Planets in transit : life cycles for living

540 Pages·1983·13.98 MB·English

Planets inTronsit
Life Cycles for Living
Robert Hand
Planets in Transit
Other Books by Robert Hand:
Essays on Astrology
Horoscope Symbols
Planets in Composite: Analyzing Human Relationships
Planets in Youth: Patterns of Early Development
Robert Hand
Planets in Transit
Life Cycles for Living
A division of Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
4 8 8 0 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, Pa 19310 USA
Published by Whitford Press
A Division of Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
4880 Lower Valley Road
Atglen, PA 19310 USA
Phone: (610) 593-1777 Fax: (610) 593-2002
E-mail:
To my father, W ilfred H and,
w ho started me on this road
Contents
Foreword by Charles A. ]ayne ix
Introduction 1
Chapter One: Interpreting Transits 9
Chapter Two: Timing Transits 21
Chapter Three: Case Study: Nixon and Watergate 33
Chapter Four: Sun 45
Chapter Five: Moon 93
Chapter Six: Mercury 131
Chapter Seven: Venus 177
Chapter Eight: Mars 215
Chapter Nine: Jupiter 263
Chapter Ten: Saturn 315
Chapter Eleven: Uranus 369
Chapter Twelve: Neptune 423
Chapter Thirteen: Pluto 475
Index 525
2!N*3*f‘
Natal Chart of Robert Hand
Birthdate: December 5,1942
Plainfield, New Jersey
Longitude 74° W 25'
Latitude 40° N 37
Birthtime: 7 :30:11 pm Eastern War Time
23:30:11 Universal Time
23:29:01 Sidereal Time
Ascendant calculated for geographic latitude
Birthplace houses
Foreword
Forew ord
The interpretation of a natal horoscope is an art that requires considerable skill. To
interpret that horoscope as it moves and unfolds through time calls for even more
skill. This is why a good book that takes up the subject of astrological timing is so
valuable to us all.
Broadly speaking, there are four methods of astrological timing: progressions and
directions, postnatal epochs, solar and lunar returns, and transits. Progressions and
directions are sporadic but discontinuous. They do not occur at regular intervals, and
there are times when the bodies are not in orb of aspect. The postnatal epochs that
Eleanor Hesseltine and I have discovered are also sporadic because they are timed by
progressions or directions, but their effects continue until death. Continuity of effect
is also apparent in solar and lunar returns, whether in the tropical or sidereal zodiac.
They occur periodically, however, not sporadically as postnatal epochs do. Each
solar return is effective for a year. The fourth and most basic form of timing is
transits, which are periodic and discontinuous in nature.
It is really surprising that there have been so few good books on the subject of
transits. Grant Lewi's Astrology fo r the Millions has been the best book until now,
but it is written at a very elementary level. Thus Robert Hand's Planets in Transit:
Life Cycles fo r Living fills a really enormous hole in the literature of astrology and
does it very well indeed. Quantitatively, it is a large and very complete book, but
certainly not larger than necessary for the enlightenment it provides on a complex
subject. In this book everyone from the novice to the seasoned professional will find
complete coverage of all phases of timing by transit. Its organization and
arrangement make it very easy to find what you need.
The main problem in modern astrology, however, is not quantitative but qualitative.
Astrology is highly popular, and an enormous amount of material is surfacing in
books, magazines, classes and lectures. Unfortunately, much of this material is
inferior, for there is still only a small number of experienced, top-flight astrologers.
Many of us value Charles Carter's book on aspects, but it is not a very large book.
What is remarkable about Planets in Transit is its sustained high quality. Robert
Hand's clarity of expression contrasts sharply with the work of some of our leading
contemporary astrologers, who are very hard to read.
The ability to interpret a planetary combination, whether statically in a radical chart
or dynamically by transit or progression, depends on two things. It depends first on
knowledge of the contributions made by the best of one's predecessors and colleagues
XI