The Progressed Sun and Solar Transits Part 2
From My Notebook on the Planets
Your latest astrology lesson
In part one of this series on the progressed Sun, I talked about the meaning of the Sun and the effects of the progressed Sun.
In this article, Part 2, I explain the effects of the yearly movement of the transiting Sun to the natal and progressed Sun.
The Sun is related to vitality, the ability to be healthy, and to purpose and goals.
For those new to astrology, the transiting Sun refers to the Sun that we see every day when we look out in the sky, not the Sun in the chart. The Sun in the chart is called the natal Sun.
The Natal Sun
The transiting Sun moves through all twelve signs of the zodiac in a given year. As it travels through the signs, it will make contacts to the natal sun several times for good or bad. Have you ever noticed that certain months seem to attract similar events year after year? Have you noticed that some months are busy or hectic, while other months are quiet and things run smoothly? It is important to calculate the movement of the Sun through the chart to determine times of ease and times of challenge.
The Conjunction - The Solar Return
Every year, the transiting Sun makes a conjunction to the natal Sun (the Solar Return) on the birthday. However, because the movement of the Sun is not the same as the yearly calendar, this contact may vary by a few hours, or a few days, either before or after the birthday.
Most people actually feel a little down at their birthday - lethargic, exhausted, cranky, maudlin. etc. This is not caused by all the partying, it’s the intensity of the conjunction. Think of the conjunction as a renewal, a new birth, (births are tiring). Those with the Sun in Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius (where the Sun is dignified) may not feel the renewal as exhausting.
Good Aspects - Sextiles and Trines
Once the birthday is over, there are other contacts to consider. The Sun makes four good aspects during the year, two sextiles and two trines. The sextiles occur two months before and after the birthday. Sextiles are upbeat times of opportunity. The trines occur four months before and after the birthday. Trines are a time of flow and ease; things are done without much effort. Ancient astrologers considered them too easy and very unproductive, thus they were often thought of as evil. If you don't do something to activate the trines, the benefits will just pass on by. You have to get up off the couch and do something. Put those feet down and move.
Hard Aspects - Squares and Oppositions
The Sun makes two squares and one opposition every year.
For some people, these are difficult times; they bring mood swings, anger, irritation, anxiety, or depression, energy is low causing illness. Exhaustion sets in and you may need more sleep.
The squares occur three months before or after the birthday. Squares are a time of friction, and you have to work something out on an inner level.
The opposition occurs six months after the birthday. The opposition is more of an outer aspect, a time of awareness, and it will involve other people. The opposition is also a tiring time.
In spite of the fact that the squares and oppositions are difficult, they are beneficial in that they force us to do something and go after goals.
The Transiting Sun and the Progressed Sun
We've discussed the transits to the natal Sun, but transits to the progressed Sun are also important.
Aspects to the progressed Sun are subtle and psychological. It’s easy to get in a rut with the effects of the transiting Sun year after year, but the progressed Sun pulls us out of our ruts, because unlike the natal Sun, there will be several changes.
As the transiting Sun makes its yearly revolution, it makes good and bad contacts to the progressed Sun and the meaning of these contacts changes over time. Watch for the entrance of the progressed Sun into a new sign, or a new house. The mode and element changes when the progressed Sun enters a new sign, and this affects the meaning of the aspect. With a house change, a new area of life is affected.
Don’t worry, we have plenty of time to adjust to these changes; most shifts are gradual. We get approximately 30 years to adjust to the Sun in a new sign, and several years for the houses.
Mapping out the Transits of the Sun
Look at your chart, and map out the yearly transits of the Sun to the natal and progressed Sun. Determine the months of vitality and success, and the months when you will slow down or have more challenges.
When you are plotting out the movement of the Sun, don’t forget to notice what else is going on. For instance, if the Sun is making a contact at the same time as a solstice, equinox, eclipse, retrograde, or major transit, this makes a big difference as to how the transit will affect you that particular year.
In the next article on progressions, I’ll give more examples of the progressed Sun and examine a few charts.
Suggested Reading
There are only a few good books on progressions still in print; here are two.
Carol Rushman’s book, Art of Predictive Astrology, is a good addition to your astrological library. This is a hands-on-book. It’s not theory; it’s based on her day to day practice.
Robert Blaschke's book on progressions is more advanced. He has a chapter on working with minor progressions.
He has five books in his, Astrology: Language of Life, series. Volume 1 (the book with the blue cover is on Progressions
Your latest astrology lesson
In part one of this series on the progressed Sun, I talked about the meaning of the Sun and the effects of the progressed Sun.
In this article, Part 2, I explain the effects of the yearly movement of the transiting Sun to the natal and progressed Sun.
The Sun is related to vitality, the ability to be healthy, and to purpose and goals.
For those new to astrology, the transiting Sun refers to the Sun that we see every day when we look out in the sky, not the Sun in the chart. The Sun in the chart is called the natal Sun.
The Natal Sun
The transiting Sun moves through all twelve signs of the zodiac in a given year. As it travels through the signs, it will make contacts to the natal sun several times for good or bad. Have you ever noticed that certain months seem to attract similar events year after year? Have you noticed that some months are busy or hectic, while other months are quiet and things run smoothly? It is important to calculate the movement of the Sun through the chart to determine times of ease and times of challenge.
The Conjunction - The Solar Return
Every year, the transiting Sun makes a conjunction to the natal Sun (the Solar Return) on the birthday. However, because the movement of the Sun is not the same as the yearly calendar, this contact may vary by a few hours, or a few days, either before or after the birthday.
Most people actually feel a little down at their birthday - lethargic, exhausted, cranky, maudlin. etc. This is not caused by all the partying, it’s the intensity of the conjunction. Think of the conjunction as a renewal, a new birth, (births are tiring). Those with the Sun in Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius (where the Sun is dignified) may not feel the renewal as exhausting.
Good Aspects - Sextiles and Trines
Once the birthday is over, there are other contacts to consider. The Sun makes four good aspects during the year, two sextiles and two trines. The sextiles occur two months before and after the birthday. Sextiles are upbeat times of opportunity. The trines occur four months before and after the birthday. Trines are a time of flow and ease; things are done without much effort. Ancient astrologers considered them too easy and very unproductive, thus they were often thought of as evil. If you don't do something to activate the trines, the benefits will just pass on by. You have to get up off the couch and do something. Put those feet down and move.
Hard Aspects - Squares and Oppositions
The Sun makes two squares and one opposition every year.
For some people, these are difficult times; they bring mood swings, anger, irritation, anxiety, or depression, energy is low causing illness. Exhaustion sets in and you may need more sleep.
The squares occur three months before or after the birthday. Squares are a time of friction, and you have to work something out on an inner level.
The opposition occurs six months after the birthday. The opposition is more of an outer aspect, a time of awareness, and it will involve other people. The opposition is also a tiring time.
In spite of the fact that the squares and oppositions are difficult, they are beneficial in that they force us to do something and go after goals.
The Transiting Sun and the Progressed Sun
We've discussed the transits to the natal Sun, but transits to the progressed Sun are also important.
Aspects to the progressed Sun are subtle and psychological. It’s easy to get in a rut with the effects of the transiting Sun year after year, but the progressed Sun pulls us out of our ruts, because unlike the natal Sun, there will be several changes.
As the transiting Sun makes its yearly revolution, it makes good and bad contacts to the progressed Sun and the meaning of these contacts changes over time. Watch for the entrance of the progressed Sun into a new sign, or a new house. The mode and element changes when the progressed Sun enters a new sign, and this affects the meaning of the aspect. With a house change, a new area of life is affected.
Don’t worry, we have plenty of time to adjust to these changes; most shifts are gradual. We get approximately 30 years to adjust to the Sun in a new sign, and several years for the houses.
Mapping out the Transits of the Sun
Look at your chart, and map out the yearly transits of the Sun to the natal and progressed Sun. Determine the months of vitality and success, and the months when you will slow down or have more challenges.
When you are plotting out the movement of the Sun, don’t forget to notice what else is going on. For instance, if the Sun is making a contact at the same time as a solstice, equinox, eclipse, retrograde, or major transit, this makes a big difference as to how the transit will affect you that particular year.
In the next article on progressions, I’ll give more examples of the progressed Sun and examine a few charts.
Suggested Reading
There are only a few good books on progressions still in print; here are two.
Carol Rushman’s book, Art of Predictive Astrology, is a good addition to your astrological library. This is a hands-on-book. It’s not theory; it’s based on her day to day practice.
Robert Blaschke's book on progressions is more advanced. He has a chapter on working with minor progressions.
He has five books in his, Astrology: Language of Life, series. Volume 1 (the book with the blue cover is on Progressions
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