We have 6 planets retrograde right now.

Astronomically what is happening when a planet is retrograde is that it is on the same side of the sun as earth. So when mercury or Venus are retrograde, they are passing between earth and the sun in their orbits. When Mars-Pluto are retrograde, earth is passing between them and the sun in its orbit.
Retrograde "seasons" like this where we have 5+ planets retrograde at a time is fairly common and happens almost every year for a month or two.

Right now its Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
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There is disagreement about what it means astrologically when planets are retrograde. Some systems of astrology claim it makes planets weaker. This is based on the fact that they appear to be going backwards through the zodiac and implies that the significations of that planet are going backwards or weakening. For example if Jupiter is retrograde this take on it might conclude that our sense of expansion and optimism is taking steps backwards.

Some say it makes them stronger, because astronomically they are closer to earth than when in direct motion. But stronger does not mean "nicer" or "good" in human earth lives necessarily.
For example when Mercury is retrograde we commonly see disruptions in transportation and communication systems. It could be that Mercury influence being strong is something that our nervous systems and technology doesn't handle well and it sort of short-circuits us.

One interpretation of retrograde planets is that they are a time when the significations of that planet slow down, and force us to slow down, that it is not a time that is great for direct action in the matters associated with that planet.

Another simple interpretation of retrograde planets would be that there will simply be some sort of twist of fate associated with that planet or the sign it is in or the house it is in in a personal chart. If things were going one way, they could go another and the other way around.

Not "good" or "bad", just different.