Every language has an alphabet and predictive astrology is no different. What the astrologer is trying to do in formulating a prediction is to take the language of the Cosmos and translate that information into the conscious world of the client. 

The way in which we produce this information from the Cosmos is via the predictive system we use; i.e., transits, progressions, and so on. However, no matter what system you used, there is one common thread and that is the definition of the basic units or alphabet with which the language or data is written.

The alphabet of astrology is made up of the planets, aspects, houses, and signs. With these basic components the Cosmos can spin a million or so stories. In a natal chart, the stories are magical and mysterious, involving mythology and the history of a person?s race. In such a world, the language creates very complex messages, for people have their whole lives to ?tinker? with the particular coded messages termed a natal chart.

However, in the world of predictive astrology, the information is only present for a short period of time and there is no time to explore the concept being presented. There is just time to hear the basic message and to act on it before the next signal comes in. So although the language may be undiscovered Shakespeare, the perception is of a simple dialogue.

Whatever the method of dynamic predictive astrology used, by its very definition it must be a temporary connection to the natal chart. The dynamic planet (progressed or transiting) makes itself felt by way of an aspect and thus connects to the chart; it then symbolically transmits information or energy and, finally, disconnects. It is not there forever, like a natal aspect. It is transient?a tourist traveling through an unknown country.

Thus, the dynamic planet comes onto the stage of clients? lives like an invader or intruder, the pragmatist in the plot. The rest of the actors (natal planets) on stage have to deal with this energy, which is seen as raw, young, and not integrated into the system. For this reason the dynamic planets and aspects, unlike their natal cousins, do not have time to grow and mature in their expression, and consequently take on slightly different and considerably simpler meanings.

For example, say Jane has Saturn opposing the Sun in her natal chart. She has her whole life to work with it, grow it, develop it, mature it. The inferiority complex in youth that this aspect can indicate would most likely convert to an achievement drive in adulthood. Granted this achievement drive could be spurred on by a fear of failure fueled by feelings of inadequacy, but Jane has worked with this aspect and can thus get better results from it. This is an aspect which is part of her, which over the years, has gained rapport with other facets of herself. On the other hand, if having transiting Saturn opposing her natal Sun, restrictions and commitment suddenly come thundering into her life, with none of the subtleties of the above mentioned natal aspect. Before she has time to ?turn the tables on it? and mature it, the transit is gone.

So in working with predictive astrology, the key issue is to recognize this simplicity. The language of astrology is rich and beautiful, but in predictive work its rich symbolism is put into simple packages. The symbols do not lose their beauty, they are simply less complex in their expression. This concept can be encapsulated by the KISS principle?Keep It Simple Sweetheart?which indeed is a golden rule of predictive astrology. So with simplicity as the Rosetta Stone of prediction, let?s look at the alphabet of our language.

Planets in Predictive Work

The following are some keywords, which are by no means absolute, for the luminaries and planets when they are involved in dynamic astrology.

Sun

• Key Principle: life, vitality, the very being, self.

• Rate of travel through the zodiac: about 10? per day.

• Time to travel through a chart: 1 year.

• Use in predictive work: receives transits and makes and receives progressions.

• Figures: father, authority figures of any type, a famous person, a superior person.

The Sun is the foundation stone of the human being. In a natal chart, it represents the life journey and story which will be undertaken by the individual seeking awareness. Thus the Sun sign is important, for it reveals the myth or story that the individual follows through life. Transits and progressions to or from this luminary indicate events in the journey of life and a reassessment of personal identity. The person may experience this as life-threatening, or life-supporting. Either way, it is like turning the page in the story of life and getting on to the next ?adventure?.

Moon

• Key Principle: mother, feminine, nurturing, children, body or kinesthetic responses to world, i.e. emotions.

• Rate of travel though the zodiac: about 12? per day.

• Time to travel through a chart: 27-1/2 days.

• Use in predictive work: receives transits and makes and receives progressions.

• Figures: mother, children, loved ones that you nurture, people who need physical help.

Dynamic contacts to the Moon will color emotional processes. You experience changes in emotional responses, changes in eating habits, changes in body rhythms. Things that are dear to you, things that are part of your security system could change. The Moon, more than any other planet or luminary, takes on a very strong bias from the sign that it occupies and this should always be considered when dealing with this luminary.

Mercury

• Key Principle: methods of information-collecting, processing, and distributing.

• Rate of travel through the zodiac: up to 2?30? per day.

• Time to travel through a chart: about 1 year.

• Use in predictive work: receives transits and makes and receives progressions.

• Figures: young people, or people who deal with information or stationery.

Dynamic contacts to Mercury herald events concerning paperwork, study, writing, talking, short journeys, and a great deal of movement. New ways of gaining information may be encountered by a spectrum of methods from finding a new bookshop to having prophetic visions.

Venus

• Key Principle: relating, relationships, resources.

• Rate of travel through the zodiac: up to 1?15? per day.

• Time to travel through a chart: about 1 year.

• Use in predictive work: receives transits and makes and receives progressions.

• Figures: young women, artists, lovers, or money-handlers.

Dynamic contacts to Venus will emphasize your relationship to the world or to an individual. You could find yourself changing your attitude to a group of friends or falling in or out of love. Your sense of worth is questioned, the value of things, such as friendships or relationships, is examined. You become aware of resources?emotional, spiritual or financial?and this is a time when these resources can be stretched.

Mars

• Key Principle: focused action, directed motivation, drive.

• Rate of travel through the zodiac: up to 0?40? per day.

• Time to travel through a chart: about 2-1/2 years.

• Use in predictive work: mostly for receiving transits, and progressions. Only used for making transits indicating acute days, or days of great activity. It also has some value as it transits through the houses, showing where the current motivation is at the moment. Also used for making or receiving progressions.

• Figures: young, rough, strong, motivated, sexual, angry or coarse males or females.

When a chart is receiving a Mars contact it will indicate that anger, motivation, or drive is being activated. The reason is enthused with an idea or feeling. This idea may plunge the reason into physical activities, to experience strong sexual motivation, encounter angry people, or even cause the person to be part of an accident.

Continued on the next page:
Jupiter; Saturn; Uranus; Neptune; 
Pluto: North Node; South Node