Hi Insideout!
Indeed, transits are not only felt when the exact conjunction, or any other aspect takes place. Of course, the personal planets move mighty fast compared to the trans- Saturnal one's. Jupiter and Saturn medium speed and on a daily or weekly basis, wanting to know what you could expect from day to day, I would just look at the personal planets, especially the Moon for mood swings and such. these orbs can be taken very minimal.
However, you always have to keep the placements of the heavier planets as background to what the lighter are doing in your chart.
Example: Progressed Moon is conjunct Saturn and you also have transiting Saturn sextile Mars over a period of 6 month or so. This could show that you will be far more determined and serious at work maybe or in another department, ruled by Mars in your chart. Imagine Mars rules your 7th. You will probably more than usually, be busy with the initiation and forming of relationships in your life. You want a partner, you want a family maybe.
Now look at transiting Mars. Through which house does he move, which aspects will he make (this week or next week, whenever). This will show how you will take action in order to find a companion.
In all this, you will never see strong emphasis ONLY when there is an exact aspect. Usually, and especially with the slower moving planets, you should not only start counting at least 5° before the exact aspect will be made, but also 5° afterwards. Very often those show more impact! In the Ephemeries you then can see which month in a particular year the influence of a certain planet will be emphasized more.
With retrograde planets which cross over the same point sometimes about 3 times, you will notice that the 1st time it could be like being hit on the head, the 2nd time you recognize the signs and can duck to avoid being hit again and the 3rd time you should have learned your lesson and know how to handle the situation, all things considered. Especially with Saturn transits where we always have to learn something. With Uranus one might be very averse to changing certain ways or situations, but Uranus keeps on hitting you until you see that change means growth and the same goes for Pluto where letting go of unnecessary baggage and consequently go through a personal transformation, will be felt as very scary and threatening first time around, but slowly you will get used to the changes and you notice that you could even become brave at a certain point. After everything is over, you feel euphoric, (as long as you look at all these things as life lessons to help us grow and not start feeling sorry for yourself).
These "adaption" times can take as long as 2 to 3 years. Count beginning 5° before and ending 5° after exact aspect.
Neptune goes in a way softer on us, but far more confusing. Personally I find Neptune the most difficult to handle. you just dont know what the heck is going on and how to find your direction, sometimes for a very long time when squares and oppositions are the case. With the other planets, you can at least think, with Neptune your mind is usually foggy, and probably a bit less when accompanied by a strong positive Saturn direction or progression. Under such circumstances people can create beautiful art or music, especially when Neptune squares or opposes Venus.
Cheers, Starlink