at all.
I don't think astrology as simple as planets are retrograde, everything will be awful, we have to look in our birth charts and see what areas the planets are in, they might not affect us at all this time or it might be life changing or an important lesson. However I see retrogrades as healing in some way to make that area stronger or better for the future.
I think Dave is right about the rise of Trump, it's not exactly linked to the backwards motion of the retrogrades and it's important to look at why it makes you so mad? That could be about the retrograde action. For example say you don't support Trump, it's important to believe perhaps that the world is progressive mostly and even though he has support, to have faith that things move forwards and hate doesn't win in the end. You could get angry about it or just find peace, just stick to your values as a person. Perhaps this is about how you react to it?
I was reading a blog somewhere where I can't remember now argh! Many of the current planetary alignments also happened in the 60's during the Civil Rights Movement, this weekend has a nasty Mars opposition which also happened then. I think from this there will be a healing in some form. I am taking particular notice of things like the NC transgender bathroom situation and other states looking to copy that perhaps in future, it started before the retrogrades started happening and pressure is mounting in those areas. I think when planets go direct we will see a shift or change there.
I write down events in my own life and then compare it to the planets, currently I am having a hard time in the retrograde because of the places the planets are in in my birth chart! However perhaps it needed to happen for healing or to move me to a better place.
It could take quite a while for planets to get back to their full speed and energy after retrograde, things could start going back to being direct in about August! I am looking out personally for what healing occurs in the world from this and in my own life
However I definitely want to explore them and keep open minded to what happens under them, I don't want to just fear them or put anything that happens as their cause. It's more subtle than that.