Solar Returns

On July 12th, those in attendance were treated to a delightful and thought provoking presentation on Solar Returns, presented by Audria Gebhardt and Roger Boehner. With such long-standing members of the Astrological Association doing the presenting, I can safely say that at least I was excited about it! So much insight spread out over so much time. Wow!

And boy did they deliver! Audria began the presentation using two charts as examples of what to look for in a Solar Return chart, as well as clarification on what exactly a Solar Return is and how it is useful. She began her presentation by explaining what a Solar Return chart is, and in what context it is useful. Besides emphasizing that the Solar Return chart is a preview of a year when put into context of the natal chart, she also went on to explain the hows and whys of what a Solar Return chart actually is, including the bare bones of how it is calculated. As a matter of fact, I can give you a hint at the perspective she was coming from: “[The Solar Return chart is] what the upcoming year may bring. Angles are the most important to look at.”

While she was giving the first part of her presentation, focusing on the two charts she brought with her as illustration, she shared with us what books she used, and her thoughts on them. For those members that weren’t able to attend, the list is as follows: 1) The Art of Forecasting Using Solar Returns by Anthony Louis, 2) Identifying Planetary Triggers by Celeste Teal (that’s such a cute name, isn’t it?), and 3) Planets in Solar Returns, Revised Edition by Mary Fortier Shea. Oh, and by the way, the two charts she used were even fun. They were two charts of lottery winners!

I could go on and on about what was covered during the presentation, so I will only highlight a few things here: 1) She pointed out the fact that if there is a substantial move during the year, what is affected the most are the houses, 2) The fact that the Solar Return is based on when the degree of the Sun returns-not the actual birthday, so sometimes this may vary, 3) By the affected houses, we can then tell what areas of life are highlighted, 4) Also it should be noted that the natal chart should be taken into consideration as far as aspects are concerned, 5) The fact that every 33 years your Solar Return chart will duplicate angles from your natal chart, 6) Planets on the ascendant tell us what will be brought to the surface and emphasized during the coming year, and 7) A brief example of a technique known as the Quotidian method of Solar Return progressions..

After a brief interlude of fried chicken, cheese and sausage, and lots of chocolate (yum!), Roger then presented from his experience on the same topic.

For those of you that may not be familiar with Roger, I will just say this. He is a very sharp, mathematical, and “big picture” astrologer. He began his presentation by explaining his own system that he uses. Thus, he had some really good handouts!

The first thing he addressed was the fact that angles represent psychological influences as they are not bodies in space, but they have an impact none the less. Secondly, he explained that when he looks at Solar Returns, he prefers Sidereal Solar Returns. He made this decision based on an article in the AFA newsletter many moons ago. As part of this, he explained that Solar Return energy could be considered as “outsourced energy” coming inward, whereas the natal chart could be considered inward energy pouring out. Next he reminded us that the angles and the Moon are different when put into context of the Sidereal Solar Return. Roughly, the procession is 50 seconds a year. To quote Roger: “Sidereal astrology is the fixed zodiac.”

As proof of his system, he shared with us that when he looks at a Solar Return Sidereal chart, he looks at angles predominantly, and that he leaves houses, for the most part, out of it. Since the point of a Solar Return chart is to tell us what is coming up for the year, he reminded us of something that is true of transits in general: “Planets are not unloading all the time.” To illustrate his views, he shared with us that any planet that is on an angle is the one that’s going to be the most influential. Another point that he shared with us is that Sidereal Solar Return charts don’t deal with aspects. As he put it, “Angles are your consciousness.”

See what I said in the beginning? Delightful, thought provoking, and chocolate, too!

by Bill Duvendack

Bulletin of the AAStL, Vol. 19, No. 2
July / August / September 2009