What Are Planetary Transit Cycles in Human Design?
Or... I have a secondary life incarnation cross, profile, etc.?
I love all the esoteric systems.
The ones that can give us language to cognitively understand and articulate the energies that we’re perceiving, but don't have any other physical or rational definition for.
Human Design is the newest one to me, having been presented it by the universe, after I had asked it a question. This was a little over four years ago now.
As any 1 line profile and Mercury in Scorpio would do, I've been on a research binge ever since. I've been experimenting with only saying yes to what lights me up (Sacral Authority) and accepting my multifaceted nature and non-linear path (Manifesting Generator).
But there was an advanced concept in human design, that I only learned of a couple of years ago, which has fascinated me greatly.
The concept of planetary transit cycles.
What are Planetary Transit Cycles in Human Design?
If you're familiar with your human design, it's most likely the map, that you're familiar with. The map shows you the energies that exist within you permanently. From the moment you're born to the moment you'll die.
However, just like in astrology and numerology, there are human design transits. Cycles of time that give an extra backstory to what kind of energies are going on.
If human design aficionados mention human design transits, they’re likely referring to the transits the sun makes. Every week, the sun is spending time in a different human design gate, colouring the energy in the collective for that week, before moving on to the next gate.
But I’m not talking about those transits. I’m talking about Planetary Transit Cycles.
These aren't your every day transits. These are long term cycles that affect you personally, in a much deeper and specific way to you. For many years. And they can provide insight as to why you’re feeling like a different person in this chapter of your life.
They happen when a specific planet returns to the exact place of your natal chart (similar to astrology transits), but then create a whole new human design chart, based on that moment, that gives you a secondary chart to work with for many years, even when the astrological transit is technically over.
Only certain planets are relevant here and these secondary human design charts last much longer than their counterpart transits in astrology.
e.g. Saturn Return in Astrology = a roughly 2.5 year transit, that finishes when Saturn moves in to the next sign.
Saturn Return in Human Design = a roughly 14 year chapter of life, that continues until the next chapter starts.
I like to see the Planetary Cycle charts as secondary influences that can help us progress, during this chapter of life. They can explain why we randomly feel like a slightly different person, now that we’re in a different season of life.
As a result of this new chart, we can get new defined gates, which create new channels and new defined centres. We will also have a new conscious sun (the most important gate that’s provides the essence of who we are), along with a new incarnation cross that suggests the theme of this chapter of life. We even have a new profile that can define us in this chapter, which suggests the kind of role we have in the world.
Basically, there’s a lot to play with.
But it’s also good to note that these energies lay on top of our permanent energies, present in our natal chart. They don’t ever take away from you something that you already have. And everything that we’re given, as a result of these Planetary Transit Cycles, are on loan to us. Just for as long as we’re in that particular cycle.
What Planetary Transit Cycles Are There?
Firstly, this aspect of human design only kicks in when the first cycle is activated. Up until then, your natal human design map is the only influence that exists. And it will still continue to be the most important influence throughout your life.
But these transit cycles are huge and they can influence you in unexpected ways.
Saturn Return #1 (Starts around age 28-29)
Uranus Opposition (Starts around age 40-42)
Chiron Return (Starts around 49-50)
Saturn Return #2 (Starts around 56-57)
So… how to figure out what this new secondary chart looks like?
Honestly? There’s no way to figure this out off by heart. You need some sort of software to help you make the calculation.
What I recommend is using this free Human Design website. They have so much advanced information on your chart and it’s a lot of fun to see it all laid out in organised nifty tabs.
So, here’s what you do:
Click on “Calculate your ravechart”, enter your birth information and create your free account to save your profile. You also need to do this in order to continue to the next step.
Locate the strip where it says “Ravechart”, “Mechanics” and “Variables and PHS” and click on “Planets Returns”.
On the left you’ll see a menu with various Return Charts. Click on the one that interests you. I recommend the one that you’re in\about to be in.
Once you’ve clicked on one of those transits, you’ll see a new map that includes your original and permanent map, but with more coloured details.
But Ella, I don’t understand what I’m seeing.
I understand, it can be quite overwhelming and complicated. So, let’s use my own maps as an example, since I entered my Saturn Return Cycle a few years ago and I have gathered some comparisons.
This is a combined map of my natal energies that I’ll always have, and the ones on loan to me just for this period of life, from age 28 to 43. All the numbers that are on the left of the map, under the orange circle, are my natal chart. Whilst all the numbers on the right of the map, under the blue circle, are from my Saturn Return chart.
In the map itself, the gates and channels that are in orange are from my natal map, and the gates and channels that are in blue are from the Saturn Return.
Here are some comparisons and how I’ve experienced them.
The Conscious Sun
The Conscious Sun is the same as your sun sign in astrology. It reflects the essence of who you are, your biggest gift and what you offer to others. Some human design practitioners say that the significance of this piece of the chart to your life, is 70%. Which is quite a lot.
Natally, I’m a Scorpio sun, with the specific gate being Gate 1 of Creative Self Expression. Which means that the essence of who I am and what I’m here to do, is to create and express from the depths of my authentic self. No matter how weird or different that my be or look to others.
I’ve always been immensely creative and I can’t see myself without my creative voice. It would change too much of who I am, if I wasn’t creative and didn’t have the need to express my truth and what’s in my inner world. Sometimes diving deep into the depths of who I am, leading myself through a wild death and rebirth process, as I do so. Like a true Scorpio.
Now, that will never change. My Scorpio Sun and gate 1 of creative self expression will always be a part of who I am.
But, in recent years, I’ve noticed a deep need to be more stable. Not constantly go through ego-shattering transformations. To stay more rooted and learn how to take care of myself and surroundings properly. Practically and simply, not just emotionally and psychologically. To enjoy living simply.
My Saturn Return conscious sun… is in Taurus, Gate 27 of Nurturing. Which means that my focus is learning how to nurture myself and others, enjoying doing so and wanting to have that be a focus of how I live my life.
I've picked up more domestic skills, I'm focusing more on nurturing myself and my relationships, and learning how to say no to where I give too much or what doesn't nurture me. I've been choosing slowness and peace, over constant transformation.
These past few years have seen a much more stable version of myself, especially as a Scorpio Stellium with no Taurus placements. Taurus energy has always been a balm for me and via my Saturn Return Cycle (and my wife who has beautiful Taurus placements), I’ve been enjoying a much sweeter, slower and more stable life.
*Important note: If you were to check your Solar Return chart (both in astrology and human design), the chart will reflect the moment in time when the sun was back in its precise location in your natal chart. But this is the Saturn Return chart, so this secondary chart gets created via the moment Saturn returns your natal placement, and it most likely won’t give you the same conscious sun.
The Incarnation Cross
The Conscious Sun is one of the four gates that make up the Incarnation Cross. The Incarnation Cross is the specific theme that your life has. The evolutional journey that you’re on.
Natally, I’m a Juxtaposition Cross of Self-Expression. This consists of these gates, in this exact order:
Gate 1 of Creative Self-Expression = The ability to be a creative force and express authentically.
Gate 2 of Self-Direction = The ability to receive and follow your higher purpose in life.
Gate 4 of Formulization = The ability to solve problems and find answers.
Gate 49 of Principles = The ability to hold boundaries and start a conscious revolution.
This has been characterised by me often following my own creative directions, which I receive from listening to the universe’s guidance. In doing so, I’m often unconsciously offering possible solutions to others or saying something that others either interpret as quite radical, or receive a profound shift from.
Learning how to express and use that to empower myself and others, has been a key theme in my life. In fact, a few years before I discovered Human Design, I had put my life under a magnifying glass and noticed that this was the common thread that connected all the different chapters of my life. Which was then confirmed via reading about my incarnation cross in Human Design, many years later.
But, whilst I’m always focusing on this journey of mine and that’s still a huge part of who I am, in the past few years I’ve noticed a new focus. Life has surprised me in many ways over the past few years. I’ve taken some unexpected twists and turns, starting jobs or projects that I never thought I would. Creating a life for myself that I didn't know I wanted, until it was presented to me.
I also find myself more willing to consciously choose something I'm struggling with and didn't think I’d choose, because I realised that the thing held meaning for me and I didn't want to give up on it.
My Saturn Return has me experiencing a period of life with the incarnation cross of Right Angle Cross of The Unexpected. Which consists of these gates, in this exact order (for me, because Right Angle crosses have some variations):
Gate 27 of Nurturing = The ability to responsibly take care of yourself and others.
Gate 28 of The Game Player = The ability to struggle for something worthwhile.
Gate 41 of Imagination = The ability to dream up new experiences.
Gate 31 of The Leader = The ability to lead others with empowering influence.
This period of life has been much more spontaneous, with me switching up my schedule every year. I’ve still been creative, but the ideas that I’m having are new and not things I ever thought I’d do.
I realised that even the mundane aspects of life that I sometimes struggle with, can be incredibly creative and I'm finding a lot of meaning in them. And, I'd let you be the judge of this, if you've been reading this newsletter for a while - but I'd say I've also been stepping more into my own brand of leadership and influence.
The Profile
The Profile consists of two numbers and they describe the kind of role you have in the world.
In a previous post, I relayed my experiences on being a 4\1 profile, the only Juxtaposition profile and one that’s considered quite rare. It’s often referred to as having a fixed fate or a bonus life. It acts as a bridge between those with Right Angle profiles and those with Left Angle profiles.
In a nutshell, I experience myself in the world as someone who has a very concrete path, who knows who she is and where she's going, and can't be strayed from her path. Her path might naturally twist and turn, but she can't stray from it.
As a 4/1 profile, I like to have a new solid foundation waiting for me, before I make any kind of transition in life. Knowing what my next steps are, before I take them and leave my previous situation.
I still like to operate this way.
However, for the past few years, I’ve naturally been experimenting more with my life. Just starting with a new challenge, even though I don’t have all the information yet. Because I know that I’ll learn on the way. I’ve made some mistakes in my experimentation, but I’ve ultimately learned more about myself because of them.
My Saturn Return Chart has given me the secondary profile of 1\3. That 3rd line is all about trial and error. Seeing in real time via real action, what can happen when I make certain choices. Choices that I don’t know if they’re the right ones, before I make them.
I've been taking action, even when I don’t feel completely ready or have the next foundation in front of me. I’ve been much more willing to just try and see whether I succeed or fail, learning on the go. Very akin to the 3 profile.
*Important general note: Even if your Planetary Transit Chart suddenly makes you a Generator with Sacral Authority, when you’re natally a Projector with Splenic Authority, you are still a Projector with Splenic Authority.
Meaning, if there’s a change to the energy type or authority in this chart, your mode of making decisions should still be based on your natal chart. That’s what takes precedence. What you might experience though, is having more consistent energy to play with, because of that newly defined Sacral centre. You’ll certainly get to experience the gates and channels that helped define your Sacral temporarily. But these are on loan to you, and the Sacral didn’t become your Authority.
In Conclusion…
This secondary influence actually helps you fulfill your permanent purpose. It's the energies you need during this chapter of your life, to help you with your permanent purpose and evolution. And when your next planetary transit starts, you'll have a new set of energies to help you on your journey, interacting with your permanent human design map.
I'm still contemplating and experiencing what this Saturn Return chart means for myself. I've only been it for about 3-4 years.
But what I have observed and what I was taught via a professional human design reader, has rung true for me so far. And it's really interesting to see what similarities and differences you may have between both maps, as a result of the planetary transit.
And I think, if anything, looking at this new chart can help expand your thinking on what's possible for you. What energies you might have present, that you didn't have before. Remember, it doesn't take away what's always yours in your chart. It only adds to it.
And even if you're not feeling much different, or you feel like your development as a person can be explained via other means, Human Design is about experimenting and contemplating anyway, is it not? 😉
Want to contribute to The Wide Eyed Collective?
I’m opening the floor for anyone who wants to share their consciousness awakening journey or has expertise they’d like to share with the collective.
Whether you’re interested in being interviewed, via video or written form or writing a guest post, this space is for you! Read this post for more details, on what I’m aiming to do here.
Click “I’m interested! :)” if you’d like to share with The Collective! Or send me a message if you’d like to discuss possible collaborations!
How has your Human Design experiment been going? If you're in a planetary transit, have you observed that you're naturally operating in a different way? Feel free to comment - I love hearing from you! 💞
Speak soon,
Love, Ella x