posted August 31, 2006 10:45 AM              

I want to briefly discuss transits (the movement of planets around the natal chart), to explain a simple concept that can help us quickly understand past (and upcoming) issues in our chart (and in our life). This concept is called a "return" and it occurs when a planet makes a complete circle around the chart and "returns" to its natal position.

Look at the graphic below to see how this works:

Let's imagine a chart like the one in the graphic, with Jupiter on the Ascendant. As transiting Jupiter (Jupiter "in the sky") moves counterclockwise around the chart, at some point it will square itself (Jupiter (expansion) square (needs to be combined with) Jupiter (expansion) ). This squaring will occur in exactly one fourth of the time that it takes Jupiter to make a complete circle around the chart (a "return").

At some other point transiting Jupiter will oppose itself (Jupiter (expansion) opposite (over-excited by) Jupiter (expansion) ). This opposition will occur in exactly one-half of the time that it takes Jupiter to make a complete circle around the chart.

Later transiting Jupiter will square itself again (Jupiter (expansion) square (needs to be combined with) Jupiter (expansion) ). This square will occur in exactly three-fourths of the time that it takes Jupiter to make a complete circle around the chart.

Finally, Jupiter will conjunct itself (Jupiter (expansion) conjunct (combined with) Jupiter (expansion) ). This conjunction will occur in exactly the time that it takes Jupiter to make a complete circle around the chart.

This means that If we knew the timing of the "return," we would be able to calculate when the squares and oppositions of Jupiter would occur. The good news is...we do! :-). Below is a listing of major planetary returns.

Notice that Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars are not included in this list. The reason is because these planets return so quickly to their natal position that the four parts of the return are not very apparent to us. For example, Mars has a return of every two years. This means that Mars has a square, opposition, or conjunction aspect every six months (more on how to calculate this later in the post). This "return energy" occurs (and is completed) so quickly that it does not have a deep impact on us. Only those planets which take a long time for their return have a very apparent (and sometimes very challenging) four parts to their return.

The list of the timing of major planetary returns is:
Jupiter - 12 years
Saturn - 28 - 30 years
Uranus - 84 years
Neptune - 164 years

Pluto is strange in that the four parts of its return do not break
down into the one-fourth, one-half, three-quarters, full return
pattern.:
Pluto return - 248 years
Pluto square - 35 - 60 years
Pluto opposition - 70 - 80 years for some, others will never have a
Pluto opposition

To understand how to use this information, let's return to the Jupiter example. Divide the 12 year return cycle of Jupiter into 4 parts to get the timing of each of the four parts of Jupiter's return. 12 years / 4 parts = 3 years / part, so each part of Jupiter's return takes three years. This means the first square occurs in 3 years, the opposition occurs 6 years later, the second square occurs 9 years later, and the Jupiter return (conjunction) occurs (as we mentioned) 12 years later.

Repeat this process with the four planets listed to get the timings for their four parts of their returns (Saturn - 30 years; 30 years / 4 parts = 7.5 years / part, etc.). Of course, we MAY not live to see a full Neptune return (164 years! ), but we at least have a chance to experience the first Neptune square and the Neptune opposition.

Wow! Was THAT a lot of stuff (see, I AM psychic! ) ! Take it slowly, figuring out each of the four parts of your returns and then ask yourself: What occurred when Jupiter (expansion) returned (at ages 12, 24, 36, 48) that relates to expansion? What duty or career issues arose at your Saturn (duty, also career) return (age 28 - 30, 56 - 60)? At your first Saturn (duty) square (age 7, 37) what duties needed to be combined in some way? What other issues arose at the timings of your planetary returns and how did they relate to the planetary energy? What are possible upcoming issues indicated by the timings of the four parts of your returns?

Turning and returning,

Tim

posted September 02, 2006 07:07 AM              

Saturn - 28 - 30 years (wrking on 28)… Square 7yrs, 35yrs; Opposite 14yrs, 42yrs; Square 21yrs, 49yrs; Return 28yrs, 56yrs

Uranus - 84 years…Square 21yrs; Opposite 42yrs; Square 63yrs; Return 84yrs

Neptune - 164 years…Square 41yrs; Opposite 82yrs; Square 123yrs; Return 164yrs

What occurred when Jupiter (expansion) returned (at ages 12, 24, 36, 48) that relates to expansion? 12 – started high school; 24 – started University; 36 – coming up nxt 12 mths

What duty or career issues arose at your Saturn (duty, also career) return (age 28 - 30, 56 - 60)? 28 – moved across world twice, broke up long-term relationship and changed jobs 3 times in 2 years

At your first Saturn (duty) square (age 7, 37) what duties needed to be combined in some way? 7 – I became a big sister, so my position in the family changed and also some expectations to be a ‘big girl’ and help out; 37 – coming up…

What other issues arose at the timings of your planetary returns and how did they relate to the planetary energy? Uranus (Friends) Square – 21 my first year as a mum, a lot of my belief systems changed and therefore the people I chose to have around me changed

What are possible upcoming issues indicated by the timings of the four parts of your returns?
Jupiter (expansion) Square 36 - 36 – coming up nxt 12 mths, I have just finished post graduate degree and feeling restless where I am living so can see possibility of moving or changing careers again

Saturn (duty/career) Opposite – 42 – well at 14 was when I really became heavily committed to improving my skills in the arts and taking on any opportunity available to use the skills I had acquired, so perhaps at 42 I will be able to make use of the skills I’ve gathered in the previous 12yrs to really make some headway in my chosen vocation or perhaps I’ll see real returns from my head work at this time, a new opportunity may become available to me that will have to fit in with my existing career or cause me to leave my old work-life behind and take on the new opportunities

Uranus (Friends) Opposite 42 – perhaps I will re-think my friendships/relationships again, there maybe the start of a new relationship that will need to be integrated into my existing relationships such as a new partner and how they will fit in with my existing family relationships

posted September 02, 2006 11:44 AM              

Nice work! I appreciate the time you have taken to share with us your life experiences! I think there is nothing DEFINITE that happens around return times...but something important to YOU is VERY LIKELY will happen around those times. I like the way you said it:

quote:

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..Saturn return...The POTENTIAL for change at this point and it's up to the individual to see that potential and make the changes happen for themselves

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There are many people who never grow up...even after their Saturn return...but they tend to find life VERY difficult. We can ignore our return times...but they are cosmic clues as to what lessons we need to be learning in life.

Uranically opposing,

posted September 02, 2006 06:01 PM              

That's it! Jupiter's expansion gives us an opportunity to learn from life experiences (identity + learning, as you remember). So a Jupiter square is a life learning opportunity.

Learning all the time,