Transits and Progressions are both ways to look ahead. And that’s where the similarity ends. Both are essential astrological predication tools. Awareness of our transits and progressions can help us have a more active and fulfilling involvement in our lives. We can be “present.” Yet they are very different methods of looking at the chart over time. Most astrologers use both for an effective reading.

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Your SECONDARY PROGRESSIONS evolve from within you – they change as you change. Progressions are a symbol of your very personal unfolding, your growth, and your current Progressed chart shows what YOU want, most of all, right now. Progressions show the energy coming from wtihin your original source and how that is effecting you. This changes, slowly. Other times, change can happen in an instant, as planets align.

Your TRANSITS represent what’s happening out there, outside yourself, in the world, and how it’s effecting you. It shows how you are likely to interact with the energies you are likely to encounter. Always keep in mind – we have FREE WILL – we do not necessarily do what is expected, predictable, or predicted. We are also infinitely creative in how we manifest and handle our transits.

A Secondary Progression chart, or “progressed chart” can be calculated by looking at the Ephemeris for the day you were born, and counting down ONE LINE FOR EACH YEAR you have been alive. If you are 20, count down 20 lines – that line is (approximately) your current Progressed chart. If you are 40, count 40 lines. This gives you the position of the Progressed Sun and all your planets. To determine your Progressed house cusps, which includes the Ascendant (1st house cusp) and Midheaven (10th house cusp) you will need to do a mathematical formula – or use software which makes it very easy to find your exact Secondary Progressed chart at any moment in time.

For more information about Progressed charts and their movement in time, see my article in the Learn Astrology section of artcharts.com

Solar Arc Progressions use the position of the Secondary Progressed Sun, and move all the planets one degree a year, like the Sun (it’s a SOLAR Arc Direct). This maintains the same interplanetary aspects – all the planets move forward together, one degree a year. This means when you are 30, all your Solar Arc planets will be semisextile your natal chart. And this is wonderful news for those turning 60 – all your planets sextile their natal positions. This does not occur at exactly 60, since the Earth is not a perfect circle.

Progressions and Solar Arc Directions are very personal. The only other person that can have your exact progressed chart is someone born the exact moment and place you were. Progressions show your PERSONAL unfolding, your PERSONAL development and path. No one else has your Progressed chart when you do.

Transits are less personal. They are about the TRANSITING planets in the sky, and how they interact with your chart. They can make aspects to your planets. And they can conjunct points in your chart, like the Ascendant or Midheaven. Any contact can have an effect.

Transits are always happening. When you were born, the planets made a unique pattern that will never be repeated. That is your birth chart. Right now, the sky is different. Using a BIWHEEL chart compares your birth chart (inside chart wheel) to a “Transit chart” (outside chart). When you see an astrology Forecast that is based on “Transits” it means how the transiting planets are effecting your chart. You can select any time you want and look at that chart compared to your chart by using a biwheel chart. This can be very instructive when you are interested in what kind of energy is effecting you – now or at any other time in your past or future.

Here’s an example of a bi-wheel transit chart. The INSIDE chart is Barack Obama’s natal chart. The OUTSIDE chart is when he took the Oath of office as the POTUS (President of the United States) in 2013:

biwheel chart

Example of a bi-wheel NATAL-to-PROGRESSED chart. The INSIDE chart is Barack Obama’s natal chart, the OUTSIDE chart is his PROGRESSED chart when he took the Oath of office as the POTUS (President of the United States) in 2013:

Example of a TRI-WHEEL NATAL-to-PROGRESSED-to-TRANSIT. The INSIDE chart is Barack Obama’s natal chart, the MIDDLE chart is his PROGRESSED chart when he took the Oath of office as the POTUS (President of the United States) in 2013, and the OUTSIDE chart is the transit chart:

Because artcharts mission is to provide helpful astro info and to give you maximum information AND to help you understand it better, Artcharts includes a birth chart and a bi-wheel transit chart with almost every order – as your spiritual receipt – proof that your report is correct. (charts do not apply to all orders;-) I hope this post helps you understand your charts better. Use artcharts Learn Astrology for help, and our fun&fascinating transit search.

Learn more about these methods of prediction:
Progressions
Solar Arc Directions
Transits
Solar Returns
Lunar Returns

Get your Secondary Progressed chart – calculated exactly, explained, and with a forecast on artcharts.com