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Planets in Solar Return Report for:
Barack ObamaAugust 4, 196119:24Honolulu, Hawaii
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Solar Return calculated for:August 4, 20083:50:43Honolulu, Hawaii
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Astrologer Anne Massey, CAP, ISAR, Maya Management Ltdwww.astrologicallyspeaking.comphone: 604-888-9552email:anne@astrologicallyspeaking.com
*** INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR RETURNS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION ***
What is a Solar Return Chart?
A solar return chart is a chart erected for the time that the transiting Sun returns to the position of the natal Sun. Approximately once every year the transiting Sun goes through the entire zodiac, every degree, minute, and second of each sign. When you are born, the Sun in your natal chart has a specific position in the zodiac. This position can be measured exactly. At some point in time during each subsequent year, the transiting Sun returns to this natal position, conjuncting your natal Sun. The date and time when the conjunction occurs down to the exact second of arc is the time of the solar return chart. A chart is then calculated for that date, using the time (of the transiting Sun's return to your natal Sun's position), and your location (longitude and latitude) at the time of the conjunction.
Tropical, Placidus, Nonprecessed Solar Return
There are many different types of solar return charts: tropical, sidereal, precessed, and nonprecessed. This report is based on research using tropical, Placidus or Koch, nonprecessed solar return charts. Interpretations are very similar to natal interpretations and this should make the material more understandable to both the professional and amateur astrologer.
Solar Return Location
The solar return chart is generally calculated for your location at the time of the Sun's return. This may occur on your birthday, or the day before or after. During leap years, it sometimes occurs two days before your birthday. If you are going to be away or traveling near your birthday, calculate the time of the Sun's return before you leave so you can note your position the exact moment of the solar return.
You can also calculate the chart for your natal birth location even if you no longer live there. The natal location solar return chart is not as definitive as the relocation solar return, but it can give you good information. The natal location solar return is like a progressed or solar arc chart; you are born with it. Therefore, a natal solar return cannot and will not reflect any free will choices you might have made regarding where you live or where you are when the sun returns. It is a good chart, but it does not mirror the whole picture, especially if you have moved a great distance.
Some individuals prefer the chart calculated for their place of residence regardless of where they are located at the time of the Sun's return. This chart can be useful also, but again, it tends to be secondary to the chart of your actual location at the time of the Sun's return to its natal zodiacal position.
Some individuals relocate for a short period of time, usually about 24 hours, to adjust the house placements of the planets in the solar return. Those who calculate the chart for where they are at the time of the transiting Sun's conjunction to the natal position sometimes travel to other locations to change the yearly interpretation. The relocation adjusts the angles and cusps, orienting the planets into different houses. The zodiacal degrees and aspects of the planets remain the same, but because of the different planetary placements different areas of life are emphasized. The free will choice to make this adjustment seems to bring this chart closest to the truth.
Period of the Solar Return's Significance
The significance of the solar return runs birthday to birthday with a three month overlap at the beginning and end of each year. The symbolism of the new solar return can be felt as much as three months before the birthday by very intuitive people. Usually, at this time, one becomes aware of new directions, opportunities, and problems. Many times there is even an event exactly three months before the birthday which triggers awareness and signals the beginning of the new solar return. This event is usually very much related to the new solar return and very much out of context with the old one. If you have plans to travel overseas during the three months before your birthday, do not look for the event in the old solar return even if you have been planning to take the trip all year. The old solar return will probably indicate the planning stage, but the new solar return will indicate the trip. The trip itself illustrates change, and since it occurs in the three months before your birthday, it will most likely be indicative of the new solar return chart.
On the other hand, the significance of the old solar return may not feel passé until three months after your birthday. The old themes and issues which you have worked with for the year should begin to lose their importance just as the new solar return starts to manifest itself. As your attention naturally shifts to new themes and issues, previous concerns are phased out. This is especially true if you experience a sense of completion relevant to the old tasks. However, there are times when the old solar return drags on. If you are working on a major project for the year, it may be impossible to complete it within the one year time span. If you normally procrastinate and avoid making decisions, tasks associated with the old solar return can easily last past your birthday and into the first three months of the new solar return year. Unresolved issues carried over from year to year become stumbling blocks to further advancement and development. Individuals who consistently avoid facing the real issues in their lives accumulate major problems which are very difficult to handle.
The important thing to remember about solar returns, and life experiences in general, is that they are part of a cumulative process. The more attentive and productive you are this year, the greater your options next year. The less you accomplish now, the more limited you will feel as time goes by. Unlike transits which can seem disconnected and singular, solar returns are closely aligned and can easily be viewed as building blocks, one upon the other, year after year. For this reason, each year becomes important and each task has a history and a future. The rhythmic pattern of the solar return helps us to see this.
The main transitional month for the change from the old solar return to the new solar return is the month directly preceding the birthday. Issues related to the old solar return are resolved at this time unless they drag on (as explained above), or they are part of the new solar return as well. Issues related to the new solar return become more pressing during this transitional month and are certainly full blown by the birthdate. Sometimes the new solar return simply gains strength during the three months before your birthday and sometimes it comes in with a bang on or near your birthday. Rarely does it happen that a solar return chart starts to change manifestation later in the year. Themes in the chart usually persist for the entire year, but once in a great while one new theme will appear later than expected. In every case, the new theme can be seen in the solar return chart, yet it lay there inactive for some unknown reason. An external event is the triggering mechanism used to activate this inert awareness, and the event generally occurs within the three months following the birthday. It can be hypothesized that unconscious factors help to avoid full involvement with this new issue until such time as it is associated with an external event of importance and thereafter becomes very obvious.
Planets conjunct a house cusp within a few degrees may be read in both houses. It is especially important to read outer planets in both houses since they eventually transit or retrograde into the other house, indicating dual or shifting concerns during the year. The more planets that are in a solar return house, the more emphasized that area of life will be during the coming year, especially if the Sun is one of the planets present. Four or more planets in any one house indicate a strong need to be involved with those themes and issues. But the individual may become so focused on this one area of life that perception is distorted and these themes are overemphasized. He or she may not want to think about anything else or accomplish tasks in other areas. The overloaded house becomes a symbol for obsessive preoccupation or emotional overload.
*** Astrological Data of Birth ***
The birth chart is a map of the positions of the planets at the time and place of birth. For the benefit of students of astrology, these positions and other technical information is listed below:
Sun 12 Leo 33 Neptune 8 Sco 36
Moon 3 Gem 21 Pluto 6 Vir 59
Mercury 2 Leo 20 Asc. 18 Aqu 03
Venus 1 Can 47 MC 28 Sco 54
Mars 22 Vir 35 2nd cusp 22 Pis 05
Jupiter 0 Aqu 52 3rd cusp 27 Ari 23
Saturn 25 Cap 20 5th cusp 23 Gem 03
Uranus 25 Leo 16 6th cusp 18 Can 42
Tropical Koch Standard Time observed
August 4, 1961 19:24
GMT: 05:24:00 Time Zone: 10 hours West
Lat. and Long. of birth place: 21 N 18 25 157 W 51 30
Astrological Data of Solar Return:
Sun 12 Leo 33 Neptune 23 Aqu 09
Moon 23 Vir 06 Pluto 28 Sag 49
Mercury 18 Leo 47 Asc. 11 Can 47
Venus 28 Leo 02 MC 3 Ari 37
Mars 20 Vir 39 2nd cusp 8 Leo 26
Jupiter 14 Cap 21 3rd cusp 5 Vir 37
Saturn 8 Vir 09 5th cusp 11 Sco 30
Uranus 22 Pis 05 6th cusp 13 Sag 47
August 4, 2008 GMT: 13:50:43
Honolulu, Hawaii 21 N 18 25 157 W 51 30
Aspects and orbs:
Sun and Moon only All other planets
Conj. : 8 Deg. 00 Min. 7 Deg. 00 Min.
Oppos. : 6 Deg. 00 Min. 6 Deg. 00
Square : 6 Deg. 00 Min. 6 Deg. 00 Min.
Trine : 6 Deg. 00 Min. 6 Deg. 00 Min.
Sextile: 5 Deg. 00 Min. 4 Deg. 00 Min.
ELEMENTS, MODES, QUADRANTS, AND RETROGRADE PLANETS
Zero or One Cardinal Planet
A lack of cardinal planets implies a need for simplification. It is common for the focus of attention to narrow from many activities to one major project or concern that dominates your perception for the year. For example, new mothers are usually primarily concerned with the care and feeding of the infant. Where many cardinal planets can show a scattering of energy, a lack of cardinal planets is more likely to be associated with a concentration of energy in one particular area.
However, the lack of cardinal planets can also imply a lack of activity. The pace of life can slow down because of external situations, or because of self-imposed limitations. You may decide that the schedule you keep is too hectic and consciously cut back on future obligations and activities. Occasionally illness will play a role, but generally this is only true if you are overtaxed and still have trouble saying "No" to new obligations. You will be less than energetic if you allow others to dictate your schedule and activities. Follow your own inner needs; this is a good time to work on the essentials only. Narrow your focus and push ahead full steam on that one project or issue that you want to concentrate on.
Five or More Mutable Planets
The more planets you have in the mutable signs, the more likely you are to be involved in changing circumstances. This is a year when you are better able to recognize subtle fluctuations in your situation as they occur. You are also aware of major changes as they occur little by little. Major transitions are anticipated long before they occur; consequently, you are able to adapt and prepare. Think of this as ad-libbing life. New developments and information necessitate constant reassessments and adjustments to your situation; therefore, this may not be the best time to come up with a master plan of how things should proceed. It will be much easier to handle daily issues as they arise, keeping a future goal or direction in mind. The key to handling changes at this time may be learning to ride the waves and make the adjustments necessary to stay on top of the situation.
There is a greater tendency to accept and adapt to changes as they occur than to initiate new changes yourself. Many times changes that other people are making or have made in the recent past directly affect your life. In some situations, you may feel that you have little freedom of choice and must adapt to surroundings that are different from those you have been used to in the past. At times, changes may be severe enough to cause anxiety, nervous upsets, and stress, and you should remember to take time for relaxation techniques.
Zero or One Air Planet
The lack of air in a solar return chart is associated with several different manifestations, but basically only one underlying personality trait. It implies that rational thinking is not the major component of your decision-making process during this year. Depending on what other element is emphasized, you may be very practical (earth), emotional (water), or inspired (fire). Because of the lack of air, you might not be objective. A personal perspective will predominate. Without the lightness of the air quality, you might take life too seriously.
Charts with little or no air can also indicate a year of little forethought. You may be impulsive, jumping first, thinking later. You respond to external events in a reactive way rather than planning your moves, especially if the water element is prominent. These reactions may be unconscious knee-jerk reflexes rather than considered responses formulated after a clear perception and assessment of the situation.
This lack can indicate inexperience if you are involved in a new activity or unfamiliar situation. Hence, it follows that you do not have the experience or knowledge necessary for what you are trying to accomplish. For example, suppose you buy an older home that needs a lot of renovation and you've never done this type of work before. You will undoubtedly spend many hours reading books and consulting with experts as you renovate the house. You learn by trial and error. Sometimes you do things well the first time and sometimes you do them over. For this reason, you may feel intellectually incompetent. This is not meant to imply that you cannot be successful in your endeavors this year. You can be very successful, but usually this will occur through a process of trial and error.
It is also common to feel uninformed. In its worst manifestation, it is a feeling of stupidity. But in its best manifestation, it is a thirst for knowledge and the courage to take risks attempting new tasks. This is an excellent time to gather information about new fields of interest, or to attend school.
Zero or One Water Planet
People with a lack of water in their solar return charts may find it difficult to express emotions or respond to emotional situations in a natural way. It could be more difficult for these people to make a complete emotional circuit, one in which they are nurtured, and in turn, are able to nurture others. Some of these individuals are victims of the strong-woman or strong-man syndrome. They pride themselves on being emotionally self-sufficient and self-contained, but may be experiencing a new depth of emotion which they need time to learn how to express more openly. There is a tendency not to do so.
The third alternative is that the emotional side of life is just not a major consideration this year. This can be a time of intellectual or practical pursuits. A more rational orientation might be warranted. The danger is that the lack of emotional expression might be associated with sadness, loneliness or psychological stress, but this need not be the case. Other facets of the personality can take precedence.
THE SUN IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
The Sun is the most significant planet in the solar return chart. Its position by house shows the most emphasized area of life during the coming year, how and where you expend the greatest amount of energy. The house placement of the Sun is reflected in the interpretation of the other planets, and may be the motivating force behind their symbolism.
Sun in 2nd house:
In general, the Sun in the 2nd house is not a sign of monetary gain; in fact, it is more likely that you will feel underpaid. This is the year to reassess your worth as an employee or business owner and decide how much you should be earning. You may find that your work is not fully appreciated and it is really worth more than you are presently being paid. This is a time to map out a plan to earn more money; however, your salary will probably not increase much this year. Usually, individuals with 2nd house Suns do not get a pay raise until the following year when their Suns move into the 11th house, the 2nd (money house) of the 10th (career).
If you are running a business or a household, learn to budget your money or work with an accounting program. You need to pay attention to the way money is handled and spent; it may be slipping away wastefully. Financial practices that you incorporate this year can lead to money saved for future major purchases and projects. Lack of fiscal responsibility can lead to financial problems and limitations.
Reassessing your sense of self-worth will also involve analyzing how you are being treated by others. You may find that you do not command enough respect. If you have very little self-esteem you may be involved in physically or verbally abusive relationships, but it is more common to have established a pattern of devaluing your own needs and abilities in comparison to the needs and abilities of others. If others come first in your life and you always come last, it is time to make adjustments. Although you have probably helped to establish this negative pattern, others have helped to reinforce it and now everyone needs to change consciously. Now is the time to stand up for yourself. Expect equal consideration; if you must, demand it.
Learning to value yourself is just one side of this issue. All values need to be prioritized. What you once thought was desirable is now no longer attractive. You may grow more materialistic; or conversely, you may stress inner qualities rather than money. But in either case you will need to make decisions and set priorities during the year. A moral or ethical conflict is common. Usually there is a shift toward more traditional codes of behavior.
Some individuals make a definitive moral or ethical statement. They feel compromised by their jobs, situations or relationships, and feel compelled to stand up for what they believe in, ignoring the physical, emotional or financial consequences their stand will bring. This is the placement of the whistle-blower.
The 2nd house is also concerned with overindulgence, such as overeating, smoking, drinking, impulse spending and promiscuity. You are more apt to be aware of excessive behavior during the year, and consequently seek to control it.
Sun Aspects Mercury
Just as in the natal chart, the solar return Sun is never more than 28 degrees from Mercury so does not form any major aspects other than the conjunction. Mercury conjunct the Sun indicates that the intellectual mind is actively involved in the goals of the Sun. Reading, writing, learning, and communication in all forms will be important to the pursuit.
THE MOON IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
The solar return Moon seems to have two consistent themes throughout all of the houses. First and most simply, the Moon is associated with change and fluctuation according to its house position. Secondly, and probably more importantly, the Moon reflects the individual's emotional nature during the solar return year.
The Moon as an Emotional Indicator
While we speak of the Moon as simply an indication of one's emotional nature, the actual interpretation of the Moon is more complex than simple. The Moon is not just an indicator of feelings; one's emotional nature is a multidimensional conglomeration of feelings, temperament, needs, and unconscious responses. We cannot look at the Moon as one-sided; we must study its interpretation from a number of perspectives.
The Moon represents the individual's feelings regardless of whether or not they are expressed openly. The type of feelings you have during the year can be demonstrated by the Moon's sign, position, and aspects. The Moon's sign can be important even though the Moon has essentially only nineteen placements, because it is indicative of what the individual feels during the year and how he or she is most likely to exhibit those feelings.
The major difference between an individual's feelings and basic temperament is that feelings tend to make up one's basic temperament. The word temperament implies one's overall pattern of emotional response; it is an emotional factor that remains constant regardless of the circumstances. On the other hand, feelings imply a specific emotion in response to a particular event or situation. For example, moody people have emotional swings. Their feelings change depending whether or not they are experiencing happy or sad events; however, their proclivity toward emotional highs and lows remains constant regardless of their particular mood at any point in time. Despite feelings of joy or depression, they still have a moody disposition. The solar return Moon's sign is generally very descriptive of your emotional temperament. It can suggest an array of emotional characteristics including moodiness, sensitivity, coldness, or enthusiasm.
Emotional needs play a crucial role in the Moon's cycle of change and emotional maturation. As explained above, the Moon moves in an understandable pattern through the solar return. During each year, the individual knows certain emotional needs must be met in order to feel secure and fulfilled. These needs, which fluctuate from year to year, cause the individual to create the variety of situations necessary for emotional maturity.
Conscious or Unconscious Emphasis
The Moon also signifies the unconscious experience. While Mercury's placement will suggest what the person is consciously thinking, the Moon's placement will suggest what the individual is experiencing on an unconscious level. Together, the Moon and Mercury (and sometimes also the Sun) symbolize the balance between conscious and the unconscious processes. We like to think that our decisions are based on the integration of rational and emotional information, but during any given solar return year, one process more than the other can influence our decisions, perceptions, and motivations. The focus of attention shifts to accommodate fluctuations in individual patterns of growth. There will be years when you lean more heavily on your emotional responses, tending to trust your instincts and follow your intuition. But there will be other years when you depend more on a logical assessment of your situation.
The emphasis on the unconscious usually indicates a year in which the native will be interested in fostering emotional connections and unconscious insights. Logic and factual information may not be meaningful within the context of present situations, which will tend to be emotional. Example situations include (but are not limited to): involvement in counseling, therapy or self-help discussion groups; intense family situations (related to birth, child-rearing, sickness or death); and very nurturing social situations (e.g., communal living, helping the disabled, underprivileged or homeless). Emotional interactions and perceptions will naturally be more important if they are more likely to provide vital information needed to handle experiences during the coming year. An emphasis on the unconscious nature is conducive to emotional growth.
All forms of mental activity are associated with an emphasis on the conscious mind, including educational and informational activities. Teaching, learning, lecturing, and writing are several examples. An emphasis on the conscious mind is conducive to intellectual growth.
Solar Return Moon in 3rd house:
The Moon in the 3rd house is a sign that emotional influences compete or unite with rational thoughts for decision-making power. The interplay between these two levels of thought, the conscious and the unconscious levels, is key to the pattern of growth. If you depend too much on the conscious level, you might be trying to suppress or analyze your feelings before they are even apparent. This will not work. Feelings just are, and must be appreciated as they exist before symbols emerge and they can be understood. On the other hand, you may feel more ruled by unconscious urges than clear-headed rationalism. Within this scenario, feelings overwhelm common sense and burst into the open when you least expect it. Freudian slips are possible despite your conscious efforts for restraint, and you inadvertently say things that were better left unsaid. Although these comments honestly reflect your true feelings, they go too far and reveal more than is in your best interest or the best interest of others.
The key to working with this placement is understanding the need for conscious and unconscious appreciation, integration, and consensus. This is not the time to depend totally on either conscious thoughts or feelings. It is the integration of the two levels of understanding which is most informative. Emotions will be the basis of learning, but once feelings have reached the surface, it is most insightful to understand them within the context of the total experience, both rational and emotional. For example, if you attend group therapy sessions during the year, you will focus on the psychological meaning of what is being said rather than the actual physical details. However, once the emotions have risen to the surface repeatedly, patterns of response will be intellectually understood.
The combination of an emotional planet in a rational house can also indicate that you get mixed messages. You may not be exactly sure when you are thinking and when you are responding from the gut level. You may even be of two minds, especially regarding a relationship. Your heart tells you one thing while your mind tells you another. Competition, rather than integration, is possible in those who do not work towards comprehension. Positively, this is a strong combination for those who yearn to integrate feelings and thoughts, and experience life as multidimensional yet whole. If you are a writer, artist, psychologist, counselor or holistic practitioner, the placement of the Moon in the 3rd house can indicate that you experience the conscious and unconscious mind as a unit working together. The artist can use creative projects to explore and understand emotional themes. If you are a counselor or involved in therapy yourself, you can use the conscious mind to decipher and interpret unconscious messages. Used wisely, mixed messages can lead to great insight.
You can become a more public personality, especially in your own neighborhood or area of expertise. For example, one individual with the Moon in the 3rd house of the solar return had been working for a large organization. He then started his own business and began pushing his own products. He was lifted from the obscurity of the company to a more public position. What you do and say will become more noticeable this year. Your demeanor and presentation are important. You can make a lasting impression on those who see or hear you in a public capacity. You may even be a role model for others. Therefore it is important that you maintain a good public image and reputation.
Neighborhood selection is important to those who are thinking of purchasing a home. If you are already settled, this is a good time to become more involved with your neighbors and community associations.
Moon Aspects Pluto
The Moon in aspect to Pluto implies an emotional make-up which is complicated by unconscious psychological influences. Emotions may be tainted or seasoned by events or complexes from the past, and you could be reliving a former happening in an immediate situation. Feelings seem more volatile, intense or even overwhelming. Reasoning can be based on emotional factors and simply defy logic.
Relationships are likely to be affected and psychological influences will distort communications. This may be a time when you are in close contact with someone who is not always rational and you must deal with issues in an insightful way. In extreme cases, the other person needs counseling. This is a good time to become more aware of manipulations and psychological games. You may merely perceive these influences or you may be directly involved, playing either manipulator or manipulated.
Moon-Pluto contacts, at their worst, imply emotional power struggles for control. You may think you are struggling with another person, but really, you are only struggling with yourself. For example, suppose you are a woman of limited means married to a wealthy man who is very tight with his money. Since you resent your husband's power over your economic situation, you might decide to withhold sexual relations. You have now gained some power over your husband's life and the two of you have established a power struggle which complicates your relationship. Although you have succeeded in controlling your husband's behavior to some extent, you have not gained any power over your own existence. Your situation has not improved much and you are still without financial recourse. There are more positive ways to handle this situation. You and your husband could decide to seek marriage counseling to discover why you need this impediment to emotional intimacy. You could enter therapy yourself to analyze why you choose to remain with such a stingy person. Or you could get a job, earn your own money, and totally frustrate your husband's attempts to control you.
Emotional blackmail and manipulation only work if you allow another person to have control over some portion of your life. As soon as you begin to control yourself and take responsibility for your own well-being, manipulators lose all power.
Not all Moon-Pluto contacts involve difficult circumstances. Writers, counselors, psychology students or those whose work depends on their ability to understand human nature tend to have Moon-Pluto contacts in their solar returns during important years. It is the awareness of the psychological and emotional influences which is significant and not the struggle itself. Knowledge brings power. Use this time to become aware of how unconscious drives affect your life. A very pleasant reason for being so emotional is an involvement in a new and exciting romantic relationship. All relationships, even those which are established, are subject to change and new insight. Domestic situations are also in the process of changing. Moving or planning to move is possible.
Moon Aspects Uranus
Probably the most common activity associated with a Moon-Uranus aspect in a solar return chart is moving from one home to another. You may move yourself, or help someone either move in or out of your home. Domestic changes are likely. Usually, a certain amount of disruption transpires in the home. Expect breaks in your daily routine and habits. Most likely, relationships are also changing. You could be involved in a new relationship, or an old one may be going through a period of transition or separation. Either you or your partner initiates these changes.
Strong attractions are possible at this time, but this is not the most common manifestation. If you feel you are caught in an emotional rut, changes are more likely to occur. The external changes you experience in relationships are the direct result of internal restlessness. It stands to reason that if your situation and emotional needs change, you will be faced with new issues and problems, and be required to develop new ways of expressing yourself emotionally. This is one way to break inhibitions. The involvement in new situations will accentuate your ability or inability to handle emotions and relationships in a positive way. At the very worst, emotional control will be difficult and feelings will be erratic. You may be overwhelmed one day and detached or cool the next. You could say or do things without really considering the emotional consequences, but then, this might free you up to make necessary changes quickly and easily.
Moon Aspects Mars
Moon-Mars aspects imply involvement in a situation which is emotionally uncomfortable yet rewarding, a mixed blessing. The energies represented here suggest working at cross-purposes and you may have ambivalent feelings about your circumstances. An example for illustrative purposes might be found in the experience of trying to comfort a sick baby. You know the baby is sick and does not feel well so you do everything you can to comfort the poor child. But at the same time, you become very frustrated if nothing you do seems to stop the screaming. At that point, stress is competing with concern and mixed feelings arise.
Mars in aspect to the Moon is very suggestive of contradictory emotions. The Moon symbolizes our nurturing qualities and emotional nature. Mars, on the other hand, symbolizes our independence and assertiveness. The basic interpretations for these two planets are so different that they tend to remain separate like oil and water. They represent two sides of the coin or different perspectives on one situation. For instance, a common situation often involving mixed emotions is having to say good-bye to a good friend because one of you is moving. If you are the person left behind, you may feel happy for your friend, but still sad about your loss. If you are the person moving, you may be excited about the move, yet sorry to be leaving. The purpose of the mixed feelings is to call attention to your own emotional needs (Moon) and take appropriate action accordingly (Mars). The mother of the fussy infant may need to take five minutes away from the baby to cope with stress. The person who is moving may need to concentrate on maintaining friendships even after relocation.
Moon-Mars aspects suggest that emotional situations are not simple and usually involve a strange combination of contradictory emotions. They can also indicate that you might act in a way that detracts from your own sense of security and well-being, thereby creating stress. An example could be involvement in an extra-marital affair. A Moon-Mars combination is not necessarily difficult, nor must it involve your personal life. It can refer to professional endeavors or social activism. You can be motivated to act because you are affected emotionally by what you see. If you are upset by conditions in a poor section of town, you might be motivated to volunteer your services at a local soup kitchen. The unpleasantness you feel implies the need to look at your surroundings more closely and work to correct or improve conditions.
MERCURY IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
Mercury has two basic interpretations in the solar return chart: it symbolizes both your mental condition during the coming year and what you are thinking about. The first task involved in understanding Mercury's interpretation is to evaluate the indicators for mental conditioning and the possible sources of tension.
Solar Return Mercury in 2nd house:
Mercury in the 2nd house is associated with financial planning and monetary decisions. Planning usually involves immediate financial needs rather than long-range retirement plans, which tend to be more closely related to placements in the 4th house of the solar return chart. More specific to Mercury in the 2nd house are conscious decisions about expenditures and income, and discussions about establishing a household budget. You need to discover how your money is being spent and may keep detailed lists of expenditures. If you have been an impulsive buyer in the past, you may decide that now is the time to carefully assess the necessity of each future purchase.
You may also want to make decisions about the amount of money you are earning. It may be necessary for you to get a job if you are not already employed, or earn more through overtime or part-time work. For those who are already working, this is a time to reassess the amount of money you are earning in relation to the quality of work you put out. The 2nd house rules one's sense of self-worth. Mercury in the 2nd can indicate that you decide that you deserve more money (rarely less), not because you need more or less to live on, but because your salary should be commensurate with your value as a worker. You are apt to be very vocal about renegotiating your salary. This is a good time to get your facts straight and graphically illustrate your increased productivity. Keep a log of money-saving ideas you have generated for your company and the amount of money you were able to save. Be certain of your facts and don't overestimate your productivity or worth. If you are self-employed, run a cost analysis of your office expenses and raise prices accordingly.
Self-worth issues are also common for those who are not employed or who only do volunteer work. You may feel that the services you offer to others are taken for granted. You need to hear how much you are appreciated. If you reassess what you do for others in regard to how well you are treated by these same people, you may decide that you should expect better treatment. Encourage others to appreciate what you do for them. Also learn to appreciate yourself. If time spent helping others drains away time you should spend on your own needs, it is essential that you prioritize tasks so that all the essential ones are completed first. Do not shortchange yourself. Your needs may be as important as the needs of others. This is a good time to make changes because you deserve more consideration and better treatment. Decide to limit your contact with people who do not respect your needs, to avoid situations that are not good for you.
Mercury Aspects Neptune
Neptune in aspect to Mercury in the solar return chart suggests working with the less clearly defined psychological drives such as compassion, creativity, and spirituality. Your sensitivity to subtle emotional connections among all people increases your concern for certain individuals in particular and humanity as a whole. You are able to acquire information through intuitive and psychic insights. Dealing with these subtle themes can lead to some uncertainty and confusion in the thinking process. Increased intuitive or psychic awareness can precede the ability to weigh this information for its accuracy. It is sometimes difficult to discriminate between what is really psychic and what is more closely akin to worry, fear, or false hope. It is also difficult to find practical applications for idealistic concepts and inspirations which are represented by this combination. Therefore, stress can sometimes be associated with the more spiritual manifestations of Neptune-Mercury aspects.
Important factual information that you receive during the year may be partial, inaccurate, or vague. Sometimes secrecy and deception play a role. Your normal points of reference for evaluating information may be changing. Without adequate facts, you may be left hanging for most of the year. It may be impossible for you to make a decision at this time or to evaluate your circumstances. You may be easily confused or misled, especially if the information you receive is inconsistent or incomplete. In older individuals, confusion may actually be senility. Neptune's most negative interpretation is a loss of mental capabilities through drug and alcohol use or abuse. This tends to be an uncommon manifestation that is more closely associated with an individual pattern of consistent negative behavior. Most people will not fall into this trap.
Put your trust in the Universe during times of uncertainty. Focus on compassion rather than a search for mundane truth. Understand that in the end, all will be known. Be gentle with yourself when you are not as focused and detail-oriented as you used to be. Mercury-Neptune aspects can indicate a call to the right-brain, creative, artistic, intuitive, and spiritual processes. Go with the flow of consciousness and open to a whole new way of knowing and perceiving.
VENUS IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
Venus is the key to understanding your relationships and financial situation for the solar return year. Many times these two areas go hand in hand; financial security tends to be coupled with secure relationships while financial difficulties are more likely to occur when close relationships are strained. Although this correlation is common, it is not the rule, and interpretations for finances and relationships should always be viewed separately. When assessing Venus in the chart, evaluate Venus twice, first with respect to the other relationship factors in the solar return and then with respect to the other monetary indicators. In this way, you can develop a clear picture of each area of concern.
Venus also indicates a need for comfort and it is informative to note what has preceded Venus in its present house position. If, during this year, Venus resides in a house which last year represented an area of conflict, Venus would imply an improvement in the conditions associated with that house and may indicate a healing process. Benefits commonly follow after much hard work. A Venus placement in the solar return chart following a more difficult placement during the previous year can indicate great reward. Your awareness of this possibility may encourage you to work harder in more problematic areas since you can see the rewards in the following year.
Relationships
Venus, by house, shows what relationships will be important during the coming year. For example, Venus in the 3rd house might indicate that relationships with neighbors or community involvement will be emphasized. With Venus in the 6th house, pleasant office conditions, and good co-worker relationships will be important. But the interpretation of relationships as they appear in the solar return chart involves more than an understanding of Venus' house placement. Look at the 5th and the 7th houses, especially if you are interested in a love relationship. The more planets in these houses, particularly the 7th house, the greater the need to relate on a one-to-one basis. Generally, the 5th house shows sexual affairs, while the 7th house indicates a greater commitment (though not necessarily marriage). Clandestine affairs or secret relationships are more likely to occur when Venus and/or the Moon appear in the 12th house.
One fact about marriage and the solar return chart is surprising. The solar return is not necessarily a good indicator of a marriage during the year. The beginning of a relationship might be easily seen, but the marriage itself is more likely to be reflected in other techniques. On the other hand, postponement of a marriage or the refusal to make a commitment can be easily seen with Saturn, Uranus or Neptune in the 7th house.
Finances
Venus also relates to money and finances, and can be used to evaluate these circumstances for the coming solar return year. The house placement for Venus may indicate how you are most likely to generate income. This is sometimes true, but not always. Venus in the 9th implies a teaching salary, but if you don't teach, the emphasis will be on your beliefs concerning relationships. Don't stretch your economic interpretation of Venus' house placement. If the house position applies, the situation will be obvious. If the house position does not seem to apply to finances in particular, Venus will be more consistent with relationship situations during the year.
For finances, it is perhaps more important to look at the planetary placements in the 2nd, 6th, 10th, and 11th houses, especially if you are interested in the amount of money you will be able to earn by employment. The 2nd house is the primary money house, but it also gives indications of spending practices. Any planets in the 2nd can reflect your salary and/or your spending practices (regardless of how much money you earn); it is always possible to spend more than you make or make more than you spend.
Solar Return Venus in 2nd house:
One might think that Venus in the 2nd house of the solar return would be associated with increased money and materialism. Certainly you pay more attention to finances with this placement. But rather than increased money, Venus in the 2nd house is more likely to indicate easy money, the kind that requires no extra work on your part. The epitome of this interpretation is money that comes to you through welfare or unemployment checks. This is a possibility, although usually not the case. The most common manifestation is that money comes more easily because you cut back on your hours at work or refuse overtime. You may earn a little less, but the quality of your life seems more important than the extra income.
Venus in the 2nd normally indicates you are comfortable with the money you have or earn, so it is most likely that you anticipated this cutback in salary and either paid off your debts or made adjustments in your budget so the financial loss would not be noticeable.
Another common manifestation for this Venus placement is an increase in salary or funds available. As a rule, pay raises will not involve a great increase in time or effort on your part. If you work as a salesperson, you may land a huge account, thereby raising your commission without increasing your work load. If you are employed at a steady salary, you may be given a raise or bonus.
Another alternative is changing jobs and getting paid more for doing the same work. Your salary may remain the same, but funds become available through other means. Suppose you sell your home at a great profit and decide not to buy another home, or purchase one at a lower price. This leaves more money available without any extra work. Even if you do not get a raise, or do not work, small checks may come in the mail from unexpected sources (dividends, refunds, interest, etc.). Probably none of the checks will be large, but you will find them helpful. During the year, you should feel comfortable with the amount of money you have available to spend. You are unlikely to feel impoverished.
You are in the process of reassessing your value system. Priorities may be changed or even reversed. What may have been important before is no longer crucial; what you once took for granted is now cherished. Usually the shift is toward an appreciation of inner beauty and the quality of life, but some people experience Venus in the 2nd house as a surge in materialism. You may not want to do extra work to increase your cash flow, so you will try to think of less taxing ways to get more money.
You might also experience a moral or ethical conflict at this time, especially if Venus is heavily emphasized. Venus in the 2nd shows that moral issues will be reassessed, especially the issue of monogamy or loyalty to one person. Contrary to what one might think, traditional concepts are not always stressed. The interpretation of Venus in this house seems to be most closely related to proclivities shown in the natal chart and the rest of the solar return. Ethical issues focus on monetary practices such as accurate expense account reporting, appropriate fees for services rendered, and the disposition of funds. Several aspects to Venus in the 2nd can indicate mixed feelings with regard to these moral or ethical issues.
Venus Aspects Pluto
Pluto-Venus contacts show intense emotional involvements and complicated financial situations. New relationships can be especially compelling, and like the moth to the flame, you are drawn to particular individuals without understanding why. Unconscious forces play a major role in this type of relationship. Eventually you may discover that you have met the perfect mate, but in the beginning, the perceived loss of control and diminished rationality is disconcerting. Regardless of what you think or plan, you end up reacting to situations in a spontaneous and revealing manner. Your usual psychological defenses don't seem to work, while all your unconscious complexes are laid bare for the world to see; consequently, a persistent sense of vulnerability becomes coupled with your growing need for intimacy.
In both new and old relationships, Pluto-Venus aspects can indicate considerable emotional growth, but not without a good understanding of the unconscious urges and psychological games that are impediments to intimacy. Awareness of these intimacy barriers is crucial to the Plutonian process, while learning to deal effectively with these influences affects the success of the relationship. Obviously, this is a good time for counseling of any kind.
Situational barriers include involvement with married, gay or bisexual partners, those living in a different locality, or those who realistically cannot be fully present or involved for one reason or another. These factors represent preexisting impediments to intimacy that were probably known or suspected before the relationship even began.
Psychological impediments to intimacy are those unconscious complexes which distort reality and destroy trust. These include, but are not limited to, possessiveness, obsessive thinking, sexual preferences, compulsive behaviors and controlling attitudes. Potential or existing partners can exhibit a new or troubling flaw (which may or may not be serious). For example, a very extravagant young lady was totally in love with her boyfriend, but troubled by his lack of wealth. She wanted him to meet her material expectations by earning more money; consequently, she sought to motivate (control and manipulate) his behavior.
Power can be an issue in both intimate and casual relationships. Individuals who learn to trust, compromise, and share power see their relationships deepen and strengthen. Accommodating the emotional needs of others breeds increased understanding. Those who are unable to reach compromises become locked in power struggles, and feel powerless to control their own destiny. They view their fates as dependent on the whims of others and resort to controlling behaviors as the only solution. Within this struggle, manipulative techniques are the main weapons; sex and money become the main issues.
Financially, Pluto-Venus aspects indicate strong financial changes or complex monetary arrangements. Salary changes are common and may be the result of a career move, relocation, leave without pay, cutback in hours, or retirement. Ambition can cause your salary to rise dramatically, especially if your earnings are based on commissions or profit-sharing. Those who are self-employed experience fluctuations in earnings. Relationship problems may directly affect your ability to concentrate and work, or your financial status may depend on the resources of others. Struggles over money are not uncommon. A college-bound student sought to manipulate her grandfather into paying for her education, while a married couple traded money for sex.
The emphasis here is on personal power in relationships and power over your own financial situation. By gaining insight into your behavior and the behavior of others, you can master both areas of concern.
Venus Aspects Neptune
If you are already involved in a stable emotional relationship, Neptune-Venus aspects may be more relevant to financial concerns than romantic interests. Financial circumstances will exhibit a degree of uncertainty, but only rarely is a person unemployed for part of the year and not sure where the next dollar is coming from. A break from work is more likely to be a leave of absence without pay, but even this situation is uncommon unless you are female and pregnant (maternity leave). With Neptune-Venus aspects, it is more common to experience other reasons for financial uncertainty. You can be self-employed or have an income based on commissions, incentives or profit-sharing; your hours may fluctuate or you might work on an "on-call" basis. Under these conditions, you will be unsure of the amount of your pay until the check arrives.
Changing circumstances also affect the amount of money available (e.g., relocation, divorce, illness, large purchases or major sales) and it is impossible to predict the effect these changes will have, especially if several variables are involved. For example, if you must sell your home and relocate to a different state, you may not be sure how much you can sell your present home for, how much your new home is likely to cost, how much you will be able to earn at your new job, and how expensive it will be to live in the area. You must be careful with your funds until the figures are worked out. If you are expecting money from others in the form of a loan, gift or inheritance, you will not be sure how much you will receive or when you will receive it. If you are taking a financial gamble, you can't be sure that things will work out.
Regardless whether or not financial uncertainty is job-related, monetary uncertainty exists in some form, but it need not be a serious problem. This is a good time to foster a strong appreciation of the nonmaterial side of life. Since material, monetary, physical, and external indicators are so uncertain, focus on the inner qualities.
Neptune aspecting Venus can also be important to understanding your relationships during the coming year. Significant emotional relationships can be very compassionate or very confusing. In strong relationships, the partners are more likely to be sensitive to each other's needs. Understanding and empathy increase and inner qualities are the focus of attention and appreciation. You can be more aware of the subtleties of your partner's unspoken preferences. Sometimes you neglect some of your own needs so those of your partner can be fulfilled.
The ability to be self-sacrificing is seen with this aspect, but then, so too is the ability to be martyred. External trappings are devalued and what you materially own and share is not as important as what you are willing to share emotionally. For the time being, feelings may be all you have.
If you are not already married, you or your partner may not wish to make an external commitment at this time. New or less stable love relationships tend to lack definition. The situation may be such that you can't even label your relationship or give it a name. For example, you have a one-night affair with your boss. You are not really lovers or friends, but your relationship is no longer that of employer-employee. It's hard to define what you mean to each other and where the relationship is headed. In any relationship, your partner's intentions may be unclear or actions contradictory. He or she may come and go, appear and disappear, say one thing and do another. One minute you know you are loved and the next minute you are not sure. It's difficult to know where you stand. While in this limbo, the relationship remains suspended in time, without a guaranteed future or a present reality. No relationship comes with guarantees to begin with, but with Neptune-Venus contacts insecurity can be even more evident.
Because of the lack of clarity inherent in relationships, idealization and distortion occur, making partners seem too good to be true. Aggrandizement of this sort can only lead to disappointment and disillusionment. A persistent sense of confusion and insecurity can cause you to misinterpret what is actually occurring. This is most likely to happen when one or both partners are ambivalent or deceptive.
At best, relationships possess a sense of compassion and sensitivity. At worst, there are lies to contend with. Clandestine and secret relationships are common with Venus-Neptune aspects and 12th house placements. Lovers meet in private and keep their relationship hidden. Even if you have nothing major to hide, you may want to meet and be alone with each other.
MARS IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
The planet Mars represents an outward thrust of energy in a solar return chart. It is an active energy geared toward producing an external manifestation brought about through interchanges with the environment. The arrow on the symbol for Mars illustrates this outward thrust and movement. The interplay with the environment and the area of greatest energy expenditure are shown by the aspects to Mars and its house placement. There can be a number of ways in which the outward thrust of energy and activity manifests in the external environment. Positive manifestations implied by Mars include self-motivation, independent action, initiation of new projects, assertiveness, fulfilling sexual encounters, and original or pioneering creations. But anger, aggression, and sexual abuses represent negative and wasteful expenditures. Energy lost in negative exchanges cannot be used productively.
Mars, by its very nature, denotes the spark of initiation and self-motivation. Original pursuits, independent actions and new projects are fostered during the year and are typically associated with those areas of life denoted by the house placement of Mars. Because of the new endeavors and the enthusiasm generated, these areas then become the focus of energy use as the level of activity increases and you begin to feel driven to work, accomplish, and complete. Sometimes ambition and competitiveness augment the need to excel, but an energetic attitude can flow without these personality traits since self-motivation tends to spring naturally from an inner source.
During the year, activities may be specifically tied to your ability or inability to be assertive. In its most positive manifestation, the planet Mars denotes an active force. Except for a few of the more subtle interpretations for Mars, the implication is an external thrust which affects other people, places, things or circumstances. For example, if you install a home office, you make a change in your living situation. If you start your own business, you do, in effect, change the environment. If you insist on control over your own finances, you create a more independent relationship style. In each of these cases, you are the individual initiating the activity and asserting your own needs which are essential to the task at hand. The inability to be assertive can only lead to frustrated desires and anger. Your efforts will be thwarted until you make adjustments in your thinking. When extreme frustration occurs, more energy is expended toward being angry than working toward correcting the problem.
The house position of Mars and its aspects to the other solar return planets provide information about the circumstances which will trigger angry responses in you. Anger may arise from a number of different circumstances, including, but not limited to, frustration at the inability to fulfill your own needs, aggression from others, stressful surroundings or unconscious resentment that has not been resolved. Anger is a signal that your attitude and/or environment need to change. Energy lost to anger cannot be used creatively. Anger that stimulates creative action can be recouped. Your task for the year will be to learn to deal effectively with these anger-producing situations. Do not allow anger to be triggered when insight coupled with assertiveness, tact or corrective action would suit your purposes better. As you focus on negative situations and gain understanding, you can begin to funnel your energies into the most positive manifestations.
Aggression is a distortion of assertiveness. Assertion is the defense and maintenance of your own rights; aggression is the infringement or attack on the rights of others. Anger is most likely the motivation for the attack, although psychological idiosyncrasies may provide other motivations (of which fear is the main culprit). All acts of aggression, by their very nature, should produce anger in the person attacked, though some individuals, because of their own psychological nature, respond in other ways. Where you find Mars by house position indicates where you are most likely to meet the aggressor during the coming year. Either you will have to deal with a hostile person in the environment or you will be confronted with your own acts of aggression. If you are able to meet your own needs through assertion and you know your own rights while conscientiously defending them, you are less likely to be the aggressor or allow aggressive actions to arise in others. You should be able to strike a balance between your needs, and rights, and the needs and rights of others. In this way, you maintain your position relative to the environment. But regardless of how fair you are in your dealings with others, you may still have to defend your own rights.
Mars as an indicator of sexuality is not consistent with the interpretation for every house position. There is the possibility that sexual intrigue can apply to the situations denoted by any of the planet's placements, but the connection is not always obvious. Themes of initiation, high energy output, anger, and aggression appear more consistently. For example, Mars in the 10th may mean a sexual attraction between you and your boss, but it is more likely for you to be extremely active in career endeavors. Your boss can be a prime motivator toward career success or he could actually be very offensive and thwart your efforts. Note the aspects between Mars and your other personal planets for further information. The sexual implications of Mars seem more obvious in the relational houses, but then individual differences apply. Sexual fulfillment is directly related to the appropriateness of sexual activity given the particular situation and any restraints or inhibitions involved.
Solar Return Mars in 3rd house:
During the coming year, you have the ability to speak with great urgency and can motivate others to respond to problems and solutions as you see them. Your speech may not be elegant and memorable quotes are unlikely, but your main goal is to incite others to action. You are assertive, direct, and to the point. In the assessment of any situation or dilemma, you are able to cut to the heart of the matter and concisely state the issues. If you must mediate a dispute, you will not pussyfoot around sensitive topics. Your mind is sharp and you will call a spade a spade. Your insights lead to action and your negotiation tactics will not include placation or appeasement.
Ideas move quickly through your head and therefore this is an excellent time for learning. A high level of energy and enthusiasm can permeate your studies and you can grasp central concepts with ease. But, if you allow your mind to wander aimlessly and scatter your thoughts superficially through many topics, knowledge will be based only on half-truths. There is a tendency to scratch the surface only and not follow through. Impulsive decisions based on incomplete information are possible if you do not wait patiently for all the facts to be made available to you. You can jump to conclusions and respond without thinking, especially if you are angry or unconsciously motivated. Mars in the 3rd is not generally associated with accurate thought processes, but more likely rapid thoughts, and unfortunately accuracy can be sacrificed for speed.
You might tend to lose your temper, or have a mind set that refuses to compromise when locked in conflict. In rare instances, a sibling plays a role in the conflict either directly or indirectly. During the year, your more forceful speech patterns can lead to arguments with others, especially if you are angry over past events or presently involved in a continuing dispute. Excessive anger or lengthy conflicts will color your perceptions and allow your offensive or defensive attitudes to spill over into everyday situations. Your remarks can be very cutting. Both in and out of the conflict, you tend to overstate your position and can alienate others if you are not mindful of what you say and how you say it. If anger truly motivates your responses, it is unlikely that you will enlist anyone's help; you are more likely to offend. It's true, you are good at fighting this year and you may be involved in a situation that demands self-defense. If you must defend yourself verbally, your words can be well-placed and insightful. You have the ability to be verbally cruel and you clearly see your opponent's Achilles heel. Even if you are all bark and no bite, the bark will still be impressive. If you are not angry but find that others are extremely nasty to you and tend to make many hurtful comments, reassess your own statements. They may be more damaging than you realize. For the most positive manifestation, focus on either physical or psychological self-defense. Study one of the martial arts or take a course in assertiveness. Become involved with community activism. Do not allow your voice to be simply heard - make it count.
Mars Aspects Uranus
Strong changes, usually self-initiated, are associated with Mars-Uranus aspects. Changes range from a constant stream of minor adjustments to dramatic and sweeping transformations. Either form can be beneficial or detrimental depending on individual differences and manifestation. The energy patterns are shifting and the individual no longer wants to be tied down to the same old routine. Something new or exciting is expected and encouraged. During the transitional stage, behavior patterns might be somewhat erratic, and on-again, off-again situations are not uncommon. Changes and the need for greater freedom can lead to sudden separations and broken relationship ties. Freedom of action may be an issue and any restriction will be met with assertiveness if not anger. Speed may be of the essence and therefore time delays are unlikely. Matters tend to move forward quickly.
The real danger associated with Mars-Uranus contacts is the tendency toward accidents of one form or another. Here we are talking about automobile accidents, freak accidents, radical unexpected changes in direction that lead one to stumble either literally or figuratively. Generally, accidents result from suppressed anger or conscious rage. Nine times out of ten, they will not come out of the blue without an internal calling card. Life is a mystery and this is not always the case, but it is frequently so. Anger, suppressed or expressed indiscriminately, can be coincidentally linked to many an accident. The issue is not whether you allow the anger to seek expression: the issue is one of directing the energy into a creative and productive outcome. Sticking you head in the sand is not the answer and actually may be one of the worst things you could do. If you have a Mars-Uranus aspect in your chart, remain aware of your frustrations and the options available for dealing with them.
JUPITER IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
Jupiter has a number of possible interpretations in the solar return chart and any or all of the following meanings can manifest according to house position. First and foremost, Jupiter tends to imply a benefic event associated with its placement. How these benefits come about and the area of life affected are usually shown by the house position.
All opportunities will probably involve expansion into new areas of activity. The primary function of the Jupiter principle is to expand beyond the scope of previous experience. One is not to remain in a static condition; growth is not only implied, but expected. Jupiter's slow and consistent movement through the zodiac implies the steady growth needed to advance.
One of the most common activities associated with growth and expansion is the pursuit of an education. The impetus to learn is closely associated with any push to grow and our definition of learning in this case is not limited to a structured environment (school), but can include self-teaching and life-experience training. Although education is not always a consideration for every Jupiter house placement, it can be considered to have an impact on any of the houses.
Areas of expansion can easily become areas of excess and this is a problem with Jupiter. Growth can be uncontrolled and purposeless, dwarfing any push for real attainment or benefit. For example, overeating may supplant a desire for nutritious food when Jupiter is in the 6th house. The weight gain takes the place of education. Already existing situations associated with any house placement of Jupiter may boil over if extreme limitations were previously the norm. This is especially true when emotions overwhelm the individual after a long period of emotional suppression. Any Jupiter placement can signal a false god. One or more activities associated with Jupiter's house may be emphasized to such a degree that a distortion of perception results, creating the false god.
Perhaps excesses are directly and proportionately related to suppressed urges. We now zoom ahead where we previously lagged behind, making up for lost time. The overwhelming impetus enables us to grow and expand at a rapid pace. The task is to avoid restricting this growth, while staying in control. The best option is one of channeled and structured enthusiasm.
A question of ethics and morals is often associated with the house placement of Jupiter. Unlike Saturn, which is more representative of societal structures and expectations, Jupiter implies the need for a philosophical (or sometimes religious) consistency between what you are doing physically and what you believe you should be doing ethically or morally. The underlying belief is always at the center of any conflict, not the external expectation. Jupiter by house indicates a desire to review those beliefs commanding a strong influence over one's philosophy of life and code of behavior. Current beliefs may be limiting future growth or freedom. Within this perspective, hypocrisy and moral dilemmas are more commonly a problem than the frustration associated with Saturnian external laws.
Solar Return Jupiter in 7th house:
The best phrase to describe Jupiter in the 7th house is, "Ask and you shall receive." Others naturally come to your aid, giving more assistance and support than you expected or even thought you needed. If you are in a difficult situation, others readily offer to help. This can occur without asking, but the possibilities become even stronger if you not only recognize and foster the help available to you, but also ask specifically for what you need. Somebody may be in the perfect position to actualize your goals, and partnerships of this nature enable you to accomplish together what you would not have attempted alone. Help may be either tangible or intangible. Under the best possible circumstances, you benefit directly or indirectly from others in more ways than one. For example, if you are married, you benefit through your spouse since what he or she receives trickles down to you.
Individuals offer their insight into your problems or situation, and you progress through what another knows or has learned. The objective view helps you to see and interpret life more clearly. Usually the message is encouraging. Exchanging knowledge is important with this placement, but this is not all that is exchanged.
Relationships can improve; good marriages become better. If you have had a problem relating in the past, this interpretation is particularly apparent. Difficult marital problems tend to be resolved, especially if professional help is sought (individual or marital counseling). Under therapeutic conditions, those you are involved with become more apt to listen to your complaints and make concessions. Perhaps you are also more insightful and better able to explain your position. Great strides can be made because something suddenly clicks in your consciousness, adjusting your pattern for intimacy. Regardless of your marital situation, good relationships with a variety of people in a variety of situations could exist. If you are able to create a climate of compatibility and harmony, your success in any endeavor during the year can be augmented by cooperation with others. If you are unable to work with others, you will lose out on this experience of mutual gain.
Sometimes personal benefits are not realized because of the overwhelming emphasis on the partner's needs to the exclusion of your own. In negative situations, personal needs are not only dwarfed, but drowned out completely by the interests of another. Relationships can be so excessive that one goes overboard in an attempt to please. Even what initially appears to be a benefit can negate your self-interest and ultimately fulfill your partner's requirements only. Within this context, benefits cannot be considered all good. For example, if your spouse is offered a position overseas, you may be thrilled about the possibility of living in a foreign country, but you may be forced to give up a lot in order to go. You need to assess the effect leaving has on your long-term goals. You may be able to set aside your personal needs for one or two years time in order to benefit from a new experience coming to you directly through the spouse. But instead, it may be difficult, if not impossible, for you to leave at this time.
Any opportunity can be a mixed blessing, and the lines of stress might be denoted in the solar return chart by the aspects to Jupiter in the 7th house. The balance is very delicate. You may benefit greatly or feel overwhelmed by circumstances that are not your own or are inconsistent with your needs for fulfillment. One must control the swing of the pendulum. In the worst-case scenario, you will not be aware your own needs are being overrun. It is at this time that someone will step forward and make an observation that will change your perspective, if you are willing to listen.
SATURN IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
Saturn rules reality and the reality of any given situation is that we are all ultimately responsible for creating our own lives. The responses and choices we make to any given situation, together with the fears we avoid, form the backbone for our pattern of living. Only when we accept the responsibility for creating our own fate can we be freed from the necessity of living it. Only when we face our fears can we live unafraid. Saturn is the key to this change in orientation. It is the ultimate reality, the ultimate fear, the karmic avenger, and ruler of the universal laws of nature. It is through Saturn's house placement that we come face to face with ourselves, the structures, and limitations of reality, and the laws we must live by.
Growth is a complex process, occurring in a variety of ways. Saturnian growth begins by recognizing the existing structures we have incorporated into our lives, and possibly, the frustration or limitation caused by this edifice. It seems strange to talk about growth in terms of limitation, but astrologically Saturn rules structures which are at one point protective and at other times restrictive. Like the lobster or crab which sheds an outgrown, protective, hard shell in order to grow, individuals must periodically shed old structures grown restrictive with time. As with the crustaceans, the shedding process may be slow and laborious, followed by a period of extreme vulnerability until the new shell has formed and hardened into a protective structure. We often complacently mistake familiarity for security. We assume we'll be safe as long as we stick with the same old routine and keep doing what we've been doing all along. But what was once protective and safe eventually ends up inhibiting our evolutionary cycle of growth. Sometimes, only our frustration with things as they are awakens us to the need for change.
The movement of Saturn through the solar return chart coincides with an awareness of structure. Sometimes this awareness is associated with frustration, and the accentuation of restrictions now blocking evolution. It is through this realization process and frustration that we first become aware of the need to grow beyond our present structures. Therefore, the first step in the Saturnian process toward growth is recognizing structures, frustrations, and limitations imposed by our present patterns of living, particularly in those areas of life signified by Saturn's house placement in the solar return.
The second step toward growth is reassessment of the situation. A review of the facts yields further information, options, and understanding. Only by defining the inhibitors to the evolutionary cycle can we move toward resolution and continued growth. Self-criticism and constructive feedback from others may be appropriate at this time.
It is during the reassessment process that the reality of our situation becomes more obvious, as well as the laws by which we are governed. To succeed, we must deal with life realistically. We cannot twist nature to our own liking, nor can we expect others to compensate for our deficiencies and fears by solving our problems. Saturn rules the naked truth devoid of magical thinking. We must live within the laws of nature to succeed and survive. If you hate your job, quit. Do not wait for an act of God to find a new job. If you want to complete a major project, work on it. It is the only way it will get done. If you want to lose weight, diet, and exercise. Hard work and facing the issues head on will get you where you want to go. Wishful thinking will not.
These issues are all totally within your range of control and you are free to act upon them, but other problems may not be yours to control. You cannot make your husband stop drinking; you can only change the way you handle the situation. You cannot change hypocrisy in others; you can only reassess your own beliefs. During the reassessment process, develop realistic options which could feasibly lead to a resolution of the problem or to a change in the way you handle the problem. Successful solutions are those which are practical and realistic -that is, they conform to the laws of nature.
Once you understand the problem and the options available, you must assume responsibility for the outcome. Each man or woman contributes to his or her own fate. As the partial creator of any problem, you also have some control over the solution. But assuming responsibility for your present situation can be more threatening than blaming others. Some prefer to buck the system (defy the laws of nature) and complain, rather than take action. Remember, familiarity breeds a false sense of security and many prefer to hang on to their restrictions rather than venture into the unknown. They learn to live with their frustration rather than grow beyond it. Consciously making a decision implies assuming responsibility for your success or failure.
Facing your fears concerning success or failure is ultimately what Saturn is all about. At this point, you are very aware of the reality of your situation, and you have a list of options for the future, not all of which may work. You understand your own contribution to the situation and what you must do in order to move toward a resolution. You have seen your own shortcomings and become aware of your darker side. You comprehend the laws of nature relative to your situation and know everything is earned in this case, nothing is given, and nothing is guaranteed by the Universe. You now realize that you must stick your nose out and take a calculated risk. In order to progress, you must face your fears, and move toward your nightmare rather than back away. It is only by passing through a period of vulnerability that one can break out of a protective, yet restrictive structure and progress into a more suitable environment. You give up the security of the familiar and step into the unknown.
The test of any solution is that it works. Even chronic problems need to be solved and not just cosmetically concealed. Success requires much hard work and the systematic testing of solutions until the correct combination is found. Consequently, success may not come easily. If the first solution does not work, you must go on to test another and another. Thus with each failure begins a new cycle of awareness and reassessment, ultimately leading to a well-deserved success. There is plenty of room for hard work, discipline, and perseverance in the area of life indicated by Saturn's house placement. Eventually, every area of life will be touched by the need for reassessment and resolution. Chances are the time for reevaluation coincides with Saturn's placement in a particular house of the solar return. In that area of life, you must go above and beyond what is normally expected.
Solar Return Saturn in 3rd house:
Saturn in the 3rd house indicates a year of much study or mental work. You take your studies seriously and knowledge is probably crucial to what you hope to accomplish in the future. This is an excellent time to concentrate on difficult mental tasks or complex topics of interest. You can be involved in a major project or course requiring concentration, persistence, organization, and many hours of work. Typical commitments include taking a course, organizing community projects, formulating new ways of thinking for yourself and others, writing a book or paper, studying for qualifying examinations, or consulting with others on a regular basis in order to gather new information and insights.
You may finish your endeavor during the year, but if Saturn falls in the 1st house of the solar return chart next birthday (which is most likely to happen), your work will probably require another year's effort. (Saturn in the 1st house is commonly associated with the completion of a long-term project and is a good placement for those interested in focusing on a major achievement.) Your mind is constantly at work and it is best to choose a positive focus. If you are studying, learning or working on a major mental task, you will be less likely to feel depressed or anxious. You need a strong mental focus this year to use up excess mental energy.
Major decisions usually arise during the year when Saturn is placed in the 3rd house of the solar return chart. Responsibility to yourself and for another person is commonly a factor in the decision-making process. You may be making a decision for two and not just for yourself alone. Dilemmas are common since your needs may directly conflict with the needs of your counterpart. Reality assessment is crucial. You must realistically weigh and evaluate all the intricacies of your situation and actively search for options. Options are important, but unfortunately, looking for new possibilities is an insight most people tend to miss when dealing with tough issues and this Saturn placement. Rigidity of thought is a common flaw. Your accurate evaluation clears the way for the most successful resolution of your problem, even when there can be no clear-cut success. If you are mentally stressed by the problems you must solve or the decisions you must make, it might be in your best interest to discuss issues with someone who is impartial and not threatening. Seeing a counselor at this time can help you to do this. Your insight should be increased through the interchange.
Your inability to see positive solutions and options to your dilemma can lead to depression. Depression is sometimes associated with Saturn or Sun placements in the 3rd house of the solar return chart. (Severe depressions are more likely with the Sun.) Depression is the mind's way of calling attention to what needs to be corrected, decided and surmounted. Depression can lead to positive results when it is used as an early warning signal and learning tool. Life is a growth process and depression can indicate your inability to seek and find newer, more mature ways of handling situations. Depressed individuals need to begin to solve some of the problems they are faced with. They should do something-anything! They also need to get in touch with their feelings and learn to communicate those feelings effectively to others. Information blockages are likely and either you cannot or will not discuss things openly. Isolationism is commonly generated by the issue or problem you are facing. If you are unhappy with your present situation, it is time to face the problem and begin to make informed decisions. If you avoid issues and responsibility, your depression can grow deeper and become more obvious to others. You will seldom praise and often criticize; your speech will become caustic. Situations will seem hopeless. Your level of activity will slow down and eventually you will be perpetually tired. As you withdraw from others, effective communication will become extremely difficult, if not impossible, to maintain.
Everyday situations can become everyday hassles that get on your nerves. Common daily occurrences are more difficult to weather. It's the little things that bother you and seem more troublesome this year. What used to be simple is now more complex, and day-to-day things that need to be done take longer. For example, if you move to a foreign country and you do not speak the language very well, handling common chores such as shopping for food, cashing a check or going to the post office are laborious until you get the system down. Similar situations are associated with new babies, living in a dormitory or alone for the first time, moving to a new location and various other common life experiences.
Problems with siblings are possible during the coming year. You may have a problem relating directly to a family member, but it is more common to have a brother or sister with a problem or issue he or she needs to handle. The encouraging side of this Saturn placement and interpretation is that the problem is being confronted. Usually this is the year your brother or sister begins to handle a situation in a responsible manner. For example, if your sister is an alcoholic, and has been for years, she could decide to enter a rehabilitation program at this time. Your contribution during the year is to support her decision and help her in any way possible. You may wish to join a program which will help you to better understand her situation and your role in her successful treatment.
If your sibling refuses to confront the issues, this can be a time when you feel forced to act on his or her behalf or completely alienate yourself from the situation. Problems need not be very difficult and can be relatively minor with this Saturn placement. Productive siblings will not suddenly have major problems or behave totally out of character. The best predictor for the future is past experience. Problems which may arise will be consistent with your sibling's normal personality, and may mark a turning point in life. This is a time when your encouragement can be very supportive at a crucial passage.
URANUS IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
Uranus is commonly seen as an indicator of change, and this is true for the solar return placements also. Conditions associated with the house position of Uranus are likely to evolve significantly over the year. Major changes or incessant fluctuations emerge as the pattern of manifestation, depending on how the individual copes with his or her situation and needs. Transformations may occur quickly and require a long period of adjustment, or progress slowly, possibly occurring late in the year and only after a long period of anticipation or restlessness. As a rule, most changes are expected, predicted, and initiated by the native him or herself. Many are carefully planned and well executed, involving a minimum of tension and anxiety. When working positively with the Uranian principle, the key is in the restlessness. Those who are very attuned to their own need for growth will feel the restlessness arising in outgrown situations and respond accordingly. They will welcome the opportunity for adjustment, and make all the necessary preparations for the coming change. They will not lock themselves into one particular situation or pattern of growth, but will allow changes and insights to develop and evolve naturally along the way.
Generally, it is only when the individual thwarts his or her own desires or tightly controls situations that tensions manifest in the form of anxiety and nervousness. This anxiety results from ambivalent feelings which develop in those who resist needed changes. These people get caught between their own fear of change and a strong desire for the very change being thwarted. An ambivalent mind-set takes over, one built on an approach to, and also an avoidance of, a set goal or change. Remember, Uranus is associated with conscious and unconscious choices for change. Its appearance somewhere in the native's solar return chart implies the area of life in which the individual desires to progress through change. When one is unable to face or effect needed and desired changes, the mind splits between two mutually exclusive goals and anxiety results. Eventually, the mental ambivalence and erratic commitments to two very different paths are reflected in fluctuating external conditions. Long overdue, yet still avoided changes, tend to manifest in the environment as disruption caused by others, or by neglected areas of attention.
Adding to the anxiety is a perceived loss of control over external situations. Eventually, the restlessness and tension rise to a feverish pitch until one finally agrees to make changes, or can no longer prevent their occurrence. When conditions reach this intensity, individuals usually make reactive changes, without careful consideration or adequate preparation. Sudden upheavals occur rather than welcomed transitions. If we would truly be in control of our own destiny, we should listen to the need for change and respond to the earliest hints of restlessness. We should give ourselves the freedom to work toward a conscious transition before a crisis arises.
Consistent with the desire for change is the need for freedom. You cannot maneuver if you are locked into a restrictive environment. Sometimes the push for freedom is a prerequisite for change. At other times, the change itself becomes the motivating force behind the process. Occasionally, both mechanisms are operating. For example, you may have to convince your boss to give you the freedom to make needed changes in the daily office routine; at the same time, the changes you make could streamline procedures, creating more leeway in your work schedule.
Freedom allows the process of change to occur smoothly. When we are functioning at our best and working positively with the Uranian concept, we move easily through a series of attractions, detachments and independent actions. We learn and grow from each of these encounters. While in the process of attraction, we are drawn to certain situations, persons or concepts. It is important to observe what experiences we are drawn to because they indicate conscious or unconscious needs and patterns of growth. By accepting different situations, interacting with different individuals, or listening to new ideas, we take in new information and learn to value various facets of life. We see that no one person, place or idea is perfect. The same is true of our existing circumstances, which we hold onto so tightly.
With this insight begins the period of detachment from those situations, persons, or concepts which restrict our growth or no longer have anything to teach us. We are able to step back and intellectually reassess our involvement and commitment. We can either choose to separate physically from difficult situations, or take the corrective action needed to adjust present circumstances to our needs.
Uranus does not always imply a complete and total separation. We are capable of detaching from the original attraction while still maintaining the experience, relationship, or train of thought. It is the independent action we ultimately take which defines the degree of separation.
We learn as much from separation as we do from attraction when we define what we don't like as well as what we do like. The changing environment, the comparisons and contrasts, accentuate what is important and what is not. One should remember that this process of change through attachment, detachment and independent action is ongoing, occurring on many different levels simultaneously. The process can be either quick, occurring numerous times in one day, or drawn out, requiring a year's time span. For example, suppose you are building a new home. This is a year-long project and during this time you will be drawn to many different construction plans, ideas, and subcontractors. But as you begin to work with the possibilities, you will accept, reject, or change options to suit your needs. This process takes place over months, but also simultaneously many times in one day.
The exposure to various ideas, situations and people stimulates creative thought through sudden insight into changing situations. All planets represent a creative process. Venus is the planet of creativity experienced through beauty, while Uranus is the process experienced through change. Because of the changing panorama of people, ideas, and situations, one becomes accustomed to looking at life from different perspectives. The multifaceted approach encourages the mind to create still newer ideas. In this way the individual begins to participate in the process of attachment, detachment and independent action by creating his or her own original options, and change becomes a process of perception, integrated into the pattern of growth.
Solar Return Uranus in 9th house:
Uranus in the 9th house is a sign of radical changes in beliefs, either because you recognize discrepancies in your own thoughts or because you are directly challenged by others and situations you are involved in. You may have recently received new information which specifically contradicts your former beliefs, making them obsolete. Sometimes there is a rude awakening followed by a sharp transition; at other times, a slow transition may result from a constant series of small challenges. You can no longer depend on old axioms.
Mundane as well as religious, spiritual and philosophical beliefs are now in a state of evolution or turmoil. The 9th house is not only the house of all higher thoughts, but also the house of beliefs about yourself, your abilities and other people. You must reassess your position on a number of issues and be ready to make adjustments accordingly. You must also be ready to defend your position against the challenges of others. Disputes over philosophical differences are possible and one person in particular may be an agitator.
Consistent with philosophical differences are cultural distinctions. An awareness of practices in other cultures may be necessary if you plan to deal regularly with foreigners during the coming year. (Examples: a businessman dependent on foreign exchange, support or commodities; a foreign exchange student; or one who plans to marry someone of a different ethnic background.) Ignorance is not bliss in this case and can lead to conflict if you do not make the effort to accommodate the beliefs and customs of others. In very negative manifestations, you may not be able to weather the cultural distinctions easily. Ignoring the differences in customs may make it difficult for you to establish trust and understanding. Practices and beliefs in your own culture or religion will not be accepted readily by others and need to be explained or defended.
Quick trips and hectic travel are more likely than leisure pleasure cruises. If you have dealings in foreign countries, you generally travel for business reasons. The trips are more commonly stressful, especially if you are having problems with your foreign counterparts. If you travel for pleasure, chances are you try to pack too much into one trip, in which case travel can become more nerve-wracking than fun.
Legal problems or dealings with lawyers are possible during the year, but this interpretation is not the norm and occurs only occasionally. Understanding the legal system is like dealing with a foreign culture and generally involves learning to cope with the peculiarities of justice in America.
If you are in school, it is likely that your education will be disrupted by distractions or unexpected events. The college or university you are attending may not be offering the course you want or need to graduate. Your time may be split between two different campuses, or between employment and school. Your study hours may be repeatedly interrupted and your concentration broken by situations in the classroom or at home. It is difficult to think in a stressful environment. What you are learning may make you anxious if it contradicts your existing beliefs. If you are teaching others, your schedule may be changed or broken up. Changes (e.g., renovations) occurring in the classroom or home force you to shift from one place to another or suspend teaching for a period of time. This is a good time to be self-taught. Independent study may prove more rewarding than a structured learning environment. You may elect to study on your own or take a correspondence course during the year.
NEPTUNE IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
Neptune is many things on many levels, but first and foremost it is the aspiration for a higher manifestation as opposed to a lower one. The distinctions between higher and lower influences are not limited to the spiritual plane alone, but can occur on the emotional, mental and physical levels also. At all times, it is up to the individual to steer his or her consciousness toward the highest manifestation possible. For example, Neptune on the spiritual level is associated with Universal Oneness, Karmic Laws, Ideals, God, and higher beliefs which form the backbone of spirituality. A strong sense of trust in God and the Universe supports the growth process on the spiritual level, but has ramifications on the other levels as well. Each level of experience supports and triggers the others. It is all the insights on all of the levels which eventually help us toward a more rewarding and fulfilling life-style. The lower manifestation of Neptune on the spiritual level is disillusionment with higher principles. Here the individual falls off the true path and becomes entangled in fanatical beliefs or outright fantasy. Spiritual despair rather than enlightenment is the result, and the support needed for growth on all levels is thwarted.
The same dichotomy of higher and lower is present on the emotional, mental and physical planes also. At the emotional level, the individual is capable of great compassion and sensitivity to others. This is a time when empathic understanding strengthens the bonds between loved ones. The lower manifestation of Neptune is a susceptibility to anxiety and worry. The sensitivity which is meant to foster true understanding instead heightens a sense of vulnerability to life, others and the future. There is no trust in God emanating from the spiritual level to support decisions. In negative situations, true understanding of others does not develop because the individual is too involved with personal feelings and issues to focus on others.
At the mental level, creativity and inspiration help to expand the individual's intellectual capacity. Neptune is more closely associated with the right brain than the left, and indicates the ability to let the mind float free to new and better insights. The lower manifestation is confusion and deception. What you are told is different from what you intuitively feel. Thoughts contradict insights and you are unable to comprehend the truth. There is no trust of the higher right brain inspirational or spiritual processes. Creativity is thwarted. Without an understanding of the big picture, mental energy is wasted through a lack of cohesiveness as one begins to focus on the insignificant, confusing details.
And finally, Neptune on the physical level is service to others. Principles which have filtered down from the various levels and have been understood in each of the higher manifestations begin to flow into daily practices on the mundane plane. There is a consistency; as above, so below. It is possible to physically manifest the spirituality to which you aspire. When only lower manifestations have filtered down to the physical level, confusion, disorganization and exhaustion are most apt to occur. You lack a total concept necessary to unify your actions and prioritize tasks according to their importance. Neptune at its highest level of manifestation on the physical plane is a direct reflection of the enlightened promise made at the spiritual level.
In all of the houses, either the higher or lower manifestations will be operating. The more the individual focuses on the higher energies, the more cohesive and insightful actions will become. The more the individual is sensitive to spiritual insight, the easier it will be to deal with issues on every plane. The unifying principles of the spiritual level and the higher manifestations combine to focus energy and understanding right on down the line.
Solar Return Neptune in 8th house:
The most notable mundane manifestation associated with this Neptune placement is confusion or uncertainty surrounding resources and finances you share with another person. A variety of situations can arise. Your partner or roommate may be laid-off, unemployed or too sick to work. If he or she has a steady income, other circumstances including wage freezes, delayed promotions, or salary negotiations might make the future income unclear. You may hear that more funds will be made available eventually, but wait much of the year for the money to materialize. If present earnings or holdings are very diverse or in the process of changing, your partner's income might be incalculable. If you yourself are dependent on parents or others for funds, money might be given to you only occasionally or as the need arises. There will not be any schedule of receipt or determined amount, so you cannot depend on a steady allowance. The giver may only give when he or she remembers and forgetfulness is a problem. If you had been receiving money in the past, the flow could stop without your understanding why. Uncertainty about money due you is also possible. If you are waiting for a suit, debt or insurance claim to be settled, the issue may go on for most of the year.
You might be totally dependent on someone else, or another person might be totally dependent on you. If you are the one totally dependent, your future financial situation may be very iffy since others tend to be undependable to begin with. If the other person is totally dependent on you, you can be taken advantage of, sacrificing your own financial security to assist someone else.
Giving away money to charitable organizations is a positive trait associated with this placement. You might wish to consider tithing some of your income to a church, synagogue or charity.
You could become more aware of subtleties in human nature. New information can come to you psychically or intuitively, but you are most apt to be aware of psychological idiosyncrasies. You can grow more tolerant of human frailties and other people's problems, or you can totally lack understanding and compassion. Psychological issues may be so confusing to you that you cope by withdrawing. Experiences might include coming into contact with those who suffer either physically or mentally. If you are considering volunteer work, try visiting the sick or working at a hospital.
Sexuality can be combined with spirituality. If you have been promiscuous in the past or generally indiscriminate, you might reconsider your criteria for involvement. Occasionally, questions of sexual orientation might arise, but the realization of the beauty associated with a totally loving sexual relationship is the most positive manifestation. An openness to tantric sexual practices might be advantageous. Explore your own sexuality and learn to listen to your own body. Foster sexual practices which are more consistent with spiritual endeavors and principles.
PLUTO IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART
In the solar return chart, the interpretation of Pluto includes an understanding of the issue of power and its various manifestations, which can be directed toward three different points of focus and through three different life processes. Complications are associated with all of these orientations and processes since each manifestation is multidimensional and complex, occurring not only on the physical level, but on the intellectual, emotional and spiritual levels as well. Within these complex situations, power can be focused on three different targets: the self, others, and/or circumstances. As a rule, the power to control oneself is mostly beneficial, the power to control others is mostly detrimental and the power to control situations varies according to the circumstances involved. By studying Pluto's house placement in the solar return chart, you can assess in which areas of life these control issues are most likely to arise. The scope and effects of the power issues are seen through the connections to other solar return planets.
Power also manifests through three different processes. One may choose sameness, elimination or transformation. When you choose to keep things the way they are, it is implied that there is some force urging you to change and you are resisting this force. A possible power struggle might ensue. When you choose elimination, you relinquish control over some facet of your life or refuse to have further contact. When you choose change, you may be either yielding to an outside power or actively seeking transformation of that which already exists. Let us explore the power orientations and processes further.
Three Different Points of Focus
Generally, the focal point of self is beneficial. As long as you are using Plutonian insights and techniques to control yourself, to own your own power and to further your own growth, the process will be a positive learning experience, unless you overcontrol yourself, succumbing to hair-shirt asceticism, taking self-denial to absurd extremes. The greater your awareness of yourself and Universal principles, the more likely you are to make good decisions. You become the captain of your own destiny. Enlightenment leads to power and power leads to enlightenment as a rewarding cycle of manifestation is set in motion.
However, those who use psychological insights to control and block their own growth waste precious energy. They set up a negative pattern of stagnation wherein insights are not accepted as they are, but twisted to fit previously conceived notions about life and self. Rather than progressing through enlightenment, the individual uses insights as weapons against growth and understanding, opting for sameness despite new information. Contradictory realizations are not allowed to surface; instead they are either suppressed or misinterpreted. In very negative situations such as these, the power associated with increased Plutonian awareness and its creative potential is never realized.
The same thwarting of personal growth is evident when you shift your attention from self to the need to control others. By and large, this is not a good focal orientation. The symbolism of the planets exists in your consciousness so that you can grow and prosper from insight. Since growth begins at home, the main thrust of the focus should always be toward self, and it is generally unnecessary and also counterproductive to shift the emphasis to an external struggle. The most efficient use of power exists on the internal plane because it takes much less energy to control your own reactions than to seek power over someone else. Once power is removed from the inner self and used to control others, the effectiveness is reduced. Stalemated power struggles are particularly detrimental because they deplete resources. It is conceivable that there are life situations where it is essential to control another person. For example, children, disabled or elderly loved ones may not be able to make informed decisions. In these situations you might be asked or forced to wield power over another. You are meant to grow from all your experiences. Even in these instances, self-awareness and insight are crucial to the decisions you make. Start with yourself first, then work your way outward. Blaming others for your problems distorts the perception of self and the realization of your own personal involvement. Always be aware of the interactive process and the role you play in it. This internal perspective is of primary importance, much more so than the process of controlling someone else.
Trying to control life situations can lead to power struggles, but at some point in your life it may be essential to make a stand for the good of your own growth or that of world consciousness. Ultimately, it is much better for you to control yourself, but this is not always possible. Someone can be seeking to control you, your family or your livelihood. Certain injustices must be corrected for everyone to progress, and sometimes the only viable option is to work for change. Always be aware of the struggle you take on. It is usually easier to correct a situation than to convince your opponent he or she is wrong. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission. Go for the simplest task that gets the job done. For example, your office routine might be very inefficient and next to impossible to accomplish in a day