Have you ever read an astrology article with so many astrological terms that you got lost before you even got through the first paragraph? Well, we strive to make our articles informative, interesting, and easy to grasp, so your study of astrology isn’t shrouded in mystery. Astrology is a major help to all of us at Astrology Answers and we strive to pave a clear path for you knowing how hairy the learning curve can be.

　　Today we will introduce the idea of a transit. A transit refers to the journey of a planet from one place in the sky to the next. The length of transits vary based on how far a planet is from earth. That means transits can happen quickly because a planet closer to us moves faster (like Mercury, for example), or a transit could take years because the planet is further away (like Uranus) and seems to move slower in relation to us.

　　Most astrology terms build or rely on the knowledge of other terms, which means that your ability to grasp one concept is largely linked to your overall knowledge of astrology. When learning astrology, it starts to reveal itself over time, like learning a new language. We recommend reading this article without getting frustrated over not understanding it perfectly – just let the information sink in over time as you continue learning. This will keep the process fun and keep you interested as you peel back the layers of astrology to reveal new secrets. Today’s lesson will help you see how astrological predictions are made and understand how expert Astrologers work their magic.

　　

First, Understand the Natal/Birth Chart

When someone mentions their ‘sign,’ they usually are usually referring to their Sun sign. The Sun sign, however, is only the tip of the iceberg in a much larger astrological blueprint. When you read your horoscope, you read the horoscope for your Sun sign. People often find that their horoscopes are vague, which convinces them that astrology doesn’t work.

　　The natal chart, or birth chart, on the other hand, can offer concrete proof of how astrology works. The birth chart is a detailed map that reveals (based on mathematical calculations) the exact position of the planets in the sky relative to the Earth at their time, date, and place of birth. Based on these positions, we can begin to understand the layers of one’s personality. Oh yes, speak nerdy to me, right?

　　

Next, Understand the Significance of Planets, Houses, & Zodiac Signs

A transit refers to the movement of a planet through a house or a sign. Being that there are 9 major planets, 12 signs, 12 houses, and other stars and minor planets, this transit business can get pretty deep pretty quick. Some of the easier to understand transits and well-known effects include infamous Saturn Returns, which is when Saturn returns to its position in your birth chart, usually when you reach around age 29. Even your birthday is just the annual transit of the Sun returning to its original place in your birthchart. If you want to deepen your understanding of transits I’d recommend studying the meaning of the major aspects (conjunction, sextile, square, trine and opposition). Additionally, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each zodiac sign and the area of life each astrological house rules.

　　Needless to say, transits are an area of astrology that do require a bit of a working foundation of the beginner concepts. This could take weeks, months, or years, depending on how much time you dedicate to it. Luckily, there is no shortage of ways to learn astrology.

　　

Then, Start to Look At Aspects

Aspects describe the relationship between one planet and another. If the planets are in a harmonious aspect, it amplifies the positive traits of those planets, but if they are opposing each other, it brings a discordant energy that can feel like pressure. Opposing transits are nothing to fear though, they motivate us to change our lives or bring forth hidden subconscious emotions for healing and resolution. The aspects are shown in the astrological charts through symbols and lines, which are actually quite easy to learn to read.

　　Aspects help us understand the type of energy that can build up for us personally or as a collective. For example, there was a series of Pluto-Uranus squares over the course of a few years that brought major global change and shook things up politically worldwide. Those types of aspects can predict shifts of power and replacement of dated socio-political and economic systems. On a personal level, the crisis of consciousness we can experience from a square can lead us to life-changing decisions or events that change us on a deep level if we choose to look for the blessing within the challenge.

　　Astrologers who can offer predictions about when certain areas of your life will be highlighted use their knowledge of transits with the ephemeris, which is a software system that can determine the exact placement of planets at any time. An Astrologer uses both their emotional knowledge and technical knowledge to offer accurate horoscopes and readings.

　　

Concluding Thoughts…

When I’m learning a new concept in astrology or about an astrological event, I find I understand it best when I read a few articles from different writers because they each define them with their own flavour that helps me get the full picture. Here’s another take on transits that is a bit more technical. I didn’t start looking at transits until a few years into my astrological studies. If this concept doesn’t yet make sense, start with the foundations we mentioned and overtime the secrets of the universe will start to speak to you in your day to day life, that I can promise.

　　If you’d like to have your transits read to see what all the hype is about, get a professional astrology reading and as the predictions come true, you’ll see just how much truth there is to this science of the stars. I was shocked when I had a casual transit reading and all the predictions proved highly accurate over the course of a year!