Astrological Forecasting; the cosmos speaks to us
So as I discussed in my last post, knowing where to start with an astrological forecast can be tricky. In this second post in the series, I’m going to give an overview of the various forecasting techniques which I usually use and the different information they provide. Because not all forecasting techniques are created equal. One of the main differences is whether they draw on the current positions of the planets, like transits and solar returns. Other forecast techniques are symbolic, showing the unfolding of a particular birth chart, like secondary progressions and solar arc directions. In this post, I’ll give an overview of the techniques which use the current positions of the planets - transits and solar returns.
Transits
Transits are perhaps the best known astrological forecasting technique, and with good reason. They are relatively simple to understand and tend to speak most clearly to how our life and self are changing in any given moment. Transits describe the current movement of the planets around the natal chart. For example, today as I type Pluto is at 29 degrees of Capricorn. If we have any natal planets at 29 Capricorn, they are currently being transited by Pluto. Likewise, planets at 29 degrees of the other cardinal signs are also receiving a Pluto transit. If we have a planet at 29 Cancer, Pluto is currently opposing it. If we have a planet at 29 Aries or Libra, Pluto is squaring it. Transits of the slow moving outer planets to our natal planets and angles are always the most important in our forecast. The transpersonal planets move slowly so these transits last the longest. And since the outer planets spend so much time retrograde, we’ll often have three to five exact “hits” when the planet makes an exact aspect to our natal chart. Outer planet transits are initiations and rites of passage. They can show up as a literal event, but also as an emotional event, a psychological event, a spiritual event.
Saturn and Jupiter are also significant by transit. They move faster and often show the deeper shifts of the outer planets taking form in our everyday lives. The transiting Nodes can also be powerful. As they always move retrograde, they carry an energy of integration around the chart, bringing opportunities to reflect on our experiences.
Solar returns
Solar return charts are a chart set for the point when the Sun returns to it’s own position in our natal chart. Which will generally be on our birthday, or a day either side. So this is an ephemeral chart for that year, telling us something about how our solar journey of personal growth and expressing our core self is playing out this year. It can look quite different from our natal chart, as if we’re being given a whole new set of tools to work with, resources to draw on, or even toys to play with and explore, during this cycle. The house of the Sun in a solar return chart tells us the area of life where our energy is likely to be directed. The rising sign tells us how we might meet the world this year and the MC what our goals are likely to be. We can also compare the solar return chart with the natal chart. What is similar and what is different? What is familiar and what calls us to try something new?
And we don’t have to stop at solar return charts. We can cast a chart for the return of any planet to its natal position. Every year we get a Mercury return, speaking to us of our mental focus and energy. Our Venus return shows us how our relationship patterns are playing out right now. A Mars return happens every couple of years and shows how our energy is being directed and expressed. Many folk find lunar return charts, for the return of the Moon to its natal point every month, really useful in delineating emotional concerns and expression.
Both of these techniques, transits and return charts, show the cosmos in its current form impacting our natal chart. It might awaken or reinforce an energy that is already familiar to us. Or it might bring something completely new, a visitor to our chart who will stay awhile, shake up our assumptions, show us a new way of being, make us rethink how we work with and experience the area of the natal chart which is in focus.