By Roderick Benns

Solar Arc measurements capture the speed and application of life in this century. Their renaissance, enabled in enormous measure by Noel Tyl, reflect the capacity of our society to absorb change.

As you may have already discovered in your learning, Solar Arcs reflect absolute equity in movement. Pluto moves with the same speed as Venus, Neptune with the same speed as Mercury. The symbols rush forward to matter in our lives, dependent not on their linear order but on one's capacity for change.

Secondary Progressions, on the other hand, reflect an asymmetrical world (a world we used to live in), where some planets 'matter' more than others. With Secondary Progressions, the inner planets, aside from the Moon, are the only ones that can reasonably be used.

Think of society itself at the time of the peak use of Secondary Progressions. There was no Internet and global convergence to symbolize the great movement toward information sharing and the breakdown of class structures in virtually every nation on Earth. Some people 'mattered' more than others...royalty, bloodlines, money all pointed to this...Secondary Progressions, symbolically, represented a world (through our astrology) that was unequal, slower paced and even decidedly more judgmental.

In more of a philosophical context, Secondary Progressions still play a role, but more like the role the Monarch still plays a role in nations like Canada. There is an unelected Head of State (the Governor General) but a Prime Minister who is actually a functional, elected leader who gets things done (Solar Arcs!)

Secondary Progressions may play subtle, background roles now and again, but they rarely play the leading role the way transits and Solar Arcs do. Or, if they do, it is for a cameo appearance or two that we may appreciate or revere, but mainly out of respect for the past and for tradition.