Solar Return Chart

A return chart, or to be more precise: A chart erected for the exact moment when the Sun returns to its position in the natal chart - in other words, when the Sun reaches its position at the time of birth. This occurs once a year, either on the same date as the day of birth or the day before or after. The solar return chart indicates what themes will be important over the coming year and is one of the longest standing astrological methods of prediction. The themes in the solar chart can usually be felt one or two months before a person's birthday.

Calculation

The solar return chart is calculated on the basis of the Sun's exact position in the natal chart. A chart is erected for the time and place an individual happens to be when the transiting Sun reaches this degree.

Location

Three possible locations can be chosen for the solar return chart - either an individual's present place of residence, their place of birth or the place at which they happen to be is at this point in time. Much could be said for choosing a person's place of residence because that is where they are likely to spend most of the coming year, but the place of birth also has its claim to legitimacy. However, many astrologers prefer to use a person's actual location at the time of the solar return. If this location is very far away from a person's present residence or place of birth, the axes and house cusps of the solar chart will be in very different positions.

Interpretation

An interpretation of the solar return chart only makes sense against the backdrop of the natal chart. It makes little sense to interpret it on its own. The following list includes the main criteria for interpretation:

• The Solar Ascendant: It shows an individual's approach to life in general

in the coming year.

• The Solar Medium Coeli: It shows the general aim in the coming year.

• The following houses will be activated: The natal houses in which the

solar Ascendant and Medium Coeli fall. The natal house and the solar house in which the ruler of the solar Ascendant stands. The solar house in which the Sun stands. Any solar house with three or more solar planets in it.

• Planets which aspect the axes in the solar return chart - they are

particularly significant if they are conjunct the Ascendant.

• Repetition of aspects: Aspects that occur in both the solar chart and the

natal chart are particularly significant. When this happens the themes this aspect represents in the natal chart are emphasised and can find new forms of expression or impetus. For example, if there is a square between Saturn and the Sun in the natal chart and a trine between the same two planets in the solar return chart, the horoscope owner will probably find it easier to cope with Saturn/Sun themes in the coming year.

• Any planets in the natal chart which receive many aspects from solar

planets will be activated in the coming year.

It is not necessary to carry out such a detailed psychological interpretation of the solar return chart as is the case with the natal chart. It is possible to be far more concrete - although this doesn't mean [[Event Prediction|prediction of events]]. The natal chart reveals the deeper motivations whereas the solar return chart is more concerned with current events.

The Sun is not the only "planet" for which it is possible to erect a return chart - this can also be done for the Moon (Lunar Return Chart), for Mercury (Mercury Return Chart), Venus (Venus Return Chart) and Mars ([[Mars Return Chart]]).