Transits 1

Transits In Astrology

On this Page:

• Overview of transits
• General guidelines for interpreting transits.

Overview

Our natal chart is very much like a snapshot of the sky at the moment we took our first breath. We carry our natal chart with us through the entire course of our lives, even though the planets and luminaries continue their movement and cycles.

However, as the planets and points move ahead, they form special relationships to the planets and points in our individual natal charts. 

So, for example, if my Sun in my natal chart is at 25 degrees Virgo, and Saturn is moving towards that same degree of Gemini (25 degrees of Gemini), Saturn is said to be transiting square my natal Sun. Similarly, if Saturn is in 25 degrees Gemini, I can look in my natal chart to see where Saturn would fall in terms of house position. If that position is found in my 3rd house, then I would know that Saturn is transiting through my 3rd house. 

It is not our aim here to offer tutorials on the technical aspects of transits. We will assume a basic knowledge of the technique so that we can move ahead to interpretation of transits.

Transits act to stimulate what is already there! In other words, they highlight and trigger parts of our own psychological make-up. 

General Guidelines for Transit Interpretations

Outer Planets First, Inner Planets Later

With transits, it is generally best to first look at the outer planet (slower-moving) transits and cycles in order to get an overview and a real context before refining our predictions with inner planet cycles and transits. Here are some general guidelines:

1. Determine "where a person is at" in an overall achievement sense by looking to where transiting Saturn is by house. Read more about Saturn Transiting Through the Houses. 

2. Note whether transiting Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto are making major aspects to the individual's natal Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Ascendant, or Midheaven. 

3. Determine Saturn's transits by aspect to natal planets. Read more about Saturn Transits.

4. Look to the Jupiter cycle—where is transiting Jupiter by house, and what aspects does it make to natal planets? 

Working "outside in" is best because, this way, one gets a broader overview of the longer-lasting transits and conditions. This provides better context for the refinements that the inner planet transits offer us.

Outer planet transits affect us in large chunks—they can be active before the transit is exact by aspect, but we have seen the following: Many times an outer planet transits our natal point once by direct motion, moves forward and then retrogrades back over that point, only to turn direct again and pass that same natal point for the final time in that cycle. Generally, the seeds of the transit are being sown in the first part of this cycle (when the transiting planet first "hits" our natal point), and the "problem" or crisis reaches a head during the middle part of this cycle (when the transiting planet retrogrades back over the point). Finally, the situation is resolved around the time the transiting planet moves over our natal point for the final time in the cycle. Note: we often "see" or "feel" some sense of imminent resolution when the transiting planet goes direct after its retrograde period, before it passes again over our transited point. If our experience of the transit has been a crisis, then we feel marked release at this point. This is likely because a planet going direct after a period of retrogradation is symbolic, in general, of resolve. 

Inner Planet Transits: Power Days, Cycles of Activity, and More

Here are some interesting points to take into account:

1. When transiting Moon conjuncts the natal Sun (monthly): These days are considered "power days".

2. The 2-Year Mars Cycle -- Energy/Boredom Cycle. When transiting Mars nears the sign of your natal Mars, your personal energy increases. Energy wanes as Mars moves away from the sign of your natal Mars and is at its lowest when it transits the opposing sign. For example, if your Mars is in Sagittarius, as transiting Mars moves from Gemini through to Sagittarius, your personal energy increases until it reaches a peak at Sagittarius. When Mars transits the signs following Sagittarius, personal energy decreases until it reaches a low when Mars is in Gemini. 

3. When the New Moon contacts a natal planet or point: This suggests a renewed focus in that area of life for a period of approximately one month. If, for example, the New Moon conjuncts our natal Venus, we will experience a "fresh start" and a new perspective in Venus matters (such as love and money).

General Cycles & Phenomena

1. Mercury Retrograde Cycles

2. Venus Retrograde Cycles

3. Mars Retrograde Cycles

4. Jupiter Retrograde Cycles

Part 2: Transiting Aspects & Transiting Planets

Cafe Astrology Recommends: Alive and Well with Pluto by Bil Tierney is both enlightening and practical — written in clear language. Excellent! 

Find out more about this book

Other excellent books about outer planet transits by Bil Tierney:

Alive and Well With Uranus: Transits of Self-Awakening

Alive and Well With Neptune: Transits of Heart and Soul

In Predictive Astrology: The Eagle and the Lark by Bernadette Brady, an illuminating chapter dedicated to transits offers students of astrology tools to help personalize the meanings of transits in individual lives. The author suggests drawing a grid that helps organize the basic data involved with the transit. This incorporates the transiting planet's natal and transit house positions, the natal planet's house position, and the houses ruled by both planets involved.

References & suggested further reading:

Saturn in Transit: Boundaries of Mind,... by Erin Sullivan. This book is heavy reading, but powerful and insightful.

Astrology, Karma & Transformation: The... by Stephen Arroyo. Excellent work. Deals with natal positions, synastry, and transits in relation to karma and spiritual growth.

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