Transit In Astrology

In astrology, a transit refers to the movement of a planet through the zodiac and its current position in relation to a person's natal chart.

In Sanskrit it is termed as "gochar" and this terminology is still used among Hindi or Sanskrit language speaker. 

The word transit literally means "in motion" or "in movement" or the "action of passing through".

Transits are used to make predictions about future events and to understand the current influences on an individual's life.

The planets in a person's natal chart remain in the same position, while the transiting planets move through the zodiac, thus forming different aspects with the natal planets.

The aspects formed between transiting and natal planets are considered to be powerful indicators of the current influences on the individual's life. 

Some commonly used transits include the major transits of the slow-moving planets, such as Saturn, Jupiter, and Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, and the lunar nodes, Rahu and Ketu.

These transits can indicate major changes or turning points in an individual's life.

The transit of planets happens over 12 zodiac which spans from 00-30 degrees in the anticlockwise direction and a complete cycle is said to be finished when a planet transit through each of the 12th Zodiac signs from Aries to Pisces.

For example on 23-06-2022 the planetary positions of planets are as follows:

As you can see above in the image, there is the mention of degrees of the planets they are in.

These degrees indicates where exactly the planet is situated in its transit.

These Zodiacs are made of Nakshatras, each nakshatra have span of 13 degrees 20 minutes and each nakshatra have total 4 pada or quarter in them which are of 03 degrees 20 minutes.

Each planet creates a different kinds of results when they transit through these Zodiac signs.

If you need more specific effects of transit then you can monitor the transit of the planet through the nakshatra pada.

All this means within a sign, the transiting planet creates a different kind of results.

During the whole duration of the transit will never be the same, the effects will keep changing.

For example Saturn takes 2.5 years to transit through a sign and the effects are never the same throughout the 2.5 years because while in its transit Saturn will change Nakshatra and its pada which will bring their own effects.

The same way all planets transit through zodiac signs at their designated speed.

Now you understood the basics concept of transit in astrology, let's see the duration they transit in a zodiac sign.

Transit Duration Of Planets

All 9 planets in Vedic astrology have different speeds of transit from each other. Interior planets which are the Moon, Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars transit faster through a zodiac sign.

Whereas the exterior planets which are Jupiter and Saturn along with invisible Rahu-Ketu move slowly through a zodiac sign.

The transit period of planets is depends on many factors and the duration of the transit can go up also, especially when planets goes in retrograde state.

Check the table below to see the transit duration of each planet through one Zodiac sign.

For completing one cycle where a planet transit through each of the 12 zodiac, the duration is naturally bigger and are mentioned below: 

Why Transits Are So Important?

The snapshot of planetary positions when we are born and our fate and destiny are decided by that snapshot which we call the Natal Horoscope or Natal Birth Chart. 

Each planet controls an area of our life and during the transit of the planet through different zodiacs and nakshatra different kinds of effects are created.

Transit of planet acts as a catalyst, modifier, influencer or you can call it an agent, to activate what is promised in the Natal Horoscope. their role is as important as planetary dasha. 

Transit have ability to trigger events such as marriage etc, the best example for this is double transit where the combine influence of Saturn and Jupiter creates important events in our life.

In the same way, Sade Sati is also a transit that lasts for 7 years and is known to cause hardships in life.

It is well known that the transit of malefic planets over 64th navamsa and 22nd drekkna is known to cause death and marak effects.

Clearly, planetary transits can cause major events and it is important one learn the ways to read them.

How Transits Works In Astrology

It is very must to see the functional nature of planet because that decides the theme of the transit.

It is also important to see if in transit the planet is making association with other planets or not, if yes, than what are the possible modifications in the results of the transit.

Same time one can apply transit in divisional charts.

We all are aware that planets Saturn, Jupiter, and Rahu-Ketu transits are very long in duration and along with Dasha they judge they decide the events of our life.

The best example of how planetary transit works in unison is Double transit theory, where transit of Saturn and Jupiter creates significant event in the life of native.

Each planet brings its own set of complications and modifications which are directly related to its natural signification and signs owned by the transit planet.

I have mentioned here how the transit of Saturn has major say in events of our life.

In the same way, the transit of Sun, Mercury, and Venus are always close by to each other and have an important role in how an event will unfold.

Planet Sun, Mercury, and Venus transit in one zodiac sign for approximately one month. Whereas Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu & Ketu transit in one zodiac sign are very long.

Now, the Mars transit which lasts for 45 days in a zodiac sign is very important in astrology.

So it seems that planet Mars plays a key role in between and acts as a messenger between core interior and major exterior planets.

Mars is the only planet whose duration of transit is beyond one month but less than two months.

What is destined and designed by the transit of Saturn, Jupiter and Rahu-Ketu pass through Mars and Sun, Mercury and Venus transit dynamics decide the way the event will unfold whereas planet Moon decides the day when it will happen. 

All this seems reasonable to me because Mars is your energy, courage, and ability to do karma.

It is your energy and passion which can help you to avoid the outcomes of an event by sheer hard work, courage, and by your ability to do Karma.

This means we get a chance in between to think and act before the events are passed to core interior planets i.e. Sun, Venus, and Mercury.

If we don't do the Karma by the time event is with Mars transit then definitely, we can not avoid the outcome which is set by Saturn, Jupiter, and Rahu-Ketu. 

This topic is lengthy , you can read the following article to understand the rules which are helpful to read the transit effects of planets:

Now since, I have covered most of the concepts of transit it is the time to discuss the transit of planets. There are 9 planets and each one their transit have its unique role and in different houses they trigger different kinds of results.

Sun Transit In Astrology

Planet Sun is considered as the king in the planetary cabinet and it has Royal status and is known as the king among planets. It rules over the zodiac sign of Leo and its transit is very important because all planets revolve around it. Planet Sun never goes in retrograde state, rather it is the distance of other planets with sun which causes them to go into a retrograde state. Planet Sun transit gives results as per its natural significations, the house it is transiting from and results of the house its rules in the Horoscope.

Moon Transit In Astrology

Planet Moon is considered as the queen in the planetary cabinet and it stays in a zodiac sign for 2 days approx. It is a benefic planet and it never goes into a retrograde state. It rules over the zodiac sign of Cancer . Planet Moon rules over mother, milk, domestic peace, mind, dreams, water, silver etc. During its transit planet Moon affects us daily lives and gives results as per its natural significations, the house it is in and the results of its lordship.

Mars Transit In Astrology

Planet Mars is a cruel and malefic planet and is considered as the commander of the planetary cabinet. Planet Mars rules over Aries and Scorpio zodiac. It rules over courage, blood, voilence, land, younger siblings, passion, arms, weapons etc. It transits in a house for approximately 45 days. Its retrograde motion is of long duration and can go up to 180 days. During its transit, planet Mars gives results of its natural significations, the house it is transiting from and the results as per its functional nature.

Mercury Transit In Astrology

Planet Mercury has the most complex transit and it goes into a retrograde state quite often. It transits in a house for 25 days approx. It is a benefic planet which governs the learning, nervous system, speech, books, maternal uncles etc. During its transit Mercury stays around planet Sun and Venus and frequently suffers from combustion. For more information on the transit of Mercury, use the link given below.

Jupiter Transit In Astrology

Jupiter is the most benefic planet and rules over wealth, religion, homa, festivals, husband, teacher etc. Jupiter rules over Sagittarius and Pisces zodiac signs. It transit through a zodiac sign for 12 months and goes in retrograde state for 120 days. Planet Jupiter transit have ability to triggers events like marriage, child birth and can act as a savior when planet Jupiter is benefic in the natal Horoscope. During its transit, planet Jupiter gives results of its natural significations, the house it is transiting from and the effects of its rulership in the natal horoscope. For more information use the link given below.

Venus Transit In Astrology

Planet Venus is benefic planet and it rules over the zodiac signs of Taurus and Libra. It transits in a zodiac sign for 27 days and during its transit, it can trigger events like marriage,gains and expensive buying. In its transit it gives results as per the sign it is transiting from, the house it is in and the house its owns in the natal horoscope. For more information on Venus transit, us the link given below. 

Saturn Transit In Astrology

Planet Saturn is the slowest moving planet whose transit duration is of 2.5 years in a zodiac sign. It rules over sorrow, bad health, poverty, labor, karma, gains etc. It is the most important planet in terms of teaching us lessons and it goes into a retrograde state for 140 days. Saturn transit causes sade sati when it transit from the 12th house of natal Moon and it ends when Saturn finishes its transit over the 2nd house from the natal Moon in a horoscope. For more information on Saturn transit use the link given below. It has all the important lessons on the transit of Saturn and how it affects us.

Rahu Transit In Astrology

Planet Rahu is a shadow planet and is considered as a natural malefic in vedic astrology. Planet Rahu rules over poison, illusion, glamour, deception, robbers etc. It transit over a zodiac sign for 18 months and during its transit gives results as per the house it is transiting from, the zodiac it is in and the aspects of other planets in transit.

Ketu Transit In Astrology

Planet Ketu is considered a natural malefic planet and its transit in a zodiac sign for 18 months. Planet Ketu rules over pain, saints, sages, knowledge, moksha etc. It is a shadow planet and in its transit gives results of the sign it is, the house and the aspects of other planets in transit. Given below is the link which will give more details on the transit of planet Ketu.