Astrological progressions are one of the main means used in Horoscopic astrology to forecast future trends and developments (the other means is transits, which are simply the ongoing movements of the planets across the sky). As its name implies, astrological progression involves a method of progressing the Horoscope forward from the moment of the birth or beginning of the subject into the future, and is most usually done for the birth or natal chart of a particular individual. There are two main forms of progression: Secondary progression or ‘a-day-for-a-year’ progression ; and Solar arc progression or ‘a-degree-for-a-year’ progression. In both systems, the planets, Ascendant , and Midheaven are all seen to have changed position in the progressed chart, and these changes are noted. Particular attention is paid to changes of zodiac signs and houses , and to the angles or aspects the progressed planets form with the original natal chart.
As the Natal (or Birth) Chart shows your promise and potential, the Progressed Chart shows your spiritual unfolding and personal growth. Progressed Charts are used to better understand what motivates you to want to create major life changes. Although your birth chart remains the same, life changes and changes us, and the Progressed Chart describes these changes. It is extremely valuable to compare your current Progressed Chart to your natal chart; it is your inner self showing you how and what it wants to change.
Secondary Progression
To determine your Progressed Chart, look at an ephemeris (the daily listing of planetary positions), and find the day you were born. Then you then count down a-day-for-a-year for each year of your life, and this is your Progressed Chart. Each line of the ephemeris is a day and each day represents one year of life in your Progressed chart. For example, if you are 20, you count twenty lines (or days) from the day of your birth to find your Progressed Sun and read across to find your Progressed Moon and planets. If you are 30, count 30 lines (or days), etc. Movement in a progressed chart is different than the movement of a regular chart Since the Progressed chart is calculated using one day for a year of life, the planets move considerably slower. The movement of the Moon is approximately a degree for each month, while the Sun moves about a degree a year. Due to the ecliptic shape of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, the progressed movement is not precisely one degree per year and computer software can make these difficult calculations quickly and precisely. What changes most in a Progressed chart is the Moon, then the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the house cusps, including your Ascendant and Midheaven, which also progress approximately a degree every year. By Progression, your planets can also change houses, both within the progressed chart and in comparison to your natal (birth) chart. Planets can also station Retrograde or Direct by progressions and these changes are usually notable in your life. When you use Progressions to compare the charts of 2 people in a relationship, you find what brings you together at this point in life. There are some relationships that are lifelong and others that are for season, and by studying a comparison of your Progressed charts, you can understand more about the underlying reasons you are drawn together.
Solar Arc Direction
Another form of the Progressions is the Solar Arc Direction. The Solar Arc Direction is created by using the position of the SUN in the Secondary Progressed Chart. To determine the arc (number of degrees) the Sun has traveled since you were born, find the difference between your Secondary Progressed Sun and your Natal Sun. Then take this number and add it to all the planets’ natal positions. This makes them all progress uniformly to the Sun and your natal chart, and that’s why it’s called your SOLAR (Sun) Arc Direction. This is the method I use for progressive charts.
What's the difference between Transits and Progressions?
Transits are the planets currently orbiting in the sky and the relationships they form to each other and additionally, to your chart. Transits happen for everyone. They’re important and effect you personally when they contact a planet or point in your chart. Transits represent outside energy, things happening outside yourself. They describe external events and your responses to them. Progressions, however, move very slowly and are a natural progression of your original birth chart. The events and emotions they describe are part of you, deeply ingrained in your psyche, internal, and psychological. And as they form aspects, these inner feelings start to become more important and central to your life.
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