posted May 31, 2006 11:55 AM              

I look at the secondary progressed chart as the natal chart in action. The natal chart is the player, but the progressed chart is the play. The progressed Moon is the active symbol of your evolving consciousness. It's the token (you) on the game board of the progressed chart.

There are a few things to remember when dealing with progressions, which will help you to read progressed charts. The most important thing to remember is that nothing can manifest in the progressed chart that is not in the natal chart. Progressions must always, always refer back to natal positions. Whatever is happening in the progression is the result of the evolution of the natal chart. For example, a natal 12th house Sun can progress through the first, second and maybe the third house. This twelfth house Sun is learning lessons of individuality, self-worth, etc. as it moves its leisurely way through the houses. It will acquire the qualities and wisdom of new signs as it goes along. The same is true for the progressed ASC--the progressed ASC changing signs usually indicates a marked change in the way a person reacts to life.

Try to avoid the trap of thinking that the progressed chart is something separate from the natal. It is the natal chart in action, and usually is reflective of what is of utmost concern in the client's mind at this particular moment in time. The two most important planets in secondary progressions are the Sun and the Moon. The Moon is like the minute hand and the Sun the hour hand on the clockface of the client's life. The third most important point is the progression of the angles. Progressed positions to natal positions usually instigate inner change, while progressed positions to progressed (hard aspects only) often manifest externally. Progressed planets to progressed angles are, I would say, the most important aspects to look at in a progressed chart. Progressed planets conjunct progressed angles dominate the life.

The progressed Moon operates in a slightly different way. I like to think of it as the moving piece on the game board. Wherever it lands is where you are now in a big way. Progressed Moon conjunctions to natal and progressed planets will always tell you where a person is emotionally--it doesn't even have to reflect back to the natal Moon. Progressed Moon conjunct or opposing Saturn will always be a downer. Progressed Moon to natal Uranus will bring awareness of Uranian issues according to the natal chart, but progressed Moon to progressed Uranus will bring changes into the life. Whether or not the progressed Moon or progressed aspects will manifest in the progressed or natal houses is complicated. There aren't any cut and dried rules, and a lot depends on what aspects are being made to what planets, and what transits are happening at the time. Transits affect both natal and progressed positions. If a transit hits a progressed position, it will manifest in the progressed house.

The progressed Moon through the progressed houses will indicate where you are emotionally. In the fourth, you'll be looking to settle down, in the 10th, you'll be concerned about your career/place in the world.

Progressed to natal will enter the consciousness of the individual, but progressed to progressed will trigger action/change. To use a simple example: a person might start longing for a relationship when progressed moon squares natal Venus, but the opportunities for relationship will occur when progressed moon squares, conjuncts or opposes progressed Venus. Progressed moon conjunctions can be the exception. Progressed moon conjunct any natal planet can trigger. Progressed angles, too. Extremely important. But my bet is still on progressed to progressed.

I hope this helps you!