Demystifying Astrology: What Is A Solar Return Chart? How Do I Read It?
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“You’ll experiment and find your way. Post your birthday, you find yourself wearing these new shoes. You’re not sure how you’re going to walk in them but invariably you adjust and it is almost always a pretty smooth process.”
I wrote that to a client regarding her solar return chart and I find this is the case. For some reason, people are almost always daunted by their solar return.
For the beginning, beginner, a solar return is a chart of drawn for the time your Sun (solar) returns to the exact place it was when you were born aka your birthday. It is possible for your solar return to take place one day early or one day late but in whatever case this chart offers a perspective on the year ahead. You keep your natal chart of course but the solar return gives strong clues as to what you’ll be doing during the year ahead.
For example, I am a person in service – always. This is shown by my natal chart but the solar return (among other things) shows a theater of operation (when there is an emphasis on a house), struggles (hard aspects) and various other sundries. My current solar return has harsh emphasis to the 9th house and I am going to court a lot. I am also publishing (9th) and it’s been jarring this year due my beliefs (9th).
Pluto is conjunct the IC of my current solar return and I feel like I swallowed that planet. I exude an intensity as I contain the secrets and consolidated power of my family.
Next year, the emphasis is on the 10th and 11th houses so I will be out there being seen for sure. Very different from the way things have been concealed this year but note that no matter where I show up, my life is concerned with service – you never lose your natal.
Tell us about your current solar return chart. Can you see it in action?
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21 Responses to “Demystifying Astrology: What Is A Solar Return Chart? How Do I Read It?”
I totally understand “swallowing” a planet. Saturn is sitting on top of my IC in my solar return. I have this natally so it’s no big change. However, now do I not only have rocks in my pockets, this year it feels like someone threw me overboard.
Jupiter/Uranus in my 4th–I’m living alone for the first time in 7.5 years and I am HAPPY:)
Mars in my 8th, tight sextile to Venus in my 6th House. I really don’t know what to make of this. Someone asked me to take over their business when they die (I asked them to make a will). I want to make money from my artwork. I need to start putting myself out there.
Saturn in my 10th. Opposing the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction. I’ve worked for the same company for 9 years but I’m ready to make changes to my working life. I want to work hard….I DO work hard (physically) but I want to be challenged in another way.
Dear Elsa,
please be kind and tell me: is there ‘a problem’ if for a SR I’m using the WHS(whole house system) and not Placidus?
Do you have any idea how could I interpret this triple conjunction Neptune Rx- Chiron Rx- Descendant in the 7th House, Aquarius. The 2 are retrograde, not direct. Ummm….
Waiting to read your opinion(answer).
Judd, I have never used whole sign houses so have no idea. You can post this question to the boards here:http://boards.elsaelsa.com/
You question is more likely to been seen there.
yep my solar return chart had a lot of action in the 3rd house (with uranus for surprise communications, relations with siblings, etc.)
new moon in the 3rd conjunct jupiter and in fact, it has been a year of surprises and expansion for my siblings; youngest brother getting married, other brother expecting his 3rd child in september
i’ve also been contacted unexpectedly from people i haven’t heard from in years. got news of them mostly through the internet, and i consider that a uranian vehicle of communication
Being a total beginner in the lore of making and interpreting charts, could someone explain how to judge when is the solar return – is it just the exact birthday/time? – presumably with the subject’s current long/lat ie place of residence?
And can this kind of chart be called up on eg Astrodienst like a birth chart?
This one looks as scary as last year’s. (from astro.com)
Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus all squaring Pluto.
Venus conjunct Mars oppose Jupiter
Venus, Mars, Saturn oppose Uranus
Most of action seems 10th house opposed 4th – makes sense to me.
I got/felt more from the Solar Return chart done for me by Elsa; though you can pull this up on Astrodienst. If the Astrodienst website already has your data, simply type “Solar Return” in the search box. It will convert your data to the Placidus web style version of your Solar Return.
Well, today’s the day. Aug 22, 1956. I was adopted, don’t know my time, can’t figure out the houses. However, sun, pluto conjunction in Leo,both being squared by saturn in Scorpio, mercury 25 degrees virgo, aquarius chiron. Anybody else see a pattern here? Lost my job a year, almost a year and a half ago. Readying my house for sale, having to look at moving far, far away, go back to school, redefine myself. Trying hard to hold onto faith that somehow this is all a rebirth, but fear is overwhelming just about now.
I’ve been looking in on this site almost daily for quite some time now, never really had the “nerve” to post. But, you all seem to be kind and supportive, so any input would be greatly appreciated.
Welcome, Ruth. Happy Birthday!
If you post your question with your chart on the boards here: http://boards.elsaelsa.com/
more people will see it and I am sure, weigh in.
Hang in!
Thanks Elsa!
2010 has been the worst year of my life (2009 was a very close second, for different reasons):
Leo Ascendant/Mars conj ASC in Leo, opposed Jupiter/Neptune/Chiron in 7th, conjunct 7th house cusp. Open enemies (7th)? Oooohhhh yeah.
Chart ruler sun in Capricorn, conjunct Pluto, Mercury, Venus, and North Node, all in the 5th opposed the Moon in weepy Cancer, all SQUARE Saturn in the 2nd (except the moon, oddly, a small miracle). “NO FUN FOR YOU!!!” (soup nazi voice)
The ONLY well-aspected planet is Uranus, in the 8th, trine the moon, and sextile Mercury/North node. Financially I have been wrecked but have also found unexpected help exactly when I needed it most.
I am just trying to make it alive to my next birthday—the solar return for 2011 looks MUCH better… although Saturn will still be on the ASC, the chart ruler is Venus (libra ASC) and it’s well-aspected except for a square to Chiron/Neptune (beware of wolves in boyfriend clothing!!). The midheaven is also chock-a-block with trines.
I’ll be forty this year… I AM READY, bring it on, baby!!
My current solar return has the Saturn-Uranus opposition in my 4th and 10 houses (just like in the transits as well) and has my Sun, Venus and Pluto in the 7th house. It’s been a difficult year for my family relationships.
Next year still has a lot going on in the 4th and 7th houses.
It was suggested to me that you should start looking at the solar return chart 3-4 months before the actual solar return. That the energy builds and doesn’t just magically appear on the birthday – it’s more like the birthday is being close to the apex.
Just had bday in July and my SR chart has MAJOR 8th house theme.
I’m not sure how to post chart on the blog area? Can we add images here or only on the forums?
Saturn in libra 3rd house is squaring mars in capricorn 6th house.
jupiter and uranus (8th house) square sun mercury and pluto & NN which are conjunct in 5th house
Venus (4th house) in scorpio is sextile mars in capricorn (6th house)
sun,mercury,pluto NN, & Mars are all conjunct
T saturn will be squaring natal saturn (9th house) and T mars will oppose natal saturn.
Sounds like a lot of Saturn action for me.
Can any one tell me what this stuff means?
my solar return has like… four planets in the 8th house… including the sun and the moon.
explains quite a few surprises this year!
This year’s solar chart was more Cancer-heavy, and wrapped up in the cardinal smackdown that’s been going on. Did I feel it? Oh yeah.
Thank you Bluestar, that’s very helpful. I may get a reading from Elsa when I have more funds, but since I have no way of knowing my birth time I’m not sure it’s going to ‘pay dividends’ haha. It’s very frustrating!
Welcome Ruth: I’m adopted like you, and if you look on the thread I started on the ‘advice’ board about guessing at rising signs, something there might help you to decide on yours.
Thanks Blessed Place. Went to it, read through it, and its all to overwhelming for me. I have to say that I’ve always used astrology for understanding me, and since I have no clue, I am a total beginner when it comes to houses. Maybe someday when I have time, I’ll expend the energy, but right now, scraping and painting the house is what calls, so…..
Good luck with your search. Have you ever been interested in finding your birth parents? I know for me, that hasn’t been such a draw, and every psychic I’ve asked has told me that it isn’t worth my pursuing.
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my birthday is in 2 days.
i got the full moon sun/moon opposition in 9th/3rd houses respectively, with neptune/chiron all over it
also the cardinal t-square in the 2nd (pluto), 10th (saturn)and 4th (uranus/jupiter)
the venus/mars conjunction is in the 11th
i get to be a scorpio rising this year and mercury rx is on the MC
honestly, i just don’t know about any of it