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ASTROLOGY INTERMEDIATE
10 min read
Intermediate

Transits 101

What transits are and how to use them for timing — without becoming paranoid.

What is a Transit?

A transit happens when a planet in the current sky forms an angle to a planet or point in your birth chart. Your natal chart is fixed — it's a snapshot of the sky when you were born. But the planets keep moving, and as they do, they activate different parts of your chart.

Think of your birth chart as a stage. Transits are the lighting changes — they don't alter the stage itself, but they illuminate different areas at different times.

Example: If you have your natal Moon at 15° Cancer, and Saturn is currently at 15° Capricorn, Saturn is making an opposition transit to your Moon. This might coincide with a period of emotional heaviness or increased responsibility around home/family.

Why Birth Time Accuracy Matters

The houses and angles in your chart (Ascendant, Midheaven, etc.) change roughly every 4 minutes. If your birth time is off by 30 minutes, your house placements could be significantly different.

This matters for transits because:

  • Transits to angles (ASC, MC, IC, DSC) are among the most noticeable
  • House transits determine which life area is activated
  • Without accurate birth time, stick to transits to your natal planets (which don't depend on houses)

Slow vs Fast Transits

Not all transits carry equal weight. The speed of the transiting planet determines how long you'll feel its influence.

Fast Transits (days to weeks)

Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars

These create day-to-day mood shifts and minor events. The Moon moves through a sign every 2.5 days. Mercury takes about 3 weeks per sign. These transits are fleeting — don't over-analyze them.

Medium Transits (months)

Jupiter, Saturn

Jupiter spends about a year in each sign. Saturn takes 2-3 years. These bring noticeable themes and life chapters. A Saturn transit to your Sun might span several months and mark a period of increased responsibility.

Slow Transits (years)

Uranus, Neptune, Pluto

These planets move so slowly that their transits define entire life periods. Uranus takes 7 years per sign. Neptune and Pluto even longer. When they aspect your natal planets, expect gradual but profound shifts.

The Main Transit Aspects

The angle between the transiting planet and your natal point determines the type of energy:

Conjunction
0° — Intensification. The transit planet merges with your natal point, amplifying both energies.
Square
90° — Friction and growth. Challenges that push you to act or change. Uncomfortable but productive.
Opposition
180° — Awareness through contrast. Often involves other people or external events reflecting something back to you.
Trine
120° — Flow and ease. Opportunities that feel natural. Can be so smooth you miss them if you're not paying attention.
Sextile
60° — Gentle opportunities. Requires some effort to activate but generally supportive.

Using Transits for Planning (Not Dependency)

Transits are best used as context, not commands. They describe the weather, not your destiny.

Do:
  • Note when major transits are active so you can be patient with yourself
  • Plan important launches/events during supportive transits if possible
  • Use challenging transits as cues to slow down or reflect
Don't:
  • Refuse to act because a transit looks "bad"
  • Blame transits for choices you made
  • Check transits daily and let them dictate your mood

Example: Saturn Transiting Your 10th House

Saturn spends about 2-3 years in each house. When it moves through your 10th house (career, public reputation), you might experience:

  • Increased pressure or scrutiny at work
  • A desire to take your career more seriously
  • Delays or obstacles that ultimately build resilience
  • Recognition that comes slowly but feels earned

This doesn't mean everyone with this transit has a hard time — it means the themes of hard work, structure, and accountability become prominent in your professional life.

Key Takeaways

  • Transits are current planets activating your birth chart — the sky talking to your natal blueprint
  • Slow transits (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) define life chapters; fast transits (Moon, Mercury) create daily ripples
  • Birth time accuracy matters most for house and angle transits
  • Use transits as context for self-understanding, not as excuses or rigid predictions

Try This

Look up where Saturn is currently transiting in your chart:

  • Which house is Saturn moving through?
  • What themes from that house have felt prominent lately?
  • Write down one way you've been building something slowly in that area — even if it feels frustrating.

Common Misconceptions

  • "Bad transits mean bad things will happen."
    Challenging transits (squares, oppositions) often correlate with growth, not disaster. They push you out of comfort zones.
  • "I should wait for the perfect transit to act."
    There's no perfect time. Transits provide context, but your decisions and effort matter more than any planetary alignment.
  • "Transits affect everyone the same way."
    How a transit lands depends on your natal chart, current life circumstances, and how you respond. The same transit can manifest very differently for different people.