Why Astrologers Keep Talking About the Same Zodiac Signs (It’s Not Favoritism)

By Liz Simmons

November 10, 2026

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Have you ever wondered why certain zodiac signs are spotlighted in the astro news? Whether you’re tuning in on Instagram or reading your horoscope, you may have noticed some signs are more affected by transits than others. On the one hand, it’s exciting when your sign is chosen. But on the other hand, it might be aggravating if yours is seemingly never highlighted.

Believe it or not, astrologers are not playing favorites. There’s an astrological reason why specific transits have a stronger influence on certain signs: the characteristics of the transit align with the traits and attributes of a group of zodiac signs. Keep reading to learn what a transit is, why some signs feel them more than others, and how to tell if a transit will have a significant effect on yours.

What’s a Transit?

A transit refers to a planet moving through the cosmos. Transits represent opportunities for beginnings, endings, and possibilities designed to induce momentum in your life, and what a transit produces depends on the kind of transit and how it’s affecting your houses. The most impactful are ingresses, lunations, eclipses, and retrogrades. All signs might feel a transit’s energy, but each one will have an undoubtedly stronger influence on a few specific signs.

Ingresses: An ingress occurs when a celestial body leaves one zodiac sign and enters another. A good rule of thumb is that the inner planets (the sun, the moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) tend to have shorter stays in a zodiac sign, whereas the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto) tend to have longer stays.

Lunations and eclipses: A typical new moon represents the start of a six-month cycle, while a typical full moon represents the end of one. So, a new moon is perfect for setting intentions, and a full moon is ideal for reflection and release. Eclipses add a special layer of chaos. An eclipse season is an unpredictable yet fateful portal for beginnings and endings, so it’s best to observe rather than interfere.

Retrogrades: A retrograde occurs when a celestial body seems to travel backward across the night sky, and it can last anywhere from three weeks to six months. It’s a time to rethink, review, and then revise, so it’s better used for old situations or ongoing developments than for initiating something new.

How to Tell Which Signs a Transit Affects

Start With the Planet and Its Sign

Ask yourself two questions: What zodiac sign(s) does the transit planet rule? And what is the element and modality of the sign it’s in?

First, a transiting planet will always influence the sign(s) it rules. Here are the rulerships:

Next, look at the sign the planet is in. Its modality and element imply which groups of signs are most affected.

For example, let’s say there’s a new moon in Scorpio. The moon rules Cancer, so Cancer would be heavily influenced. Scorpio is a fixed water sign, so the new moon also strongly affects all fixed signs (Scorpio, Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius) and all water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces). An astrologer will likely highlight Cancer along with either the fixed signs or the water signs.

Transits Focus on Signs With the Same Modality or Element

As the old saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” Specific transits hit specific groups based on either modality or element. Usually, four signs referenced means there’s a modality-based message, and three signs imply an element-based message.

Modality, a.k.a. quadruplicity, refers to how a group of signs expresses its energy:

  • Cardinal (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn): the leaders, hailed for their go-getter attitudes and desire to take charge.
  • Fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius): the stabilizers, known for their steadfast approach. They can be a little stubborn, but they can be counted on through thick and thin.
  • Mutable (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces): the editors, beloved for their open-mindedness and fluidity.

Element, a.k.a. triplicity, represents the overarching energy of a group of signs:

  • Fire (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius): vibrant, passionate, and instinctive, with a zest for life.
  • Air (Libra, Aquarius, and Gemini): mental power and an ability to connect with others.
  • Earth (Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo): tenacious, hardworking, and practical.
  • Water (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces): deep, empathetic, and intuitive.

Rising Signs Share Life Themes Through Their Houses

A group of rising signs may share a transit’s message because they’re experiencing it through houses that work together. These houses form a trine, an auspicious 120-degree angle implying like-mindedness and flow. Each rising sign still has a unique horoscope, but trine houses imply a shared experience:

  • 1st, 5th, and 9th (purpose houses): selfhood, self-expression, and one’s spiritual journey. Focus on yourself and your self-development.
  • 2nd, 6th, and 10th (labor houses): independent wealth, work-life, and career path. Think ambition and success.
  • 3rd, 7th, and 11th (social houses): your inner circle, one-on-one partnerships, and networking. Expect a difference in your social life.
  • 4th, 8th, and 12th (hidden houses): ancestry, psychology, and collective unconsciousness. Expect a private spiritual awakening.

What If Your Sign Is (or Isn’t) Highlighted?

If your sun, moon, or rising sign is highlighted, then you’re one of the signs targeted by a transit. Don’t freak out! It simply means the transit has an outright effect on your psyche, opportunities, and motivations. You can change your path, manifest your desires, or close out a cycle. The choice is yours to make, so make the best of the astrological energy.

If your sign isn’t mentioned, that doesn’t mean you’re unaffected. Look toward your rising sign to figure out which house the transit is taking place in. This will give you an idea of what’s to come and how you can capitalize on the cosmic energy.