Transits in astrology – when they can be used in forecasting

In astrology, transits are used to make forecasts. To do that, astrologers study the movements of the planets in relation to a person’s birth chart.

A birth chart is a map of how the sun, moon and planets were positioned at a person’s birth – a snapshot of a certain point in time. However, the celestial bodies will continue to move around us in a clockwise direction. A transit means that a planet comes into a certain position in relation to how the planets are positioned in the birth chart.

Two examples of transits

For example, if the position of the sun in the birth chart is at 10 degrees Leo, a transit will occur when a planet, in its path in the sky, is in the same place, that is, also at 10 degrees Leo. At this transit, the sun and the planet form a conjunction, which is generally considered a favorable relationship between them.

Another form of transit will occur if the planet is exactly opposite 10 degrees Leo, that is, at 10 degrees Aquarius. At this transit, an opposition is formed, which is considered a conflicting relationship between the sun and the planet.

What these transits look like in a birth chart

The image below illustrates a very simple birth chart. A person is standing on earth, represented by the middle of the circle, looking southward. There we can see the symbol for the sun, a small circle with a dot in the middle. Not far from the sun we can see the symbol for Leo. When the person was born, the sun was in the zodiac sign of Leo.

Time passes by, and after some time the planet Venus, in its path around the earth, is in the same position that the sun was at the person’s birth. You can see the planet Venus outside of the circle. The sun and Venus form an aspect called conjunction (see more on aspects here).

In the image, the symbol for the sun is inside the circle, representing the sun’s position at the person’s birth. Venus and the moon are outside the circle, representing their respective positions in the sky at a later point in time.

The other planets also continue to circle around earth, seen from a geocentric perspective. Some time after the person’s birth, the moon is on the opposite side of the sun in the person’s birth chart, close to the symbol of Aquarius. This is called an opposition, an aspect that is generally seen as bringing conflicts and challenges to a person’s life.

Other examples of transits

Another transit occurs when a planet in its movement across the sky comes 60 degrees from the sun’s position (in the birth chart) at 10 degrees Leo. In our example, that is at 10 degrees Gemini. During this transit, a so-called trine is formed between the sun and the planet, which is considered favorable.

With the help of tables (ephemeris) or software, you can calculate the positions of the planets in the future, and thereby make forecasts about how a person will be affected by the planets.

Transits are only relevant when studying large groups of people

However, the planets’ electromagnetic influence on us is marginal in comparison to that of the earth, sun, sunring and moon.

In sunring astrology, transits are therefore only used when it comes to large groups of people, such as society at large. In those cases, enough people will be affected by the position of a planet. That can lead to a certain minor change in their behavior, which in turn can trigger certain effects in the world. Even if the impact only affects a small minority, it will still have some effect on society because, in total, many people are affected.

The planets have a minimal impact on the electro-magnetic field

In sunring astrology, astrology is viewd as an electromagnetic system that describes, above all, what specific energies were present and marked us at our birth. We are constantly surrounded by enormous energy flows from the earth and the celestial bodies that are closest to us, i.e. the sun and the moon. The energy from the planets is minute in this context.

Therefore, instead of focusing on negligible planetary aspects, sunring astrology focuses on the sun sign, the sunring and the moon in order for each person to gain a deeper understanding of themselves

Image symbolizing the electromagnetic field

We are not quite the same person with our friends as we are at work or when we are alone. Something that was present in us as children is toned down as we get older. The Sunring teaches you to understand all these different parts of your personality and ultimately to understand more about yourself.

Once you know yourself on a deeper level, you will be less influenced by other types of forces around you, be it individuals, past experiences or the mass media. Sunring astrology is thus a starting point for personal and spiritual development. Learn more about in How electromagnetic astrology affects us humans and in What is sunring astrology.

Frequently asked questions about transits in astrology

What are astrological transits and how do they relate to the natal chart?

Astrological transits refer to the current planetary movements in the sky and how they interact with the positions of the planets in the natal chart (the map of the sky at the exact moment of a person’s birth).

These interactions can highlight potential turning points or events happening in the person’s life.

Transits, or forecasting, should however be approached with caution. Sometimes a person may experience major life events without any specific transit occurring, and sometimes a major transit may occur although the person has not noticed anything.

A transit should rather be seen as a small electromagnetic nudge that may or may not have an impact on the person’s life, depending on what other electromagnetic influences the person is experiencing.

We are constantly submerged in a vast field of electromagnetic frequencies, which is primarily formed by the earth’s magnetic field, the sun and the moon. The planets have a much lesser impact on the field. See more about this topic in How electromagnetic astrology affects us humans.

How do transits help predict future trends or events?

Transits are a key tool in modern astrology for forecasting future trends. By studying the positions of transiting planets and their aspects to the natal planets, astrologers can identify potential periods of growth, challenges or significant events.

However, astrologers generally emphasize free will, as transits suggest possibilities rather than dictating outcomes.

In fact, a transit may occur without anything particular happening in a person’s life, and sometimes a person may experience a major life crisis without any transit occurring. From an electromagnetic perspective, a planetary transit is a minor electromagnetic nudge in a certain direction which may or may not change the person’s behavior or life path.

On a broader scale however, on a societal level, transits are more interesting as they may then affect enough people to move society in a new direction.

What is the difference between inner and outer planet transits?

Inner planets (like the moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars) move quickly through the zodiac and often reflect short-term influences or personal transits. Outer planets (like Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) are slow-moving and signify long-lasting effects, often tied to major life changes or power struggles.

What are considered important transits in a person’s life?

Some transits are usually considered more impactful by conventional astrologers. For example:

Saturn return: Occurs around ages 29–30 and again at 58–59, marking a period of maturity and re-evaluation.

Jupiter transits: Often bring growth, optimism or opportunities.

Pluto transits: May signify deep transformation and periods of personal power struggles. Paying attention to these can help you navigate major life changes.

In sunring astrology, all the planets and their transits are considered to be of less importance as they have a marginal impact on the electromagnetic field that we are constantly submerged in. The major electromagnetic powers that shape our personalities are the earth’s magnetic field, the sun, the sunring and the moon. Learn more about it in What is sunring astrology.

Can transits predict the exact time of an event?

While transits can highlight periods when events are more likely to occur, most astrologers agree that predicting actual events is challenging. This is because free will and individual circumstances play a significant role in shaping outcomes.

What role do slow-moving planets play in astrology?

Slow-moving planets like Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are associated with outer planet transits, which tend to bring changes over a longer period. These planets can mark significant turning points for humanity, such as spiritual awakenings.

Can I use transits to better understand my own experiences?

Conventional astrologers compare a transit chart to your natal chart, to gain insights into the energies influencing your current circumstances.

For example, if the transiting moon is activating your natal sun, it might signal an emotionally significant moment. Paying attention to these patterns can help you align with the flow of planetary movements in your own life.

However, when astrology is viewed as a method to describe the electromagnetic forces that we are constantly exposed to, transits are of less importance. Instead, the focus is on the unique energies that we are imprinted with at birth and that influence us during our entire life. These energies, or electromagnetic frequencies, are primarily the earth’s magnetic field, the sun, the sunring and the moon

Sunring Astrology