The Basics of Progressed Lunar Cycles
Progressed lunar cycles track the angular relationship over time of the secondary progressed Moon (faster body) and the secondary progressed Sun (slower body) as calculated for any given radix or natal chart. A full progressed lunar cycle takes approximately 30 years because the Sun progresses by approximately 1° per year, while the Moon progresses approximately 1° per month. The major cycle milestones (using numerical aspect numbers) are:
Progressed New Moon (PSun-0-PMoon)
Progressed 1Q (PSun-90-PMoon)
Progressed 2Q (PSun-180-PMoon)
Progressed 3Q (PSun-270-PMoon)
Each of these phases takes approximately 7.5 years; as with any planetary cycle, there is a lighter feeling waxing half (PMoon moving counterclockwise ahead of the PSun) and a somewhat heavier feeling waning half (again going counterclockwise, PMoon trailing behind and catching up to the PSun). The culmination or turning point between these halves is, of course, the opposition.
We expect certain dynamics to unfold over the course of these cycle milestones—from the seed moment of the cycle inception (PSun-PMoon conjunction) into the mildly stressful semi-square (45°) and the more open, possibility-filled sextile (60°), through the first quarter square period (90°-the 1Q), which can be exciting and creative, but can also pose developmental challenges for the nation and the new cycle’s “seed agenda.” Efforts to meet those challenges (effective or not) develop from there. The cycle agenda tends to enjoy smoother sailing around the trine (120°-1Q), to meet more frustrations and obstacles around the sesquiquadrate (135°-1Q) and the quincunx (150°-1Q), and it culminates in the progressed opposition (180°-2Q), which, as noted, provides a turning point within that cycle’s agenda.
The final quarter (270°-3Q) of any progressed cycle will resolve at least some of the loose ends left hanging by that cycle’s early agenda, but the 3Q’s more difficult moments (final semisquare-315°, final quincunx, 330°) can also muck up the works, inject a sluggishness of purpose or crisis of corruption into public life. Leaders can fall into a rut in which they take their jobs for granted, or it becomes apparent that they simply aren’t up to the challenges of the day. Leadership changes often happen during this phase, but it's impossible for the 7.5/30 year rhythms of the progressed lunar cycle and the American 4-6 year election cycle to correlate exactly.
Still, leadership shifts during the 3Q can be more dramatic than usual: John F. Kennedy was assassinated during the 1935 progressed Sibly cycle's 3Q (see Table 1, Appendix C); Herbert Hoover was voted out of office in 1932 (1905 cycle's 3Q), when he proved unable or unwilling to handle the challenges of the Great Depression. Our current 2024 presidential election is unfolding in an atmosphere of constant discontent with both major candidates and amid the lowest public confidence in the integrity of our election systems in memory.
Will this public state of mind begin to noticeably shift once the new progressed cycle launches this coming March 25th? Stay tuned!
Tables detailing progressed lunar cycles in U.S. history
Table 1. U.S. (Sibly) chart progressed lunar cycles, from 1776-2046.
Cycle number | P New Moon | P 1Q | P 2Q | P3Q |
1 | 3/25/1787 | 5/12/1795 | 8/4/1802 | 3/13/1809 |
| 23°+Can | 1°+Leo-Sco | 8°+Leo-Aq | 14°+Leo-Tau |
2 | 10/28/1816 | 12/25/1824 | 12/3/1831 | 7/17/1838 |
| 21°+Leo | 29°+Leo-Sco | 6°+Vir-Pis | 12°+Vir-Gem |
3 | 6/30/1846 | 7/14/1854 | 4/4/1861 | 1/18/1868 |
| 20°Vir | 28°+Vir-Sag | 5°+Lib-Ari | 11°+Lib-Can |
4 | 3/17/1876 | 1/5/1884 | 8/20/1890 | 9/24/1897 |
| 19°+Lib | 27°+Lib-Ari | 4°+Sco-Tau | 11°+Lib-Can |
5 | 12/5/1905 | 6/2/1913 | 2/1/1920 | 7/26/1927 |
| 19°+Sco | 27°+Sco-Aqu | 3°+Sag-Gem | 11°+Sag-Vir |
6 | 8/14/1935 | 10/8/1942 | 8/19/1949 | 6/21/1957 |
| 19°+Sag | 26°+Sag-Pis | 3°+Cap-Can | 11°+Cap-Lib |
7 | 3/3/1965 | 2/4/1972 | 4/12/1979 | 5/14/1987 |
| 19°+Cap | 26°+Cap-Lib | 4°+Aqu-Leo | 12°+Aqu-Sco |
8 | 10/14/1994 | 6/10/2001 | 12/24/2008 | 3/1/2017 |
| 19°+Aqu | 26°+Aqu-Tau | 4°+Pis-Vir | 12°+Pis-Sag |
9 | 3/25/2024 | 11/6/2030 | 9/16/2038 | 10/26/2046 |
| 19°+Pis | 26°+Pis-Gem | 3°+Ari-Lib | 11°+Ari-Cap |
Table 2. Sibly Progressed Sun & Moon sign ingresses, 1762-2004
Progressed ingress | PSun sign | PMoon sign |
June 14, 1762 | Cancer | Virgo |
December 23, 1793 | Leo | Libra |
April 3, 1825 | Virgo | Sagittarius |
January 31, 1856 | Libra | Capricorn |
May 28, 1886 | Scorpio | Pisces |
March 31, 1916 | Sagittarius | Aries |
October 8, 1945 | Capricorn | Taurus |
March 18, 1975 | Aquarius | Gemini |
October 30, 2004 | Pisces | Cancer |
Raye Robertson is a practicing astrologer, writer and retired educator. A graduate of the Faculty of Astrological Studies (U.K.), Raye focuses on mundane, collective-oriented astrology, with a particular interest in current affairs, U.S. history, culture and media, the astrology of generations, and public concerns such as education and health. Her articles on these topics have appeared in several key astrology journals over the years, including most recently, the TMA blog. For information about individual chart readings, contact: robertsonraye@gmail.com.
© Raye Robertson 2024. All rights reserved.
