Solar return

Concept and method

The Earth completes a full orbital revolution around the Sun every ~365.25 days. Therefore the Sun, in its apparent annual journey across the zodiac, returns to its exact original position approximately every 365.25 days. This precise moment is not necessarily exactly the day of your birthday — it can be one or two days before or after, depending on the bisextile irregularities. The astrologer calculates the exact moment of solar return (with software) and casts a complete astrological chart for that moment.

The location used to cast the chart is also significant: traditionally the chart is cast for the place where you are physically located at the moment of solar return (which can be different from your birthplace). Some astrologers strategically use this principle to "elect" optimal place to spend their birthday — travel to a specific location to "shape" the chart of solar return towards more favourable astrological energies for the coming year.

How it is interpreted

The solar return chart is interpreted similarly to a natal chart, but applied to only one year of life (from the birthday onwards): 1) Ascendant of the solar return = visible style of your year. 2) Position of the Sun by house = main thematic area of focus of your year (Sun in House X = focus on career; House VII = focus on relationships; etc.). 3) Strong planetary aspects in the solar return chart = predominant energetic dynamics of the year. 4) Predominant fast planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars by their position) = nuance the energy of the months. 5) Slow planets in significant positions = important deep themes of the year.

Comparison with natal chart: the experienced astrologer overlays the solar return chart on the natal chart, looking for: meaningful contacts (e.g.: solar return Mars on natal Sun = year of intense activity-conflict; solar return Venus on natal Moon = emotionally fulfilling year, etc.). This combined reading gives much more specific predictions than just the solar return alone.

Use today

1) Calculate your annual solar return with online software (Astro.com, Astrodienst, free) — only requires your date, time and place of birth. 2) Read the resulting chart paying attention to: ascendant, Sun by house, predominant aspects. 3) Compare with your natal chart for personal contacts. 4) Pay attention especially to the days near your exact birthday — you can find that the energy of the new year of life "begins to be felt" days before / after the precise birthday. 5) Strategic possibility: if you have particularly important year (entry to new chapter, important decision year), you can travel to specific location to "elect" optimal solar return chart — although this requires advanced study and access to experienced astrologer. 6) Combine with secondary progressions and current transits for fuller predictive picture.