Transits are simply the placement of the current Planets placed on top of a Nativity and further judged by their position and interactions with the natal Planets. Transits have been quite misused by the Modern Astrology field and many base their predictions solely on these transits. It is often assumed that Transits can only be applied to the outer slow moving Planets because the fast moving Planets make constant contact with all the Planets and therefore have lesser meaning. This is however completely false and transits are just as powerful with regard to the inner planets, in fact that is all that is used in Traditional Astrology.
A Transit can be made through conjunction, aspect, or even antiscions and contrantiscions and be made to not only the Planets of the Nativity but also the house cusps. It should be noted that not every transit will lead to an event. In order for a transit to become useful in prediction it should be supported by both the Directions or Solar Returns (and possibly Annual Profections). Without the support of these other charts Transits on themselves have little power to influence. I will further provide those interested in reading through transits with some Aphorisms given by Gadbury to help aid the student in understanding Transits. You will notice that the interpretations of these positions alone are weak and not strengthened but when these Aphorisms are combined with Directions and the Solar Return for support, they are strengthened much and become more powerful and potent.
For example, we see that Jupiter or Venus transiting the second house shows an increase of goods and fortune. If in a Solar Return we find that the Lord of the second house strong and fortunate, the Transit supports the Solar Return and can show when Venus enters that House through Transit, it will initiate the influence of both its placement as well as the Solar Returns prediction. If we find Venus enters the second house through Transit and the Solar Return shows that the Lord of the second house is weak and there are malevolent planets placed in it, regardless of the Transits position there the influence will be weak and will likely not bring the fortune promised by the Transit alone.
1. When a fortunate Planet shall transit their own places, or the places of the Luminaries, it portends good unto the Native according to their proper Significations. If in Sextile or Trine to their own, or the places of the Luminaries, it denotes good also : but coming to the Quartile or Opposition of their radical places, or of the Lights, they then signify evil; and if those Fortunes shall be Lords of their places of the figure, the good they prenote will be lessened, and the evil augmented.
2. The unfortunate Planets transiting their own places, or the places of the Luminaries, or the Quartile or Opposition of them, denotes infelicity unto the Native; trouble and perplexity in his undertakings; he is cross in his expectations. But if they pass by the Sextiles or Trines or their own, or the places of the Luminaries, then they portend good to the Native according to their Significations.
3. The Malefic Planets transiting the places of the benevolent, disturb and cross the Native in his business or affairs; to the Quartiles or Oppositions, the same : but to their Sextiles and Trines, (if they be dignified in those places) they are assistant to him in his undertakings.
4. The Benevolent Planets transiting the places of the Malevolents, and they Lords of good Houses in the Nativity, prenote good to the Native; and to their Sextiles and Trines, he is fortunate in his Actions or undertakings; to their Quartile and Oppositions, he meets with crosses from Persons or Things signified by those places.
5. Jupiter or Venus transiting the Ascendant at birth, or his Lord, portends health of body, and peace of mind; the same say of the Dragons head. But Saturn or Mars passing by the same; impedites the Natives health, discomposes and disturbs him several days together. Saturn, by melancholy and trouble of mind; Mars, by Choler and Quarrels, & etc.
6. The good Planets passing by the second House or his Lord, demonstrate gain and profit; and show an apt time to receive Money, or to buy things without danger of being cheated. But the Infortunes denote loss, and vain expenses of Money; and bid the Native beware whom he deals with then, and upon what terms.
7. When the good Planets pass by the third House or his Lord, the Native may probably expect good from Brethren or Kindred, or by short journeys, & etc. but the Infortunate ones, the contrary. And so of the rest of the Houses.
8. Jupiter or Venus transiting the Ascendant or his Lord by Sextile or Trine, shows the Native to be pleasant, affable and merry, and very healthful; by square or opposition, it declares crosses and troubles with Jovial and Venereal persons. But if Saturn and Mars transit the Ascendant, or his Lord, by Sextile or Trine, it portends good to the Native : viz. Mars inclines to generosity and freeness, to keep company with noble minded men, and such as are Martially disposed : But Saturn portends him to seriousness, gravity and sobriety; and he keeps company or acquaints himself with ancient men. But if they transit by Quartile or Opposition, it presages evil and detriment to the Native. From Saturn, he is troubled with many perplexed thoughts and discontents, the Headache and other noxious melancholy distempers. For Mars, he is moved or stirred up to choler and passion, which apts him for Quarrels and Contentions : it sometimes declares restraint or wounds.
9. When the Benefics transit the Midheaven, or his Lord, or the Part of honor and estimation, the Native receives honor, and (if the Revolution or a Direction promise it) preferment also; and gain by the favor and friendship of great persons. The Malevolents transiting the same, denote scandal and disgrace, and a catastrophe of the Natives honor and preferment.
