Hello everyone,
Welcome to part 2 of exploration of the Planetary Returns. Last week, we explored what planetary returns are and their significance. If you missed this post or need a reminder, you can find it here:
This week we are focusing on the Solar Return. We will explore what it is and how we can use them to our advantage.
What is the Solar Return?
The sun is one of the most important planets in astrology. It represents one of our Big Three signs and influence our core identity and self expression. On your natal chart, the Sun lies within a sign and a house at an exact degree. You can see from the example below that my sun lies at 4° in Taurus in the 12th house.
When the Sun returns to this exactly degree in this sign, it marks my Solar Return.
Finding your Solar Return
You can calculate your solar return using the link below:
In the birth chart section, enter your birth date time and location
In the solar return section, enter the year you want to calculate the solar return for. You may want to use 2024 if your birthday hasn’t occurred yet or if you birthday has occurred, it will allow you to evaluate if you can resonate with what has been occurring. Alternatively, enter 2025 to determine the year ahead after your NEXT birthday.
In the location, you enter where you currently reside, not where you were born.
Click the extended settings link and change the House System to WHOLE HOUSE.
Click CALCULATE SOLAR RETURN
What appears then can look extremely complex and confusing. There is a lot of information to consider, but as a beginner, we can gain a lot from some basic interpretations.
Start by clicking on the SOLAR ONLY tab to simplify the chart.
I have annotated a chart to show the key features ( click to enlarge)
Look at the sign in which the Sun lying. This tells us the overall themes for the year ahead and what we should focus on until the next Solar Return. The house that the sun is in tells us WHERE to direct this focus:
Sun Interpretations
What to focus on
Aries: Initiative, leadership, and new beginnings.
Taurus: Stability, material security, and sensual pleasures.
Gemini: Communication, learning, and social interactions.
Cancer: Emotions, family, and nurturing.
Leo: Creativity, self-expression, and confidence.
Virgo: Service, health, and organisation.
Libra: Relationships, harmony, and beauty.
Scorpio: Transformation, depth, and intensity.
Sagittarius: Adventure, exploration, and expansion.
Capricorn:Ambition, responsibility, and structure.
Aquarius: Individuality, innovation, and community.
Pisces: Intuition, spirituality, and imagination.
Where to Focus This Energy
1st House: Personal identity, self-image, and how you present yourself.
2nd House: Finances, personal values, and material possessions.
3rd House: Communication, learning, and local community.
4th House: Home life, family dynamics, and emotional foundations.
5th House: Creativity, romance, and personal expression.
6th House: Daily work, health, and service to others.
7th House: Partnerships, relationships, and collaboration.
8th House: Intimacy, transformation, and shared resources.
9th House: Exploration, higher education, and philosophy.
10th House: Career, public life, and reputation.
11th House: Friendships, community involvement, and aspirations.
12th House: Spirituality, solitude, and the subconscious.
On my chart the Sun is in Taurus so my focus is stability, material security, and sensual pleasures. It is in the 6th house so I should develop these in my daily work, health and service to others. This gives me the overarching themes for the year ahead.
Now look at the sign in which the Moon is lying. This tells us how we respond emotionally and the house indicates where we should focus our emotional energy.
Moon Interpretations
What to Focus On
Aries: Quick emotional reactions, a desire for independence, and assertiveness in expressing feelings.
Taurus: Seeking stability and comfort, enjoying sensual pleasures, and valuing emotional security.
Gemini: Emotionally curious, adaptable, and communicative; might seek variety in experiences.
Cancer: Deeply emotional and nurturing, focusing on family and home life; sensitivity to feelings.
Leo: Expressive and dramatic emotions; seeking recognition and warmth in relationships.
Virgo: Practical and analytical emotional responses; focusing on health and service to others.
Libra: Emotionally balanced, seeking harmony in relationships and valuing partnership.
Scorpio: Intense and passionate emotions; deep emotional connections and transformative experiences.
Sagittarius: Optimistic and adventurous emotional responses; seeking freedom and expansion.
Capricorn: Responsible and disciplined emotions; focusing on goals and long-term stability.
Aquarius: Emotionally detached or unconventional; valuing friendships and social causes.
Pisces: Highly intuitive and empathetic; seeking spiritual or artistic expression and connection.
Where to Focus Emotional Energy
1st House: Personal identity self-expression; how emotions affect your self-image.
2nd House: Values, self-worth; emotional focus on finances and material security.
3rd House: Communication learning; connections with siblings and neighbours.
4th House: Home and family; emotional foundations and nurturing instincts.
5th House: Creativity self-expression;emotions linked to romance, children and play.
6th House: Daily routines and health; emotional focus on work and service to others.
7th House: Partnerships,relationships; dynamics in one-on-one connections.
8th House: Intimacy transformation; deep emotional connections shared resources.
9th House: Exploration philosophy; emotional focus on travel and higher learning.
10th House: Career public life;how emotions influence your public image/ambitions.
11th House: Friendships, community;involvement in social groups and aspirations.
12th House: Spirituality the subconscious; focus on introspection and healing.
The final position to consider is the Ascendant, also known as you rising sign. It’s location within a sign can indicate how you will be perceived by others:
Ascendant Interpretation
Aries
Public Persona: Bold, energetic, and direct. You come off as assertive and confident. Others see you as a go-getter, often taking the lead in social situations. This year, you may attract opportunities that allow you to showcase your initiative.
Taurus
Public Persona: Grounded, reliable, and sensual. You appear calm and approachable. People may perceive you as someone who values stability and comfort. This year, your focus on personal aesthetics and comfort will shine through.
Gemini
Public Persona:Curious, communicative, and adaptable. You are seen as lively and sociable. Others may perceive you as engaging and witty, drawn to your versatility. Expect a year filled with networking and learning opportunities.
Cancer
Public Persona:Nurturing, sensitive, and protective.You come across as caring and empathetic. People may see you as someone who values family and emotional connections. This year, your focus may lean towards strengthening relationships.
Leo
Public Persona:Charismatic, confident, and expressive. You radiate warmth and creativity, drawing attention easily. Others see you as a natural leader. This year may bring opportunities for self-expression and recognition in creative endeavours.
Virgo
Public Persona:Detail-oriented, practical, and analytical.You appear organised and diligent. People may view you as someone who pays attention to detail and is reliable. This year, your focus on health and service may become more pronounced.
Libra
Public Persona:Charming, diplomatic, and social. You come across as likeable and easy to get along with. Others perceive you as someone who seeks harmony and balance. This year may involve significant partnerships and social interactions.
Scorpio
Public Persona:Intense, mysterious, and profound. You have a powerful presence that intrigues others. People may see you as passionate and insightful. This year, your focus might shift towards deep emotional connections and transformations.
Sagittarius
Public Persona:Optimistic, adventurous, and open-minded. You radiate enthusiasm and a love for exploration. Others see you as someone who embraces life with a sense of adventure. This year may bring opportunities for travel and new experiences.
Capricorn
Public Persona:Ambitious, serious, and disciplined. You appear responsible and goal-oriented. People may perceive you as someone who takes life seriously and strives for success. This year, your focus on career and long-term goals will be prominent.
Aquarius
Public Persona: Unique, innovative, and independent. You come across as original and forward-thinking. Others see you as someone who values individuality and social causes. This year may involve engaging with community and humanitarian efforts.
Pisces
Public Persona:Dreamy, intuitive, and compassionate. You appear gentle and empathetic, often drawing others in with your warmth. People may see you as creative and sensitive. This year may emphasise spiritual growth and emotional exploration.
Together, these positions give an idea of our focus and where to look for challenges in the year following our solar return. My graphic below also shows how you can celebrate or mark your solar return:
Hopefully this has been interesting and useful for you.
Next week will focus on Jupiter returns
Blessed be
Alan
