Recurrence Transits in Astrology

Video Description

An introduction to an obscure but powerful timing technique called recurrence transits, which occur when specific planetary alignments in the birth chart are repeated by transits in the sky, with astrologers Chris Brennan and Nick Dagan Best. Unlike standard transits that form aspects to specific points in the natal chart, a recurrence transit occurs when a planetary alignment found in a birth chart repeats in the sky between those same two planets. For example, if a person was born with a Venus-Jupiter conjunction in their birth chart, then an important event will happen in their life in the future when Venus and Jupiter again form a conjunction in the sky. The episode uses the analogy that specific planetary alignments in the birth chart act like a personal theme song; when the planets repeat the same alignment in the sky, it is as if that music starts playing again, signaling a pivotal turning point where the natal potential of the birth signature becomes awakened through a resonance between past and future. The episode opens by exploring the history and transmission of the technique, which is relatively unknown in the English-speaking world at the present time. Nick shares how he learned the method from the late Michael Lutin in the 1990s, while Chris traces potential roots back to early 20th-century German astrology and ancient Hellenistic texts like Vettius Valens. A key point emphasized early on is how these mundane planetary recurrences operate independently of aspects to natal placements, forcing a conceptual expansion of what defines a transit, and demonstrating how planetary cycles can be tied into important turning points in a life narrative even without direct contact with birth chart placements. To demonstrate the technique in practice, most of the episode is spent presenting a wide range of biographical examples as case studies, and focusing primarily on conjunctions in order to keep things simple and compelling. Case studies include the technological breakthroughs of Steve Jobs and Max Planck, the artistic peaks of Vincent van Gogh and Madonna, and the political rises and falls of figures like Richard Nixon and Joe Biden. The workshop also examines how retrogrades can both extend and intensify the importance of certain recurrence transits, as seen in the lives of Edward Snowden and Charles Manson, and we also touch on shared recurrences in relationships, such as Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love. The conversation concludes with a broader philosophical discussion on what this technique implies about the nature of astrology, touching on concepts like simulation theory and the definition of astrology as a map of time. This episode serves as a comprehensive foundation for understanding recurrence transits, providing astrologers and students with a powerful, empirically driven tool for predictive work and biographical analysis that complements traditional methods. This is episode 513 of The Astrology Podcast: https://theastrologypodcast.com/2025/11/29/recurrence-transits-in-astrology/ *Nick's Website* https://www.nickdaganbestastrologer.com *Bonus Episode for Patrons* If you enjoy this episode and are looking for more, we recorded a followup episode on recurrence transits which is available to subscribers on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/secret-astrology-143901212 *Timestamps* 00:00:00 Introduction 00:10:49 History and origins of the technique 00:20:42 The technique in Vettius Valens 00:24:55 Michael Lutin 00:29:11 Chris coming around to the technique 00:40:39 Focusing on conjunctions 00:42:52 USA Mars-Uranus conjunction 00:54:28 Natal examples segment begins 00:54:48 Chaz Bono 00:58:02 Retrograde stations heighten importance 00:59:21 Vincent van Gogh 01:09:42 Max Planck (Jupiter-Uranus) 01:13:22 Steve Jobs (Jupiter-Uranus) 01:25:56 Chris' chart 01:46:40 Rock Hudson (Mars-Saturn) 01:52:03 Malcolm X (Mars-Pluto) 01:56:49 Kurt Cobain & Courtney Love (Venus-Saturn & Venus-Mars) 02:05:01 Charlie Kirk & Zohran Mamdani (Mercury-Mars) 02:11:33 Edward Snowden (Mercury-Mars) 02:18:54 Venus Williams (Mars-Saturn) 02:25:23 Jada Pinkett Smith (Jupiter-Neptune) 02:32:10 Amelia Earhart (Mars-Jupiter) 02:34:25 Richard Nixon (Mars-Jupiter) 02:45:13 Joe Biden (Saturn-Uranus) 02:56:41 The Beatles (Saturn-Uranus) 03:10:59 Michael Jackson (Jupiter-Neptune) 03:20:32 Madonna (Jupiter-Neptune) 03:29:05 Charles Manson (Mars-Neptune) 03:42:19 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (Saturn-Pluto) 03:52:38 Beyonce (Jupiter-Saturn) 03:59:44 Reflecting on the technique 04:04:34 Secret Astrology Podcast follow-up 04:09:28 Lessons learned and concluding remarks 04:28:35 Simulation Theory 04:36:35 Astrology as a map of time 04:41:54 Credits