The Solar Return

by Robert Wilkinson

The Solar Return is one of the more important charts we can have done. It is a chart done for the exact time each year that the Sun returns to its natal position at the exact degree and minute of longitude as it was at our birth. It provides a snapshot of what the year to come looks like, and stands on its own as a powerful indicator of what we can expect in the year that follows. It is the original reason the birthday was deemed so important, and why we celebrate our birthday every year. It represents the renewal of our light.

The exact degree, minute, and second of our Sun was fixed by the time, date, and place we were born. Each year, the Sun returns to that exact position at some point. It may be our birthday, but I have found it is just as likely to be the day before, and in some cases, the day after. It can fall at any time of the day, as that is dependent on the place we are when it happens.

For example, if it occurs in California at 5:58 pm, it will occur in Texas at 7:58 pm, New York at 8:58 pm, and in London at 1:58 am the next day. Thus you can see the Ascendant changes depending on where we are, which affects which houses the planets will occupy at the Solar Return. The sign and degree of the planets never changes, but the houses do change.

We cannot affect which planets are in square or trine to each other, and cannot shift their sign positions by going somewhere else, but we can shift what’s on the angles, and which houses the planets fall in. Thus we alter the accent of which areas of our lives will be the focus of different planetary energies, rulerships, etc.

Over the years, I have chosen to go to the place where my own Solar Return is most auspiciously placed, to facilitate the most favorable conditions for my “Solar” year that follows. Some years I have stayed home, since that was the most favorable chart, while other years I have flown or driven to other states, or even other cities near my home, to get the best possible chart. It is very auspicious to be meditating on that exact moment, since I believe it provides an exact moment of attunement of our light with the Light.

Every planet in our charts has a return at some point except the outer invisible triad, and even there if we live long enough we’ll get a Uranus return. Most will never get a Neptune or Pluto return, unless we live to 250 years, an unlikely possibility unless we are a fully realized yogi or yogini. That said, we get a Lunar return every month when the Moon returns to our natal Lunar position. We get Mercury and Venus returns once a year, a Mars return every two years, a Jupiter return every 11-12 years, and a Saturn return every 27-29 years.

So we get many planetary returns, and each one sets the following cycle. I believe that many astrologers give the Lunar return more power than it is due while underestimating the power of the Mars return and the Jupiter return, even if finding an “exact time” is more difficult for these due to the relative slowness of their motions. For instance, a Jupiter return can show us how best to apply ourselves spiritually and opportunistically for the 12 year period to come, no small thing.

Of course, everyone dreads the Saturn return, though I have found that it is the time of life when free will works most powerfully to help us throw off the chains that enslave us to obsolete ways of life and claim dominion over our responses and move into the life we should be living rather than the life others have imposed upon us.

Each planetary return has their place of importance in our lives, and offers a picture of the cycle to come. They are interpreted somewhat differently than the natal or progressed charts, since they are merely a snapshot of the transits in a cosmic moment, and are relevant only relative to the natal chart and whatever progressions we have at the time of the return chart. While they have merit as charts to be interpreted in their own right, for maximum understanding they need to be seen in light of the natal rulerships and configurations.

And for those of you who wonder why I’m writing about this now, today is my own Solar return. So on this auspicious day, I send my Aries birthday greetings out to all of you, and hope that you will celebrate with me the renewal of the light in my life. I will certainly continue to send it out to all of you. Namaste !

p.s. No, I'm not worried that the recent eclipse fell so close to my Sun. As I've said, I believe it will usher in very favorable changes for all of us. Have no fear of what is leaving, since what is coming will no doubt be more appropriate to your future than whatever is taken away. Even if it feels bad, it's time to move on, with as much goodwill and positivity as you can muster. Aries can "turn on a dime," and I have no doubt that may be a useful skill in the future.

Comments

[Karen]

Happy birthday Robert!
You have a lot of wisdom coupled with your Aries inspiration.

K

[Felipe Gonzales]

Happy "Soul"ar Return Robert.

May the coming year bring you and yours many blessings and good health.

Your unselfish contribution to humanity, through your remarkable spiritual guidance and insight, is a veritable blessing for all of us.

Thank you for keeping us one click away from the wisdom teachings.

Paz y amor,

[Tahera]

Happy Birthday Robert!

May this year bring you much love, light, happiness, health and blessings from the universe!

Tahera

[Robert]

Thanks, all. I love that so many have checked in, in so many different ways. Aum Namah Shivaya! And the cats send their best as well.

[Ida from NJ]

Happy Birthday Robert!

What made me think you were Aquarian???
Jai,
ida

[Robert]

Thanks, and as always, namaskarams! I have a Moon in Aquarius, and my Sun releases through my Uranus in the 11th house.

[Shelley]

Happy Solar Return Day, Robert!

Having found your blog has been such a blessing to me, I can only hope that you will be exponentially blessed for your selfless efforts to share your wisdom.

You deserve the very best!

[Vicki Evans]

Robert, Happy Solar Return, Happy Birthday!!!
Wishing you the best of the best for the year and always. Have a great celebration!
Blessings be,
Vicki

[Robert]

Thanks, Shelley and Vicki - I'm just back from a great celebration with great friends in Malibu on a great sunny clear Southern California day at the beach. Good food, good company, good cheer. Some days it's great to be alive (and the fruit juice sweetened cheesecake with strawberry whipped cream was absolutely unbelievable!)

[Tomeco]

Happy Solar Return, Robert!

May more blessings than you could ever imagine come to you this year.

:) Tomeco

[mary]

Robert. Happy Solar Return indeed ... you give of your knowledge so generously here .. may you receive much in return this coming year.

[Vick Forman]

Happy Birthday!!! May it be a lovely one.

[Robert]

Thanks, all. It's a great thing to be able to celebrate with so many. (And I think I ate too much cheesecake! I suppose once a year is okay.)

[Diane Scholten]

Robert, I just discovered your blog last week and am blown away by how good it (You!) is/are. Blessings to you on your birthday. Thanks for all the incredible wisdom!

Diane

[Robert]

Hi Diane - Thanks for your kind words. I would like to think this is where the world congregates for some good info, good community, and good inspiration. See you on the front page. Stop by again, and by all means, if you are moved to post a comment, please do so.

[SG]

Happy Birthday! My birthday falls on April 1, so your article on solar returns is very timely! I have a question regarding the article, as my solar return this year seems to actually be more like a perfect storm of returns. In addition to having the eclipse fall near my sun, my Mars return took place a week earlier on 3/26, my Venus return also fell on my birthday, 4/1 and my Mercury return took place just after midnight so it was technically on 4/2, but essentially within about 12 hours of my actual solar return time. I wondered if you had any insight as to the significance of this unusual combination of events. My birth info is 4/1/1974 at 12:32PM in Honolulu, HI.
Thanks so much!

[Robert]

Hi SG - Congrats and Happy Happy, fellow April Fool! The Solar Return positions have their own distinct meaning, as do all the separate returns. We have Mercury and Venus returns close to our Solar Return every few years. The Mars return is a special point, especially for us Aries, though it's hard to pinpoint an exact minute unless you have a really good computer program.

Without going into detail (would take at least two hours to go into significant detail!) I can say that you should find many of your "defaults" re-set, and a sense of whole new beginnings in the areas of the map influenced by these inner planets. The houses ruled by these planets are getting a check-in this year, where what is will seem familiar, as though you've been living with the energies since birth (since you have!) Also, remember your SR could have occurred 31 March, as mine did, due to anomalies in planetary speeds. My hit is that since a return is a form of life renewal, you have multiple new adventures coming, and will be able to use natural skills and tendencies to see who you are, how you do what you do, and feel more comfortable with the traits you have. Mahalo!

[SG]

Thanks! I did check and my SR and it was axactly on 4/1. I have been in a real static situation career-wise, so I would certainly look forward to a year of positive adventures!!

[Katrina]

" Feliz, feliz en tu día,
Amiguito que Dios te bendiga,
que reine la Paz en tu día
y que cumplas muchos más".

[Stevo]

Happy Birthday Robert!!! And many thanks for helping me crack the code of my Saturn in Aries. Mars is definitely my teacher, authority and clock. This realization has brought tremendous focus to my life. Perhaps a life long lesson of understanding the "energy" of my Scorpio Sun. You may also find it interesting to know that "Aries" represents the 7th house of my own Solar Return chart from 10/29 last year. Coincidence? I think not.

Isn't it nice to see(and feel)our Aquarian moons deliver a much-needed Martian punch to the Saturn in Leo? ...lol

"War"mest wishes,

Stevo

[Wild Horse Running]

Happy Birthday Robert!

May the road rise up
to meet you,
May the Wind be always
at your back,
May the Sun shine
warm on your face,
The Rain fall softly
on your fields...

Warm wishes for the New Year...

Namaste...WHR

[Robert]

Hi Katrina, Stevo, and Wild Horse Running - Thanks to you all!

[dcu]

Happy Birthday Robert. I know that this coming year is full of many blessings for all of us. We will be having our full moon group this evening at 6pm local time. Everyone sends their greetings and appreciation for your selfless work. Many Blessings to you on your special day.
dcu

[Jennifer]

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT and SOLAR RETURN TOO!
Had a feeling your site was going to be filled with GLORIOUS WELL-WISHERS! Have a wonderful birthday and a wonderful year ahead and thank you for all your valuable insights into the charts etc.

[Jennifer]

It's me again!
I know I asked you this before,but how can you find out where would be the best place for your chart in order to go there for a Solar Return?