What is a Transit (Gochara)?
A transit is a moving planet's current position relative to a natal planet or house. Gochara (literally "movement") refers to planetary motion through the zodiac. A transit is auspicious or inauspicious based on the planet transiting and the point it's transiting.
Transits operate on two timescales: slow (Saturn, Jupiter) and fast (Sun, Moon, Mercury). Saturn's transit through the zodiac takes 30 years; Jupiter's, 12 years. Fast planets pass through a sign in weeks or days.
The Moon-Sign Method
Classical texts recommend using the Moon sign as the reference for interpreting transits, not the Ascendant. This is because the Moon rules the mind; what touches the Moon affects mental state, and mental state drives action and consequence.
Why Moon and not Lagna? The Lagna is your outer identity, the body's form. The Moon is your inner self, desires, emotions. Transits to the Moon-sign are more psychologically impactful. A Jupiter transit through the 7th from Moon indicates hope and expansion in relationships. The same transit from the Lagna might be more about external social status.
Basic rules:
- Jupiter in the 1st, 5th, 7th, 9th, or 11th from Moon-sign = beneficial period
- Saturn in the 1st, 5th, 9th, 11th = testing but ultimately growth-oriented
- Saturn in the 8th or 12th = challenge; 6th = health issues
- Mars in the 6th, 8th, 12th = conflict or health crisis
- Rahu/Ketu in any house = confusion or karmic activation
Transits and Dasha Interaction
A transit is potentiated by the dasha period. A good transit during an inauspicious dasha is muted. A challenging transit during a good dasha is softened. The strongest predictions come when transit and dasha align:
Example: Jupiter transits your 7th from the Moon. Normally, marriage or partnership flourishes. BUT if you're in Saturn Mahadasha, Jupiter's benefit is delayed. You might receive an offer or meet someone, but commitment is postponed until Saturn's period ends or Jupiter's direct period concludes.
Retrograde Transits
When a planet is retrograde, its effect is introspective or delayed. A retrograde Jupiter still benefits the houses it aspects, but the benefit is internal (learning, insight) rather than external (career rise, money). When the planet turns direct again, external results often follow.
Retrograde Saturn is feared, but many texts say a retrograde Saturn is actually less harsh than direct Saturn because its effect is introvertive (self-discipline rather than external restriction).