Learning to work with Planetary Transits

One of the building blocks of astrology are transits; they can be thought of as a universal clockwork, recording the current transit of planets in the zodiac signs. A natal birth chart, although very accurate, captures a specific snapshot of the sky at the moment you were born. Transits represent the shifting relationship between those unchanging planetary positions and the real, shifting sky. When a planet transits, it generates a unique set of energies, the effect of which is to influence our personal growth, our decision making, and the direction of our life.

What Exactly is a Transit?

Essentially, a transit happens when a planet that is currently moving in the sky aligns with a sensitive or natal point within our birth chart. When one of our inner, rapidly moving planets, like the Moon, is transiting it can trigger changes in our mood on a day to day basis. When one of our outer planets, like Saturn, is transiting it can signify long periods of growth and lessons learned.

It also tells us about areas of our life, such as our career, our romantic relationships, or our identity, that may be calling for our attention according to the energy that is generated by that particular transit.

Why This Stuff Matters

Many people shy away from the word “transit”, but astrology does not have a focus on pre-destination; rather on pre-cognition. When you look at the transits, you cease being a passive participant in life, but an active one.

When you know a time of introspection is on its way, you may well book yourself in for self-care rather than try and force yourself out into the world. You can know that a transit is coming that favors outward expansion, and prepare to take informed risks, in accordance with what’s happening with the transiting planets. In other words, it can help you work in tandem with, not against, the energies around you.

Practical Tips For Navigating the Cosmic Energies

• Practice Mindfulness: When you're under a challenging transit, remember it's an opportunity to slow down and become more aware.
• Use for Growth: Instead of seeing negative transits as “bad luck”, embrace them as opportunities to shed old ways of living.
• Remain grounded: It is still your life, after all. Astrology simply shows where the energies may be pointing; not where you are forced to go.

No matter what level you're interested in, looking at transits is a grounding exercise that provides clarity and helps guide us on our path.