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Pluto Transits Through the Houses

Pluto Transits Through the Houses

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Author: Alison Price   –   Published: September 2021   –   Revised: March 2024

Pluto Transits the Houses

Introduction

In this post I’m going to share with you, key energy shifts that you can anticipate when Pluto transits the houses of your chart. When your start with transits you typically begin from the outer planets inwards towards the Sun. The first planet that you will study will be Pluto. Pluto takes a long time to pass through each sign. It can take years to transit the houses of your chart.

Pluto’s Time in Each Sign

Taking into account that Pluto will retrograde over signs boundaries I am only looking at the first time Pluto enters a new sign in all cases.

This will give an average time for the planet to be in each sign, although yes, it will retrograde at the beginning of the ingress and go back to the previous sign for a while and at the end of a sign it will move into the new signa finally to retrograde back for a while into the old sign.

But all things being equal, that is why I’m taking the first ingress of Pluto into each sign that has occurred relatively recently.

Pluto Through the Signs

Pluto passed through Leo from 1939 to 1956 when it first entered Virgo. Pluto took 17 years to cover 30 degrees.

Pluto transitted Virgo from 1956 to 1971 when it entered Libra. Pluto was 15 years in Virgo.

Pluto entered Libra from 1971 to 1983 when it entered Scorpio. Pluto was 14 years in Libra.

Pluto occupied Scorpio from 1983 to 1995 when it entered Sagittarius. Pluto was 12 years in Scorpio.

Pluto took residence in Sagittarius from 1995 to 2008 when it went into Capricorn. Pluto was 13 years in Sagittarius.

Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008 and will remain there until 2023 when it will go into Aquarius. Pluto will be 15 years in Capricorn.

Pluto’s Perihelion and Aphelion

Perihelion

When a planet gets closest to the Sun in its orbit, it is called perihelion.

Pluto, perihelion was actually within Neptune’s orbit on September 5th, 1989 at 13 degrees Scorpio. 

  

Aphelion

Pluto’s aphelionis  when it is the farthest away from the Sun in its orbit.

The last time Pluto was in Taurus was over one hundred years ago in 1867. Pluto was in Taurus from 1852 to 1882 which means that Pluto spent 30 years in Taurus.

Kepler’s 2nd Law

Kepler’s 2nd law of planetary motion states that, “Planets sweep out equal areas in equal time.”



This means that when a planet is closer to the Sun, at perihelion, it moves faster, as Pluto did through Scorpio. When a planet is further from the Sun, at aphelion, it moves slower as Pluto did when it transited Taurus. Pluto transited Scorpio in a brief twelve years but took thirty years to transit Taurus. Having said all that let’s have a look at some key phrases that you can anticipate when Pluto transits the houses of your natal chart.

 



Initial House Ingress

The most important part of transiting Pluto, or any planet for that matter, is the time it first enters a new house. That event will bring a period of usually one whole year when the changes relating to the new house are the most felt by the person whose chart it is.

 

By the time Pluto has been in a house for five to ten years you do get used to the energy. When in a particular house, if Pluto then conjoins a planet in your house it will it trigger more responses in you. And when transiting Pluto makes general aspects to the planets in your chart, but that is the topic for another time.

 

Ok, so we have covered some potential shifts of energy that you may experience as Pluto transits the different houses of your chart. Find the date when Pluto will change houses for you and jot that special date down in your calendar and worksheet.

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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2024 Astrology Events

2024 Astrology Events

Discover the main astrology events of 2024 including; lunations, retrograde and direct dates and planetary ingresses for the whole year.

Advanced Astrology Classes: Forecasting

Advanced Astrology Classes: Forecasting

Because each of you has learnt astrology through many channels and you have varied knowledge by now, you don’t have to do everything at once, or at all, if it doesn’t suit you. The 16 lessons in this course can be taken individually and in any order. You can pick and choose and go at your own pace.

Solar Return Charts in Astrological Forecasting

Solar Return Charts in Astrological Forecasting

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Solar Return Charts

A solar return chart is a chart cast for the exact time that the Sun reaches the same longitude (degree, minute and second) that it was placed at the time of your birth as shown in the natal chart.

Solar Return Place

A solar return chart is cast for the city you are in on your solar return date and not your birthplace. It is known as you solar return place or location.

Every year there will be a different solar return chart for you as the Sun will be in the same degree and sign, but the planets and angles will have moved.

Each of your solar return charts (year after year) will have the same sign, degree and minutes for the placement of the Sun as it is in your natal chart. In other words, your solar return Sun position on the zodiac is always the same as your solar return Sun every year.

When to Cast a Solar Return Chart

A solar return chart is cast every year on your birthday, or thereabouts, and can be used to predict the trends coming up for you each year.

A solar return chart is a direct astrological forecast method, which means it is based on transits, but it is crafted for you individually based on your natal Sun’s position.

If you can read a natal chart you can quickly interpret a solar return chart.

 

Solar Return Annual Forecasting Period

It is usual, and advisable, for clients to have a chart consultation on or near their birthday because of the power inherent in the solar return chart.

If you do a client consultation midyear you have to print the current and the next solar return chart.

Solar Return Charts can Stand Alone

A solar return chart is one forecasting technique that can be done alone and not combined with the other methods.

A solar return chart is useful for forecasting one year ahead which is a typical length of time for an astrological forecast for someone.

Relocate the Chart

Your birth chart is calculated for the town or city where you were born.

When the transiting Sun perfects the conjunction to its natal position you could be anywhere on Earth.

When using a solar return chart, it is necessary to cast the chart for the place that you are living in on that birthday.

As the potentials for the year are inhaled at the exact time of the Sun’s return.

If you move from your birthplace, each year’s solar return place can be different if you continue to move.

For example: If you were born in Toronto and now live in London then you would calculate the solar return chart for London for that year..

If you were born in Toronto and now live in London and are on vacation in Los Angeles on your birthday, then you would calculate the solar return chart for Los Angeles.

Solar Returns: Podcast Episode

Learn how to cast a SOLAR RETURN chart, what to look for and intrepret it.

In this episode, I (Alison) chat with Arwynne and discuss the direct forecasting technique of solar return charts.

We explain how to cast a new solar return chart, solar return travellers, and three key interpretation steps to understanding the message in the chart without being overwhelmed by too much data.

Date and Time Changes

All good astrology software such as Solar Fire and Astro Gold will calculate a solar return chart for you.

Check that the Sun’s position is the same as the natal Sun’s position and check the new location.

Solar Return Date

If you move extremely west or east of your birthplace then the solar return chart may end up being dated on the day before, or the day after, your actual calendar birthday.

Solar Return Time

The birth time for the solar return chart will be different to the natal time and different each year.

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Solar Return Chart Interpretations Interpretations

Interpretation of the solar return chart is not as complicated as re-analyzing a whole new chart.

There are specific details to look for and not every solar return chart will provide as much information as the next one.

How Often to Cast a Solar Return Chart

The solar return chart may come into effect one or two months before your birthday and last up to ten to twelve months after your birthday.

I find that it is best to start using the next solar return chart one month before your birthday.

That is when the Sun is at thirty degrees to its natal position, or one sign before.

This can be variable, and it depends on the placement of the planets that year.

 

When to Use a Solar Return Chart

You don’t just wake up one day under the effects of the new solar return chart.

It is a gradual process.

However, when the transiting Sun is in orb of a conjunction to your natal Sun (8 degrees) then the solar return chart begins its effect for sure and last year’s solar return chart fades away.

  

Using Two Solar Return Charts at Once Two Solar Return Charts

A situation may arise when you have to cast two solar return charts at once.

This would typically be the case if you were looking at the yearly forecast for someone and it was six months from their last birthday and therefore six months until their next birthday.

Previous Solar Return

You can use the previous year’s solar return up until the month before your next birthday.

Current Solar Return

The current solar return is cast for your last birthday and can be used for twelve months. You may begin to feel the effects of the next solar return chart when it is under one month to your next birthday.

 

Next Solar Return

The next solar return chart will come into effect around your next birthday. But the influences may start to develop at around one month before your next birthday.

If your birthday is in the next month use the next solar return chart.

Instances When to Cast Two Solar Return Charts

If you had a client who came for an astrological consultation and required a forecast between their two birthdays, then you would cast two solar return charts, the previous one and the next one.

 

Angles in the Solar Return Chart

Solar Return Angles

When reading a solar return chart, the four angles are very important.

The natal sign over the solar return Ascendant clues you into the year ahead.

Any planet conjunct an angle in the solar return chart will be prominent that year.

Planets Conjunct the Angles

  • Ascendant – A planet conjunct the solar return Ascendant may play a role in how your project yourself.

  • Descendant – A planet conjunct the solar return Descendant may play a role in your close personal relationships.

  • Midheaven – A planet conjunct the solar return Midheaven may play a role in the public persona you can project that year.

  • IC-A planet conjunct the solar return IC may play a role in what your private life looks like.

Solar Return Ascendant Sign

The Ascendant sign in the solar return chart indicates the way you will present yourself this year.

It may be that same as your natal Ascendant, but in years when it is truly different, it offers you a chance to express yourself through a different lens, or filter.

Solar Return Ascendant in Your Natal Chart

The natal house which contains your solar return Ascendant needs close inspection for it is through this portal that you will express yourself in that year.

The Solar Return Sun

“Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns”

The Importance of the Solar Return Sun

The whole concept of solar return charts hinges on the Sun.

The Sun’s position in the natal chart dictates the Sun’s position in the solar return chart every year.

It follows that the Sun is the most important feature to be considered, not by sign (as it is the same as the natal) but by house and aspect.

Pattern of the Sun’s House Placement in Subsequent Solar Return Charts

Astrologers love patterns.

Having a pattern somehow makes astrology seem like it is part of a big plan.

Whose plan, we may not be sure, but a plan anyway.

The Solar Return Sun by House

Each year the solar return Sun will be in a different house of the solar return chart.

The solar return Sun moves through the houses in a particular pattern by type of house.

After around ten years, moves into the next kind of house (angular, succedent and cadent), eventually placed in each of the twelve houses in turn.

The pattern is loosely the angular houses (first, tenth, seventh and fourth), then the succedent houses (second, eleventh, eighth and fifth) and then the cadent houses (third, twelfth, ninth and sixth).

In this way the Sun may cover the whole twelve houses over a thirty year stretch.

This pattern is reliant on you not moving place.

The Solar Return Sun’s House Shift Pattern

This Sun house shift pattern works perfectly under three specific criteria:

  • If you live on the equator.
  • If you use the equal house system.
  • If you never move place.

But, if you use Placidus house system (which I do) or many of the other house systems, then the solar return Sun’s house shift pattern may be slightly out.

This is because the house widths are skewed by many house system cusps.

 

Relocating from Year to Year

Note: If you move place from one city to another for your solar return (that is your birthday) the pattern will be interrupted.

For around ten years the Sun is in angular houses and then it moves to succedent houses.

For example: You may have three returns with the Sun in the first house or only two returns.

It depends on your chart.

 

Solar Return Travellers

Therefore, the Sun could feasibly be in your solar return twelfth house for three years out of ten.

This twelfth house’s retiring and private position may or may not suit you.

For this reason, people travel for a better solar return Sun house position. 

 

First the Angular Houses

Sun in first house.

Sun in tenth house.

Sun in seventh house.

Sun in fourth house.

The Succedent Houses

Sun in the second house.

Sun in the eleventh house.

Sun in the eighth house.

Sun in the fifth house.

The Cadent Houses

Sun in the third house.

Sun in the twelfth house.

Sun in the ninth house.

Sun in the sixth house.

 

The Sun in the Solar Return Houses

The Spotlight is on Each House in Turn

The Sun’s house is very important as it shows which house has a spotlight on it for the forthcoming year.

It is where you can shine in your life.

 

First House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return first house it is a year to:

  • Focus on self-improvement.
  • Expect physical changes.
  • Let people get to know you.

Second House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return second house it is a year to:

  • Improve your self-esteem.
  • Improve your personal and core values.
  • Earn a good income.

Third House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return third house it is a year to:

  • Focus on short courses and learning skills.
  • Participate more in the neighborhood.
  • Allow self-expression to become important.

Fourth House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return fourth house it is a year to:

  • Spend time at home.
  • Stamp your personality on your home.
  • Identify with your family.

Fifth House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return fifth house it is a year to:

  • Fall pregnant
  • Enjoy children and play
  • Give birth to your creative projects.

Sixth House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return sixth house it is a year to:

  • Begin your own business
  • Go back to work
  • Attend to your heart health.

Seventh House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return seventh house it is a year to:

  • Consider marriage.
  • Feel an individual within a partnership.
  • Experience legal matters.

Eight House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return eighth house it is a year to:

  • Possibly inherit from your father.
  • Acquire individual debt.
  • Spend time on personal inward looking.

Ninth House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return ninth house it is a year to:

  • Expect to travel.
  • Be attracted to and identify with foreign things.
  • Begin a self-improvement courses.

Tenth House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return tenth house it is a year to:

  • Finally get your career to take off.
  • Gain public accolades for any previous endeavors.
  • Become known and have a reputation in the public domain.

Eleventh House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return eleventh house it is a year to:

  • Identify with a cause close to your heart.
  • Become humanitarian and concerned about humanity.
  • Begin a self-interest group.

Twelfth House

When the solar return Sun is in your solar return twelfth house it is a year to:

  • Retire and withdraw from life.
  • Reflect on your life path.
  • Recharge and replenish your inner self.

Planetary House Emphasis

Any house in the solar return chart that has more than three tenants needs special attention.

The areas of life indicated by the house will be of importance in the following year.

 

The Importance of the Solar Return Sun’s Aspects

The aspects the solar return Sun makes in the solar return chart (and therefore to the transiting planets at the time) are very important is showing the year’s identity and ego for the individual.

At the exact solar return, the Sun will be transiting the natal chart and triggering all the natal solar aspects that are in the natal chart.

This transiting Sun conjoined the natal Sun tends to recalibrate the meanings of the solar aspects.

The most important Sun aspects in the solar return chart in sequence are:

  • Conjunctions

  • Other Ptolemaic aspects; the square, trine, opposition and sextile

  • Minor aspects; the semi-sextile, quincunx, semi-square and sesquiquadrate

  • Lesser used aspects such as the quintile, septile and novile

  • Tip: I usually only consider the conjunction and the Ptolemaic aspects.

Transiting Sun Reinforces the Natal Sun’s Aspects

As the Sun moves into its natal position each year it remakes all the solar aspects that are in the natal chart.

For instance, if you have a natal Sun square Moon, then you will have a transiting Sun square natal Moon at the solar return.

Solar Return Videos on YouTube

There are 3 videos in this series.

 

Part 1: How to correctly cast a solar return chart

This gives you some specifics about the correct time, date, and place for your solar return chart.

 

Part 2: The solar return Sun’s house and the solar return Sun’s aspects.

This video explains what each house position of teh Sun means in your solar return chart.

It also explains the importance of the Sun’s aspects and which aspects to choose.

 

Part 3: Solar return chart retrograde planets and other planetary returns

This video looks at retrograde planets in your solar return chart. It also covers other types of planetary return charts that you may wish to use someday.

There is a checklist for when you work with solar return charts.

 

Have a prosperous day,

Alison ⭐️

 

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Author Bio

Alison Price: Astrology Coach

Alison specializes in guiding Aspiring Astrologers. Her aim is to help you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart, often sprinkled with a touch of humor.

To learn more about Alison’s journey, visit this page.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

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Mercury and Mars Aspects

Mercury and Mars Aspects

Mercury and Mars aspects. We explain the difference between the five Ptolemaic aspects with the two planets Mercury and Mars in a chart.

Your Second Saturn Return – Astrology for the Third Age

Your Second Saturn Return – Astrology for the Third Age

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Your Second Saturn Return

Astrology for the Third Age

Discover more on your Saturn returns in general.

Introduction

As you pass the age of sixty, and even the in the year coming up to your 60th birthday, the planets make a special contact to your birth chart as Saturn once more returns to its natal position.

This is where it was the day you were born and Saturn takes around thirty years to make one full pass through the zodiac.

Your first Saturn return happened at about age twenty-nine to thirty and the second Saturn return occurs at around age fifty-nine to sixty.

Saturn is the timekeeper of the zodiac and brings a time for you to recalibrate back to your core values as shown in your natal chart.

 



 

Acceptance

You can make the most of your second Saturn return by accepting the following:

  • You know who you are
  • You are mature
  • You know what you can and can’t do
  • You know your limitations both physical and mental
  • You consider starting a new business
  • You become the mistress or master of your own life



The Astrology of your Saturn Return

Your Saturn returns can happen in one of two ways. It all depends on the movement of Saturn at the time of your return. This movement is determined by the angular relationship Saturn has with the Sun in the transit chart.

If the Sun is square or sextile Saturn it will not be the Saturn retrograde that happens once a year.

Your Saturn return could be short as a one hit transit or prolonged if there is a three contact transit.

 

One Contact Return

In a one conjunction Saturn return the influence will be in orb for ten days beforehand and ten days afterwards the exact date.

If it is one single Saturn return you will immediately recalibrate back to all your natal aspects to Saturn.

Three Contact Return

If you are fortunate to receive a three contact Saturn return the transit can be for as long as three months as you experience an extended Saturn return that is more powerful and life changing.

There will be a first direct hit, then a second retrograde contact and finally the third contact.

  • The initial contact will set the stage for all this Saturn return favours.
  • The second contact makes you revise any plans or opinions about your life.
  • The third and final contact brings closure to the things initially opened at the first contact of the return.

Natal Saturn Direct

If your natal Saturn is direct and you get one transit it will be a relatively painless return. A Saturn return like this is short and sweet.

If your natal Saturn is direct and you get a three pass Saturn return it will draw out. The natal issues relating to Saturn and it’s complex in your chart as shown by the sign, house and aspects that you natal Saturn has.

Each contact will be reinforced in a prolonged Saturn return and you will have more time to assess and process the changes taking place in your life.

Natal Saturn Retrograde

If your natal Saturn is retrograde and you receive one direct contact from Saturn it will be refreshing and the positive side of Saturn will be available to you.

If your natal Saturn is retrograde and you receive a three hit Saturn return it will seem more familiar. The hesitation that comes from the Saturn retrograde will be reinforced through the aspects that you already have in your natal chart.

When to Expect Your Second Saturn Return

Your second Saturn return happens when Saturn does a full second cycle and returns to the sign it was in when you were born.

If your natal Saturn is in Aquarius your Saturn return will happen from March 2020 to March 2023.

If your natal Saturn is in Pisces you will get a Saturn return somewhere between 2023 and May 2025.

The Third Age

Your second Saturn return is like a passage of life. Everyone’s life is different and if you were married or not or have kids or grandchildren the situation will differ from person to person.

But there are main themes for the third age of Saturn.

Now you are free to do more. The constraints and demands of reproduction have passed as most women are now through their menopause and cannot have children. They may be called crones or elders.

The grown up kids may have moved out, gone to college or got married.

Your parents may have gone. Even your husband or wife may have shuffled off.

This time is for you to master yourself and to draw the line about people or things that demand too much from you.

You may downsize your home and find a smaller place and change things.

You are not responsible for so many things and now you can concentrate on yourself.

Now your duty is to yourself. You can approach life with renewed energy and accomplish things you have only dreamed of before.

Now you can:

  • Be free from responsibilities of a family or a husband.
  • Know that retirement is a dirty word
  • Travel
  • Make new friends
  • Get more education
  • Explore your creativity
  • Be a mentor for others
  • Have a simpler life
  • Get a smart phone
  • Eat nourishing and quality food
  • Exercise as you see fit
  • Volunteer your time
  • Upgrade your wardrobe and style
  • Get new hair and makeup
  • Love your grandchildren

Each second Saturn return will be different for everyone but the core meaning will remain.

If you plan carefully you will have a new lease on life and can do what you have always wanted to do on your own terms.

 



Fixed Stars

Fixed Stars

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In astrology, the Fixed Stars are the stars that appear in the night sky. While they’re called “Fixed,” these stars are in motion.

Fixed Stars

Fixed Stars

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In astrology, the Fixed Stars are the stars that appear in the night sky. While they’re called “Fixed,” these stars are in motion.

Your Saturn Returns

Your Saturn Returns

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Your Saturn Returns

The Saturn Return is becoming one of the most talked about astrological events in people’s lives.

It is the third most popular astrological topic for the general public after, “What is your sign?” and  “Did you survive Mercury retrograde?”

Everone receives a Saturn return or two or three during their lives. If you are over thirty you have already experienced one and have more to come.

 

When to Expect Your Saturn Returns

First Saturn return – Age 29/30

Second Saturn return – Age 58/59

Third Saturn return Age 87/88

 

Podcast: Saturn Returns

Listen to our podcast about Saturn Returns where we discuss more on Saturn Returns.

Click below.

 

 

Saturn and the Ages

Saturn is a broad timekeeper and marks the passage of life.

Before your first Saturn return you are in the first age. the second age occurs after your first Saturn return.

The third age begins after your second Saturn return and the fourth age starts after your third Saturn return.

 

The First Age

The first age is from birth to your first Saturn return at age 30.

This period of life takes you from child to adult to responsible person.

In these years you learn to do as you are told up to a point.

Those in authority like teachers, your parents, the government and older people will dictate how you should behave.

Maturity. You get in your lane and you know your place.

Your duty is to your parents. You learn the rules.

You are looked after by others but you struggle to be autonomous. You get honours for yourself.

Keyword – Crisp.

 

The Second Age

The second age covers the years of life from 30-60 this stage of your life are the mature years when you are responsible for other kids and holding down a job or taking a mortgage.

You may do traditional things and do what is expected by your betters and elders.

You may do traditional things and do what is expected by your betters and elders.

Now you consolidate your worldly achievements whatever they are.

You have a duty to your spouse, kids and your boss to reproduce and play by the rules.

You look after others. You are honour bound.

Keyword – Solid.

 

The Third Age

The third age starts at age sixty and lasts for thirty years until the age of ninety.

In this age you get more time for yourself and the responsibilities of earlier years often fall away.

You have mastery. Your duty is to yourself. You have some personal achievements.

You can rewrite the rules you live by.

You look after yourself.

You are honoured as you choose to do things for others.

Keyword – Capable.

 

The Fourth Age

The fourth age begins very late in life at age ninety.

This is the final Saturn return it ias the fourth one. 

Not everyone will make it this far, but more do every year.

Now you will spend each day carefully living your life as if it were your last day on Earth. Time is precious.

You have limitations. You ignore the rules.

You have a duty to a higher order. You are looked after (physically and spiritually).

You become honoured for time and longevity.

Keyword – Tired.

 

Read more >>> Natural Cycles

Read more >>> Saturn

 

 

Astrological Forecasting Techniques

Astrological Forecasting Techniques

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Astrological Forecasting: Overview

Astrological forecasting is a popular use for astrology and many people come to astrology exactly for the predictions you can get.

But not all forecasting techniques are created equal. Some are easy to understand and some are more complex.

Forecasting is in two broad sectors, the direct forecasting methods and the indirect forecasting techniques.

Direct Forecasting

Direct forecasting techniques use the current positions of the planets in the sky as we speak. You need an ephemeris for transit work.

Examples of direct forecasting techniques are:

Indirect Forecasting

The indirect forecasting techniques are often those that equate one day’s planetary movement to one year of life. They are also known as symbolic forecasting techniques.

Examples of indirect forecasting techniques are:

  • Secondary progressions
  • Solar arc directions (Venus arc directions etc.)

Forecasting Techniques You Need to Know

Most astrology students learn the forecasting techniques in the following order:

  1. Transits
  2. Secondary progressions
  3. Eclipses
  4. Solar returns
  5. Graphic ephemeris
  6. Solar arc directions
  7. Other (primary directions, firdaria etc.)

Learn to Love Transits

It is common to learn transits first.

Many astrologers only use transits as they are easier to learn. Every Sun sign horoscope column relies on transits only and this makes transits the most popular forecasting method in any astrologer’s repertoire.

 

“Transits are the most popular forecasting method.”

 

If you work on several charts and need to do the forecasting then if you know that Uranus will change signs into Taurus in May 2018 it will do so for everyone.

Once you know a transit movement you can use that knowledge for every single chart you every look at. This makes transits the go to astrological forecasting technique.

Everyone needs to know transits.

Secondary Progressions

The second most popular forecasting technique is conveniently called secondary progressions.

In this case, the movement of a planet for each day of life from birth is symbolised as the corresponding yearly movement.

If you are thirty-three then you will cast a secondary progressed chart for the thirty-third day after your birthday and use the planet’s positions that day to cast the secondary progressed chart.

Each person’s secondary progressed chart is different. No two are the same unless you were born at the same time, date and place.

This means it is more work for the astrologer because it is almost as another chart to read. Professional astrologers will probably use secondary progressions for your full forecasting picture.

Solar Returns

In a solar return chart you cast a chart each year for the exact time the Sun returns to its natal position.

If your birth Sun is at 15 degrees 45 minutes of Virgo then each year when the Sun returns to the precise position you cast another chart.

Each year you will have a new solar return chart.

People with the same birth date (but not the same year) will have similar solar return charts but not exactly the same.

So, everyone born on September 15th will have the Moon here and Venus there in their solar return chart but the ascendant will be different.

This makes solar return charts popular as they are based on the transits of the day and astrologers know where the Sun and Moon are and the other planets.

Graphic Ephemeris

The graphic ephemeris is a special diagram that has to be read by the astrologer and it typically shows the superior planets and their cycles over a year or two. See image.

This is probably the most useful tool I personally use in my astrological forecasting.

Eclipses

Solar and lunar eclipses are transits and are special due to the close alignment of the Sun, Moon and the Earth on the eclipse day.

Eclipses can be further broken down into:

  • General eclipse forecasts
  • Personal eclipse forecasts
  • Collective eclipse forecasts

Solar Arc Directions

In solar arc directed charts you take the progressed movement of the Sun (as found in the secondary progressed chart) and add the longitudinal measurement to all the planets positions at birth. From this you will create a new chart called the solar arc directed chart.

From this you will create a new chart called the solar arc directed chart.

If your natal sun is at 15 Virgo and you are 33 years old you add 33 to 15 Virgo and the result is 18 Libra. This is the position of your solar arc directed Sun.

You do the same for the other planets. Add the Sun’s movement to every planet in your chart and find the new placement which will be 33 degrees further in the zodiac.

In a solar arc directed chart the aspects between the planets remain the same but the planets change house and sign.

The solar arc directed chart changes slightly every day as you get older.

How Much to Learn in Forecasting

How much you have to learn about astrological forecasting depends on who you are now and who you want to be later. There are 5 levels of astrologer and you can see where you fit in.

Hobbyist Astrologer

If you are simply trying to learn some more about astrology to make your life easier and more understandable then stick to transits.

Student Astrologer

If you are a student astrologer and plan to be a professional astrologer one day then learn transits first and the work down the list, (secondary progressions, solar returns, solar arc directions, eclipses and other).

Professional Astrologer

To be a professional astrologer you really do need to know at least four forecasting techniques.

They will compliment each other and underline the trends in the clients forecasting picture.

You are a Client

If you are a member of the public and you are looking for a professional consulting astrologer then do yourself a favour and find one who does advanced forecasting techniques.

Ask your prospective astrologer, “Which forecasting techniques will you use when you do my predictions?” and see what their answer is.

 

“Which forecasting techniques will you use when you do my predictions?”

 

If they only use transits be wary as they may not be fully trained in the more complicated astrological forecasting techniques. This may imply they do not have a broad astrological education.

Creative Growth

If you have got this far then you will likely want to grow your astrological forecasting techniques and begin to understand the differences in each one. To be a better astrologer you need to know these things. Forecasting often separates the “men from the boys” in the astrology world.

 

The Graphic Ephemeris

The Graphic Ephemeris

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The Graphic Ephemeris

Ephemeris

The word ephemeris (plural ephemerides) is from the Greek word ephemeros, which means daily.

This is a quick introduction to the graphic ephemeris. Generally the ephemeris that astrologers use is a hefty reference book.

It details astronomical data like daily planetary positions by zodiac sign with the degrees and minutes for each planet as well as information such as sidereal time (used for calculating the ascendant).

An ephemeris is usually laid out month by month for each year. Planetary positions are listed in tables for either noon or at midnight depending on the ephemeris used.

Graphic Ephemeris

Luckily we have a visual representation of the daily planetary positions in the graphic ephemeris. It is a quick way to find hard aspects.

It can be quite tedious to manually calculate all the planetary positions for a birth chart. Perhaps there are some of you who began your journey into astrology with this method.

You were probably relieved when the old Blue Star and then Solar Fire programs generated perfect charts.

Charts with a higher level of mathematical accuracy (even though birth times are still unreliable) are created by computers rather than manual calculations.

The graphic ephemeris has a slightly different purpose than the ephemeris book. It is mainly used for predictive work and specifically outer planetary progressions, transits and directions shown in a graph.

It is a highly visual tool where you can select the preferred time period. The planets remain constant on every graph of the period. It is the connections to the natal chart that are shown clearly by this method.

Visualization

Imagine if you take the birth chart wheel as 360° on a piece of paper and you fold it in half at the (0°Aries/0°Libra) line you then have 180° of the circle.

Next fold it in half again to show 90°, finally if you fold the chart once more you have a 45° ‘slice’ of the circle. If the paper was transparent, it would show all the planets and angles within the small 45° slice.

Transiting planets will be at the same point on the slice and therefore will be depicted near each other on the Graphic Ephemeris. This is simply a different way to look at the transits to a natal chart.

The process of folding the chart from conjunctions 0° into oppositions 180°, into squares 90° and then semi-squares 45° or sesquiquadrates 135° only allows hard aspects to be shown.

Generally there are no harmonious aspects like sextiles or trines depicted on the graph.

How to Read a Graphic Ephemeris

The left of the graph begins with a column showing the cardinal degrees from 0° for 30°. At 30°, the fixed signs start and carry on to the 45°, and then begin again at the top from 0° to 15°. Finally the mutable signs are shown from 15° for 30°.

Across the top is time in months.

On the right side of the graph is a column with the natal planets and angles by sign. Each planet and point has a coloured dotted line associated with it running horizontally across the page.

Predictive work usually begins with revealing the transits. The outer planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune as well as Chiron and Pluto are generally selected for transits.

The direct transiting planets enter the graph at the left and move through time down and to the right. During retrograde periods, they move up the page in a wave motion. Where planets are at 0° of the cardinal signs by transit, they will re-enter the graph at the top.

Planets changing signs have a small dot in the planetary colour on their path.

Pluto has a shallower path than Jupiter. This is due to the slower movement of this minor planet in space.

Transits

Where a transiting planet’s curve crosses a natal planet’s dotted line, a transit aspect to the natal planet is formed.

The aspect glyph is at the intersection of the two. Where two transiting planets’ paths cross each other on the graph, there is an aspect being formed between those two planets on that day in space. The actual aspect symbol is not shown on the graphic ephemeris, only aspects to the natal chart.

Nodes and Moon cycle

The nodal axis moves in a straight line on the plane of the ecliptic and is always retrograde.

The full moon is shown as a white circle and new moon as black circles.

Where a solar eclipse happens there is a black circle with the conjunction symbol within it. A lunar eclipse is depicted by a white circle with the opposition symbol within it.