Interpreting the Solar Return

g the Solar Return

ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY CELESTE

ROLOGY

scope is a wheel-shaped chart indicating the positions of the planets in relation to the earth at the time of the yearly return of the Sun to the exact
ows what is in store for the coming year. It's rather like an auxiliary of your birth horoscope, painting a picture of this one-year period. Also called a S
the precise moment that the Sun in the sky returns to its natal position. Like taking a snapshot, the configurations in the sky at that moment become y

ecise, you'll usually have a different sign rising than you did at birth. However, having the Solar Return rising sign the same as your birth and near th

of your residence at the time of the birthday is recommended. In fact, if one moves during the year, the Solar Return should be relocated as well. The
hange astrological house position. Some people actually travel for their birthdays in order to produce the most beneficial rays possible for the year. Th
y to avoid issues, as the configurations for the residence are waiting when one returns home.

astrology program to calculate your Solar Return, select the Tropical zodiac and Placidus house system. Astrologers have long debated the need to
slow change of the earth due to its wobble on its axis. This topic is discussed at length in Identifying Planetary Trigge

e actually in agreement. It is as if one has the advantage of two eyewitness accounts or two expert opinions on an issue. Sometimes, what may not b
other. An optimum solution is to calculate and use both return charts."

his article can be applied to either the precessed or the non-precessed version of the return.

the
n chart is similar to a natal chart reading, except that all the themes will play out within a year instead of within a lifetime. Look at the chart to see
ts on the angles? The angles are the cusps of the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth houses. These angles furnish an excellent outlet for energies an
ergy. You can anticipate activity in keeping with a planet's nature if it falls near one of these angular cusps.

anets in the upper part of the chart? This shows outward motivations and a striving to grow through interchange with others. If most of the plane
or familiar concerns. The latter implies something of an introverted tendency while the former shows an extroverted nature. Are most of the planets o
capacity to take control, to lead and to initiate changes. With most of the planets on the right side of the chart, other people and their interests will b
activities.

erse pattern of the natal chart with the Descendant now on the Ascendant? This flip-flop version of the natal horoscope may see some element of life
en given over to others. This appears to show an accidental debilitation, perhaps a fleeting moment of bad judgment that carries wide ramifications.

in one house? A Stellium is a group of planets in one sign or one house, showing a concentration of powerful energy as each of the planets boost the
nctions, so the natures of all in this grouping are undeniably bound together. The sign where the grouping falls describes much about how these p
llium of planets from the natal chart. Depending upon the planets involved, the Solar Return house that holds a natal Stellium shows an area of e
coming year.

must always be written into the return chart, because the interplay of natal potential upon this new springboard reveals much of the details about th
planets fall on one of the angles of this new chart. Again, that natal potential has a perfect place to manifest.

ween a return or natal planet in a Solar Return house is subtle and is discussed in detail in Predicting Events with Astrology. The natal planet shows
n planets show what the world is serving you. Thus, natal Pluto in the return shows an area where strength may be required but where it is also availa
umstances may force a resolution or declaration.

ising sign should be carefully considered since the personality will take on many of the characteristics of the sign, and endeavors will show an expressi
e doorway of the Ascendant, find the natal house that holds the Solar Return rising degree. The natal house that is brought to the Solar Return Asc
ce the Ascendant is an area of energy manifestation, conditions and environment provide an ideal outlet for events and issues associated with this n
house will occupy your attention to a great extent.
n the Solar Return, the Sun furnishes a great deal of information about the coming year. The Sun reflects upon your will to achieve, creative abil
of leadership, and the potential for advancement. Opportunities may come through determined effort, ambition, merit, or the support of superiors. A
, the Sun illuminates and vitalizes any planet that falls within its rays. Conscious will can more easily be applied using the solar forces of
enus well configured on an angle of the chart generally indicates a year to anticipate special events and a favorable period. Having the chart r

cts upon the potential to become better established through domestic security, investment or consolidation. If there are threats of loss in any of thes
with the source of the problem. Such problems may come from a false sense of pride, misfortune, damage to property, or the failing fortunes of sup
s of the father or husband and points to your own vitality or lack thereof.

the house position of the Sun may be used to discover the busiest period of the year. If it is in an angular house, the beginning of the year will br
events correspond with the Sun in an angular house. These positions of the Sun incline to turning points and exceptional activity. If it is in a succ
he middle portion of the year may prove to be the most productive. These positions of the Sun represent issues involving resources and/or personal
ons, finalities and the opportunity for stabilization. If the Sun is in a cadent househouses three, six, nine or twelvethe last portion of the yea
t of the year has been spent in preparation and adjustments. Often, a great leap of progress commences with the next birthday after such a year
may be used as a general guideline in regard to timing, a prominence of planets in one of the three sectors may modify your findings.

Linda Used her Birthday Horoscope to Manage

the Sun's position is illustrated in Linda's Solar Return. Here, both the precessed and non-precessed versions of her chart are shown and together w
on of planets in the cadent houses and mutable signs. This indicates a year of preparation and tending to details as she also gets more in touch with
there are revisions in her methods and through a reevaluation of her ideals; some of her goals will change. By tidying up loose ends, which will take
e.

tate properties in need of repair, this is one of the areas pinpointed that needed to be handled. Saturn in her second house suggests consolidation w
al estate expenditures. Once the repairs were done, she'd have to decide which to keep and which to sell. This Moon-Saturn conjunction (in Gemin
essed and non-precessed Solar Return charts respectfully) also forewarned her that responsibilities would seem heavy and that she shouldn't despair
n up as the New Year matured and things would begin to progress in a more forward and flowing motion about early summer. In the meantime, s
g school while also working at a hectic-paced job would keep her busy. She had, in fact, contemplated moving as well as getting another job.

urn Moon in Gemini and her natal third house rising in the return, a move was definitely a promising possibility. And, with the influence of Gemini
promise of earned income from two or more sources during the year, underscoring her intuition about a job change.
 her things to attend to first and you'll notice the stress of Pluto and Saturn across the second and eighth houses. This answered Linda's question co
gically to file for bankruptcy. With Pluto and the Moon influencing her financial sectors, a change in her monetary support systems is noted and th
ed in order to square away her financial matters as well as her real estate concerns. Her natal ninth house rises in the non-precessed chart, showi
in the fourth and ninth houses, these actions would bode well for her, although the T-square with Mars and the Sun reveals challenges
ercury reflects the time-consuming details involved. All the paper work and legal details would need to be handled with great care. The same T-s
ved beyond her limits, but the Part of Fortune influencing her ninth house is a good indicator to carry on with these legal proceedings and it is actu
of opportunity to benefit by tending to these matters.

ther question for Linda with her sensitive and yearning natal Moon falling in the fifth house of the Solar Return (SR). We see the trine of SR Venus t
ntic encounter during the year. In fact her natal Venus is also closely trine SR Mars. Her natal Moon in the fifth is, however, opposed by Uranus, showin
's input by its position on the eleventh house cusp indicates the dissolution of a friendship. Lilith in the fifth is another indicator of a disruption in this a
een Sun, Jupiter and Mars. However, she also has her natal North Node in the SR fifth, so there's promise of a timely and destined meeting. Uranu
and the trine of Sun to Saturn and to Uranus suggests that a more promising and stable romance is simply delayed and may come into her life at an
entered a relationship with all the earmarks of disaster, Linda took the initiative to dissolve that romance herself, now fortified with the patience to a
romising acquaintance to develop at a natural pace as she handles more serious priorities.

gular and elevated in the Aries rising chart, showing new initiative and quite possibly new ventures in her career sector. However, due to the configu
into anything that isn't well thought out is not in her best interests as Mars, Jupiter, and Sun in such conflict often point to an opportunity that not
es with her relationships because Mars is the primary ruler of the men in her life. Understanding that with the cadent houses spotlighted, opportunit
before her next birthday. Transits underscore these themes as Saturn moves out of her fifth and Jupiter enters her seventh.

ces to make all along the way but she feels better equipped to make them wisely through the observation of her Solar Return. She's also comforted
ith the knowledge that SR Chiron is square her Pluto and approaching several natal contacts including her Chiron square, she also recognizes a period
affection she feels from her parents. Experiences and encounters will invite spiritual progress through which her awareness will rise to a higher level.
unded will assist the process. These themes underscore the inner processing involved with her SR Sun in the cadent houses.

ates the need to consider the house polarities when working with the Solar Return, especially when a planet falls precisely on a house cusp. The prese
ates the axis of the fifth house as well. While her natal Moon and return Lilith occupy the fifth house in this chart, in the non-precessed Solar Return
e cusp while several natal planets fall within, including natal Venus.

cts, you can use a similar orb as you would to interpret a natal chart, although the closer to exact an aspect is, the more pronounced the theme s
anets involved. Another thing you can do is add twelve degrees to the Moon position. The Moon will progress at the rate of about a degree per mo
orward twelve degrees. If it forms an aspect to another planet, especially a conjunction, watch for associated activity during that month.
oon, there's much you can learn about domestic conditions for the year by checking the sign and house position of the Moon. For example, a move m
hird house. Travel or a move by a family member may take place during the year it is in the ninth house or Sagittarius. Furthermore, a close aspect f
ep look into the chart. Especially by conjunction, the energy vibrations from other bodies easily influence the Moon. Since the Moon reveals our priva
ng on a daily basis, a planet linked to it in the Solar Return shows a trend for the entire year. Conditions and circumstances reflecting the nature of su
ffairs, family and domestic affairs. Identifying Planetary Triggers covers the Solar Return Moon in depth.

s another handy way to keep track of monthly themes and this chart is read the same as the Solar Return except it shows a one-month trend.

Carol Played her

s contributed by a fellow astrologer due to the case in point of "afflicted benefics on the angles," which is discussed in Predicting Events with Astrology

enefic planets on the angles of a return chart, a good period can usually be anticipated. These are the traditional Jupiter and Venus, or greater and les
fflicted. If any one of these is on an angle and making positive aspects, a fortunate return period can be anticipated. In general, these three bodies ca
unts relative to a summary of the chart.

e are badly afflicted benefics on the angles, it can show all kinds of upsetting circumstances, quite often indicating a health problem, distress or grief.
ombined with similar indicators. Venus against Jupiter without other major afflictions usually shows excess of some sort. Jupiter against Mars can
oing overboard in general."

s in an angular position suggest ease but when afflicted you know there is a disturbance to such ease. Carol recognized such a case that would affect
s a Lunar Return means this theme was only for one month and not for the whole year.

Venus, Sun, and Moon combined in harsh aspect on the angles. Knowing it showed material losses and more money going out than coming in, it ala
p and expenditure had been unplanned but it was a chance to connect with her son, who would be there for three days. Living fairly close to Vegas
ecause her son lived across country and visits were infrequent. Her husband had been recently laid off so this chart was not encouraging that he
Sun in the afflictions. They had some savings but were trying to make it last. Still, the chart showed excess and expenditures, so there was more to t

he could, they did watch their expenditures in Vegas, gambling just a little and coming home no worse off than they'd left other than the flight expen
ome up, Carol was watchful for ways to be frugal as the days went along. A week later came an unexpected car repair of $2,500. Out of warranty
and a real "ouch" to the pocketbook. A week later a family emergency necessitated a long distance flight and yet another expense of nearly a t
through its position near the ninth house cusp).

the month came when her sister-in-law gave them a practically new refrigerator. She just wanted a new color that matched the new kitchen she'd r
er own refrigerator, probably worth the switch although there was nothing wrong with hers. She decided it would be nice to have a few frills in the n
l, as it turned out, the actual switching involved days of inconvenience and problems because of a leak, problems with leveling, new filters required, l
the expense was about equal to what the old one could be sold for! At least Carol has a sense of humor and a good spirit about it all, because sh
bled her to play some of her cards right. She said it seems even gifts are costly with these afflicted benefics.
 Do the Planets Have to
s have something to say about the house they reside in whether angular or not. For example, Mars shows dynamic activity and sometimes conflict. T
ambling, and entertainment. So if Mars falls in the fifth house of the return and you have children, you'll know that this will be a year of increased ac
will learn to ride a big bike or your twelve-year-old joins a league. If Mars is afflicted, one of them could get hurt so precautions should be taken. If
this fifth house Mars. If you're a single parent, both events could happen.

descriptions may be used as a general guideline to interpret the energy of a planet in a house or by its exceptional prominence in the Solar Return ch

shows an accent on authority, prestige, honor, limelight, established or settled conditions, achievement of goals, patronage, individual consciousness, p
usband or male element.
n brings an accent on publicity, personal popularity, restlessness, feelings, fluctuations and change, instinct, sensitivity, cherishing nature, the mother,
life and home.
denotes an accent on movement, travel, reading, writing, speaking, spreading of ideas, study and detailed work, ability to fathom concepts, brothers, s
en.
mbolizes an accent on love, marriage, romance, pleasure, financial gain, harmony seeking propensities, aesthetic sensitivity, accommodating instincts,
ifies an accent on energy, enterprise, passion, initiative, hard works, impatience, fire, inflammatory conditions, quarrels, antagonism, destructive tende
ine types.
dicates an accent on increase or honor, expansion, advancement, patronage, financial gain, joy, charitable instincts, travel, legal ceremonies or legal m
ows an accent on consolidation, contraction, crystallization, the need for self-discipline, loss, delay, hindrance, limitation, disappointment, lack of appre
k, responsibilities, selfishness, the father, authorities or old people.
nnounces an accent on unusual developments, the awakening of new interests, new and cataclysmic connections, mental stimulus, enlightenment, une
suggests an accent on the removal of barriers, loosening of bonds, dissolve, long distance travel, especially by sea or air, ecstasy, the manifestation of
ction, disappointment, deceit, treachery, abandonment, self-sacrifice.
ifies an accent on new beginnings, transformation, rebirth, elimination, compulsion, refusal to compromise, death, reorientation, destruction.
h Node accentuates the nature of any planet with which it forms a conjunction. Like an exclamation point, study the aspects to such a planet, for it will
ilarly, an eclipse that falls on a sensitive place in the return may show dynamic events and a window of opportunity to handle specific matters during t
nd other specialized topics are discussed in Predicting Events with Astrology, which includes a table of eclipses through 2054. Identifying Planetary Tri
for interpreting each of the planetary returns; Lunar, Solar, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. It also includes material on the Anlunar Return,
h month to the position it held in the Solar Return.