Understanding the Solar Return in Astrology
What is a Solar Return Chart
A Solar Return chart is calculated the exact moment the Sun returns to the same degree minute and sign it occupied when you were born. This occurs once a year around your birthday revealing a snapshot of the primary energies and themes of the coming year. Your solar return chart changes annually. Think of it as your annual forecast that highlights your opportunities, challenges, and growth areas. A solar return chart provides an anchor for your present self, giving you a firm foundation while inspiring you to grow into the person you are becoming. My clients find it super beneficial for planning the year ahead and always look forward to the next one!
Key Benefits of Getting a Solar Return Reading
- Gaining Clarity and Foresight for the Year Ahead
The primary advantage is gaining an overview of the year’s landscape. A reading can reveal the major focus for the year-whether home changes (4th house focus), or relationship changes (7th house focus), or career advancement (10th house focus).
- Identifying Opportunities for Growth and Success
A solar return reading can determine the best times to launch projects or make career moves
- Making Informed Decisions Aligned with Your Astrological Flow
A reading helps you make informed decisions based on astrological flow. You can learn what areas are supported for change and which areas need patience and persistence. This insight allows for proactive alignment of your actions with cosmic energies rather than against it.
- Navigating Challenges with Preparation and Insight
No year comes without challenges. A Solar Return reading can indicate where you may face challenges or hurdles. Recognizing these potential challenges in advance allows you be proactive and prepare so you are not caught off guard.
For Example, in this solar return chart of 2021
This client was a Cancer Ascendant with Mars on their Ascendant (how you are seen) with the ruler of the solar return chart in the 8th house of loss. A packed 8th house indicating transformative year with depth, endings, and psychological evolution. Saturn is squaring her Sun by a 1-degree orb. The Ascendant and Mars is 6 degrees which is a Virgo degree related to health and also to diminish.
Natal Chart overlayed on Solar Return Chart
Her first house AS (self and body) is in her natal 12th house (hospitals, prisons, confinement)
Exactly where her Saturn sits on February 13, 2022, she rushed to the hospital due to feeling extremely fatigued and noticed her gums had no color. She collapsed when she entered the emergency room. Doctors informed her had she waited another hour; she would have died and in order to live, she needed immediate multiple blood transfusions. She was hospitalized for 3 days. A Solar Return reading could have prepared her for the potential challenges with health. She would have been more proactive and seen a doctor sooner rather later thus avoiding her hospitalization.
What to Expect During a Solar Return Reading
Solar Return readings are 1 hour long and held over Zoom. Using your natal chart not a relocated chart, I will cast your Solar Return. Some astrologers like to cast a solar return chart based on your current location. I, however only use the natal location. In my opinion, how we evolve always stems from what we were given from the start.
First, we spend 10 minutes discussing what are your hopes and intentions for the coming year. Before we analyze your solar return chart, we will discuss what profection year you are in and your Time Lord of the year. Annual Profections are a Time Lord technique used by ancient astrologers to determine what themes are highlighted for a particular age/year. Every year of your life a different house in your natal chart is activated. Each age/year also has a Time Lord planet ruling that year. Any transits to the Time Lord planet will be significant for that year.
We will then analyze your solar return chart starting with the placement and aspects of your Sun. The Sun is your core focus for the year. What is your quadrant emphasis, aspects of Solar Return planets to your natal, the elemental, modal, and hemispheric balance. We’ll look at your Moon for your emotional landscape for the year and your Mercury to see your communication and thinking style. Each reading is shaped by your focus so if we need to talk about Venus instead, we will.
When to Consider a Reading
A Solar Return reading great for anyone looking to set intentions or during times of transition in you and your self-identity, home, relationships, or career. They offer a unique check in for self-reflection and future planning.
Unlock your Year Ahead: Book your Personalized Solar Return Reading Today!
