Progressed Phases

One of the most reliable timers in astrology is the progressed Moon to progressed Sun cycle. There are eight phases they go through over about a 28 year time. The last one, the Balsamic phase ENDS the cycle and is normally a time of reflection. Things do not move very quickly so that the owner of the chart has time to reflect. Normally, it is NOT a time of great success nor a pinnacle of one’s career. Especially if it occurs in the 12^th house…also a place of reflection.

Each phase comprises 45 degrees and, since the progressed Moon moves at an average rate of one degree a month, each one lasts about 3½ years. The phases are: New, Crescent, First Quarter, Gibbous, Full, Disseminating, Third Quarter and Balsamic. When a person’s progressed Sun and Moon are in relationship to one of those phases, the person takes on the qualities of that phase and behaves slightly differently than they may have prior to that time. We go through the full cycle of these phases about three times in our lives if we live to about 84 (on average—for some it could be 90; for others it can be less than 84). And remember, you’re BORN somewhere within a phase, which is your lifetime orientation. Therefore, you can’t go by your age to determine where you are in those periods of time.

Donald Trump’s current phase is the last one—Balsamic. Not only that, but it’s taking place in the 12^th house. Usually, the universe gives a person with that in effect, plenty of time to reflect. It is not a time for aggressiveness or for innovative high energy pursuits.  It is hard to say exactly what will happen to his presidency since there are so many “lucky” indicators in his chart right now….talk about “teflon!” 

However, we can see some possible turning points. The closest one is around 5 weeks from now. I mentioned it in a previous blog. The progressed Moon is about to conjoin the progressed MC which is holding a conjunction to progressed Saturn. Progressions wait for a “trigger” from something faster…like the progressed Moon, or transiting Sun or Mars, or a tertiary progression involving (always) the same ‘planets.’ (for convenience we designate the Sun and Moon as planets, too) He has also been under a great deal of financial pressure about his homes, career and his family… progressed Mercury (ruling second and tenth) is separating from conjoining his progressed Pluto (ruling fourth).  In about a year the progressed Moon conjoins that, too, which is another time he could resign or be impeached.

But, the big turning point is when the progressed Moon catches up with the progressed Sun and they start a new cycle—their “new” phase. That will be August/September of 2019. Whether he is president then or not, he WILL begin a new cycle. Let us hope by then he’ll have learned what the preceding Balsamic phase had to teach him. 

It's getting dramatic!

Yesterday and today we are reeling from the firing of the head of the FBI. Every time a person insists on investigating Trump’s ties with Russia, they get fired. If he is so innocent, then why would he feel a need to do that?  We are very fortunate to have a good time of birth for Trump, and his chart is working like a charm. His progressed Moon changed signs in the last twenty four hours, so this event is really significant. It went from Cancer into Leo. In addition, minor progressed Mars is conjoining his Ascendant right now within minutes. He is really pissed!!

What is beautiful is that his secondary progressed MC is approaching a conjunction with secondary progressed Saturn at 2 Leo (discipline and disappointment in career). The progressed Moon (which moves about a degree a month) will join them in two to three months. That has the potential of ending his presidency. Further, his progressed Uranus is closely (six minutes separating) opposing his natal Moon, which would indicate a state of constant emotional turmoil and anxiety. Transiting Mars will trigger that around May 22^nd/23^rd.  That has the potential of violence.

Minor progressions are supposed to indicate inner, spiritual matters, and if so, Trump is learning a lesson about deception. He was born with Mercury square Neptune which is notorious for indicating a vivid imagination and, therefore, a signature of a deceptive person. Some people find a way to change habits; some don’t. Right now minor progressed Saturn in Trump’s chart is aligning with that square. It has gone over his Neptune (10 minutes separating from a conjunction) and is on the way in the next few months to square his Mercury. Saturn is “reality” and discipline. He will not get away with his deceptions. 

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secondary, tertiary, minor progressions and Trump's chart

For the past several months I’ve been working with Robert Blaschke’s book about progressions. In it, he explains that when popular astrology columns started being published, the much more rigorous forecasting methods were ignored and replaced with just secondary progressions and transits. Some even use just transits. Transits were not meant to be a stand-alone prognostication method.

In the first book of his series, he explains how progressions are supposed to be used. If you google his name, there is even a lecture about it on YouTube. Secondary progressions are supposed to be used with tertiary and minor progressions with triggers from transits, but ONLY the transits of the planets that are holding the progressions.  This is the way it was done when C.E.O. Carter and others of his generation wrote their books.

Therefore, looking at Trump’s chart, his minor progressed Sun is conjunct minor progressed Saturn, and they in turn are conjunct his natal Neptune—applying, not separating. Minor progressions are not “event” oriented, but rather more spiritual in nature. We then look for a time when the transiting Sun and/or Saturn will trigger it. Neptune will not for a very long time. The Sun will do so on March 28/29.  By that time, the minor progressed Moon will be joining the minor progressed Sun and Saturn, as well, but a few days later.

This is all triggering his Neptune/Mercury square, which is the signature of a person who has a loose relationship with the truth. So the lesson will be about honesty. Transiting Pluto is now squaring his Jupiter and progressed Venus, and solar arc Pluto is conjoining them, so he is in the midst of a lot of pressure to discipline his extravagance. However, since he was born with Uranus conjunct the Sun and opposing the Moon (extreme self-will), it’s doubtful that he’ll do that. Besides, solar arc Pluto is trining those natal placements, so he feels he is absolutely in control—especially with secondary progressed Uranus opposing his Moon within five minutes. It’s hard to say how this will end, although I think a year from now will be a defining moment. He has so many positive indicators, it gives new meaning to “Teflon” president.

However, I believe the real drama will come when Saturn joins that configuration in transit by opposing it in March/April 2018.

At that time, the tertiary Sun will conjoin the tertiary Moon at 9 to 11 Aquarius, opposing Trump’s natal Pluto at 10 Leo. By that time minor progressed Saturn will be squaring Mercury and TRANSITING Saturn will be square minor progressed Saturn, and therefore opposing Mercury. And minor progressed MC (which moves rapidly) will be conjoining natal Neptune--confusion about one's career. Progressed Moon will be conjoining progressed Pluto….severe emotional pressure. When so many of these progressions line up and are triggered by transits, things happen.