We all change with time.  As we experience life and our maturity level increases everything about us evolves.  These changes can often be found and understood more clearly in a Progressed Chart. 

While your Natal Chart has influence for your entire life, a Progressed Chart applies to any given time after that.  A Progressed Chart is determined most commonly by what is called the “day for a year” system, a method devised by originally Johannes Kepler back in the 17th century CE.  The chart that represents your second year of life is the day after you’re born; the third year of life is indicated by the third day; the 20^th year is the 20^th day and so forth.  In other words, if you were born on January 7, 1962 and wanted to know what your chart looked like when you were 30 years old, or your 31^st year, you would look at the chart for February 6, 1962. 

To illustrate what this means, look at the above Natal Chart for this fictitious person. As you can see, the Natal Sun is in Capricorn as part of a stellium.  However, there's another stellium in Aquarius, which will give this person many Aquarian traits.  Then look at the Progressed Chart to the right below.  The Sun, Venus, Mars stellium in Capricorn has progressed into Aquarius along with Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury, which were there natally as well.  At this point in life, the person will be under such heavy Aquarian influences it's doubtful anyone could ever guess they were born a Capricorn.  There are also many more negative aspects in the Progressed chart than the Natal in the form of numerous squares and oppositions.

While your core personality will always remain consistent with your Natal Sun Sign, progressing to another is somewhat like moving to another state or country.  A person born and raised in Texas will always be a Texan, but if they move to another state, for example California, particularly sometime in their youth, they will pick up some of those characteristics.  You will often notice the change and feel somewhat confused the first few months.  If you’re older and think back to a time in your life that was particularly difficult, there is a good chance it was when you went through a sign change.

Depending on whether you were born in the beginning, middle or end of your particular sign, you will progress through two or three or possibly four (if you live long enough) Sun Signs.  For example, if you were born on January 21, by the time you’re a year old you’ve already progressed into Aquarius.  However, if you were born on January 22, you’ll be an Aquarius for roughly 30 years before you switch to Pisces.

One aspect that progresses significantly faster than the Sun, even though it has slightly less effect, is the Moon, which will move through each sign in the progressed chart in about two and a half years.  If you know someone well and have regular contact with him or her you can notice this change, which will occur in how they respond emotionally.  You are also likely to notice it in yourself. 

For example, if your Natal Moon is in Capricorn, logic and practicality will significantly drive your emotional reactions.   However, if you’re going through a time when your Progressed Moon has moved into Aries, you’ll react more quickly and impulsively and you may lose your temper more easily.  If it’s in Cancer you’ll be more emotional, particularly sentimental; in Virgo you’ll be more critical, even of yourself, etc.  The change is subtle, but if you look at your own decisions and reactions, or those of someone close to you, over several years time there will be a noticeable difference.

It is possible to derive a Progressed Chart for a given day by adjusting the time of the chart as opposed to your birth time.  Your birth time will generally represent your birthday.  Which one will depend on how many days from your actual birthday the chart is cast.  This sounds odd, but consider that if one day represents a year, then 24 hours is also a year.  Thus, two hours represents a month or one hour represents approximately two weeks.  Taken even further, a half-hour would be roughly a week and a little over four minutes would represent each day.   If you’re hopefully confused, don’t worry, that is what computers are for and they do a rather nice job of calculating a Progressed Chart.

Progressed charts are not only a tool for determining changes in your personality and view of the world as you grow older but can also be used in predictive astrology as well.  Transits affect the Progressed Chart as well as the Natal Chart.  However, any major event is usually contained in your Natal Chart;  this fact is usually referred to as the Natal Promise.  If it’s not there natally, it’s unlikely to occur.  The Progressed Chart and other factors, such as Transits and Lunations, will simply help pin down the time that it occurs. 

Aspects are read in a similar manner to those on a Natal Chart with reports available for the interpretations. 

Another chart that changes with time is the Solar Return Chart.  This chart is cast based on when the Sun returns to the exact same position it was at your birth around the time of your birthday.  The actual date may vary a day one way or the other from your birthday and of course the other planets are in different positions.  This chart provides a very accurate view of what you might expect in the coming year with an approximate three month overlap at the beginning and end.  This means you might start seeing the next year's theme come into events in your life starting three months prior to your birthday and it may take approximately three months for the previous year to fade.   The Progressed Chart addressed your personal progression and character development whereas the Solar Return chart is more directed at events and interactions to expect with others in the year to come.

***

Order a Progressed Chart & Report

Order a Planets in Solar Return Report