The Solar Return is the return of the Sun to it’s natal position. The Return Chart is a summary of the year ahead. A striking year will be one where a planet is partile or within a degree to one of the angles like Ascendant or Midheaven. Donald A Bradley, author of “Solar and Lunar Returns”, and Eshelman in his book “Interpreting Solar Returns”, both recommend precessing the chart so that the Sun truly returns to it’s natal placing. Robert Hand also suggests using precession correction in return charts in “Planets in Transit“.
If you haven’t got a software program like Solar Fire to automatically precess the Solar Return, use this method: Go to the Astrodienst extended chart selection. First do the Solar Return as a Fagan/Bradley sidereal chart. Then redo the chart as a normal tropical natal chart using the time and date from the SR sidereal chart. This will be a precession-corrected Solar Return. You can then run it as a synastry with your natal to see how it works as transits.
Bradley and Eshelman also dispense with looking at the signs and read the chart by aspects alone as we do. Though Bradley sticks to the Ptolemeic aspects, regarding the conjunction, opposition and square being most important. He disregards the hard aspects as being stressful, saying that the nature of the planets involved are more important. However he wouldn’t include the quincunx either which I have found to be important when a Solar return chart produces a Yod.
The most important things to look at in all Solar Returns are the planets in conjunct with the AC/DC, MC/IC. You can give quite a wide orb. Up to 8 degrees. This is why precessing is so important. As this will be totally different on a precessed chart. The aspects between the planets will be exactly the same, but in different houses. A planet conjunct the angle will be hugely emphasized fo that year. The tighter is is the more dramatic the year. It has been suggested using the methods above that a malefic, ie Mars, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto on the angles, augurs a difficult year ahead. If they are partile it could even be quite a traumatic year.
The malefics on the angles theory is interesting. But what on earth do you say to a client who has Saturn on the AC!? The last two SR charts I did happened to have this, but I don’t think it helps to warn of impending doom. So I had a look at my own SR charts going back to test this theory. I looked at precessed compared to non-precessed using four big events.
My Solar Return Chart
DEATH OF FATHER
Non-precessed – Nothing angular.
Precessed – Saturn conjunct DC, North Node conjunct IC. The souls evolution so tightly aligned to the parental axis and the deathly Saturn wins over the non-precessed hands down.
SEPARATED FROM HUSBAND
Non-precessed - Pluto conjunct AC.
Precessed - Lilith conjunct AC, Mars conjunct MC, Uranus conjunct DC in 7th house. This was a hard year for me but not devastating. It was my choice to leave and I didn’t loose my house. In fact I relished in my new found freedom. Uranus on the DC set me free.
- Met my soul mate
DIVORCED & MET SOUL MATE
Non-precessed - Mars conjunct IC.
Precessed - Lilith/Pluto conjunct DC, Neptune conjunct MC. Again malefics on the angles are not terrible by all means, Neptune dissolved the marriage and Pluto brought me Jamie!
SECOND MARRIAGE
Non-precessed - Moon conjunct IC.
Precessed - Jupiter conjunct DC. Self explanatory, lucky Jupiter conjunct my house of marriage gave me a wedding and was far more descriptive of my year than the Moon on the IC even if it was closer.
Precessed works for me. Dads death the most convincing since that Saturn on my DC spelt death for my marriage also. It started going downhill from there. This happened two years before I finally left my husband.
I would regard Saturn on an angle as useful for business. I don’t think is necessarily always a bad thing though it does suggest depression. I had a great year financially the year I had Saturn on my DC. It was like my dear Dad was sending me cash from the grave. Giving me good old Saturn support.
NEW! Marina is now offering Solar Return Readings separately from the Year ahead. You can order them here: Solar Return-$99
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Just a question:
When does Solar return chart of a specific year is activated. and when it is dis-activated?
My Sun in my Solar Return exactly conjunct my Solar Return DC at Capricon 27.
What it can indicate?
YELENA.
Ouch! Precessed my 2012 SR chart as you describe, and my benign, mostly harmless SR now has Uranus right on the ascendant, Pluto conjunct the MC and a bloody great boomerang yod in the middle (Venus sx Jupiter qx the moon/vertex) with that Asc/Uranus at the boomerang point, opposite the moon.
Thanks… I think
Wooooweeeee! That’s the thing with these very dramatic charts. We don’t know whether to fear them or cheer them. I must say i tend to get excited when I see something that intense. Like some huge change is coming. A change is as good as a rest! Says Uranus anyway. Keep us posted on if you do have a precessed kind of year or a non-precessed. I’m always interested in Yods in a SR. So its pointing at your DC. Are you looking for love this year? (Or looking to let go of one because you need more personal freedom?…)
No, definitely not looking for love, or to let go or anything of that sort. The DC is a bit of a grey area for me, I have Mars conjunct natally, another 3 planets and my POF in 7th – relationships are something that just never figure on my wants/don’t wants list of considerations, tbh. It’s not an area I ever give any thought to. The only relationship concerning me is my elderly Dad, who I care for.
The boomerang is a puzzle too, I’ve no experience with them and I’m not making a lot of sense with what I’m reading. At least – Uranus aside – with the moon, Venus and Jupiter, it looks a little easier than the one that’s recently appeared in my progressed chart – Sun (8) sx Saturn (6), qx Uranus (also on the ascendant) at the apex opposing Venus in 7th.
It’s all yods and boomerangs for me at the moment.
A change – I could definitely cope with, if it’s a good one, it’s unpleasant surprises I’m worried about.
I should’ve said the DC is relationships of all kinds, so then this Yod is pointing at the way you relate. It’s not just love. It was the first thing that popped into my mind…If the DC is such a grey area then the Yod pointing straight at it is asking WHY it’s such a grey area.
Actually – looking at it again – Uranus is in the 12th and the moon in 6th, not 7th (Venus is in 12th, Jupiter in 1st, the 1st and 12th houses come out very wide in any system other than equal). So it would be in my work that I could expect changes to happen – or health or something…? At my age, that doesn’t sound good! I’m hanging on to that Venus-Jupiter sextile like a drowning woman.
I shall, of course, let you know if anything Big occurs (and would that be heralded by the Moon, at the apex, or that opposing Uranus? I find Yods very confusing)!
Sun conjunct DC in my Solar retutn chart.What it can mean?
Wow! I just precessed my Solar Return for 2012/13, and lo and behold, there is Pluto exactly conjunct my MC (well, not exactly… about 15 minutes off)! In my non-precessed Solar Return for this year, I have the North Node conjunct my IC.
I guess we’ll see by next year which one wins out! This will be interesting!
I also have Pluto on the MC using this method, we should compare notes (Do you also have Uranus on the ascendant? – or the DC?)
Yes, we should compare notes! I’m very curious to see what this is going to do.
But no, I don’t have Uranus on any angles – it’s in the 12th house. In fact, nothing else touches any angles in my precessed solar return except that Pluto on the MC.
I have been researching solar return charts lately, and have been convinced that these charts should NOT be precessed. Non-precessed and Placidus houses do the trick for me. Time after time I am struck by the exactness of the Placidus non-angular house cusps “hitting” planets or fixed stars in a way that clarify the interpretation.
I noticed a 13 hour difference between my tropical Solar Return and sidereal Solar
I have permanently switched to Cyril Fagan Sidereal Zodiac, but I am not using for zodiac sign intepretation. I am only using it as reference point for aspects.
I use midpoints which Cyril Fagan seemed to use.
Page 38 of PRIMER OF SIDEREAL ASTROLOGY by Cyril Fagan and Brigadier R.C. Firebrace
“We consider midpoints important and students will notice that the midpoint of Pluto and Uranus is near the Descendant.”
SOLAR RETURN EVENT-ORIENTED CONFIGURATIONS
Sun oppose Jupiter – ’41
Moon conjunct North Lunar Node – ’40
Moon square Midheaven – 4’56
Ascendant conjunct Venus – 2’27
Ascendant square Neptune – ’17
Ascendant square Mars – 4’23
Mercury conjunct Venus – 1’00
Mercury square Mars – ’55
Mercury square Neptune – 3’45
Venus square Mars – 1’55
Venus square Neptune – 2’45
Mars oppose Neptune – 4’41
Ascendant square Neptune – ’17
Venus conjunct Sun/Moon – ’21
Venus conjunct Sun/Node – ’41
Venus conjunct Mercury/Ascendant – ’43
Venus oppose Mars/Neptune – ’24
Mercury oppose Mars/Neptune – 1’24
Moon conjunct Venus/Pluto – ’16
Moon conjunct Mercury/Pluto – ’46
Moon conjunct Pluto/Ascendant – ’57
Ascendant conjunct Saturn/Pluto – ’51
Node conjunct Pluto/Ascendant – ’17
Node conjunct Venus/Pluto – ’56
Uranus conjunct Jupiter/Neptune – ’21
Uranus oppose Saturn/Midheaven – ’04
Themes,Patterns
Sun oppose Jupiter
Venus conjunct Sun/Moon
Venus conjunct Sun/Node
Moon
Moon conjunct North Lunar Node
Moon square Midheaven
Moon conjunct Venus/Pluto
Moon conjunct Mercury/Pluto
Moon conjunct Pluto/Ascendant
Venus conjunct Sun/Moon
Ascendant
Ascendant conjunct Venus
Ascendant conjunct Mercury
Ascendant square Neptune
Ascendant square Mars
Ascendant conjunct Saturn/Pluto
Moon conjunct Pluto/Ascendant
Node conjunct Pluto/Ascendant
Venus conjunct Mercury/Ascendant
Midheaven
Moon square Midheaven
Uranus oppose Saturn/Midheaven
Mercury
Mercury conjunct Ascendant
Mercury conjunct Venus
Moon conjunct Mercury/Pluto
Venus conjunct Mercury/Ascendant
Mercury oppose Mars/Neptune
Venus
Venus conjunct Ascendant
Mercury conjunct Venus
Venus square Mars
Venus square Neptune
Venus conjunct Sun/Moon
Venus conjunct Sun/Node
Venus conjunct Mercury/Ascendant
Venus oppose Mars/Neptune
Moon conjunct Venus/Pluto
Node conjunct Venus/Pluto
Mars
Ascendant square Mars
Mercury square Mars
Venus square Mars
Mars oppose Neptune
Venus oppose Mars/Neptune
Mercury oppose Mars/Neptune
Node
Moon conjunct Node
Venus conjunct Sun/Node
Node conjunct Venus/Pluto
Node conjunct Pluto/Ascendant
Jupiter
Sun oppose Jupiter
Uranus conjunct Jupiter/Neptune
Saturn
Ascendant conjunct Saturn/Pluto
Uranus oppose Saturn/Midheaven
Uranus
Uranus conjunct Jupiter/Neptune
Uranus oppose Saturn/Midheaven
Neptune
Ascendant square Neptune
Mercury square Neptune
Venus square Neptune
Venus oppose Mars/Neptune
Mercury oppose Mars/Neptune
Uranus conjunct Jupiter/Neptune
Pluto
Ascendant conjunct Saturn/Pluto
Moon conjunct Venus/Pluto
Moon conjunct Mercury/Pluto
Node conjunct Venus/Pluto
Node conjunct Pluto/Ascendant
Aspect Patterns
T-Square of Venus square Mars-Neptune opposition (corresponding midpoint picture of Venus oppose Mars/Neptune)
T-Square of Mercury square Mars-Neptune opposition
Lets see
in regards to events during my current Solar Return period
My shaman best friend Steve and I stopped attending the psychic fairs because of a shady metaphysical reader.
I got a heliocentric astrology reading with Philip Sedgwick, and that pretty much cemented my interest in Heliocentric Astrology which I use regularly now.
I told my Aunt Dede about my mom’s abuse at the home that she was staying with, and my Aunt Dede helped my mom move. My mother is in a much better living situation with my cousin Gina as her choreworker.
I joined NCGR, Sacramento Area Chapter.
I bought my mom a used wheelchair accessible van.
My social security disability benefits have been discontinued, but I still get Veteran Affairs service-connected disability benefits. I have to start paying for Medicare disability insurance.
I have started looking into Sidereal Zodiac,and I have been reading Cyril Fagan’s books. I learned that there is a significant time difference between Sidereal transits,return charts and Tropical transits,return charts. I understand why some tropical astrologers use precession-corrected transits,return charts because of that significant time difference that becomes more noticeable with the progression of age. I permanently switched zodiacs.
From a Cyril Fagan book, I learned about the concept behind the Draconic Zodiac and that it originated with the Babylonians. I have decided to use Draconic Zodiac regularly, but I will not use it with other zodiac charts. It seems to work with transits.
The new zodiac system that I am going to use will be strict aspect analysis that will include midpoints, Sidereal Zodiac,and Draconic Zodiac. I have abandoned the declinations and Right Ascension because they are tropical coordinates.
Last Friday, I bought a new 21 speed mountain bicycle.
I am hoping for my lovelife to greatly improve, and that I end up meeting a woman for a lifelong relationship.
8 more months to go. There is plenty of time for other events to happen.
Do you ever advice “birthday trip” to your consultants, for changing the houses if the sr chart is quite an omen. (Next year, I’ll have sr mars conjunct sr saturn in twelfth house, conjuncting sr AC with 1 degree.)
My Solar return this year has Pisces in the 1st House with Neptune conjunct the ascendant by 1 degree and rising in the 12th House.
My solar return Sun and Uranus are in the 2nd House of money. I read that having my Sun in the 2nd house is supposed to be good financially this year. Maybe with Uranus there it means unexpected sources of income(finding money, winning money, given money).
Thehe North Node is in Sagittarius in the 10th which should be good career wise since Sagittarius is ruled by lucky Jupiter.
It should be better than last year when my Solar return chart was at 29 Degrees 58 Minutes Scorpio. This last year’s been a bitch.
I’m taking a closer look at my current solar return chart because I had a recent health crisis. During this solar return period, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer plus a severely ulcerated stomach and small intestine. I have had the surgery to remove the cancer and all seems to be fine now. I keep updates here: Asteroid Hygeia.
Uranus in the return chart is conjunct my natal Chiron indicating a health crisis.
I have used precession correction and relation for where I celebrated my last birthday. The solar return chart does indicate health problems.
Mars quincunx Chiron is cutting with the knife in order to heal, some imbalance in the blood. I have this aspect in my natal chart. The imbalance is hemochromotosis, too much Iron in the blodd. Mars rules Iron in the blood, and this genetic disorder increases the chance of bowel cancer three-fold.
Sun quincunx Neptune weakens the vitality and again points to some health imbalance. It can mean misdiagnosis, and in my case some confusion. It took 9 weeks for my GP to notify me of the positive test for blood in poo.
Mars conjunct Neptune in this return chart is opposite my natal Mars, weakening of strength, Mars for surgery.
Moon square Saturn is depression, sadness in family, restriction. All true, had to delay a planned holiday to London with my eldest girl so I could have the surgery. It has deeply affected my parter Marina, as the Moon in the solar return chart is conjunct my DC. So Moon opposite my AC and Saturn square my AC tells of restriction and concern for the my physical body (AC).
Mercury opposite Ceres is the crisis or turning point in my diet, as Ceres rules nutrition. Mercury ion this return chart is conjunct my natal Pluto, total transformation of how I think about my diet. Ceres in the return chart is at 22 Pisces, where Mercury entered the retrograde zone on February 27, just after I had the colonoscopy which found the cancer. Mercury stationed direct earlier today on Ceres in the return chart. This coincided with the news that all the cancer had been removed during last weeks surgery.
Asteroid Hygeia in the return chart is conjunct my AntiVertex. The grand trine with asteroid Hygeia, Mars and Uranus is a good omen. Mars and Uranus together can mean surgery, Hygeia is health. Hopefully this indicates a successful result.
4 years ago I had North Node conjunct Chiron in the fourth house of my SR chart. I moved to another flat that year and I had psychopath neighbours who harassed and disturbed me in unbelievable ways, for a whole year. They were simply retarded brutes. It was hell to live in that house and I had financial problems and could not get out of the house; and the householder, building manager and the police did not believe the problems I was experiencing, (because what my neighbours were doing was simply unbelieveable). I could not do anything about it. It was the kind of thing you’d say “oh, this is fate”. and it continued for a whole year. i was just sitting in parks and cafes until i was sleepy, so that i would go home and sleep instantly.I had the classic chironic “that’s not fair” feeling with much humiliation.
the only notable harsh aspect with chiron-node conjunction was a loose opposition with sr mc and sun. also i had neptune (in fourth house) opposed mercury, which i think signifies the terrible choice i made. uranus opposing mars may be signifying the harrasments i was subjected to.