Transits (Gochar) describe how today’s planetary positions interact with your birth chart. They activate houses, trigger natal promises, and explain why certain topics feel “up” right now—career, relationships, finances, health, or spiritual focus.

How Transits Activate Your Chart

  • A transit planet energises the house it occupies from your Ascendant and Moon sign.
  • It aspects additional houses based on planetary drishti (e.g., Saturn to 3rd/7th/10th).
  • It highlights planets it conjuncts or aspects—especially natal lords of key houses.
  • It delivers strongest results when Dashas/Antardashas involve the same planet or houses.

Transit Strength Checklist

  • Transit planet is strong by dignity (own/exaltation/friendly sign)
  • House lord being activated is healthy in the natal chart
  • No severe afflictions (combustion, enemy aspects) undermine the promise
  • Supporting Dashas or progressions align with the same life topic
  • You have practical capacity (time, money, energy) to act on the window

Planet-by-Planet Cheat Sheet

PlanetOrbital speedTransiting focusBest useCaution
Sun~1 month per signVisibility, leadership, vitalityLaunches, PR, personal brandingBurnout, ego conflicts
Moon~2.25 days per signMood, mind, daily rhythmEmotional reset, short ritualsReactivity, impulsive choices
Mars~45 days per signDrive, competition, surgeryCourageous action, trainingAccidents, arguments
Mercury~25 days (longer when retrograde)Communication, tech, tradePitches, content, studyMiscommunication, delays
Jupiter~12 months per signGrowth, mentors, blessingsEducation, travel, expansionOver-optimism, weight gain
Venus~25 days (retrograde every 18 months)Relationships, art, valuesRomance, design, upgradesVanity, overspending
Saturn~2.5 years per signDiscipline, responsibilityInfrastructure, mastery, long-term plansFatigue, pessimism
Rahu/Ketu~18 months per axisDisruption, innovation, releaseReinvention, foreign links, karmic clearingObsession, sudden reversals

Retrogrades & Combustion

  • Retrograde: Internal review period. Expect edits, returns, and second chances. Launch cautiously; test twice.
  • Combustion (within ~8° of Sun): Planet’s agenda gets filtered through identity/ego. Results still arrive but can feel pressured.
  • Station days: When a planet stations (direct or retrograde) its themes intensify. Leave buffer time around these dates.

Transit Duration Reference

PlanetTypical stay in one housePlanner tip
Moon2–3 daysTrack mood + productivity cycles
Mercury & Venus3–5 weeksIdeal for campaigns, launches, networking
Mars6–8 weeksStart fitness, assertive projects, surgery prep
Sun30 daysSpotlight work, leadership upgrades
Jupiter12 monthsSet annual goals, growth projects
Saturn30 monthsBuild systems, accept slow-but-steady progress
Nodes18 monthsRedesign life direction, karma detox

Step-by-Step Reading Workflow

  1. Mark current transits relative to both Ascendant and Moon charts.
  2. Identify houses and natal planets receiving conjunctions/aspects.
  3. Note overlaps with active Mahadasha/Antardasha lords.
  4. Score the transit (supportive, neutral, challenging) based on dignity and benefic/malefic influences.
  5. Translate into a practical plan of action or mindful pause.

Example Timeline: Saturn Transit through Aquarius (Taurus Ascendant)

  • House activation: 10th house of career, authority, public reputation.
  • Dasha context: Running Mercury Mahadasha – enhances communication and networking.
  • First year (ingress + direct): Heavy workload, restructure of teams, seeking mentors.
  • Second year (retrograde cycle): Review leadership style, upgrade skill sets, adjust KPIs.
  • Third year (final pass): Recognition arrives, new title negotiated, long-term plan crystallised.
  • Pro tip: Honour Saturn with consistency (exercise, hydration, journaling) and accept incremental wins.

Practical Planning Playbook

  • Quarterly review: Log major transit shifts (Saturn/Jupiter ingress, eclipses, Mercury retrogrades) in your calendar.
  • Alignment window: Launch when benefic transits activate 1st/10th/11th houses or aspect the project’s significator.
  • Integration days: Schedule rest, therapy, or reflection when malefic transits cross sensitive natal points.
  • Remedies: Charity, mantra, or focused service aligned with the transiting planet brings balance.

Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Panicking over challenging transits without checking natal promise.
  • Forgetting that mundane events often require simultaneous transit + Dasha activation.
  • Ignoring health basics—Saturn or Mars transits demand disciplined sleep, nutrition, and movement.
  • Overbooking life during Mercury retrogrades or eclipses; keep margin for edits.

Summary

Transits supply the “weather report” for your natal roadmap. Observe which houses and planets they touch, integrate them with Dashas, and schedule actions accordingly. When you plan with the sky, progress feels intentional rather than accidental.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do planetary transits last?

Transit duration varies by planet: Moon (2.5 days per sign), Mercury/Venus (~25 days), Mars (~45 days), Jupiter (~12 months), Saturn (~2.5 years), Rahu/Ketu (~18 months per sign). Inner planets move faster, outer planets create longer-term trends.

Do transits affect everyone the same way?

No, transits affect you based on your birth chart. A Jupiter transit through your 10th house (career) will impact you differently than someone else, depending on your natal 10th house condition, planets there, and your current Dasha period.

What’s the difference between transits and Dashas?

Dashas are your personal planetary periods (based on your birth Nakshatra), while transits are current planetary positions affecting everyone. Combine both for accurate timing: Dashas show your life themes, transits show when those themes activate.

Can I avoid negative transit effects?

You can’t avoid transits, but you can mitigate challenges through remedies (mantras, charity, gemstones), conscious choices, and patience. Understanding upcoming transits helps you prepare mentally and take precautions during difficult periods.

How often should I check my transits?

Check major transits (Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu/Ketu) monthly for planning. Check inner planet transits (Mercury, Venus, Mars) weekly for immediate timing decisions. Use transits as a planning tool, not a source of anxiety.

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