How To Make Sense of Astrology Transits: The Initiators of Life

Transits are often what people are most interested in with Astrology. They point to those big questions of WHEN is XYZ going to happen?! Transits are a marker of events in our lives, both personally, generationally and collectively. I like to call transits Initiators. As the planets move and connect and make patterns they initiate new energies, new challenges, and new opportunities all for the growing of our individual and collective Consciousness.

What is a Transit?

In astrology a transits refer to the movement of celestial bodies as they travel through the zodiac and form aspects to the positions of planets in a birth chart. These transits are significant because they reflect the ongoing interaction between cosmic energies and individual experiences. We also use transits to speak about planets moving in the sky and making patterns in real time - this we refer to as global transits.

There are three main types of transits: world transits, generational transits, and personal transits. Let’s explore each of them further here.

World Transits

World transits are planetary movements that affect global events and the collective consciousness of humanity. These transits are planetary positions that are in the sky right now and they affect ALL of us. More often than not, these transits coincide with major historical events, cultural shifts, and societal trends. For example, the conjunction of Uranus and Pluto in the 1960s coincided with the civil rights movement, the sexual revolution, and other transformative social changes.

Here are some other more recent examples:

  • Saturn-Pluto Conjunction in Capricorn (2019-2020): This rare conjunction of Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn brought intense energy of transformation, restructuring, and upheaval. It coincided with significant global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, and social unrest, highlighting themes of power struggles, systemic change, and the need for collective transformation.

  • Uranus in Taurus (since 2018): Uranus's transit through Taurus has brought disruptions and innovations in the realms of finance, technology, and the environment. It has coincided with shifts in economic systems, technological breakthroughs, and changes in agriculture and environmental policies, highlighting the need for innovation and sustainability in these areas.

  • Jupiter-Pluto Conjunctions in Capricorn (2020): Jupiter's conjunctions with Pluto in Capricorn intensified the transformative energies of the Saturn-Pluto conjunction, amplifying themes of power struggles, corruption, and regeneration. These conjunctions coincided with major shifts in global power dynamics, economic policies, and societal structures, prompting a reassessment of power structures and values on a global scale.

  • Neptune in Pisces (since 2011): Neptune's transit through its home sign of Pisces has brought heightened sensitivity, empathy, and spiritual awareness to the collective consciousness. It has coincided with a rise in interest in spirituality, mysticism, and environmentalism, as well as increased awareness of issues such as climate change, humanitarian crises, and social justice.

  • Pluto in Capricorn (since 2008): Pluto's transit through Capricorn has brought intense energies of transformation, regeneration, and power struggles in the realms of government, business, and institutions. It has coincided with major upheavals in political systems, economic structures, and power dynamics, as well as a deepening of collective awareness around issues of authority, accountability, and systemic change.

World transits highlight the interconnectedness of cosmic energies and human affairs, reminding us of the larger forces at play in the world.


Art by Sara Shakeel

Generational Transits

The generational planets are the slower moving planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. As they move slower, the people born the same year (or sometimes years plural) will go through the square, opposition and return of these planets at the same time. A good example is Saturn. Everyone goes through their first Saturn Return around 28-30 years of age, we then experience a second Saturn return in our late 50’s.

Personal Transits

Personal transits refer to the movements of planets in relation to your personal birth chart. These transits activate specific areas of life and can coincide with significant life events, opportunities for growth, and periods of challenge or transformation. For example, the transit of Saturn over one's natal Sun may coincide with a period of hard work, discipline, and achievement, while the transit of Jupiter to one's natal Venus may bring opportunities for love, abundance, and personal fulfillment. Personal transits offer valuable insights into the timing and dynamics of individual experiences, helping us navigate life's ups and downs with greater awareness and resilience.

Transits are NOT Fortune Telling

Interpreting transits in astrology requires a combination of knowledge, intuition, and experience. Astrology is the study of energy, cycles and patterns. Each and every archetype as a higher octave and lower octave energy, so even within patterns of how the energies can be expressed we can never tell the details - that is the free will aspect. I talk more about this in my free webinar HERE.

Transits is like looking at the astrological weather. It’s great for timings and seeing potential opportunities and challenges ahead - but we still need to do the work to get the best out of each transit. Sometimes if were’ in a challenging period it can be good to know that. To tune into “what is being asked of me right now, how can I grow”, or when there’s a lot of opportunity around, to make hay whilst the sun shines.

Ultimately our decisions are down to our intuition and inner compass, but knowing what astrological season we are in is also really helpful.


Astro Curious?

I talk about trauma informed astrology and intuition in my free astrology webinar. You can watch it here where I also show you how to cast your chart.

Or if you want to save time and see what trantis you’re in at the moment. Book an astrology reading with me here.

Belinda Matwali