Transits in Astrology
Our birth chart or natal chart is a snapshot of the heavens at the moment of birth with the earth in the centre. The earth is surrounded by all the planets. This snapshot of the heavens (the birth chart) remains intact as long as you live, nothing changes. The moment after birth, however, the planets (although frozen in the natal chart) begin to move again which are call the transiting planets. On most chart diagrams, the transiting planets are located on the outside of the circle and the natal planets are located in the centre of the chart diagram. Each transiting planet moves at a different speed. They can also move in different directions (direct – moving forward; stationary – appear to not move at all; and retrograde – appearing to move backwards).
Again, the moving planets after the moment of birth are called Transiting and the deciphering of these placements and the angles they make (aspects) to the natal planets and astrology chart angles (MC, Ascendant, IC and DC) tell the current and future story of your life. There are many aspects these transiting planets can make to the natal (birth) planets (both Major and Minor aspects). Some of these aspects are considered challenging but teach valuable lessons. Other aspects are easy flow. Much depends on what angles and planets are involved.
When a transiting planet, for example, makes an angle of 0 to 10 degrees separation (moving away) to a natal planet, the energies merge and become one. 0 to 10 degrees is called a conjunction which tells of an emphasis and it elevates the energies of the planets involved (or the angles it touches). The conjunction is most strong when the two plants are 0 degrees apart. As they begin to separate, the energies begin to weaken and usually within 2-3 degrees past direct, the energies are basically gone. Saturn, which is the exception, does last longer and is often at its peak 2 degrees past direct. Everything associated with Saturn seems to be delayed.
Another variable with the transits and what they are saying involves the house placement that the planets are found in. For example, when a planet is moving through the seventh house, the seventh house matters will be involved. You not only look at the transiting planet’s house but also look at the house that the natal (same) planet is located in as well as the house any aspecting planet is located in. You also have to look at the natal house placement that the transiting planet was located in within the birth chart.
In other words, if Uranus is transiting the seventh house, the seventh house is enhanced or activated. If Uranus is aspecting the Sun in the 10th house, the 10th house is also highlighted. If Uranus is natally in the fourth house then you also have to take into consideration what the fourth house signifies. You would be looking at the 7th house, the 10th house and the 4th house to get a full picture of the aspect between Uranus and the Sun.
When delineating transits, it is important that you understand the duration of the transits. All the outer planets have a greater impact on your life because they move slowly. Pluto can have as much as a 3-4 year impact on your life. The most powerful will always be when planets are direct. Direct contact can last as long as one to two years.
Faster moving planets have very quick influences and as a result, move out of influence quickly. There is no lasting impact from the inner planets.
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