Encyclopedia of Vedic Astrology: Planetary Transit

By Shanker Adawal

Transits are one of the main means used in horoscope reading. They are used to forecast future trend and developments. Astrological transit is about interpreting the ongoing movement of the planets as they transit the horoscope. These transits are studied in the Natal Charts to tell about the timing or fructification of the events. In this book the initial chapters deal with the basic understanding of the meaning of Transit, the rules to be applied and about the planets. We have also dealt with the rules to be applied in predicting the result of transiting planets. Basic Transit Rules of planets in Houses, Signs, Nakshatra and Divisional Charts is explained at length. The book then dwells in factors that modify the results of a Transit. It then goes into explaining the impact of the transiting inner planets. I have also gone in details explaining the impact of Jupiter, Saturn, Nodes and Mars in Transit with various permutation and combination.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sagar Publications
• Release date: Sep 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201777746

Book preview

Chapter- 1

What is Transit

1.1Introduction

1.1.1The point of the zodiac rising at the eastern horizon when a native is born, is called Lagna or the ascendant. The position of the planets incorporated in relation to this point in various zodiacal signs/ houses, in a specified manner, is generally called the horoscope of the native, which is a chart depicting the position of the planets in various signs/ Nakshtras in the zodiac with reference to a fixed reference point, called lagna, at the time of the event, the birth of the native, at the particular time and place. The sign and Nakshtra, wherein Moon is placed is called Janam Sign (or Moon lagna) and Janam Nakshtra respectively. This position is fixed for all times to come, since neither the event nor the time can ever be repeated. This fixed planetary position at the time & place of birth is capable of being assessed for the promises inherent in it as per Prarbdha Karma of the native.

1.1.2With passage of time, these promises unfold gradually but certainly in an order as per dasha system, a feature unique to Vedic astrology. However the zodiac or the universe is constantly moving as per various cosmic rules along with the position of the planets having definite cycles of time. The cumulative cyclic effects produced thereafter by the constantly changing positions of the planets with reference to their original or natal or radical position of planets/ houses/ signs produce the change of life in day-to-day affairs and is called "Transit/ Gochar" and determines or delivers the inherent promise stored in the horoscope of the native.

1.1.3From the above following points emerge:

i)The horoscope or the birth chart of a native stores various inherent promises, both good as well as evil, as per one's Prarbdha Karma.

ii)These basic promises form the permanent features of a native's life, which are generally unalterable.

iii)The promises unfold themselves as per Dasha system which are generally based on Janam Nakshtra. This system distributes the permanent features promised in the horoscope during the dasha- antra of the relevant planets.

iv)The transit of the relevant planets finally delivers the promised event in our day to day life as per inherent promise of the horoscope.

v)To understand the delivery mechanism of transit phenomenon, the position of planets during transit at an opportune time must be studied with reference to a fixed point in natal chart, which is called lagna. There are a number of lagna available for this purpose in a birth chart.

vi)It should be clearly understood that dasha system and Transit delivers only that which is promised in the horoscope at the opportune time and cannot deliver what is not promised in the birth chart. It is imperative that there is just no way in which the transit can deliver something on its own. A package has to be prepared by the planetary promise in the chart. It, then, is taken over by dasha system for handing over to the transit for delivery to the native. The role of Transit is just of a divine messenger of the God.

1.2Meaning of transit

1.2.1A transit or movement of planets is a normal feature, but it becomes important, whenever a planet, moving in its orbit, passes over the zodiacal degree occupied by any influential point of the birth chart, such as position of a planet or the ascendant, M.C. or mid-cusp of a house or forms an aspect to them. In Hindu/ Vedic astrology, such a transit is called Gochar. Transits are real time physical astrological experiences arising from the connections made between the present placements by zodiacal sign and degrees of the planets, luminaries and nodes at the time under consideration, and their placements in the birth chart of a native. The study of transit is one of the most fundamental techniques of astrology. The transit indicates the timing as well as important trends and issues in one's life. Along with directions & progressions, they are basic to predictive methodology. The transits indicate times that are appropriate for certain kinds of actions and inappropriate for others, as certain type of events often do occur with particular transits. Under each transit, one is most likely to learn and experience emotionally, psychologically & circumstantially, and these points are to be delineated through the birth chart. However, transits should never be viewed as signifying events that will inevitably come to pass with the native as a helpless observer.

1.2.2At any period of time, transits from each planet and luminaries are to at least two houses since both lunar houses and ascendant in the birth chart will become active; and from time to time, each luminary and planet will form different transits by aspect/ conjunction to planets, luminaries and other important points in the birth chart. The planets etc. move through the entire zodiac in a fairly regular period specific to them, all transits are cyclic in nature. These cycles are repeated in their entirety on multiple occasions in the average life time of a native. However, due to eccentricities of their orbit and factors connected with the movement of Earth relative to the Sun, the planets do not move through each sign in the same amount of time. The average period of speed of the Moon to pass through a sign is 54 hours, whereas of the Saturn is 30 months. Transits are determined by comparing the positions of the planets in the heavens on a given date to those given in the natal horoscope.

1.2.3In Vedic/ Hindu astrology, transit of extra-Saturnine planets, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto, are not considered because of their lack of effectiveness due to their extra-long distances from Earth and excessive large orbit around the Sun. On an average, the Uranus takes 84 years, Neptune 165 years and Pluto 248 years' periods to complete one orbit around the Sun. Instead in Vedic astrology, the two Nodes of the Moon, Rahu & Ketu, are considered as full-fledged planets although they are merely two mathematically calculated sensitive points on the ecliptic where the plane of Moon's orbit intersects the plane of Earth's orbit. They have no mass of their own and act as cross-junction of the universe. Some astrologers even go to the extent that the nodes filter all cosmic rays from all heavenly bodies beyond Saturn. They are always 180 degrees apart and complete one cycle of orbit around Sun in 18 years.

1.3Lagna

1.3.1The word lagna in Sanskrit means to be 'fixed to' or a reference/ contact point or beginning in general. It most commonly refers to the ascendant, which is the sign (Rashi) 'fixed to' the intersection point of the ecliptic (the path of the stars/ planets and the eastern horizon at the time & place of birth of a native, epoch or query). When we speak of lagna, we normally mean the first house of the horoscope or the rising sign at the time of birth. The lagna determines the pattern of the other houses moving anti-clock wise. The lagna, however, is not synonymous with the ascendant, though they are often used interchangeably. There are other important lagna also, notably Chandra (Moon) lagna (the sign where the Moon is posited in the horoscope) or the Surya (Sun) lagna (the sign where the Sun is posited in the Horoscope) or Dasha lagna ( the sign where the dasha lord is posited in the horoscope) or "Arudha lagna" (the sign which is as many signs away from lagna lord as the lagna lord is from the lagna). Then there are special lagna like Bhava lagna, Ghatika lagna, Hora lagna, Vrinda lagna, karkamsha lagna and Indu lagna etc.

1.3.2Among the classical texts, Phaldeepika written by Mantreshwar is the most authoritative. In the very first Sloka of Gochar-Phalam (chapter-26), he states that "Sarveshu Lagneshwapi Sastu Chandra Lagnam Pradhaam Khalu Gochareshu" i.e. Though all the lagnas are available, the Moon lagna is the Prime lagna for the delineation of the transit results. At another place, Shri Mantreshwar says "Chandram balamTu Nikhil Graha Veerya Beejam i.e. It is the strength of Moon that seeds the strength of all other planets". The probable reasons for allocating the prime importance to Moon are as under:

i)The Moon sign or Chandra lagna is most important alternate lagna to delineate the basic promises inherent in a chart. The Nakshtra wherein the Moon is posited at birth forms the basis of dasha system, which is required to make the package of the promises for delivery. So The Moon lagna is the natural choice for using as the reference point for the Transit.

ii)Secondly Moon is the swiftest of the planets as it takes only one day to pass through a Nakshtra and two & a quarter days to rush through a sign. Thus making it most suitable for the job of the divine messenger to deliver the package of promises.

iii)Thirdly the Moon represents the mind or consciousness (Mana). The mind is what makes us perceive/ feel the emotions, the sense of happiness/ misery/ dejection or the merriment of an achievement rather than through the physical self. The Moon affects the entire psychology of the native and has a relevance of the mind.

iv)Another classic "Mansagari" says that whereas the ascendant is the body, the Moon is the "Prana" (the subtle force that keeps the life flowing through the body). In the next Sloka, it states in a symbolic form pertaining to the good/ evil results as a tree whose seed is the Moon.

1.3.3In Western astrology, transits of planets are judged vis-à-vis the natal longitudes of the planets and the ascending degree. Western astrologers extensively use Sun lagna in their transit calculations of progressed horoscopes. The Varshaphal whether by western or Vedic astrologers uses Sun lagna for predictive purposes. Vedic classics like Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra, Jaatak Parijaat, and Mansagari has recommended the use of the ascendant or mid-heaven (10th house) as well for transit purposes. However, by and large, in Vedic astrology, it is believed that all influences of planets fructify through the Moon i.e. the Moon being the nearest heavenly body to the Earth, all transit results filter through the Moon only. The sign in which the Moon is at birth is popularly called the Rashi or Chandra lagna of the native.

1.4Aspects/ Influences

1.4.1In natal astrology, considerable large allowances are made for the orbs of influence of different types of aspects, but in transit, the orbs allowed are much smaller. Opinions may vary as to the size of allowable orbs for transiting aspects, but their effects will be felt most strongly when they are exact to within just one degree and are unlikely to be felt at all outside a distance of six degrees. This applies right across the board for all major aspects which are as under:

i)Conjunction is a first house aspect. It marks the beginning of a new cycle or phase of life, with the transit by one planet over another or over a house cusp. It indicates an event/ matter either within yourself or with the most intimate surrounding. It also marks the culmination of the process that began at the last opposition transit involving the same two planets.

ii)Opposition is a 7th house aspect. It marks a time of dynamic changes and confrontation with others. It denotes the culmination of affairs in certain manner or the total collapse of some areas of life that has not worked successfully. It brings about events that increase self-consciousness through meetings with others and inter-action between one's inner & outer worlds.

iii)Sextile is a 3rd or 11th house aspect. It denotes matters involving one's relationship to groups and interaction with immediate surroundings. It is a time of balance, when one can and should take initiative; or a time of reviewing recent events and bring changes involving relatively little efforts with little resistance from outside circumstances.

iv)Square/ quartile is a 4th or 10th house aspect. It marks challenges from circumstances of others that force one to prove self or to make necessary change by way of relating to others. It is a time when a course of action proves incorrect or, if the challenge is withstood, a time of new initiative and active forward motion. In western astrology, it is an evil aspect but as per Vedic astrology, it gives benefic/ mixed results.

v)Trine is a 5th or 9th house aspect. It is one of the best aspect both as per western and Vedic astrology. It is a period of easy energy flow and relative less stress, when one can make creative changes but are tempted to just flow along. It is a time when one's experience & self-expression expand to make one wiser and more effective. Even when there is considerable activity, matters often work out with little efforts.

vi)In addition, 4th & 8th aspects of Mars, 3rd & 10th aspects of Saturn, and 5th & 9th aspects of Jupiter, Rahu & Ketu should also be considered.

1.4.2In addition, there are a number of minor aspects, which initially one may ignore, but eventually one will encounter an event that is signified entirely by a complex multiple transit by minor aspects. Some of the commonly used minor aspects are as under:

i)Semi-sextile (30 degree): This aspect seems to create some tension/ discomfort about the issues signified by the planets or houses involved in transit, because it bridges two adjacent signs, which have no connection with each other. The adjacent signs are of different element, quadruplicity and polarity.

ii)Semi-square/Ses-quiduadrate (45/135 degree): Both the aspects are similar in nature and represent a dynamic link between the planetary energies that is likely to produce change and tension, if one is unable to go along with the changes involved. This aspect are quite significant in transit, but only when several such aspects occur at once or when one occurs in conjunction with a major aspect.

iii)Quintile/ Bi-quintile (72/ 144 degree): These may not be minor so much as misunderstood. They relate to forces that combine to bring about metamorphoses or fundamental changes in one's life. Usually they are very creative energies, but they may become destructive if blocked. Their symbolism has qualities of Venus, in that they can create new structures and destroy old ones.

iv)Quincunx (150 degree): The transits by quincunx relate to situations that seems to arise spontaneously in the environment and that force one to make a fateful change that affects one's later life. Such events may coincide with health crises as well as accidents.

1.4.3It is perhaps permissible to allow up to six degrees' orb for trines, conjunctions, oppositions; up to three degrees' orb for ses-quiquaderate (moderately good aspect at a distance of 135 degrees), and Quincunx (major evil aspect at a distance of 150 degrees); two degrees for squares & sextiles; and not more than one degree for semi-square (slightly adverse aspect at a distance of 45 degree), semi-sextiles (mildly benefic aspect at a distance of 30 degrees) and quintile (mildly benefic aspect at a distance of 72 degrees). However please note that Jupiter's opposition is always benefic and is an exception. All other types of aspects are best regarded as immaterial. These aspects may be planet to planet or planet to a cusp of the house.

1.4.4While a planet is aspecting by transit a planet/ house in a birth chart, the transiting planet exerts a temporary influence corresponding to its general nature, strength and the type of aspect formed, upon the features of the personality, body and psychology governed by the aspected point in the birth chart. Whatever the nature of the influence, it will adjust the conditions of the aspected point in the birth chart while it lasts and may variously offset, clash with, harmonize with or accentuate the effects of the natal aspects and sign & house position of the point. Transits to the houses exactly resemble natal chart placements of planets in the house. When a planet is transiting a particular house, its influence will be experienced as per principles governed by the transiting planet temporarily upon the areas of life corresponding to the transited house within three degrees of the cusp of the house.

1.5Types of Aspects

1.5.1In Western astrology, the aspects are classified as Applying and Separating, while the same as per Vedic astrology are known by 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, or 11th house aspects. These aspects are operative within a specified range or Orb. The term Orb usually means an area in which events concerning a transit occur. It is measured in space in terms of degrees along the ecliptic. The space can be converted into time, because the transiting planet is moving, indicating degrees & minutes into length of time in which a transit is likely to indicate an event. Technically the Orb indicates a distance in longitude within which the influence of a planet or aspect operates.

1.5.2When two planets are within the range of conjunction, opposition or aspect, but not in rapt conjunction, if the faster moving planet is placed behind the slower moving planet, it will move forward to conjunct, opposite or aspect the slower moving planet (unless it is in retrogression). The conjunction or aspect becomes stronger and stronger as the planets come nearer to each other. This is called Applying aspect. As the faster moving planet begins to move away from the slower moving planet, the transit effects starts decreasing gradually. When the planets go fully beyond the orb, the influence completely ceases. This aspect is called Separating aspect.

1.5.3A planet is said to lose its power completely when it is within certain distance or Orb from the Sun. This condition is called Combustion. However Mercury is an exception as it is always so close to the Sun during its orbit. Again the Sun when in its sign of debility in Libra is so weak, that it loses its power of combustion. When a planet is posited in the same degree as that of the Sun, it is called rapt combustion and the planet is considered eclipsed and utterly powerless. As the distance between the Sun & the planet increases, this planet gradually gains strength and after 10 degrees or so the planet gains full strength.

1.5.4The transits can be classified as good and evil ones. The good one makes everything smooth, ensure success and enterprises bloom under their influence. While during evil transits everything goes wrong and the native becomes helpless. The good transits include trines, sextiles, several conjunction and opposition of Jupiter; such as Sun-Moon, Sun-Mercury, Sun-Venus, Sun-Jupiter, Moon-Venus, Moon-Jupiter, Venus-Mars, Venus-Jupiter and Mars-Jupiter. The evil transits are destructive and indicate sickness/ accidents. They include squares, oppositions (except Jupiter) and about half of conjunctions such as Sun-Saturn, Moon-Mars, Moon-Saturn, Mars-Saturn, Jupiter-Saturn and of Rahu/ Ketu with others. The transits indicate circumstances accompanied by emotional & psychological changes that one faces in life at a particular time. These may or may not be accompanied by clear pattern of events. It is the reaction of one's mind which makes a transit good or evil. Various personal strengths may enable a native to overcome a negative indication. Similarly one's weakness may make mess out of a most favourable transit.

1.6Retrogression of Planets

1.6.1The retrograde motion of a planet is its apparent backward motion through the sky, caused by the Earth travelling past a slower moving outer planet, or when the Earth is itself passed by a faster moving inner planet. In astrology, this backward motion is traditionally thought to be inauspicious and indicative of stress or difficulty. The Sanskrit name for retrogression is Vakri. Vakri means twisted, crooked, winding, round about, indirect, evasive or ambiguous. The potential of a retrograde planet is to be flexible, to twist things around or to convey its message in an indirect way to view life in a different way. By doing so, it can strengthen itself and become adaptable, original, innovative and different. On the negative side, it can be a twisted thinker, crooked and dishonest. A native can deal with the quality & potential of a retrograde planet in a positive or negative way as per his karma, will power & thinking. The general principles are that influences of benefic planets are weakened and evil effects of malefic planets are increased during retrogression.

1.6.2Transits of planets from Mercury to Saturn are more complex than straight direct movements of the Sun & Moon and of the Rahu & Ketu which are always retrograde. These five planets express the practical reality of our life. They form the Panch Mahapurusha Yoga that bestows greatness on the Earth. These five planets rule over five primary elements (Mercury-Earth, Venus-water, Mars-Fire, Jupiter-ether & Saturn-air) that influence our physical body and control our organs of desires, emotions & senses. Their retrogression involve repeated periods of slower retrograde motion in the reverse direction through the signs and degrees of the zodiac, interspersed with the more rapid direct motion in the normal direction. Whenever one of these planets ceases to move in direct motion and turns retrograde or ceases to move in reverse direction before becoming direct, it comes to a halt temporarily. When a planet is close to one of its halt stations, it moves very slowly, within its aspecting Orb (particularly within a degree) and any aspect it forms by transit to a point in the birth chart, will be more effective and last much longer than it normally does.

1.6.3When a planet is retrograding, it affects the matter pertaining to the affairs of the house that it rules. If it was retrograde at birth, it means that during this life time, until it completes its retrogression, one has to deal with things that have causes or beginning in one's previous birth and now requires attention. A retrograde planet always marks a particular intensity of that planet's function, but implies delay, impediment & frustration. It marks a point where one is a bit naïve, lacking in facts but never in motivation. A retrograde planet allows time to review the circumstances impersonally and decide what to do about it unaffected by emotions with concealed & compulsory indirect activities. These are times to use caution and make no important move till the planet becomes direct again and enable the native to enjoy the fruits.

1.6.4Phenomenon of Triple transit: When transiting planets turn retrograde, they