MFVN Wiki

1. Definition and purpose. Transits are the movements of the planets over a planet or sensitive point in the natal chart (over our energy system), at any given time. Transits indicate an external development or influence that is activating a personality function shown in the natal chart. Consequently, the transit is unfolding a natal potential through the experiences that it introduces into the life.

2. How transits are used. Work primarily with the outer planet transits. They have greater impact and their influence is longer lasting. The inner planets from the Sun to Venus, their transit periods last from a couple of hours (the Moon) to one to three days for the Sun, Mercury and Venus. This means they do not bring profound changes into the life, though sometimes they trigger them as they aspect the outer planets. Mars is different. It takes almost 2 years to orbit the Sun and its aspects can trigger conflicts and accidents.

Here is a list of planets and the time they take to orbit the Sun.

• Sun. Its cycle is one year. It moves approximately 1 degree a day, therefore its influence on a natal planet or point lasts 1-2 days. Its movement through a sign lasts approximately a month. Because it moves 1 degree a day, its movement through a house lasts for as long as the number of degrees which that house contains.

• Moon. Its orbit around the Earth takes 27 days. Its influence on a natal planet lasts for 2-3 hours. It moves approximately 11 to 13 degrees a day and takes two and a half days to move through a sign.

• Mercury. Its orbit is 88 days. It moves approximately 1.5 degrees a day. But it always stays close to the Sun, and due to its retrograde action, completes one circulation of the chart in just over a year.

• Venus. Its orbit is 224 days. It moves about 1.3 degrees a day. But it also travels with the Sun (as viewed from earth), and due to retrograde action completes one circulation of the chart just before or after the Sun.

• Mars. Its orbit takes 687 days. It spends approximately two months in each sign.

• Jupiter. Its orbit takes 12 years, and it spends approximately one year in each sign.

• Saturn. Its orbit takes 28-29 years and it takes 2.5 years to move through each sign.

• Uranus. Its orbit takes 84 years approximately and it spends approximately 7 years in each sign.

• Neptune. Its orbit takes 165 years and it spends approximately 14 years in cach sign.

• Pluto. Its orbit is 249 years. Because its orbit is oval-shaped, when it is closer to the Sun it moves faster through a sign (10-11 years), and slower when further away (up to 25 years).

The effects of Mars and Uramus transits are felt immediately their aspects begin, and peak when they are exact. Pluto could fit into this group. The effects of Saturn and Neptune are often experienced after first contact or when the aspects are waning. Saturn's effect can drag on long after it has moved on.

3. The timing of transits. The period of influence of a transit depends upon the speed of the planet. The retrograde action of transits means that sometimes they pass over the same point three times - even five times for Neptune and Pluto. First contact is when the transit moves over the natal planet, second contact when it retrogrades over it and the final contact as it moves over it again.

The goal is to identify exactly the period of influence of the transit. When the transit planet makes an applying aspect to the natal planet the experience is forming. When the aspect is exact, the event births. When the transit planet goes retrograde the event is drawn out, there is a pause as proceedings sort themselves out. Then as the transit planet starts moving forwards again (for the second time) to the exact aspect, a new level of the experience unfolds. Perhaps more information comes to light. The major impact of the experience lasts from the first to the last contact.

Consider the nature of the transit planet involved. It represents the type of changes occurring and the type of people coming into the life. It can be compared to a visitor coming to one's house. If entry is denied to a Pluto visitor, he may break the door down and destroy the house for good measure. A Neptune visitor may look wonderful and promise much, but may leave at night with the family silver. A Jupiter trine visitor could be the smiling person advising one of a million-dollar lottery win.

• Sun. It energises and throws light. As it transits through each sign, the energies and qualities of that sign are distributed to us.

• Moon. It influences the emotional nature and the house it is in indicates focal topics.

• Mercury. It brings communications, short journeys, study and teaching, trading and merchandising.

• Venus. It brings affection, social occasions, artistic pursuits and it can influence financial matters. The house it is currently moving through indicates where love may be found.

• Mars. It shows where physical and passionate energy is being focused - negatively, it brings battles, conflict, disruption and accidents.

• Jupiter. It brings expansion, rewards, prosperity, adventure or just good fun. Some of its effects are long distance travel, academic or philosophical studies, teachers and teaching and religious matters. Expansive periods occur when it comes back to its natal position, conjuncts, sextiles or trines itself or the Sun.

• Saturn. Transiting Saturn provides opportunities to restructure the life and get it onto a solid footing. To this end, it tests us with adversity. If crystallised attitudes and self-defeating habits are operating, it slows the rhythm of life so everything which is not working is magnified. A bad relationship or situation can then be seen for exactly what it is. This enables us to make changes so the life we live is authentic and real.
  • The most important Saturn transits occur at approximately ages 28-29 and 58-60. These are called “Saturn Returns,” periods when Saturn comes back to its natal position. Also important is the age period 42-45 when Saturn opposes its natal position. Those are very testing “sort out your life” periods.

• Uranus. Through sudden, exciting or shattering experiences, Uranus changes the life completely. It cuts away limiting tics, encourages us to experiment, to throw off the past and to be free. Uranus brings excitement into the life, but it may not last for long. Uranus relationships are often transient.

• Neptune. It subtly and slowly dissolves old patterns and boundaries, encouraging us to escape from restrictions. It tunes us into subtler realms and encourages us to follow our higher ideals. It brings spirituality, art and music. If we are not grounded - if emotionalism dominates, it brings fantasy, illusion and a desire to escape life's hard knocks.

• Pluto. It represents where and how major and often painful changes are taking place and it brings us into contact with people or situations which drive this change. It eliminates and transforms our old patterns. It cuts away the past making room for the new. It makes experiences deeply meaningful.