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!
    

Virgo New Moon Cycle: Chop Wood, Carry Water

Wikimedia's Picture of the Day ... perfect!

We're just past the New Moon. The window for wishes and intentions is still open, as Virgoan ears gently listen.

Today's post looks ahead through the week to amazing events coming our way, with that New Moon window open, lace curtains fluttering in the breeze. Looking ahead, noting the possibility of challenge, tucking a few extra provisions in our pack––these are Virgo moves.

September 18, Pluto stations direct, which means he's especially powerful that date, and a few days on either side. Calling Pluto "especially powerful" sound like a message from the Department of Redundancy Department, so think of this as a time when we notice in a deeper way how power is moving, where it's moving, and how it works, both in our own lives and in the world.

The Moon and Saturn are conjunct in Libra this day, semisextile the Virgo Sun, which also pulls attention to how things are structured and how they work.

On September 19, we reach the Crescent Moon, a time when we first see the shape of what's to come peeking through the soil. Have we set intentions for more mindful living? We may begin to see what that looks like for us.

Also arriving on September 19 is the second exact square between Uranus and Pluto, revolution and tradition, the explosive and the tectonic, the lightning and the glacier. Pluto's first direct action, in other words, is to engage Uranus.

This Crescent Moon, pulling away from the careful Virgo Sun in an edgy semisquare, is in psychic and wary Scorpio. Life is not as simple as it seems! How can we expect to continue living simply, taking small steps, when events are exploding around us, when our foundations are rocked and split open? The night is dark and we have far to go.

And yet, this is the message of Virgo and mindfulness and simple living: When all hell breaks loose, there is still that next step. The garden needs tending, the dog needs a walk, we are hungry, we need to sleep, the baby is laughing.

Whether we experience tragic upheaval, or the wondrous beauty of spiritual joy, the laundry is there. Virgo invites us to look past the burdens of ordinary life and see loveliness, comfort, symmetry––not to overlook the burdens, but know them, deeply, as beautiful.

Can we breathe through whatever comes, and still walk the path? This is the question of the Crescent Moon arriving with the Uranus–Pluto square.

On September 22, we reach the First Quarter Moon and the Autumn Equinox. The Equinox arrives first. Astrologically, this is the moment when the Sun enters Libra, cardinal Air. 

For those who love Autumn, this is a longed-for moment, a breath of fresh, cool air after the overheated stillness of late summer. Now life feels possible again. New books, sharp pencils, crisp apples, clear nights.

At the Equinox, the Moon sits in late Sagittarius, optimistic and expansive, opposing Ceres in Gemini, abundant and generous. Saturn in harmonious Libra trines Ceres and sextiles the Moon, supporting realistic appreciation of all we have.

How is this a challenge?

When the First Quarter Moon arrives a few hours later, the Moon has shifted into 0 Capricorn, squaring the Equinox Sun. The waxing Moon continues to pull away from the Sun, eager to move on, move ahead.

At 0 degrees, the opening degree, each sign is focused and intent. These are cardinal Air and cardinal Earth, the Moon ready to take action and the Sun wanting to be sure the plan is clear.

Do we really understand what we've committed to? Have we fully explored the risks and benefits? Are we prepared? The Libra Sun wants to know.

Strike while the iron is hot! says the Capricorn Moon. Time and tide wait for no man. This push-pull reflects one of Virgo's core issues: Do we take the small steps we can see, or do we suffer the paralysis of analysis?

Virgo is careful, anxious, keenly aware of the many pitfalls and errors out there, and the inordinate consequences of failing to prepare properly. Virgo is also the helper, the healer, the willing servant who sees what needs to be done, and simply does it.

At this First Quarter, with the Sun poised at a balance of the year, in Libra the sign of balance, our Virgo equanimity is tested.

Here, we see where we're holding ourselves back with overplanning, trying to control what cannot be controlled. We also see where we're avoiding information we find troubling, moving ahead with the plan as it is.

Neither extreme will work; we need just-right planning and timely action. In fact, one informs the other. Action brings response, which is information. Thought allows us to anticipate and gauge the effects of action. At the First Quarter, we bring ourselves into balance.

A lot for one week. A good time for mindfulness and caring.
    

New Moon in Virgo: Wheat and Chaff

preparing for winter

New Moon in Virgo: September 15, 2012

The intensity and drama of the Leo New Moon cycle comes to a close, the players take their final bows, and a new scene opens. We're entering Virgo time now, when delicacy, precision, accuracy, deftness and care come to the fore.

Virgo is transitional Earth, the practical concerns of harvest. Feet on the ground, to-do list ready, we're all about preparation.

At the farmer's market, we choose the freshest, brightest fruits. At the grocery, we check expiration dates and ingredients lists. Cleaning closets, garages and in-boxes, we look for a fresh start for the cooler days of Autumn.

The Sun and Moon are conjunct Mercury, focusing our thoughts and communication on planning and analysis, and adding to the Mercury vibe. Jupiter in Gemini makes a wide square to the New Moon, which adds more Mercury, since he rules Gemini as well as Virgo, and Jupiter makes everything bigger.

This New Moon is all about getting stuff done. Flowing easy support to the Nodes of the Moon, we can find those next steps clearly marked now. Saturn the manifestor is semisextile the New Moon and trine Neptune, adding an edgy nudge to our ability to make things happen.

New Moons are a time for setting intentions and making wishes. We're invited to ask for the Moon's best energies, and release any tendencies toward the worst. Where are the fruitful berries of grain in our lives? We choose these, and let the chaff blow away.

This is a New Moon to release tendencies to worry, anxiety and fearfulness. Virgo is so focused on the details, it can feel overwhelming. Resolve to let all this go.

If you live in the US, take a break from political television, radio, newspapers and magazines, and blogs––just one day, and see what a difference tuning out relentless negativity can make.

This is also a great time to release self criticism, and uninvited criticism of others. Detailed analysis and feedback are Virgo strengths, essential in the right time and place.

Do not tune in to Virgo when looking in the mirror. Stop trying to keep up with anyone else; we can't see how hard they're treading water underneath anyway. Offer feedback only when asked, with gentle compassion.

Having let go of criticism and anxiety, turn toward how things flow in the world. Where is it easy and effortless to get things done, and where do things get stuck? This New Moon is a great time to wish for ease, focus and precision in accomplishing work.

Mercury energy abounds at this New Moon, making this a great time to ask for quick, nimble thinking, innovative problem solving, and clear, concise communication. Virgo is a craftperson, so extend that request to skill in craft.

Mercury is also a god of good humor, so in these challenging times, asking for a light touch, the ability to see the positive, and the gift of laughter is also a great idea.

Where does this New Moon touch your birth chart? The New Moon happens at 23 degrees Virgo. Look to the house of the New Moon to see which areas of life will benefit most from Virgo new beginnings. This New Moon falls in my Second House, making it time for me to get my financial accounting cleaned up and straightened out (*cough*) and set up systems to track things better in future.

Anything in the mid-20 degrees will receive some kind of aspect from this New Moon. This one lights up my chart like the jackpot on a pinball machine: conjunct my Sun; semisextile Mercury, Neptune, Ascendant, Moon and Pluto; sextile Uranus and Jupiter, trine Chiron. Highlighting how tightly these parts of my chart are connected, the New Moon invites me to see how these disparate energies can work together. All hands on deck!

Virgo values thrift, careful planning, and clear-sightedness, yet this tender-hearted energy could never turn away anyone in need. The focus is on husbanding common resources for the good of all, not hoarding for oneself. Making sure the table is laden with good food, with a place for all––this is the Virgo harvest ideal.