Advanced Techniques: Transits, Progressions, Solar Returns & Synastry

BY NICOLE LAU

Introduction to Advanced Astrology

The birth chart is a snapshot of the sky at the moment of birth—a cosmic blueprint that remains constant throughout life. But the planets continue to move, creating dynamic relationships with the birth chart that unfold over time. Advanced astrological techniques—transits, progressions, solar returns, and synastry—allow us to track these movements, predict timing, understand relationship dynamics, and navigate life's unfolding journey with cosmic wisdom.

This comprehensive guide explores four essential advanced techniques that transform astrology from static description to dynamic prediction and relationship analysis, providing practical tools for timing, forecasting, and understanding connections between charts.

Part 1: Transits - The Moving Sky

What Are Transits?

Transits are the current positions of planets in the sky and their aspects to planets in the birth chart. As planets move through the zodiac, they activate different parts of your natal chart, triggering events, opportunities, and challenges.

How Transits Work

When a transiting planet forms an aspect (conjunction, opposition, trine, square, sextile) to a natal planet, it activates that natal planet's energy. The nature of the aspect determines whether the activation is harmonious or challenging.

Example: Transiting Jupiter conjunct natal Sun = expansion and opportunity for the core self; transiting Saturn square natal Moon = emotional challenges and maturation.

Planetary Transit Speeds

Fast-Moving (Personal Transits):

• Moon: 2-3 days per sign, completes zodiac in 28 days
• Mercury: 3-4 weeks per sign (longer during retrograde)
• Venus: 3-5 weeks per sign (longer during retrograde)
• Sun: 1 month per sign
• Mars: 6-7 weeks per sign (longer during retrograde)

Slow-Moving (Generational Transits):

• Jupiter: 1 year per sign
• Saturn: 2.5 years per sign
• Uranus: 7 years per sign
• Neptune: 14 years per sign
• Pluto: 12-32 years per sign (varies)

Major Transit Cycles

Saturn Return (Age 29-30, 58-60): Saturn returns to its natal position, marking major life transitions and maturation.

Uranus Opposition (Age 40-42): Uranus opposes its natal position, triggering midlife awakening and rebellion.

Jupiter Return (Every 12 Years): Jupiter returns to its natal position, bringing growth and new opportunities.

Pluto Square Pluto (Age 40-42): Pluto squares its natal position, forcing deep transformation.

Interpreting Transits

1. Identify the transiting planet: What energy is activating?
2. Identify the natal planet: What part of you is being activated?
3. Identify the aspect: How are they interacting?
4. Identify the houses: Where is this playing out?
5. Consider timing: When is the transit exact? How long does it last?

Example Interpretation:
Transiting Pluto conjunct natal Venus in 7th house = Deep transformation (Pluto) of love and values (Venus) through relationships (7th house); may involve intense relationship experiences, power dynamics in partnerships, or complete transformation of what you value in relationships.

Working with Transits

• Harmonious transits (trines, sextiles): Take advantage of opportunities, flow with the energy
• Challenging transits (squares, oppositions): Face challenges consciously, use the tension for growth
• Outer planet transits: Major life themes that unfold over months or years
• Inner planet transits: Daily or weekly influences, moods, and events

Part 2: Progressions - The Unfolding Self

What Are Progressions?

Progressions are a symbolic timing technique where each day after birth represents one year of life. The progressed chart shows your psychological and spiritual evolution over time.

Secondary Progressions (Most Common)

In secondary progressions, the planetary positions on the 30th day after birth represent age 30, the 50th day represents age 50, etc.

Formula: Day after birth = Year of life

What Progresses?

Fast-Moving Points (Most Important):

• Progressed Moon: Moves about 1° per month, changes sign every 2-2.5 years; shows emotional focus and needs
• Progressed Sun: Moves about 1° per year, changes sign every 30 years; shows evolving identity
• Progressed Mercury, Venus, Mars: Show evolving mental, love, and action styles
• Progressed Ascendant: Changes sign every 20-30 years; shows evolving persona

Slow-Moving Planets: Barely move in progressions; less significant

Major Progressed Events

Progressed New Moon: Progressed Moon conjunct progressed Sun; new 30-year cycle beginning

Progressed Full Moon: Progressed Moon opposite progressed Sun; culmination and awareness

Progressed Sun Changing Signs: Major shift in identity and life direction (every 30 years)

Progressed Moon Changing Signs: Shift in emotional focus and needs (every 2-2.5 years)

Interpreting Progressions

Progressions show internal psychological development rather than external events. They reveal:

• How you're evolving psychologically
• Changing emotional needs and focus
• Shifts in identity and self-expression
• Internal readiness for external changes

Example: Progressed Moon entering Capricorn = Emotional focus shifts to career, achievement, and structure; need for emotional maturity and responsibility.

Combining Progressions and Transits

The most powerful timing comes from combining both:

• Progressions: Show internal readiness and psychological state
• Transits: Trigger external events and opportunities
• Together: When both align, major life changes occur

Part 3: Solar Returns - The Yearly Forecast

What Is a Solar Return?

A solar return is a chart cast for the exact moment the Sun returns to its natal position each year (your astrological birthday, usually within a day of your calendar birthday). It provides a forecast for the year ahead.

How to Use Solar Returns

1. Cast the chart: For the exact moment of solar return in your current location
2. Analyze the chart: Treat it like a birth chart for the year
3. Focus on: Ascendant, Sun, Moon, angular planets (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th houses)
4. Compare to natal: How does the solar return interact with your birth chart?

Key Solar Return Factors

Solar Return Ascendant: The persona and approach for the year

Solar Return Sun House: The main focus and area of development for the year

Solar Return Moon: Emotional focus and needs for the year

Angular Planets: Planets in 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th houses are most active and important

Aspects to Natal Planets: How the year's energies interact with your birth chart

Interpreting Solar Returns

Example: Solar return Sun in 10th house with Saturn conjunct Ascendant = Year focused on career and public achievement (10th house Sun) with serious, disciplined approach (Saturn on Ascendant); likely a year of hard work and professional advancement.

Solar Return Timing

• The solar return is active from one birthday to the next
• The first 3 months after the return are most intense
• Transits to the solar return chart activate its themes
• The solar return sets the tone; transits provide the timing

Part 4: Synastry - Relationship Astrology

What Is Synastry?

Synastry is the comparison of two birth charts to understand relationship dynamics, compatibility, and challenges. It reveals how two people's energies interact, what they trigger in each other, and the purpose of their connection.

Basic Synastry Techniques

1. Chart Comparison: Place one person's planets around the other's chart to see which houses they fall in and what aspects they make.

2. Aspect Analysis: Examine aspects between the two charts (inter-aspects).

3. Composite Chart: Create a midpoint chart representing the relationship itself.

Key Synastry Factors

Sun-Moon Contacts: Core compatibility; Sun-Moon harmony indicates mutual understanding

Venus-Mars Contacts: Romantic and sexual attraction; Venus-Mars aspects show chemistry

Moon-Moon Aspects: Emotional compatibility; how you nurture each other

Mercury Contacts: Communication compatibility; how you think and talk together

Saturn Contacts: Commitment and longevity; Saturn aspects can stabilize or restrict

Outer Planet Contacts: Transformative, karmic, or generational connections

Harmonious Synastry Aspects

• Trines and Sextiles: Easy flow, natural compatibility
• Conjunctions: Intense connection, blending of energies
• Example: Person A's Venus trine Person B's Mars = Natural romantic and sexual harmony

Challenging Synastry Aspects

• Squares and Oppositions: Friction, growth through challenge
• Example: Person A's Moon square Person B's Saturn = Emotional restriction; A feels criticized or limited by B

House Overlays

Where one person's planets fall in the other's houses shows what areas of life they activate:

• Planets in 1st house: Strong impact on identity and self-image
• Planets in 4th house: Feels like home and family
• Planets in 7th house: Strong partnership potential
• Planets in 8th house: Deep, transformative, intense connection
• Planets in 10th house: Public partnership, career connection

The Composite Chart

The composite chart is created by finding the midpoint between each pair of planets in the two charts. It represents the relationship itself as a third entity.

Use for: Understanding the relationship's purpose, challenges, and potential

Focus on: Composite Sun (relationship's core), Moon (emotional bond), Venus (love expression), Saturn (commitment and challenges)

Relationship Types in Synastry

Soulmate Connections: Strong Sun-Moon, Venus-Mars, or nodal contacts; sense of destiny

Karmic Relationships: Saturn, Pluto, or South Node contacts; lessons to learn

Twin Flame: Intense Pluto, Uranus, or 8th house connections; transformative and challenging

Companionate: Strong Mercury, Jupiter contacts; friendship and growth

Combining All Techniques

The Complete Picture

For comprehensive astrological analysis, combine all techniques:

1. Natal Chart: Your cosmic blueprint, unchanging foundation
2. Progressions: Your psychological evolution and internal state
3. Transits: Current cosmic weather and external triggers
4. Solar Return: The year's themes and focus
5. Synastry: How you interact with others

Example: Complete Analysis

Question: When will I meet a significant partner?

Analysis:

• Natal: Check 7th house, Venus, and relationship indicators
• Progressions: Is progressed Venus or 7th house ruler making aspects? Is progressed Moon in 7th house?
• Transits: Is Jupiter, Venus, or Uranus transiting the 7th house or aspecting natal Venus?
• Solar Return: Is the solar return 7th house emphasized? Venus or 7th house ruler angular?
• Timing: When progressions and transits align, meeting is likely

Practical Application Guide

For Timing Events

1. Check progressions for internal readiness
2. Check transits for external triggers
3. Look for alignment between both
4. Use solar return for yearly themes
5. Exact timing often comes when transit triggers progressed aspect

For Relationship Analysis

1. Compare both natal charts
2. Analyze inter-aspects (synastry)
3. Check house overlays
4. Create composite chart
5. Look at current transits to both charts and composite

Further Study

Transits:

• Planets in Transit by Robert Hand
• The Inner Sky by Steven Forrest

Progressions:

• The Progressed Horoscope by Alan Leo
• Predictive Astrology by Carol Rushman

Solar Returns:

• The Solar Return Book of Prediction by Raymond Merriman

Synastry:

• Synastry by Ronald Davison
• The Astrology of Human Relationships by Frances Sakoian

Conclusion

Advanced astrological techniques—transits, progressions, solar returns, and synastry—transform astrology from a static snapshot into a dynamic, living system that tracks your evolution, predicts timing, and reveals the intricate dance of relationships. By mastering these techniques, you gain the ability to navigate life's journey with cosmic wisdom, understanding not just who you are but how you're evolving, when opportunities will arise, and how you connect with others in the grand symphony of existence.

May you navigate your transits with wisdom. May you honor your progressions. May you understand your relationships. May you walk your path with the stars as your guide.

The journey through the cosmos continues. The wisdom is yours to claim. The stars await your understanding.