NeptuneRising

 

Hello- I am new to this board and am having trouble figuring out transits.

My Sun is in Aries and several astrology websites have said that my Mars is transiting my 5th house and that Saturn is in my 7th. However- when I look at astro.com it looks like Mars is going across my 8th and that Saturn is in my 10th. What gives?

Oh- and if anyone has any insight on what these transits mean (or my chart) in general-- that would be great too.

Thanks!  

 

 

 

 

 

SaDiablo

If you're reading general horoscopes, they're written as if the sun sign is also your rising sign.  So for an Aries rising, then, yeah, Mars in 5th, Saturn in 7th, and shift one for the next sign.  This is why some people say to read the horoscope for your rising in addition to / instead of your sun sign.

The chart you posted has Saturn definitely in the 10th.  I can't see Mars 'cause it's hidden under the sidebar (not your fault), so I'll take your word that it's in the 8th.  You're reading it right! 

I have to put a disclaimer here: there are a bunch of different house systems, and depending on what you use or look at, there's likely to be different answers to this question.  I don't have a clue about all that, though... changing up the house systems is a bit too advanced for me!  The chart you posted is Placidus houses, the astrodienst default.  There's quite a few here on the board that use equal houses, and I daresay Saturn would most likely move to the 9th in equal since it's so close to your MC.

NeptuneRising

Thank you so much, SaDiablo. I kept wondering what I was missing! Do you have any recommendations on how to figure out transits? For example- if Saturn is in my 10th house wouldn't it be moving into my 11th or does it go backwards? (Sorry- obviously I am a beginner!)

And now have to figure out what Saturn close to my MC means. ;) 

SaDiablo

Since Saturn moves so slowly, it will both go toward the 11th and retrograde backwards in the 10th quite a few times before it clears your 10th completely.  Generally, though, transits advance counter-clockwise through the chart (just like signs and houses), so yes it is moving toward your 11th house (albeit very slowly).

Saturn on the MC is very happy to be there: it's a natural placement since Saturn rules Cap and Cap rules the 10th.  I would expect to see a "nose to the grindstone" attitude, more diligence about work or career issues, but also perhaps some delays or restrictions regarding work, career, or public image.  There's plenty of good places to look for info regarding transits: a few of my faves are Bob Marks and X-Files.

Don't worry about asking questions.  We've all been there at one point and I personally don't think astrology is something that you ever fully grok -- there's so much to learn, so many variables, always new discoveries!  I'm just a baby duck myself, so there's plenty of times that I've had to ask questions.  It's how we learn, yes?  *smiles*