progressions °
chapters of growth
while transits leave marks on life, less permanent, like putting a flyer on a tree, progressions are more permanent, like carving a word into the trunk of a tree. a slow, steady progress in development and growth—chapters of life—are shown through progressions.
secondary progressions
A day for a year is one way to progress a chart. In the below example, the first chart is a natal chart and the next one is a secondary progressed chart for five years into the life of this chart. To get a secondary progression for this timing, the chart calculation would make a chart five days later than the birth chart.
As you will see, most planets won’t move far in five days, hence five years. In a lifetime, some planets may barely budge in a secondary progressed chart. Because of this, secondary progressions are used to see personal growth, looking at the Sun, ascendant, Moon, Mercury, and to a degree Venus and Mars.
We especially see chapters of life unfold when the Sun changes signs. Depending on the Sun’s degree at birth it could be up to 30 years for that change, moving almost one degree per year (as the Sun moves about a degree per day). The rising sign progresses similarly to the Sun, about one degree in a year. These are changes that truly create chapters of life.
An important reason I regularly check secondary progressions is to see what the progressed Moon is up to. The Moon changes signs every 2.5 days. This means in a secondary progressed chart, it will change every 2.5 years. When I do year-ahead readings, it’s valuable to tap into the Moon to show what, in the coming year, will help someone to get their needs met. In the below example, the Moon has moved to Virgo in the 7th house. I would advise this person to be more caring in their relationships, especially in how they can be thoughtful and helpful, and to seek reciprocation—to ask for help or fairness in relationships around day-to-day tasks.
Another change seen in the below example is that Venus changes signs. This person may find that what they find beautiful, what they appreciate, how they want to be appreciated, and love commitments start to take on a different tone.
solar arc progressions
Another way that charts can be progressed is through solar arc progressions. In this model, we progress every planet and angle forward the same amount of degrees the Sun progresses forward in the day for a year model, which is about one degree per day, hence per year, in a solar arc progression.
This style of progressing a chart forward is less about how we are growing and developing in life and more about the timing of big events. When a solar arc planet or angle lines up with a natal planet or angel, a big event typically arises. I use conjunctions and oppositions and only a one-degree orb (the line-up needs to be almost exact).
In the below example, the first chart is the birth chart. Note where Mars and Neptune are. In the next chart, a solar arc progressed chart for five years (or days) later, the progressed Mercury would be within a degree of the natal Mars. Because this is in the 9th house, it might bring foreign connections or ideas that enliven more motivation and direction in life. Progressed Saturn has also moved on top of the natal Neptune in the 2nd house. This may indicate focus and dedication given to an artistic value or a restriction around financial dreams, especially if this was a business chart.
Now that you’ve learned how time and space can bring growth, development, and events, jump over to the ‘ Lifestyle & Rhythm’ section to learn how to integrate astrology into your lifestyle—to live in harmony with the stars!