How to Read Transits

A transit is a window in time when the planets in the sky form specific angles to the planets and points in your birth chart. When that geometry lines up, it describes a temporary influence — the “weather” you’re moving through. Some windows are quick gusts; others are long seasons. Reading transits helps you name the atmosphere around decisions, moods, opportunities, and pressure.

Faster planets create short, day-to-day weather. Slower planets create longer chapters. Use these ranges as a practical guide — retrogrades can stretch them.

• Conjunction: A merger.
• The transit planet sits with your natal point and amplifies it. New identity or chapter tone when on angles or luminaries.
• Square: A crossroad. Friction that demands action; growth through effort. Useful for making real changes.
• Opposition: A mirror. Awareness through contrast or other people; balancing two ends of an axis.
• Trine: A glide path. Ease, support, and flow; opportunities that unfold naturally when you engage.
• Sextile: A small door. Helpful opportunities that respond to initiative; low friction, modest payoff that can compound.

Squares and oppositions are “hard” because they push. Trines and sextiles are “easy” because they smooth. Neither is good or bad in itself. A square to your career ruler can be the necessary shove to restructure your workload; a trine to Venus can drift by if you don’t participate. Context decides outcome: which planet is hit, which house it rules, and how tight the contact is.

The orb is how far from exact the angle is. Tighter = stronger and clearer. For planning, use conservative orbs and widen slightly for angles and luminaries.

As a rule of thumb, the applying phase (moving toward exact) feels stronger and more active than the separating phase (moving away). Exact days aren’t the only days that matter — they’re the peak of a broader window.

Retrogrades extend timing. When a planet slows, turns retrograde, then turns direct, it can hit the same natal point three times: direct → retrograde → direct. The days it stations (stands still) are concentrated and loud.

• Inner retrogrades (Mercury, Venus, Mars): Revisions in plans, relationships, or strategy; the window can stretch weeks to months.
• Outer retrogrades (Jupiter–Pluto): Multi-pass chapters with clear beats. Track the three exact contacts like acts in a story.

1. Mark the angles, Sun, and Moon. Hits to AC/DC/MC/IC, Sun, and Moon set headline themes.
2. Add house rulers. If the ruler of a topic (e.g., 2nd for money, 7th for partners) is transited, expect movement there.
3. Identify clusters. Several transits to the same house/sign within a month = a chapter in that area.
4. Name the aspect. Say it plainly: “Transiting Saturn square natal Venus” reads differently than “Trine Jupiter to your MC.”
5. Set the window. Use orb + speed to outline start, peak, and wrap. Note retrograde passes.

Transits are astrological weather. They don’t force outcomes, but they describe conditions: tailwinds, headwinds, fog, storms that clear the air. Knowing the forecast helps you aim effort, set expectations, and read your own reactions with more compassion. You still choose the route — the weather just tells you which route will feel uphill and which will fly.

How to Read a Birth Chart

What Are Aspects in Astrology?