Location for the Solar Return Chart
There has been a great deal of debate over the location one should use for a
solar return chart. Some astrologers believe that the solar return should be calculated
using the natal location. Others believe that the solar return should be calculated for
the residence or for where one will live most of time during the year. Still others
believe that the location at the moment of the Sun’s return is the one of greatest
importance. It seems that all of these charts work, but there is a difference in how they
are understood.
The solar return for the natal residence is a solar return with which one is born.
Like a secondary progression for the natal location, these charts cannot be changed,
and they are set in motion at the moment of birth. This natal location solar return
chart is valid and has good information to offer, but it seems to be more internalized,
like a secondary progression. When it is impossible to know where an individual was
for the Sun’s return, use this chart and it will provide some insight into the year.
The resident solar return chart is set up for where one lives. This chart appears
more accurate than the natal solar return chart since it reflects some of the changes
that have been initiated since one was born. However, it does not reflect any freewill
decisions made to handle issues in a manner different from the one shown in the natal
or residential solar return chart. One can change the orientation completely by relo-
cating for the Sun’s return. These decisions and adjustments only appear in the solar
return calculated for one’s exact location at the time of the Sun’s return.
Many believe the solar return chart set for one’s location at the exact time of
the Sun’s return is the most accurate. The other charts are valid, but this one seems to
be the best. The aspects are the same no matter where one goes. Configurations (T
squares, grand trines, and grand crosses) remain. The degrees and minutes of the plan-
ets’ positions will not change because of travel. This is because the Greenwich Mean
Time of the Sun’s return stays the same no matter where one goes, but the ascendent,
midheaven, and the orientation of the planets in the solar return wheel will slowly
rotate as one moves east or west. By relocating or traveling for the solar return, adjust-
ments are made in the focus of attention and the house placements for the planets.
For example, say one has a difficult T square in one’s residential solar return
that falls in the cadent houses. One might be concerned about health if the opposi-
tion falls from the twelfth to the sixth house. Perhaps there is already a plan to move
across the country during the year. In anticipation of a major career and domestic
changes, one might as well place this opposition in the tenth and fourth houses and
deal with problems this way. The orientation of the T square is adjusted by traveling
to another part of the country for the Sun’s return.
To make adjustments, pick the location carefully, making sure the destination
has the qualities needed. Through solar return relocation, an individual can make a
conscious choice to grow and face issues in a certain way or through a certain venue.
Since energy follows thought, this commitment to a new orientation will carry
through. One cannot avoid issues by changing the location; a person can only choose
how those issues will be handled.
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [621]
Solar Return Chart