The Solar Return: Happy Astro Birthday (to me...)!

Autumn colors

Exploring Solar Returns

I was born at the Autumnal Equinox, which is today, astrologically speaking, as the Sun steps into Libra. I love this time of year: crisp air, cool nights, the shift in energy from stillness, heat and completion to movement, change and beginnings.

This day is significant for me astrologically, as it brings my annual solar return, the moment the Sun comes back to its exact position in my birth chart. (0' 45" Libra, exactly). Today is my astrological birthday, although my calendar birthday is tomorrow.

We all have solar returns, every year, right around but not necessarily on the same day as our usual birthday. The civil calendar we use, the Gregorian, is based on the Sun's annual trip around the Earth––scientifically, of course, it's Earth's annual trip around the Sun––and so it makes sense that we get back to where we started once a year.

The difference between our solar return day and our Gregorian birth date is due to the fact that humans like things to be regular and orderly, even when they're not, so the day length gets rounded off and we make it up with an extra leap day every four years. The Sun, meanwhile, pulls us around according to his time, which is a bit different.

But why are solar returns important (and interesting)?

In astrology, we pay attention to patterns and cycles. We watch the great dance unfolding in the skies, and note changes in our lives that seem to echo the dance. You've probably heard of the Saturn returns, which happen when we're 28-30, then again around 56-60, and maybe a third between 84-90, when we transition into new phases of life.

Autumn fruits

Saturn is a heavy hitter, and his returns only happen a few times. Solar returns offer a different kind of insight: They tell us something about the year ahead, from birthday to birthday, what sort of year this new one might be, what to prepare for, how to flow with the energies to get where we want to go.

We cast a solar return chart for the moment the Sun returns to its position at our birth. This is a kind of transit chart, looking at how planets have moved. This particular transit chart says something about the astrological weather we'll be sailing through.

A solar return chart does not replace or change the birth chart. It's a way to see where we are in the cycle of life, where our attention will be drawn (and where we might want to direct it), what areas of life will be highlighted.

Let's say your solar return chart highlights Mars––maybe he's trining your Sun, or in Aries or Capricorn, or otherwise strongly placed. This points to a Mars kind of year, with lots of energy to get things done. If you've been getting a bit couch-potato-ish, this is the year for a new exercise regime. Moving ahead with career goals might seem effortless.

At the same time, depending on your birth and solar return patterns, it could be a good year to avoid risky behavior and rein in an unruly temper. Good or bad––and probably both––Mars energy will be highlighted.

What about location? 

To create a chart, we need date, time and location. Solar return charts can be cast for where you were born, where you currently live, or where you happen to be on your solar return.

Location will not affect the placement of planets by sign, or the aspects among them. If you've got a Sun–Saturn square in this year's solar return chart, you can't make it go away by moving to Tahiti.

Location changes the house placement, allowing you to change the placement of that Sun–Saturn square from the 4th–7th to ... hmmm ... what would be a good choice here? Maybe 1st–4th, which would support lots of personal work and self discipline.

Astrologers differ in which locations they prefer for solar return charts. Using current residence is a way to reflect our choices. We decided to move away from where we were born, and this affects our destiny. Taking a trip just to change a chart, though, smacks of playing games with the gods, which tends not to turn out so well as a way to avoid what is.

Getting a solar return reading

The months leading up to your solar return are a great time for an astrology reading. Our lives shift, new energy comes in, and opportunities realign.

Autumn beauty

I had a wonderful solar return reading this past week with Joyce Mason, whose calm, upbeat approach gave me a handle on some strong patterns in my chart this year.

Last year's amazing solar return reading was with Dana Gerhardt, whose magical insights into astrology opened the door to a new relationship with my Saturn. Working with different astrologers helps me learn more about astrology, as well as giving me different insights into my own chart.

When scheduling a solar return reading, let your astrologer know your focus. Is this a career year for you? Are changes in personal relationships on the horizon?  Maybe you're planning a new creative direction. There's so many layers to any chart; cueing your astrologer in will make sure you learn what you need to know.

I love doing solar return readings. It's intriguing to connect the chart with where we are in our lives, and consider (com + sidus, with the stars) approaches, options, and ideas.

My year ahead

This year's Autumnal Equinox brings the Sun into a T-square with Pluto and Uranus, the power duo changing our world. Today's Moon is conjunct Pluto, so my solar return Moon is also a player in this high-voltage pattern, squaring my Sun. Moon–Pluto, as aspect I also have in my birth chart, is trining my solar return Ascendant.

This will be a transformational year for me, in a very personal way. My first response to seeing the chart was a strong desire to pull the blankets over my head and hibernate for a year, which with this pattern is not the best option. Sometimes the only way out is through!

Mercury is also implicated in my transformational T-square, and is also in a strong trine to Jupiter in my 10th. So, I'm choosing to begin my personal new year with some Mercury–Jupiter in Air activities: Writing, publishing, sharing.

It's bound to be a wild ride. Hope you'll join me!