Many have asked how to use astrology to make predictions into the future, and it is my wish to describe this process in an understandable way, so that all those who are interested can work on their own predictions. If you have ANY questions over the following material, please email me and I will be happy to explain whatever elements that are not clear.
Transits
When one is born, we record the positions of all the planets at that particular moment to produce a horoscope - (which is basically like a photographic "snapshot", or a 2 dimensional picture of the sky at the time of birth). A horoscope is, of course, only ONE basic tool in astrology used for obtaining descriptions. In order to measure the GROWTH and CHANGES an individual experiences over time is done by another tool: TRANSITS (from the Latin transitum: to go or pass over).
As you know, the Sun, Moon and planets are constantly moving, and of course continue to move AFTER one's horoscope is cast. Analysing these moving planet positions to the ones recorded on an individual's horoscope is the basis for working with transits. While the math that is required to do this is complicated, the principle is very easy. In fact, each year most individuals celebrate a major astrological transit without realizing it.......their birthday!
For example, one born in November when the Sun was 15* Scorpio celebrates their birthday when the Sun, earth, and 15* Scorpio are lined up in that particular configuration again. To an observer on earth looking in the sky, the Sun appears to transit, or "pass over" 15* Scorpio (an event which happens once a year, due to the characters involved).
Of course the earth's movement is causing this appearance, but still the result is that the Sun, earth, and 15* Scorpio have all aligned AGAIN, which mean birthdays for all those 15* Scorpios. In astrology, we call this a "Solar Return", or that the transiting Sun (the Sun that is actually moving in the sky) has "returned" to the position that the Sun is found on one's horoscope (what is called the natal Sun)..
You might think it silly if you gave your birth information to an astrologer, who then predicted you probably will celebrate a birthday when the date of your birth appears on the calendar. However, this obvious observation is exactly the simple process we use in astrology to predict the future, except that we look at the "returns", alignments, and angles between the Moon and other planets as well.
Geometry, Calculus, and Logrthyms made easy for those who hate math........let the computer do it
If you can figure out when your birthday is, then you have what it takes to look at your transits and figure out what the future holds for you. Yes, here is the fact all those in the "see the future" business DON'T want you to know: anyone can predict the future (and anyone do it precisely, if they learn three easy principles: TRANSITS, ASPECTS, & ENERGIES.
Actually you only need to be exposed to two more principles since you already have all you need to know about transits. One certainly doesn't have to learn the math to CALCUATE tranists anymore, thanks to the computer. To figure out a year's worth of transits before 1975 used to take months, now this can be done in a few minutes. With the computer now doing the math, all one has to do is simply look at a TRANSIT computer printout page - which will show you on any day you wish - WHERE all the transiting planets ARE, as well as WHAT kind of relationships these moving planets are forming with any points on your horoscope.
ASPECTS - the different kinds of relationships / angles
Besides measuring alignments seen in today's diagram (which is called a CONJUNCTION, when two or more elements are lined up in the same space), we also measure OTHER angles between planets. Looking at the different angles between the planets is important, for this shows what kinds of FORCES are operating on the planets involved.
To get a feeling of these "forces", simply grap a rope or string that has an object attached to the opposite end and swing it around (like a cowboy swinging a lasso around before he ropes it around a bull). You will notice at different angles the rope seems to pull with a different force against your hand. The principle behind this gravational "pull" on your hand is the very same force we measure between the Sun, Moon, and planets - that is, ASPECTS.
Next week I will describe the different aspects, however what is important NOW is that you see the basics of aspects is simply the study of different angles - and their forces - between the planets. Interestingly, this second element needed to predict the future, like the first, is a study that can be easily MEASURED and PREDICTED. As you will soon see, special magic is not needed to predict the future - for the tools to do so are in the science that surround us everyday.....
Predicting the future - Part 2
Earlier we illustrated that predicting your future is as easy as figuring out when your next birthday will be. The process astrologers use to predict the future is called transits, which is the study of all the constantly moving planets and stars against those that are fixed on an individual's horoscope.
Working with transits requires some knowledge in ASPECTS and their resulting forces, as well as an understanding the ENERGY and characteristics of the planets involved in the aspect.
"DIFFERENT ANGLES = DIFFERENT FORCES"
The study of aspects is simply analyzing the ANGLES between different planets and stars. For those of you who hate or have forgotten your math, the word "angles" may have given you the fear of having to look for your old Geometry book from school. Relax, any work involved the computer will do - all YOU need to do is know a few principles, one simply being that different ANGLES produces different EFFECTS between two or more bodies in motion.
An example of different aspects can be seen in observing the Moon at different angles as it completes a revolution around the earth. In figure A, which illustrates a NEW MOON, it would appear to an observer on earth that the Moon and Sun occupy the same space, or are very close to one another. In astrology, when heavenly bodies are from 0* to 6* within each other, we say they are CONJUNCT. The symbol for a conjunction is a rod attached to a small circle, to signify the energy of two or more planets "COMBINING" on the same plane.
In figure B, when the Moon moves around to the other side of the earth, the Sun and Moon are be on OPPOSITE sides of the earth - which results in us seeing a FULL MOON. When the Sun, Moon, or planets appear to be on opposite sides of the earth, we call this an OPPOSITION. An opposition is illustrated by a long rod with small circles on each end to symbolize different qualities "PULLING AGAINST" each other.
Are there different effects on earth when we have a NEW Moon and FULL Moon? Sure! Seeds take to root better when planted during a new Moon, and history is full of accounts showing the intense reactions on humans, plants, and animals of a full Moon. Since the Moon travels at a known speed, we can then predict WHEN occurrences that are associated with the Moon will come: such as tense moods, menstrual cycles, poor concentration, and many other emotional tendencies.
This same process is then applied to ALL the other planets (as seen in figure C), measuring conjunctions, oppositions, and other powerful angles - such as 90ø angle, or "square". Since all the planet speeds are also known, we can easily find out WHEN, for example, the forces of Saturn and Mars will be at a certain angle, and then make a prediction based on that combination. As you can see, it takes no great magic to predict the future - but only a simple look at a transit sheet which has all the planet "schedules" printed out, in much the same way a train schedule tells you when a certain train will arrive!
How planets "glanced" at each other
The word ASPECT comes from the Latin aspectum, which means "to look or glance at". In ancient Greek and Roman times, the literal meaning of aspects was "how planets glanced" at each other - that is, in a friendly or unfriendly manner. It is from this original connotation that many people (and even some astrologers) fall into the trap of thinking that some of these aspects/angles are then "good" and "bad", which of course is not correct. Remember, each aspect creates a certain vibrational force, how one uses that forces is usually what determines a positive or negative result.
The first know recorded category of aspects was made by Cladius Ptolemy (AD 100 - 178) and can be found in his book Tetrabiblos (in which he recorded all the astrological knowledge which had survived the destruction of the Great Library of Alexandria). Even though the science of his century - and even earlier - could produce accurate measurements in the sky, the analysis of aspects were determined in a very broad and general way.
Before the 16th Century, planets were considered in aspect by what ZODIAC SIGN they were in, not necessarily by EXACT DEGREES. That is, the Sun and Moon would be in opposition since they were in opposite star signs - such as Aries and Libra. Since there are 30ø in each sign, this allowed for a HUGE distance between planets that were supposed to sharing an aspect. In Figure C, Saturn and the Moon (which let us say are both 29ø apart from each other, yet both in the sign of Libra) would at that time be considered in opposition to the Sun in Aries.
The first in depth analysis of aspect using exact degrees was Johann Kepler (January 6, 1571 - November 15, 1630) a German astrologer, mathematician, and astronomer. Kepler also discovered the three great laws of planetary motion governing the elliptical orbits of planets around the Sun (which later led to Newton's law of universal graviton). Small wonder then, that the first individual who understood planetary motion would create the "measurements" for how these forces and motion relate to the earth.
Predicting the futre - part 3
Earlier we have shown that predicting the future does not require magic, but is something that can be as easy as looking on a calendar to see what day your next birthday will be on!
In astrology, looking into the future is simply done by looking are where the planets will be on a future date, and comparing these positions with those on your horoscope. This method is known as TRANSITS, and is important in telling us WHEN things are probably going to "happen".
Also covered was that as a planet moves, it forms different angles between the earth and one another - and it is these angles that tell us WHAT engeries are most likely to be operating during the time being considered. With these two important facts in mind, we are now ready to see HOW to read a transit report page (and I sure all of you will be surprized how easy it is to predict the future...!)
How to READ a TRANSIT page
Below is a sample from a transit report page - under the first column shows what DATE the transits will occur, and as I said, to predict your future is as simple as looking at a calander, for this printout lists all the planetary movements like a calander, in chronological order.
Under the 2nd column is listed the exact time (to the nearest minute) when the transit (or transits) will occur .
The 3rd column (P1 pos - short for "planet #1 position) tells us WHERE the MOVING PLANET is (by zodiac sign & degree). For example, on October 28, the moving planet making the transit is located at 21SA00 (or 21ø00 Sagitarius). The next column (P1 HS - or planet #1 House) shows which of the 12 houses the moving planet is in.
Now we come to the most important information, which is in column 5, named P! ASP P2 (which means Planet #1 ASPECT on Planet #2,) Remember, Planet #1 is the planet moving in the sky, and Planet #2 is the planet on the individual's horoscope. This column tells us WHAT aspect this moving planet is forming on the planet that is on one's horoscope and is the three letter code between the two planet abbreviations (for example, on Oct 28, this reads MA OPP MO, or on this date MARS will be OPPOSITE the MOON.
(*Let me pause here to show you we now have all the information needed to predit the future - that is - the EXACT date and time of the transit (to tell us WHEN), the two planets involved (one moving and the one on the horoscope) which tell us WHAT energies will be in play, and what aspect is formed to show us HOW the energies between Mars and the Moon will be combined.
The following columns P2 POS and P2 HS are simply the position and house of the planet that is on one's horoscope - in this case the individual's Moon is 21ø00 Gemini and in the 12th house.
How to INTERPRETE a TRANSIT page
Let us pretend the transit information listed above is yours, and today you recieved a call from a company that wants to meet with you on the 28th of October for a job interview. To see what energies will be operating on this date, simply find Oct 28, 1997 on the transit sheet and first look at the P1 ASP P2 column (which has MA OPP MO). Now you can see that on this day, Mars will be forming an OPPOSITION against your Moon - or, Mars will be on the opposite side of the earth as the Moon (in the same way the Sun and Moon are on the opposite sides when we see a full Moon).
An OPPOSITION usually refers to each planets energy working "against" each other (think of two people pulling a rope in opposite directions - against each other). This then will give you an indication that on the day of your job interview some forces may be working against each other. Does this mean things will go "bad" that day? OF course not! Knowing what forces are involved and how they may be expressed allows you then to PREPARE for the situation. Let us see how we can use this information to prepare for the job interview.
We know an OPPOSITION will be the "force" in play, now let us look at the energies that will be "moved" by this force, which are the planets involved in this aspect: the Moon (on your horoscope) and Mars (moving in the sky). Since the Moon represents the EMOTIONS, and Mars the EGO, we now have an idea that EGO and EMOTIONS may be pitted against each other on this day.
How exactly will this oopposition between ego and emotions happen? Well, of course this information is not stated in the transit page, but the HOUSE position of each planet will offer some clues and some ideas can be imagined by the situations of this day that are know (for example, you know you will be in a job interview).
As you may know, each of the 12 houses describes a certain part of life in the same way planets and zodiac signs do (for example, the 10th house refers to one's career, the 7th house to relationships, etc.). To see IN WHAT AREA of your life this oppositon may play a role, looking at what house each planet in the transit is in will offer clues.
In our example, transiting Mars will be in the 6th house of the individuals horoscope, and the Moon is in the 12th. This would indicate the EGO (Mars) may be involved in health and attention to small details (some elements of the 6th house). It may be then, the boss or manager giving the job interview may be highly concerned about (your) health, or that attention to small details will be a big part of the job interview! With this information in mind, you may now prepare to give a good appearance of health, focus yourself on showing you have concern for even the small matters of a business during the interview, and keep in mind this transiting situation may have a tendencey to go AGAINST (the opposition, remember) your emotions - represented by the Moon on your horoscope.
Of course, it helps to have a little experience to formulate the possible descriptions of the future, but as you can see, ALL THE INFORMATION you really need in on the transit sheet (added to your knowledge of your own situation). Most people get the hang of doing this only after a few weeks, and all agree it is really easy...and fun (would you have fun looking into the future?)
Descriptions of Aspects
You can find the descriptions and energies of planets and houses in most books, however the descriptions for aspects may be a bit more difficult to find. If you are planning to work with your transits, you may want to clip out the follwing information below giving you a summery of the qualtiy and characteristics for some of the major aspects:
CNJ - conjunction - when two planets share the exact same spot on your horoscope, or are very near (0ø to 6ø apart from each other). For example, if transit Mars (the current positon of Mars in the sky - which is constantly moving, remember) is conjunct the Moon on your horoscope, this means the current position of Mars is on the exact spot where the Moon was when you were born (that is, Mars in the sky is now on the spot where the Moon is on your horoscope). planets are conjunct, this combines, and intensifies the energies of both planets.
SXT - sextile - when two planets are sextile, they are 60ø apart from each other. This is considered a harmonious aspect, since it unites the signs of the same polarity (Fire, earth, water, and air). This aspect quite ofter offers clarity between the issues involved, allowing you to see things or situaitons that before where hidden.
SQR - square - a square is when the planets are 90° apart. Difficulties are possible, for this is considered the strongest of the 'hard' aspects. Two planets square in transit, usually mean a challenge is involved. Time to face facts, or develop a weakness.
TRI - trine - a trine is when two planets are 120ø apart, considered an 'ease' aspect. This aspect seems to work things out without much effort. Brings confidence and harmony.
OPP - opposition - an opposition is when two planets are on opposite sides of the horoscope, or 180ø apart. Where there may be some tension, this aspect provides opportunity to work on a problem by showing both sides of it. Possible confrontations.
Back to: HOME PAGE
Back to: Technical Main Page
© 1997 astrodavid@hotmail.com
Get your own Free Home Page