Basic Astrology - Progressed and Transiting Astrological Aspects and How They Work

by Robert Wilkinson

Over the years many have asked me when a "bad" progressed or transiting aspect influence will no longer be an influence. I have observed that many believe that just because a certain aspect has already passed, then it's no longer an influence. That's not the case at all.

Though this was originally an Astrology class, I’ve rewritten it so that readers can all learn something from this set of principles, even those who don’t know much astrology. What I’ve offered here can help everyone understand how some things work.

First, a brief lesson in basic astrology. The planets are our "inner lights" - the Illumination principle (Sun), the reflective principle (Moon), the coordinating principle (Mercury), the "liking" principle (Venus), the activating principle (Mars), the expansive principle (Jupiter), and the limiting principle (Saturn). Each of these have healthy and unhealthy ways of manifesting. Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and TransPluto are transpersonal planets, and work to bring forth our highest Self via large scale collective forces beyond individual control.

The 12 signs signs are the filters through which these lights shine: Sun in Libra is illuminated by Libra people, events, and ways of being; Sun in Cancer is illuminated by Cancer people, events, and ways of being. Venus in Taurus likes Taurus people, music, art, and experiences; Venus in Gemini likes Gemini people, music, activities, and experiences. Jupiter in Aries finds opportunities in Aries ways and places; Jupiter in Aquarius finds opportunities in Aquarius ways and places, and so forth for each planet in each sign.

The houses are the area of activities: self (1st house, or Ascendant), money and values (2nd house), environment and siblings (3rd house), home and family (4th house, or IC/Nadir), children and creativity (5th house), partnerships and equal relationships (7th house, or Descendant), profession and public standing (10th house, or Midheaven), friends and goals (11th house), and so forth. A comprehensive list can be found via any commercial astrology site.

The aspects (conjunction, sextile, quintile, square, trine, etc.) are the angular relations between the points, ie, the parts of our personality. The Sun-Saturn aspect in our natal chart shows how our innate illumination relates to our fears; our Mercury-Venus aspects shows how our mind relates to our likes and dislikes. Our Moon-Neptune aspect shows our emotional disposition toward collective consciousness; our Mars-Jupiter aspect shows how our natal willingness to act relates to our ability to perceive opportunity or distant possibilities.

The natal positions, set at the moment of “first breath,” are our innate disposition. Over time these predispositions evolve, or “progress.” These are known as Progressions, a.k.a. secondary directions. We have both natal planets and progressed planets. The transits, i.e., where the planets are at any given time, are the gestalt of the moment. Where the planets are yesterday, today, and tomorrow into eternity symbolize the circumstances happening at that time. Of course, these can be harmonious or frictional with our natal traits and how these planets have evolved through progression.

Aspects are made by all the progressed and transiting planets to the natal positions, as well as transits to progressed positions. Some aspects pass quickly, such as those made by faster planets such as Mercury and Venus. Others pass more slowly, such as those made by Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

The aspects of the outermost planets stay active for many months, if not years. For example, a client was worried that Pluto was approaching the conjunction to her Moon, and wanted to know when the influence would be done. It seems that the aspects of Saturn and Pluto bring out a sense of dread as they approach our planets.

Given the former deals with forms of fear, limitation, and mental slavery, and the latter deals with radical transformation, annihilation and resurrection, it’s no wonder that people’s attention gets very focused during such transits! Still, even Saturn and Pluto work wonderful lessons for those open to becoming their Higher Self.

I explained that when Pluto approaches a planet, it is as though something of extraordinary importance, even ominous, feels like it's coming. When Pluto is exactly conjunct a planet, we're in the heart of its influence, for good or ill. When it is separating, its influence is still at work, but with more of a sense that something is passing that has impacted our life profoundly. However, the influence, even passing, is still with us.

That's because the influences of the transiting (and progressed) planets are not separate from our experience. A Pluto square impacts our life in certain ways. Just because it's separating does not mean we are free of its influence, since even a one or two degree aspect that is separating is still very much a part of our life experience.

A planetary transit indicates something in our external reality is impacting our life. The inner planet transits show us the quickly passing elements of existence, whereas the outer planet transits show us the slower, more important elements of life. As we respond to the transits, we shape our inner and outer responses that will impact how we deal with those things in the future.

Again, our natal planets show our inner "lights," or those divisions in our life and personality where we "shine out" our inclinations through the filter of the sign that planet is in. Any planet transit impacts the part of our life represented by the planet it touches. Still, we have the ability to change our pattern of response, regardless of whether we're dealing with the supposed difficulty of a transiting Saturn square to one of our planets or the supposed benefit of a Jupiter trine to another.

As we deal with forming aspects, we quicken in anticipation of whatever challenge, change, understanding, or specializing influence is indicated by the aspect being formed. When we are in the heart of an exact aspect, we may or may not find it being dramatically expressed in our outer life, but we are making decisions whether we know it or not connected to our inner and outer response to that energy.

Then, when an aspect is passing, our lives are moving forward in some way that was impacted by that aspect. But it does not mean that aspect is no longer influencing us, since every experience we have impacts our future responses. That's why it's folly to dread approaching hard aspects or rejoice once they are done, since an aspect merely shows us our learning path through what we confront in the planetary energies being revealed.

On a final note (and this can be applied to the current Mercury transit through mid-Cancer), when a planet makes an aspect and then moves forward, it shows us something of our experience. Then if it retrogrades and makes the same aspect again, we are again shown something concerning that experience, but from a different angle of view. Then when it goes direct and makes an aspect for the third time, we again experience that type of energetic response, but hopefully can synthesize the energy and bring forth the highest and best response possible.

That's why the slow moving outermost planets tend to bring us experiences that may last for years, even though the aspect may not be exact. In Pluto's case, just because it no longer retrogrades back to an exact aspect does not mean that energy isn't at work!

For readers who have planets in the early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, even though Pluto may not retrograde back to an exact aspect, you can bet it's still very much in force in your life! And it’s a guarantee that when Pluto did aspect whatever planet you have in the early degrees of these signs, you went through some amazing and profound changes during that time that affected who you are today.

Regarding Saturn, if you have a planet in the early degrees of a Cardinal sign, you were first exposed to a restructuring in late 2009 and early 2010 via Saturn aspecting your planet. Then you got to review through Saturn retrograde, and finally it moved forward in Summer 2010, again making those aspects for a third time.

After that it moved forward into the middle and late degrees of Libra, where it worked its lessons on those with planets in the middle and late degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Then in October 2012, it moved into the early degrees of Scorpio.

However, those with planets in the early degrees of the Cardinal signs were impacted, continue to be impacted, and will be impacted by that experience even though the conjunction, square, or opposition is long past. Even though Saturn is making other aspects to that same planet in the early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn, the lessons of 2009-2010 gave experiences that influence who you are today. The current aspects, while different, are merely the next step in the process of how your planetary function greets or resists Saturn’s influence.

Any aspect is merely one state of relationship between 2 planets on a continuum of many types of ways they must relate. Squares can help us turn corners, as well as put brakes on old ways. Trines can yield understanding and harmony, but also may show an unhealthy default positioning internally if the two planets are not functioning as they should.

So relax into the hard aspects when you're dealing with them, and remember that the outer planets help us reshape our response to our "Truth of Being," our Higher Self, and the eternal process of transformation. A Pluto transit can bring a death, but it can also bring us radical transformation into our Highest Self. A Saturn transit can bring hard realizations, but with the right view we can turn them to good results in reshaping our personality to bring it in line with our Highest intentions and purposes.

Any aspect can be used wisely or not. It all depends on our point of view and which responses we choose.

© Copyright 2010, 2013 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Micheline]

I really love the way you explain this!!! It makes much more sense. Yes, sometimes life hands you lemons! It is up to us to figure out what to do with those lemons! Maybe its lemonade or mayby a salad dressing!!!

[Christy]

ok, so I have been watching everything that was coming (mars, et al) to trigger and yet still.....nada

I swear, I've never had an experience like this where Jupiter is transiting the 8th and not bringing windfalls of cash

could it be because saturn is retrograding in the sign of Scorpio, the natural sign of the 8th?

in which case will we experience a "breaking of the log jam" when it goes direct on Monday?

I literally can barely breathe with it directly on my co-ruler...it's soooooooo oppressive.....and so stagnant...everything feels like it ground to a halt....everything

and you know I've had my share of pluto... conjunctions, over my asc, on my natal moon, thru my first house, etc) interactions/aspects and yet, I must say...this Saturn....is the most oppressive and depressive aspect I've ever experienced

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - At least it helps to use the planetary energies favorably rather than feel the victim of circumstance!

Hi Christy - You seem to be misunderstanding Jupiter. Jupiter does NOT necessarily bring money. Venus rules money. Your second house shows what you can capture. Planets in the 2nd are the "lord" of the financial affairs. Eighth house shows what you desire, and planets in the 8th show you what will govern losses, legacies, and other 8th house affairs.

I have Jupiter in my natal 8th, and did not have much money for many, many years. Jupiter in the 8th can bring big losses, truths about legacies, magnetism, and desires, philosophical lessons around death, loss, and learning how to hold the void, higher awareness of shared values and resources, as well as societal values. There are ten thousand ways to interpret Jupiter in the 8th, whether natally or by transit.

If the generic Saturn in Scorpio were the culprit, then NONE of us would be receiving cash. I have no idea when your personal log jam will break; what I write here are general tendencies that apply to everyone. That said, yes, Saturn direct will help some things ruled by that planet to move forward, whatever that means.

Also remember that the planets do not make anything happen; we are the ones who are acting, reacting, or being acted upon. All the planetary aspects do is show us what is favorable or unfavorable for us to do, not necessarily some windfall a) if the natal planets do not indicate such a thing, and b) if we are somehow not cooperating with whatever could have brought us the windfall under other circumstances.

And there is a big lesson all students of the craft need to learn: when something happens, you will definitely find a combination of aspects. But a combination of aspects does not necessarily indicate that "something will happen," at least at that time. Some things can be set up by aspects that don't trigger for months or years, or even ever if the person decides to scuttle that line of endeavor.

[christy]

re: "If the generic Saturn in Scorpio were the culprit, then NONE of us would be receiving cash."

oh that's true, and once of the rasons's i stopped looking at charts for a couple years is if can be anything (10,000 choices) then why think it's astrology

but I actually am beginning to think that Saturn in my 12th is going to necessitate some professional help - it's going direct in 3 days, but I don't think I can manage it ...

because as it went retrograde over my ascendant it literally took away everything I had rebuilt in the last year and a half...and now it's all in shambles...again

[Robert]

Hi Christy - You ignored my final two paragraphs. "It" is not astrology. "It" is us living our lives. AND! The final paragraph holds the answer to your issue. Astrology is always "involved" when things happen, but astrology alone does not determine whether something happens or not. In all probability Jupiter is what has taken whatever away, if it's in your 8th. But nothing can be lost if it truly belongs to us and if we still have something to learn from having that in our lives. And we cannot hold on to a thing if it is not true for us, even if we seem to have it for a while. I have no doubt you'll do well once you see what your true response-ability is.

[christy]

so the question then begs.....

if this is my repsonsiblity and my doing, why then can I not manifest the powerball jackpot?

because I would far prefer to manifest that event than this current nightmare!

[Robert]

Hi Christy - Because (to quote myself) WE DO NOT CREATE OUR REALITY! "The Secret" set a lot of people up to fail by failing to mention that we can only manifest what we think we want when a) it is true for us, and b) it is not being distorted by subconsciousness or our desire mind.

We do create our experience of our reality, and we can move into "true function" (Dharma) or away from "true function." But we can never perfectly manifest what is not true for us, except briefly, since it cannot be sustained.

What is true for you is shown in your chart. The desire mind (kama manas) is very unreliable for knowing one's highest good. If winning powerball would somehow move you away from your path of highest learning, then it will never happen.

Anything that would create inertia, separateness, a sense of "specialness," and/or self satisfaction is forbidden to those who would walk a higher Way. And huge wealth often does foster those problems in an ego. Take it from one who has had billionaires and multimillionaires as clients. 98% are very self-separate, believe their own press releases, and money becomes a mythology that they use to play mind games.

I have known very few rich ones who walk the talk. Most just want more money, and are convinced you want their money and that's why you're there. And because that's often true, wealth without wisdom can create massive wreckage in a life even for the most altruistic.

Your only responsibility is to listen to what Spirit has to tell you about what to do to further your greatest good. Then go do it with all your heart while maintaining good will and a sense of humor and generosity toward life. Spirit is all, and matter follows thought, if thought is aligned perfectly with Spirit, a rare occurrence indeed!

[christy]

re: "Anything that would create inertia,"

well that is what I rebuilt would have caused (& did cause) but I wasn't doing it to "stay in that place" but merely to have some income while moving forward - now...I have 0 income (tricky for someone self-supporting!) and though I do have a retirement account, it has no hardship clause, so I cannot access it!! -- so now I literally am without any income or savings, at this point

and Robert thanks so much for the details, they are very helpful!

[Robert]

Hi Christy - Well, having been in that EXACT place once a long time ago (with no retirement account), I just set to work finding a job as a cook while figured out what was next. It seemed like a good thing since I could cook and also eat for free at that job. Seeing it as an interim skill merely to make money opened me to thinking in ways I hadn't before, and when that chapter was done, I wound up doing what I was supposed to do. I cooked for money, and studied something I loved that others needed. Eventually, when enough expressed an interest in paying me for my learned skills, I quit one of the restaurants I worked at, and began to make money at what I loved. Find something the world needs that will pay you a reasonably good wage, and start studying and practicing. You never know what might show up.....

[christy]

:) good plan -- I waitressed for the same reason at one point - free food

(the truly exasperating and maddening part for me is as said, I DO have a retirement acct, they won't let me access and I DIRELY need it)

this time though I'm now without EVERYTHING and although landing on my feet is something I have always managed in the past ...this appears to be beyond my further coping capability at this point... I think -- hence my urgent desperation for wanting saturn to go direct -- and for 4 months I've felt like a "whiner' and I so dislike whining!!!!

and again Robert, I so appreciate your comments and your time!
thank you!

[Kate Minogianni]

Hi. How I have been following AP for a few years, this is my first comment. I have a warm interest in astrology. My intellectual curiosity finds a lot of answers to my life's whys as well as food for thought in it.
Regarding Jupiter in 8th, which I, too, was misled to believe that it is a positive thing. I have Jupiter Aquarius conjuct Saturn Capricorn -in 8th. Jupiter very close 9th cusp, it could be considered 9th house. In my 2nd house - Cancer - Mars square a stellium of Mercury, Moon, Venus,Sun in Aries in 11th. At the same time, Saturn squares the Sun and Jupiter sextiles Mercury. But Mercury and Jupiter are the sides of a yod with Pluto retr. conjuct South Node conjuct IC in 4th Virgo. And right opposite them and mid point of Mercury/Jupiter Chiron conjuct MC.
I am a forensic psychologist working as a drug and alcohol counsellor. the conjuction of jupiter and saturn has helped me to make slow progress in my life. Big changes in myself. I can say I have lived 2 lives. I am a late bloomer. Very immature youth till late in life. I have experienced a lot of money problems in my life. Though an only child and as I grew up I had everything provided by my parents and grandmothers. After a point, the problems started. It was after my progressed New Moon that took place in September 1991. The synchronicity of the New Moon aspects and the facts!!!! Later I had problems with my parents. Instead of taking care of what they would leave me, they made a lot of mistakes that would cause me a lot of problems with taxes etc. Let me not get into details here. But I have had a harsh fate regarding other people's finances, considering the fact I marries a pathological gambler when I was 24. You can imagine the plot of the story. So, it is due to my very strong survival instinct and my determination that I have kept myself at a distance of a lot of problems that could have overwhelmed me otherwise. So, I am constantly making a lot of efforts to earn a living. Recently I worked for 9 months in a rehab on an island in Thailand. I am looking for a job out of Greece where I live again. Wanting to leave my home and country has always been my obsession!!!! I owe that to Pluto/South Node/IC :) The synchronicities have no end!!!!!

[caliban]

Jupiter conjuncts natal sun sextiles moon. Also a sag NN. Jupiter is alot. It can be overwelming. Focussing on what belongs instead of where do I belong and what am I supposed to be doing. It's that choice thing. The push push shove shove ghost takes a bow and leaves the stage. Ah no more back pain from the push push shove shove demanders.

[Robert]

Hi Kate - It sure sounds like you have had some extremes this life! Congrats on making it to this point! 8th house is pretty much misunderstood in my experience. Jupiter too.

My Jupiter in the 8th has brought me countless deaths this lifetime, including my own in 1984 when I went to the other side and was offered the chance to come back. I lost an unbelievable number of friends before I hit 35, and another batch of loved ones and friends checked out in the late 80s. I have one friend left alive from before 1975. So everyone I knew in my late teens and early 20s is gone except for one. I still have quite a few from 1975-1982 left, which is a great comfort.

I believe we're always learning how "to make a living," even when we're well off. Our Soul is here to grow through new experiences that feed our higher awareness and ability to serve our world the best we're able. And of course, blessings on your efforts to create a life abroad. Sometimes circumstances force us to seek a life in foreign lands, where we might find friends and purpose beyond anything in our native land.

Hi caliban - Opportunity is all around! You just have to cross the room, open the door, and greet the guest. Very glad that you've shed the pushing and shoving energies and can now just do your thing.

[caliban]

But oh so many doors.

[caliban]

Found 'the' door. So far so good.

[caliban]

Took a while for this to sink in. But by jove, I've got it. I like it. I'm really happy with it. Thanks thanks thanks. What a pressure release.

[Kate Minogianni]

Thank you for the reply, Robert. The interpretation of Jupiter in the 8th the way you do it, sounds unusual to me.So much misunderstanding about Jupiter being the planet of luck. I saw your video on youtube about astrology. It is an old one but I enjoyed your spiritual approach. Due to some strange synchronicities - I have read a lot of books on spirituality recently, the spiritual dimension of astrology included - I have made astonishing progress on my spiritual and personal development. I guess it's my transits: tr.Neptune opp. nat.Pluto and conjuct nat. Chiron,south node and MC. And that is at the midpoint of natal Mercury in 11H Ares and Jupiter 8H (beginning 9H)Aquarius. I always used to read, but when tr. Neptune transited my 9th House and Opposed natal Uranus in the 3rd, which rules 9H, I became a bookworm with particular interest in astrology and philosophy. That was a few years ago. Now I am a different person. A lot more knowledgeable and open minded. This transit of Neptune opp. my Pluto has brought a new wave of interest in the spiritual and metaphysical.