The Value of Progressed Charts

Do you ever feel that the reading of your natal chart does not relate to who you are? Do you feel that you have been going through a lot of changes, yet the astrologers don't seem to see it?

Your progressed chart may be significantly different from your natal chart. Looking at the progressions throughout your life may reveal long periods of retrogrades, which include the stationary periods as well.

For example, during my lifetime, both Venus and Mercury went retrograde then direct. Neptune and Chiron, both retrograde in my natal chart, went direct. Each of these events signalled significant changes in my life.

I think it would really be helpful to parents who get their child's natal chart done at birth, to also get the progressions for the first 18 years or so. All you need is an ephemeris and you can do this yourself.

Also when a planet changes sign or house by progression, you may experience it intensely. When my progressed Sun went into Leo, I definitely felt it. But then, a couple of years later, it progressed into the 12th house. It was like putting the Sun in a dark dungeon. I felt that too.

Meanwhile, my natal Sun was still in Gemini in the 10th house.

It it also useful to compare your progressed chart to your natal chart. Aspects between planets in this biwheel chart reveal opportunities and timing for actions.

The year my progressed Moon transited my 8th house, my mother suddenly died. It was especially difficult because for nearly a year before her death, we fought a lot. Due to the dynamics of my childhood, I did not have a "teenage rebellion". In fact, I did everything I could not to start trouble in the home. Of course, things were a lot different then than now - children did not have the power they do now.

It was as strange to me as it was to her that we were constantly at each other's throat. It was as if I were having my teenage rebellion at 57! Hard to bear for both of us. Part of it was that my progressed Sun had gone into Leo and so I was 'braver' and had a stronger sense of self than I had been for the 30 years prior when I had been a progressed Cancer. In addition, my progressed Moon was in the 8th house, the sign of the Mother in the house of death...

So, in order to get the most of a reading, get your progressed chart done too.