Fagan & Firebrace on Progressions - Interpretation resources

[Jim Eshelman]

Here follow interpretations of progressions according to Fagan and Firebrace in their last edition of Primer of Sidereal Astrology.

I don't endorse or resist these interpretations. I realized that, except for my interpretations on SSR Moon, and the degree to which progressions and transits overlap in meaning, there were no "starter" interpretations here for progressions specifically - so I am adding these.

Progressions by Moon viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1848&p=12386#p12386
Progressions by Sun viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1848&p=12387#p12387
Progressions by Mercury viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1848&p=12388#p12388
Progressions by Venus viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1848&p=12389#p12389
Progressions by Mars viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1848&p=12390#p12390
Progressions by Jupiter
Progressions by Saturn
Progressions by Uranus
Progressions by Neptune
Progressions by Pluto

[Jim Eshelman]

As a general rule progressions and transits of the Moon to the planets signify the emotional actions of the native, i.e., what he does to others.

On the other hand progressions and transits of the planets to the Moon signify the reactions of the native to the actions taking place in his environment, i.e., what other people or things do to him.

P MOON - N SUN
For both sexes, but more particularly for the female, the progression of the Moon to a configuration of the natal or progressed Sun presages a union of the sexes, generally but not always in wedlock. In the male geniture it often merely tallies with sexual intercourse. But even so, it underlines an event, however short-lived, that is not without its lasting psychological overtones. Under this progression women tend to homologate their interest in the opposite sex.

P MOON - N MERCURY
When the progressed Moon configures the radical or progressed Mercury the native will find himself much occupied, giving talks or lectures, entering into discussions or instructing others. Under this aspect he becomes a teacher. (Note that under the aspect of Mercury to the Moon he becomes a pupil.)

P MOON - N VENUS
When the progressed Moon configures the radical or progressed Venus the native will make love to another. Invitations to weddings or other social gathers will occur. (The opposite aspect, progressed Venus to Moon, will tend to make him or her be wooed by another.)

P MOON - N MARS
This aspect finds the native intensely alive, active, dashing from place to place, and working at full stretch. In the impetuosity of his zeal he is apt to be unguarded and outspoken and say things that give offense. In extreme cases he may run up against the law of libel. He will be more belligerent than usual. Under this aspect a statesman might declare war.

P MOON - N JUPITER
This is an aspect which boosts the self-esteem of the native. He may be honored by those in authority by an invitation to take part in a festivity. For such an occasion the native will endeavor to be on his best behavior.

P MOON - N SATURN
A series of frustrations occur when the progressed Moon configures the radical or progressed Saturn. It often tallies with a period, often temporary, of cessation of work, enforced idleness, and loss of revenue. It synchronizes with retirement, resignation, or dismissal. A depressing period when nothing seems to thrive.

P MOON - N URANUS
Under this progression the native seeks freshness and is all for change. Shuffling off the old, he makes alterations in his life, changes in his job, removes to a new house, or travels. He is moved to do things he has never done before and which are a novelty for him. These novelties break up his old habits.

P MOON - N NEPTUNE
Here the native will thirst for sensation and tend to indulge himself to excess or engage in unseemly conduct leading to his own mortification. The effects will be worse if Neptune is configurated with the malefics. Often the native will find himself as a visitor at a hospital, if not an inmate.

P MOON - N PLUTO Under this configuration the native will avail himself of every opportunity to free himself if only temporarily, from the ties which hold him prisoner. He might, for example, buy a motor [car] to escape from the restrictions of the home. He may take a ready excuse to break up the home life. Sometimes, feeling the restrictions of law or mortality, youths may land themselves in serious trouble.

[Jim Eshelman]

P SUN - N MOON
Fundamental changes in the native's ménage usually take place when the progressed or regressed Sun is configured with the natal Moon. These can arise from varying circumstances such as the death of a parent, a change of occupation, a removal, and so forth. In a male geniture it frequently means that at this time a woman comes to live in the domicile and takes over the management. It thus frequently indicates marriage. At this time the native usually becomes more self-conscious especially in his relationship with the opposite sex/
[NOTE: Danica reports, "The main theme has been: adapting to the new environment and the big life change, after moving from Serbia to Cali... The peaking time of progression (end-May 2017) was marked by an important spiritual experience, as well as couple of events of huge emotional impact (all concerning intimate one-on-one relationships)."]

P SUN - N MERCURY
Here there can only be the conjunction which must occur before his 28th year. Usually it denotes the awakening of the mind to mental pursuits, often at the age when the native goes to school. If this aspect matures when he is adult he will at that time take a deeper interest in mental pursuits, including sometimes astronomy and astrology. He could also enter into employment.
[NOTE: This occurred to me first while in college, a time of intellectual stimulation and exposure to a huge range of new topics. The second time, was when, as an adult, I was entering into a new subject of interest and spent all my time devouring it.]

P SUN - N VENUS
The progressed or regressed Sun must form its conjunction with the natal Venus before the 48th year. To the progressed Venus it can be later. Its conjunction with the natal Venus normally coincides with the period when the native becomes sensitive to beauty and craves for friendship and close relationship with others. Hence he will make friends, fall in love or become interested in the arts or music. At this time he becomes more conscious of his appearance and smartens his wardrobe. This is a very happy period for the native.
[NOTE: This happened to me twice, at four-year intervals. It is difficult to see any particular manifestation the two times had in common, and particular anything that matches the firs occasion, although I was testing the waters on a new relationship for the second one.]

P SUN - N MARS
When the progressed Sun forms a configuration with Mars, natal or progressed, the native becomes acutely conscious of his sex nature. This may get out of control and wild oats may be sown. It is a time when escapades may not please his seniors. He will become more boisterous and out of hand. There is a superfluous energy which he may seek to work off in vigorous games. Knowing little fear he is capable of acts of daring. This period may lead to a greater interest in mechanical things or to joining one of the armed services.
[NOTE: Manifestations of the two early squares is unclear, unless they both implied a restlessness, e.g., the middle of my last year of high school. A sextile in '91 was a time that I joined with colleagues to form an organization to fight unjust laws affecting our profession.]

P SUN - N JUPITER
We can expect the most successful period of one's life when the progressed or regressed Sun is configured with Jupiter. This is the time that, provided only that an effort is made, success will come to the native. At college he will attain his degree, prizes will be won in sport and he will prosper in business or in his profession. Under this direction reputations are made and fortunes laid.
[NOTE: Under p Sun square r Jupiter-Uranus, I had a paper route that gave me daily freedom to explore the world on my own, and a first taste of making a little extra money every week. The trine was inwardly rewarding and outwardly hard, more of an "end of the road" peak from which I coasted rather than an actual victory.]

P SUN - N SATURN
The solar progression to Saturn synchronizes with the most disappoint periods of one's life, the effects of which may leave a scar. Under the progression the native may fail to pass a test he may be passed over for promotion or rejected at an interview. He may lose his job. If a politician, he may lose an election. It is not a fortunate time for undertakings. It is a period of depression from which it may take time to recover. Under its influence the native is fearful, overly cautious and envious of the success of others because his pride has been hurt.
[NOTE: The first conjunction came in 1977 when I was able to work to get The New Instant Astrology out - a real feeling of "having arrived" - and the second in 1980 when I removed myself to a work studio to work on a Mattel project for a year and have benefit of solitude, and then got hired by ACS. Some Saturn themes, but both were positive and "steps up" in my practical maturity.]

P SUN - N URANUS
This can be a period of illumination when light can break through the hardened set condition of the mind. This is the moment for the flash of genius to appear, if the native is capable of it. This progression tallies with the most inspired periods of the life when we can set ourselves free from the traditional. Many at this time break with custom and do unexpected things, and if a public figure, may well hit the headlines. He will be bent on discovering the world and exults in adventures. His inventive talent will express itself in unorthodox ways. It is a time of change.
[NOTE: Under p Sun square r Jupiter-Uranus, I had a paper route that gave me daily freedom to explore the world on my own, and a first taste of making a little extra money every week. The trine was inwardly rewarding and outwardly hard, more of an "end of the road" peak from which I coasted rather than an actual victory.]

P SUN - N NEPTUNE
Under Neptunian influence the native's evaluation of himself increases but is largely fictitious. He is unable to see himself clearly. He may become unduly sensitive to the opinions of others. He may be the butt of ridicule and suffer severely at the hands of others in his surroundings. His overwrought imagination enhances his fears. He becomes easily agitated, worried, and flurried. Under the Neptunian influence, guilt may carry the stigma of shame or disgrace especially if Saturn also comes into the picture. The craving for sensation will be enhanced and temptation will be put in his path which he will find difficult to resist. He will dwell in a world of fantasy to the detriment of clear thinking and bad effect on his practical work.
[NOTE: p Su co r Ne. This was the most miserable, and perhaps embarrassing, year of school for me, feeling constantly oppressed by the teacher and lost as my Mercury-Saturn mind was making the early adjustment to first organizing itself for learning. Any childhood shames I have are mostly concentrated in this year.]

P SUN - N PLUTO
The solar direction to Pluto marks the beginning of the end of a stage of life. It can begin a new phase with success or end one with failure. Under this configuration the marriage tie may be broken and couples parted. Under it children leave home and go out into the worldto fend for themselves. It is responsible for the deaths of parents and the loss of friends. One can feel separate from others and therefore in some cases antisocial. The native may be at war with others and in mundane maps it is a promittor of actual warfare. No other planet changes the status quo as does Pluto.
[NOTE: The sextile was, among other things, the best year of school in terms of grades and affection for the teacher, and a sense of everything starting to click. The squarein 1995 was the center of important spiritual-transformational work and, oh, the release of Windows 95 which changed everything!]

[Jim Eshelman]

The progressions of Mercury appear to have the same effect as its transits... The effects of the progressions are, however longer lasting.

P MERCURY - N MOON
This transit may find the native visiting libraries or lectures in pursuit of knowledge. The progression will be of longer duration and more powerful. [He becomes a pupil.]
[NOTE: The sextile in Feb 2004 is strange. Of all the points in my adult life, this is one I would least characterize with the above description.]
[Anecdote: A year-plus of writing enormously and voluminously (2023-24). p ME -90- r MO.]

P MERCURY - N MERCURY
...information, a letter, book, etc., may be received which will affect his work.
[NOTE: Conjunction in 1969 marked some of my most intense early study of astrology. Conjunction returned in April '97 as I began publishing the journal Black Pearl, among other projects.]

P MERCURY - N VENUS
An affectionate letter may arrive under this transit or progression. If configured simultaneously with the malefics there will be disappointments.
[NOTE: Conjunction peaked in the last days of 2000, a period when I was writing extensively and creatively, happily in a relationship, and mostly unemployed. Another conjunction in early 2007 showed me recently in a new job, productive in several ways, and in a separation from my long-term partner due to her health crisis.]

P MERCURY - N MARS
This transit or progression can lead to the use of force or violence. It sometimes finds the native engaged in sport or manual work.
[NOTE: I think all three times I was writing intensely. Square in summer '74 I decided to leave college (an unusual period of me and schooling not getting along), got such work as I could and was writing a fair bit for AAM. Sextile early 2005 I was recently installed as full head of an organization I had helped found years before, was busy with that, was going strong in my job at Warner Music. Square August 2009 was the center of a very prolific few years of writing, and well-established in my next job.]

P MERCURY - N JUPITER
An excellent transit for seeking promotion and interviewing the manager. Good for addressing meetings. But note whether Mercury is free from afflictions.
[NOTE: Squares in 1980 and '86 were each significant step-ups in career and income, proportionate to the time, feeling I was doing well. Trine in early 2008 marked a distinctive promotion, income increase, and greater job pleasure almost exactly, and expansion to a larger world in some respects. This mostly blurred into the early '09 period.

P MERCURY - N SATURN
Even though they may be beneficial these transits are never pleasant and may be humiliating. All transits to Saturn make one uncomfortable.
[NOTE: I've had four conjunctions so far. Early '70 and late '71 make no sense in terms of restriction; rather, I was academically strong, learning astrology, and had begun to write for AAM and Spica. Mid-'95 my law practice was dying down and I was somewhat looking for my next direction, and the release of Windows 95 turned my world inside out remarkably. Spring '99 I'm not sure, was unemployed mostly, doing a lot of writing during this period, had begun online computer support projects and had my first annual visit to Microsoft and began my first web page.]

P MERCURY - N URANUS
Often occurs during removal to a new place. Surprises in the course of travel.
[NOTE: Trine late '07 had some shifting conditions to which I had to adjust. In work, I'd spent a solid year in my new job and was about to get a promotion and relocate to a different office.]

P MERCURY - N NEPTUNE
In the course of travel the native may attend a concert or visit the opera.

P MERCURY - N PLUTO
In some cases under this transit the native has been found to be on the run, trying to escape his obligations.
[NOTE: Square in the first half of 2007. First full year in an important new job, near my long-term partner was removed by her family due to her health, a huge amount of stuff going on.]

[Jim Eshelman]

The progressions of Mercury appear to have the same effects as those of Venus in transit... The effects of the progressions are, however longer lasting.

P VENUS - N SUN
Unless Venus is prominent in some way this transit by a rapidly moving planet may pass unnoticed. If slow in motion the native may be honored in some way by being invited to a party at which he will look his best.

P VENUS - N MOON
Under such a transit the native may pay special attention to his wardrobe. Should Venus be with Uranus he may adopt new modes of attire. If a male he will at this time be popular with women. [Is wooed by another.]
NOTE: Trine early '92 may overlaps with early time of an important friendship and romance that began in late '91.

P VENUS - N MERCURY
...It can harmonize the min, writing done at this time will be felicitous in expression.

P VENUS - N VENUS
...Love at first sight has happened under this transit. With progressions this aspect can only happen when Venus, turning retrograde, returns to its radical longitude.
NOTE: Conj 6/84. no obvious effect in retrospect.

P VENUS - N MARS
When prominent, Venus transiting Mars causes another person to be attracted to the native who may be mutually attracted. There have been hasty marriages under this transit.
NOTE: Sextile 4/65 has no obvious meaning. Sextile 8/89 was a time my practice & an organization were going new and energetically, and I travelled to Australia & New Zealand. Square 2/95 was a time when I was doing a lot of work with Mars energies. No unusual sexual or romantic changes under any of these, though a little ramping up for the square.

P VENUS - N JUPITER
Under this transit the native usually becomes the recipient of tokens of esteem and affection from admirers.
NOTE: Trine 6/75 was ironically when I left my wife, left my home state, and moved to California. Trine 11/80 as fine enough but nothing outstanding; a minor renewal of an existing relationship before again moving, this time to San Diego for two years.

P VENUS - N SATURN
Should Venus be prominent at the time, attempts by another to contact the native may be rejected. There may even be disgust at the approach.
NOTE: Exact conjunction 5/06 of a long-term pass. My lover of several years had suffered two strokes and was deteriorating, many internal rearrangements in my psyche at the time, her family pulled her out of state for hospitalization less than a year later.

P VENUS - N URANUS
Romance meets the native when on an adventure.
NOTE: Sextile 11/80 & 7/81, see above under Jupiter.

P VENUS - N NEPTUNE
Pleasure comes to the native when Venus transits Neptune. He usually finds it in his hobbies and pastimes. He may receive gifts useful for these hobbies.

P VENUS - N PLUTO
Under unusual circumstances a stranger seeks the companionship of the native.
NOTE: Square 2/83, the month I quite ACS and moved back to Hollywood from San Diego. Square 1/84 probably a continuation of that rearrangement, maybe some key spiritual work.

[Jim Eshelman]

The interpretation progressions follows that of the transiting planet... The effects of progressions will however last longer and be deeper.

P MARS - N MOON
The native will be irascible and his temper anything but docile. Sometimes there is a visit to the dentist or surgeon. Should Mars and Saturn together transit the Moon in the foreground the native is in danger of violence at the hands of others.

P MARS - N MERCURY
Criticism of the native's ideas may cause him to react vigorously in their defense. Should Mars and Jupiter together transit Mercury the native will triumph. Should Mars and Saturn transit Mercury, the native will find that his ideas and theories of any kind are demolished.
NOTE: Square 2/83 was the month I left San Diego and returned to Hollywood, with plans to start a new small business.

P MARS - N VENUS
When the hot and impetuous Mars transits radical Venus, the love nature of the native becomes inflamed and he may find himself falling passionately in love. Should transiting Jupiter be also configured with Mars his overtures to another meet with success. Should Saturn be with Mars he will find himself scorned and snubbed. For the engaged or married this dual transit of the malefics is an ill omen.
NOTE: Square in early 2004 is puzzling. It might fit best for some highly strained personally important (nonromantic, nonsexual) relationships at the time.

P MARS - N JUPITER
The native usually discovers he has spent more money than he can afford when Mars transits Jupiter. There is some danger of fire destroying property. If Saturn joins in, there is a danger of theft. With Uranus of losses on the stock exchange or through gambling.
NOTE: Oppositions in 1962-63 without memorable distinctive events other than a tonsillectomy.

P MARS - N SATURN
The most ugly of all transits is that of Mars over radical Saturn. Now the native can feel hatred. He may become unpopular and may be maligned and made to feel unwanted. He may be forced to resign from a position. He may have to submit to discipline.
NOTE: Square to 7/79 was the start of what seemed an extremely important relationship that went sour in a few months, and I was also in a different social group. Square 10/84 I was effectively fighting political battles in an organization and starting to move into more responsibility and figure out how to get things done.

P MARS - N URANUS
Mars in transit over Uranus often causes unpleasant events occurring quite unexpectedly. Sometimes in the course of travel it is an accident formation.
NOTE: Oppositions in 1961-62, only memorable event was a tonsillectomy during which I died. (I got better.)

P MARS - N NEPTUNE
This transit can cause panic and agitation from which he does not recover soon. In some way he may be driven into a corner. It is a transit of defeat.
NOTE: Trine 10/05 was mostly positive but secretive, with a new venture ready to launch and a new relationship (I can see in hindsight) starting to form as an old one broke down. Work was going well, but would turn early in the following year to up-negotiating my position and starting to look for something else.

P MARS - N PLUTO
A "shock" transit which may cause a nervous condition. In extreme cases the native may be under suspicion of offense.
NOTE: Opposition 8/04 & 2/05, during my first year of taking the reins in full of an organization I had helped found years earlier. There were nefarious plots about me behind the scenes, but these didn't come to a head for years.

[Jim Eshelman]

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[Danica]

My addition to the anecdotes section:
Progressed Sun sq rx Moon started in May 2016 and will last till end-May 2018.
The main theme has been: adapting to the new environment and the big life change, after moving from Serbia to Cali (the move itself happened about 2 months before the Sun entered orb to rx Moon).
The peaking time of progression (end-May 2017) was marked by an important spiritual experience, as well as couple of events of huge emotional impact (all concerning intimate one-on-one relationships).

[Jim, if you intended this thread to be information-only, let me know, I'll move this post elsewhere]

[Jim Eshelman]

Thanks, Danica, good example. I just annotated the paragraph above.

[SteveS]

Great Thread! Do we allow the same interpretations for P to N for P to P, but maybe as less potency?

[Jim Eshelman]

Great Thread! Do we allow the same interpretations for P to N for P to P, but maybe as less potency?

First: Why less potency? If anything, I would expect it to be more overt, less purely characterological.

To answer the main question: I'm providing what F&F said, without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing. I would approach much differently, but haven't kept actual records (in a notebook fashion) on progressions for a long time. Speaking from theory, I'd take P-to-P more like a natal aspect coming into being, and P-to-N more like a transit - except, all of them interpreted as incidents instead of accidents.

F&F appear to be interpreting P-to-P and P-to-N identically.

[SteveS]

F&F appear to be interpreting P-to-P and P-to-N identically.

Got it, thanks.