The Astrology Podcast

Episode: Recurrence Transits in Astrology

Host: Chris Brennan
Guest: Nick Dagan Best
Release Date: November 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode is a deep-dive workshop on “recurrence transits”—a powerful but under-recognized astrological technique. Host Chris Brennan and expert guest Nick Dagan Best explore the theory, history, and practice of recurrence transits, demonstrating their significance with compelling historical and celebrity examples. They focus primarily on conjunctions to introduce the technique clearly, discuss advanced applications, and reflect on the broader philosophical implications for astrology.

What are Recurrence Transits?

Definition
A recurrence transit occurs when an aspect (such as a conjunction) between two planets in a birth chart repeats between those same two planets in the sky at a future date. This repetition is believed to resonate with, and potentially trigger, important events or turning points in the native’s life—regardless of direct contact with natal chart points.

Key Insight (00:41)

“If a person is born under a specific celestial alignment, then important moments in their life will happen when the same celestial alignment reoccurs in the sky.”
–Chris Brennan

Examples (01:01–10:33)

• E.g.: If you’re born with a Venus–Jupiter conjunction, then future sky alignments of Venus conjunct Jupiter become personally significant, even if they don’t aspect your natal chart directly.
• This approach diverges from standard transit theory, where only direct contacts (e.g., transit Saturn conjunct natal Sun) are studied.

Notable quote (05:19)

"It creates a model where there’s a resonance between the alignment in the birth chart and the alignment of the planets at some point in the future when that same alignment repeats in the sky."
–Chris Brennan

Musical Analogy (06:52–08:52)
Both hosts develop metaphors likening recurrence transits to a character’s theme music—when the “theme” (planetary aspect) plays again, the character (person) hits another major scene in their story.

Historical Roots and Transmission

Origins & Lack of English-Language Coverage (03:51–13:36)

• Nick learned the technique from Michael Lutin (1999–2000), who may have brought it from the French or broader European tradition.
• The technique is virtually absent in English sources, but elements exist in German and continental texts.
• Reference to Herbert Freiherr von Klöcker (1929, German) and Czech medical astrology on Astrodienst.

Ancient Parallels (20:10–21:25)

• Vettius Valens, Book Five (2nd century), describes “the stars’ mutual return to the same intervals and configurations” as bringing critical events.

Memorial to Michael Lutin (26:52–28:33)
A heartfelt tribute to Lutin as a teacher, humorist, and innovator. The hosts note the present Mercury–Mars conjunction as a recurrence of Lutin's own natal configuration, on the anniversary of his passing.

Chris Brennan’s Relationship with the Technique

Skepticism to Acceptance (30:28–41:50)
Chris details his years-long skepticism—shaped by mainstream transit doctrine focusing solely on natal contacts—but recent empirical research convinced him otherwise (especially studies on eclipses, Saturn–Neptune cycles, and Venus retrograde).

Key realization:
Eclipses and planetary cycles affecting individuals born under those alignments proved the broader principle behind recurrence transits.

How Recurrence Transits Work

Core Principles:

• Recurrences operate independently of sign placement; any re-formation of the original natal aspect, regardless of sign, can be significant.
• While house placements and degree-specific contacts can refine predictions, recurrence operates even without birth time, making it accessible for untimed charts.
• Retrogrades and planetary stationings can amplify, extend, or emphasize the period of significance.

Memorable Analogy (07:44–08:52)

“The natal chart is the original melody, and these recurrence transits are like harmonies… Maybe in a different key.”
–Nick Dagan Best

Major Example Cases & Notable Quotes

National Chart: USA & Mars–Uranus Conjunction

• [42:52–54:45]: Declaration of Independence (Mars–Uranus conj. in Gemini) —→ Atomic bombings (1945, Mars–Uranus conj. in Gemini).
• [50:45–52:25]: Civil War outbreak—close Mars–Uranus conjunction.

Quote: (46:38)

“…the country that developed the atomic bomb first had a Mars–Uranus conjunction, and then the first and only time that they've used it in war… happened on a Mars–Uranus conjunction.”
–Chris Brennan

Personal Chart: Chaz Bono & Venus–Saturn Conjunction

• [53:53–58:37]: Venus–Saturn in 5th house.
• Outing in 1990 (Venus conjunct Saturn transit); self-out in 1995 (another Venus–Saturn alignment).

Artist: Vincent van Gogh & Multiple Recurrence Patterns

• [58:52–68:29]: Mars–Neptune conjunction: admits himself to asylum and paints Starry Night under recurrence.
• Venus–Mars conjunction: major life/career/relationship events for both Vincent and brother Theo, including the role of Jo van Gogh.

Quote: (63:06)

“Years later, their father dies during another conjunction, which impacts them both, and … Vincent paints the first painting that people consider a major work…”
–Nick Dagan Best

Innovators: Max Planck (Jupiter–Uranus), Steve Jobs (Jupiter–Uranus)

• [69:56–83:30]:
  • Max Planck proposes quantum theory (1900, during a Jupiter–Uranus recurrence).
  • Steve Jobs: invention milestones, ouster, return to Apple, death—all bracketed by Jupiter–Uranus recurrence cycles.

Quote: (75:35)

"They could make up the five chapters of a book about him… these perfect new chapter headings…”
–Nick Dagan Best

Historical: Rock Hudson & Mars–Saturn Conjunction

• [108:32–111:51]: Mars–Saturn recurrence at AIDS diagnosis, illustrative of recurrences marking critical and tragic events.

Politics: Joe Biden—Saturn–Uranus Recurrences

• [165:05–173:18]:
  • Born Saturn–Uranus conjunction (1942)
  • 1987 campaign implosion & aneurysm (conjunction)
  • 2008 election (opposition)
  • Presidential inauguration (square)

Quote: (173:18)

“He was born on a Saturn–Uranus conjunction, he ran for president and had to drop out on a Saturn–Uranus conjunction, he is elected vice president on a Saturn–Uranus opposition, and then he becomes president on a Saturn–Uranus square.”
–Chris Brennan

Relationships: Kurt Cobain & Courtney Love (Venus–Saturn, Venus–Mars, & Triple Recurrences)

• [116:01–124:57]:
  • Marriage under triple Venus–Mars–Saturn conjunction, reflecting both natal charts; their daughter's birth (Frances Bean Cobain) replicates the same Venus–Jupiter signature as their relationship start.

Scandal/Tragedy: Edward Snowden (Mercury–Mars)

• [130:36–138:16]: Extended, retrograde-stretched Mercury–Mars recurrences at every stage of Snowden’s NSA leaks and flight.

Saturn–Pluto Recurrences: Meghan Markle & Prince Harry

• [222:27–232:24]: Mutual Saturn–Pluto (and Jupiter) signatures in both charts; their 2020 break with the royal family aligned with a historic Saturn–Pluto conjunction in Capricorn.

Artists/Musicians: Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna

• [176:58–208:53]:
  • All Beatles have Saturn–Uranus in their natal charts: group inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on a recurrence.
  • Michael Jackson: major phases (first solo, accident leading to addiction, first child, death) ringed by Jupiter–Neptune recurrences.
  • Madonna: From breakout (Like a Virgin era) to career retrospectives—all under Jupiter–Neptune recurrences.

Technical and Interpretive Guidelines

Aspects Considered

• Main focus on conjunctions for clarity of demonstration; advanced techniques apply also to oppositions, squares, etc.

Notable Expansion (159:08–159:59)

“Even though we're artificially limiting it... the more advanced levels... could take it to when a person has a natal [aspect], then the recurrence of not just that conjunction... but also oppositions between those two planets can be important as well.”
–Chris Brennan

Timing & Degree

• Both sign-based (co-presence) and degree-based aspects are meaningful.
• Recurrence events may cluster or stretch around retrogrades and extended copresence.

House Emphasis

• The house containing the recurrence in the transit chart often describes the event’s nature (e.g., 6th house = subordinates, as in Nixon's case of Watergate unraveling).

Progressions and Event Charts

• Secondary progressions and significant event charts (e.g. marriage, first contact) can generate new recurrence “foundation charts,” shown to repeat in later life (“event create a new foundation chart”).

Practical Applications

• Untimed Charts: Recurrence technique aids predictive work when birth time is uncertain.
• Interpersonal/Synastry: Interconnections in relationships (e.g. meeting or marrying someone with your natal signature).
• Mundane Astrology: Stelliums (e.g., 2020 Capricorn pile-up) have collective effects by activating mass recurrence events.
• Education/Research: Offers direct empirical basis for learning planetary meanings.

Philosophical and Methodological Implications

Broader Astrological Context:

• Recurrence transits are a cross-traditional, possibly ancient technique, possibly rediscovered multiple times.
• The method transcends zodiacal boundaries, making it accessible across systems (tropical/sidereal, etc.).
• Provides “code” or structural evidence for astrology, potentially aligning with ideas like simulation theory or fate.

Quote (254:19):

“You could rebuild your entire understanding of what the planets mean in astrology just from using this technique…”
–Chris Brennan

On Modern & Traditional Divide (262:17–265:13):

• Chris and Nick advocate for synthesis, emphasizing value in both ancient and modern traditions, and warn against fundamentalism.

Workshop Structure & Flow

• Much of the episode is spent in rich example work and case studies, moving from historical and national events, through individual career arcs (Planck, Jobs, Madonna), key relationships and tragedies, and culminating in broader technical and philosophical reflections.
• Alongside, the hosts integrate advanced nuances (progressions, aspects beyond conjunction, event chart recurrences, retrograde amplifications, synastry links).

Sample Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–10:33: Technique definition, rationale, basic examples
• 41:50–63:53: Major artist/scientist cases (Van Gogh, Planck, Jobs)
• 108:32–111:51: Heavy event—Rock Hudson & Mars–Saturn (AIDS diagnosis)
• 165:11–173:18: Joe Biden—recurrences over presidential trajectory
• 176:58–183:13: The Beatles—Saturn–Uranus and group induction
• 192:48–201:11: Michael Jackson—Jupiter Neptune conjunctions as life’s "chapter headings"
• 222:27–231:10: Meghan Markle & Harry—Saturn Pluto break from Royal Family
• 254:19–257:49: Empirical value for teaching planetary meanings

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Musical Analogy

  "The natal chart is the original melody, and these recurrence transits are like harmonies." (08:06)

• On Technique’s Simplicity and Power

  "With my sort of view of recurrence transits is more in line with the kind of Neo-Babylonian thing I do, you know, very simple, just like two planets coming together, same two bodies in the same configuration, and they can be anywhere." (17:57)

• On Expanding Astrological Paradigms

  "We’ve expanded the definition of what transits are, in a sense, and what they can be." (260:23)

• On Tradition and Synthesis

  "There’s something valuable to be learned from all of the different traditions…not to give in to fundamentalism..." (262:17)

Practical Takeaways

For Astrologers:

• Recurrence transits add a powerful layer for prediction, even in untimed charts.
• Consider both co-presence and degree, and track extended cycles via retrogrades.
• Conjunctions are a clear entry point for study, but widen to other aspects as proficiency grows.
• Event charts and relationships (synastry) can develop new signatures—track their repetitions.

For Researchers:

• Excellent for empirical study of planetary pairings’ real-world correlations.
• Reveals the cyclical, thematic structure of biographical and historical events.

Conclusion

Recurrence transits unlock a deeper layer of “fate” or programmatic patterning in life cycles, connecting sky to earth in repeatable, observable patterns. This workshop presents a robust case for their value and calls for further research, feedback, and real-life examples from astrologers and listeners worldwide.

Final Thought (279:16):

"I think this is one of the most important episodes in the history of the podcast… Thank you for teaching me this technique. You were my teacher of this technique. Thank you also for your patience with me as a reluctant student…" – Chris Brennan

Resources & Next Steps

• Consultations with Nick Dagan Best: nickdaganbestastrologer.com
• Submit your examples: Comment on the episode on YouTube
• Further Study:
  • Related episodes: Eclipses in History; Venus Retrograde; Saturn–Neptune
  • Secret Astrology Podcast: patreon.com/astrologypodcast

[End of Summary — For full discussion, see The Astrology Podcast, Episode: Recurrence Transits in Astrology.]