Planetary Transits in Astrology
The complete guide to all 10 planetary transits: from rapid daily triggers (Sun, Moon, Mercury) to decade-long transformations (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto). Understand how transits work, how aspects shape their effects, and how each planet's movement through your chart creates the rhythm of your life.
What Is a Transit?
A transit occurs when a planet's current position in the sky forms a geometric angle (aspect) with a planet's position in your birth chart. Think of your natal chart as a snapshot of the sky at your birth — transits are the ongoing movements of the planets as they interact with that fixed blueprint. When transiting Jupiter crosses the degree where your natal Venus sits, the energies of expansion and love merge, creating a period of romantic opportunity or financial growth. Transits are the primary tool of predictive astrology, the bridge between your cosmic DNA and the unfolding of real-time events.
How to Read a Transit
Reading a transit involves three components: (1) the transiting planet — which cosmic force is active; (2) the natal planet being aspected — which area of your life is activated; and (3) the type of aspect — how the two energies interact. A slow outer planet transit (Pluto, Neptune, Uranus) signals deep, lasting transformation over months or years. A fast personal planet transit (Sun, Moon, Mercury) acts as a daily trigger, often timing specific events within a broader slow-transit theme. The house where the transit occurs tells you the life area affected: career, relationships, finances, home.
The Role of Aspects in Transits
The aspect between the transiting planet and the natal planet determines the quality of the experience. A conjunction (0°) merges the two energies completely — the most powerful and direct impact. A trine (120°) and sextile (60°) bring flow and opportunity with minimal effort. A square (90°) creates productive tension, pushing you to act but generating friction. An opposition (180°) brings awareness through confrontation or external events. Each aspect tells a different story: the trine is a gift, the square is a challenge, the conjunction is an awakening, and the opposition is a mirror.
Orbs in Transit Astrology
Orbs in transits are typically tighter than in natal charts. For outer planets (Pluto, Neptune, Uranus), most astrologers use 1–2°. For Saturn and Jupiter, 2–3° is standard. For personal planets (Sun through Mars), 1° is common because they move so fast. A transit is strongest at the exact aspect (0° orb) and builds gradually as the planet approaches. Retrograde motion can cause a planet to pass over the same degree three times, creating a triple transit that deepens the experience across several months.
Personal Planets
Social Planets
Transpersonal Planets