posted August 30, 2015 02:25 PM            

what orb have you found to be valid for progressions (and transits), when things get "serious", meaning, accompanying an event or a timeframe that is very indicative of the progression taking place at that time?

posted August 30, 2015 03:56 PM            

But it should be noted that major life events do not take place with a single progressed aspect unless it is exact, orb=0*00'. Otherwise it takes at least two, often three or more simultaneous aspects within these orbs.

The following refers to the progressing planet as it moves relative to a stationary or natal point.

Luminaries slightly wider: 06'-07' (Moon possibly a bit wider to 12', but only if supporting aspects happen simultaneously).

Merc-Venus-Mars: 04'

Jupiter: 05'

Saturn: 04'-05'

Uranus: 03'-04'

Neptune: 03-4'

Pluto: 03-4'

-- all in minutes of arc --

(Neptune and Pluto amended 8 June 2016 after obtaining enough evidence of wider orbs)

This does not mean that if no progressed aspects are this tight that there is not a functioning aspect say around 08' orb. If that is the tightest one in the chart at that time, then it is most 'active' -- at least if it is applying.

The wider stretch of orbs always happening on the applying side. So prog Moon applying to square to natal point can be active while still 0*07' from culmination. With that much separation from culmination events are less likely to take place unless there are still much tighter, more active aspects taking place.

Most likely, however, if the progressed aspectarian shows nothing within the orbs I have specified, then it is not displaying minor 15-degree aspects (15, 75, 105, 165), and there is one active; or the active aspects are in declination. The latter is most often true.

Addendum

It seems incomplete without giving some basic tips on how to quickly reveal the more exact, active aspects in the progressed chart. Basically, narrow the orbs waaayy down. In astro.com you are given the option to set the % of full orb. Set to 8-9% it appears to include all active, tight aspects, including minors. This clears all the irrelevant data off the aspectarian. That is very important, because otherwise you will strain your eyes/brain looking to find the needles in the number haystack there.

If you want to include all minor 15* aspects in the progressed chart, and your program does not give that option, then read my method of how to find them here:
http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/Forum24/HTML/232564.html

With declinations, you will just have to go through the list showing each planet's declination position, comparing to other prog planets and to the natal ones.

posted August 30, 2015 04:17 PM            

I have observed that transits function psychologically (in a background process) while still several degrees out. However, you will notice that transits of Sun, Mars, etc, generally are only felt or correlate to events when within 1-2* of exact.

I've seen what we'd term minor events, things that won't necessarily show later as a landmark in a biography, taking place when certain slower moving planets are still at least a few degrees from exact.

The difference is transits are planetary movements in real time. Progressions are transits that have already taken place in your early formative days/weeks/months, and are now projected onto your later life. This renders progressions more abstract, fainter in influence -- until the aspects are very tight.

Some have argued that the functioning orb for say Pluto should only be about 1*. But I have had major events take place clearly related to a planet further from exact aspect. Pluto 19SAG39 sq natal Asc 17VIR14. Even if we say, may be it was an overlooked minor aspect, and subtract 15* from Pluto's position that day = 4*39', I have nothing natally close to that figure in any sign. And this was a major life event. So I personally use wider orbs for transits. Pluto can extend to at least 3* orb.

Transit orbs, because they are wider, and because this means greater potential for aspect overlap with natal points that are close together, are more a challenge. The principle is the same with progression, that whichever transits are the tightest are the most active at any given time. In transits, my view is that the slower, outer planet holds wider orbs because of how long it hangs around. What triggers it into direct experience (events) are Sun, Mercury, Mars as outlined in Planets in Transit by Robert Hand.

So based on my experience ...

Sun through Mars: 0-2* (degrees); these -sun-mer-mars- are the triggers for events built up by slower moving planetary transits.

Jupiter: 4-5*

Saturn: 4-5*

Uranus: 4-5*

Neptune: 4, maybe 5*

Pluto: 3-4* maximum.

This is using natal positions not corrected for precession.