Planets in Solar Return Astrology Report

 
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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 Suns return to your natal Suns position), and your location (longitude and latitude) at the time of the conjunction. The Solar Return Astrology Report highlights what we should be concentrating on this coming birthday year.



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Included in The Planets in Solar Return report :
  • Elements and Mode
  • Ascendant - the Personality, or the Tone of the year
  • Sun - The are of life where there is emphasis
  • Moon - The emotional factors
  • Mercury - the thinking or the mental confusion
  • Venus - Relationships and Finances
  • Mars - the energy
  • Jupiter - the opportunity
  • Saturn - the responsibility
  • Uranus - The Change
  • Neptune - for the Greater Good
  • Pluto - the Power
PLANETS IN SOLAR RETURN REPORT $20
Birth Date
(Month, Date, Year)
Birth Time
(Including AM PM)
Place
(Town, State, Country)
Birth Name



 
image Jennifer Joanna Aniston
(born February 11, 1969)

is an american actress, best known as "Rachel," the sexy waitress on the immensely popular television comedy show, "Friends," which premiered in 1994.

The daughter of actor John Aniston, a star on the daytime soap "Days of Our Lives," and his actress-model wife, Jennifer and her brother Alexander grew up in a show business environment. Her godfather, the noted actor Telly Savalas, encouraged her to pursue her dream of being a "star." Most of her youth was spent in New York, although her family lived in Greece for a year. When she was nine years old, her parents marriage ended in divorce. At age 11, she joined the Rudolf Steiner School drama club, where she studied the creative arts, and during that same year, one of her paintings was displayed at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Jennifer later attended New York s High School of the Performing Arts. After her graduation in 1987, she began working off Broadway on productions before making her television debut in 1989 in the show "Molloy."

Although she had small parts on several short-lived television shows and made guest appearances on others, she had little luck in Hollywood until her agent advised her to shed 30 pounds. Her weight loss apparently made a difference, because soon thereafter she won the role on "Friends." Aniston has made a relatively successful transition to the big screen and has appeared in several romantic comedies including "She s the One," 1996, "Picture Perfect," 1997, and "The Object of My Affection," 1998.

Jennifer dated a fellow actor, Brad Pitt (b. 12/18/1963, Shawnee, OK) for 2.5 years before they were married on 7/29/2000 in Malibu, California. According to a trusted source who was in attendance but who wishes to remain anonymous, Aniston and Pitt were pronounced "man and wife" at 7:02 PM in Malibu, CA. Anistons mother, who penned a tell-all book titled "From Mother and Daughter to Friends," was not invited to the ceremony.

Aniston won a Golden Globe award as best actress in a TV comedy in January 2003, hobbling up with a broken toe to accept the award. In 2003, she was also named Forbes magazines top-rated celebrity.

On January 23, 2004 she and the rest of the cast of top-rated series "Friends" filmed their last episode to be aired in May 2004.


PLANETS IN SOLAR RETURN -
JENNIFER ANISTON


        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 passe 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     23 Aqu 22                Neptune  28 Sco 38
Moon    23 Sag 16                Pluto    24 Vir 33
Mercury  0 Aqu 27                Asc.     24 Lib 44
Venus    9 Ari 13                MC       27 Can 24
Mars    23 Sco 50                2nd cusp 23 Sco 07
Jupiter  5 Lib 15                3rd cusp 24 Sag 19
Saturn  21 Ari 08                5th cusp  0 Pis 00
Uranus   3 Lib 28                6th cusp 29 Pis 31

Tropical  Placidus   Standard Time observed
February 11, 1969   10:22:19 PM
GMT: 06:22:19   Time Zone: 8 hours West
Lat. and Long. of birth place: 34 N 03 08 118 W 14 34


Astrological Data of Solar Return:

Sun     23 Aqu 22                Neptune   4 Pis 36
Moon    22 Can 39                Pluto    12 Cap 39
Mercury  0 Pis 54                Asc.     29 Vir 45
Venus   15 Cap 56                MC       29 Gem 43
Mars    25 Lib 48                2nd cusp 26 Lib 54
Jupiter 11 Can 15                3rd cusp 27 Sco 21
Saturn  23 Sco 02                5th cusp  2 Aqu 06
Uranus   9 Ari 53                6th cusp  2 Pis 33

February 11, 2014   GMT: 04:23:10
Los Angeles, California 34 N 03 08 118 W 14 34


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

Five or More Cardinal Planets

        This can show a year with a tremendous amount of activity (which usually amounts to too much activity). You may expend your energy in several different directions by working on a number of projects. Each of these projects will be well-defined and equated with a personal need; however, you will feel torn between all the things you want or need to do. You are trying to do too much. If you overload yourself with too many activities, you will begin to procrastinate, miss deadlines and be forced into crisis management. Your nervous system will be taxed and you will begin to make impulsive decisions with little forethought. You need to be better organized. Perhaps you should finish one project before starting another, or you should seek assistance. If you must juggle a busy schedule, learn to streamline your routine and optimize your use of time and energy.

Zero or One Fire Planet

        A lack of fire can signal the need to work with your present possibilities and immediate issues. You may not have time for long-range plans because everyday needs must be met. For example, if you have just entered the armed services, you will be involved with training for most of the year. Where your skills will take you once you are discharged will not be a concern. Now is the time to deal realistically with mundane issues needing your attention. Focus on the here and now rather than tomorrow. It is difficult to be inspired and creative with your life when your basic needs are so important. This is a good time to handle those basics and form a firm foundation.

        You may not feel inspired. For some individuals, this is a year of disillusionment, lost enthusiasm, and depletion of energy. If your philosophy is not consistent with your experience or is impractical, you must give up false hopes. If you have strong philosophical beliefs, test them in real life situations to see their practical application. If you have plans for the future, stop dreaming, and start working. Get out of your head and into action. If you have no dream for the future, use this time to get your feet on the ground, and things in order. Your last dream may have been unrealistic, and now you are in a time meant for gaining experience and knowledge. Working with what is feasible will give you the sense of stability needed before you choose a new direction for the future.

Five or More Water Planets

        The emphasis on water in your solar return is related to an increase in unconscious impulses and psychological factors. You may be more psychic or intuitive, but some negative psychological traits such as fears, phobias, dependencies, obsessions, and compulsions may pop into your behavioral repertoire. These need not cause you discomfort, but you will have a tendency to react to life from a feeling level rather than from a clear avenue of conscious thought. This is a good time to work with your feelings and create a stronger bond of nurturing and caring with others.

        You are apt to be more sensitive to emotional stimuli this year. A very positive manifestation would be a love relationship. Your feelings for family, parents, children, and friends may be more poignant. But a preponderance of water can also symbolize an overwhelming emotional nature. You can lead with your heart, refuse to see things logically, and ignore your own best advice. There is a tendency to be more anxious or worried. If you feel overwhelmed by your own emotions and the problems of others, this is an excellent time to see a counselor.

Mercury is retrograde

        Mercury is usually retrograde in the solar return chart every six years. When Mercury is retrograde, it is time to be introspective, especially about those things related to Mercurys house placement. You should be doing a lot of your own thinking and learning rather than depending on others. Integrate previously acquired information into your own individualized mind-set. Think of your mind as an overloaded cabinet or closet seriously in need of filing and organization. It is time to process. You probably already know everything you need to know to handle a certain life situation. If you continue to depend on others for advice, you will find conversations meaningless within the context of your own intellectual needs and experience. Be aware that your mental processes are not very receptive to new information at this time. Your mind is like a cup that is filled to the brim. Any additional knowledge spills over and is lost. Work toward integrating what you already know.

        You can experience this retrogradation as a certainty that you know you are right and only you can make the best decisions concerning your own future. What others tell you might clash with what you already know and you could tend to disregard their comments. You may be right, but the danger is that you may be wrong. You can be so in tune with your own thoughts that you are totally on the mark; then again, you might be totally off the beam. Take the time to reorganize information by focusing inward. You might find that your own opinions, thoughts, and decisions truly work best for you. But be aware of the feedback others give you, which may be particularly valuable if you have missed the mark.

        Secretiveness is also associated with Mercury retrograde. There is a tendency to withhold information and sometimes lie. Generally, there are two major reasons for doing this: one is that you really do have secrets which need to be kept; the other is that expressing your opinions or thoughts openly causes tension in your relationships. Retrograde Mercury is associated with biting your tongue and swallowing your own words in order to keep peace. Your true opinions may not emerge until the start of the next solar return.

        This time is excellent for putting your thoughts down on paper and writing original material. You will be able to see things differently when your thoughts are written down and this is a good way to get organized. Old opinions and beliefs may be outdated so you need to reassess your thinking, reformulate ideas, and shed new light on a subject area.


THE ASCENDING SIGN IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART

        Generally speaking, the ascending sign in the solar return chart is read the same way as the ascending sign in the natal chart. The personality characteristics innate to the zodiacal placement will come through in the solar return. Those activities ruled by the natural house of the ascending sign may also be prominent. Personality changes might be subtle, but can give you a sense of direction for the coming year. Think of it as a style change. Fashions may change from one season to the next. Though you are the same person, your appearance and mannerism shift. The same is true of the solar return Ascendant. This is your chance to work with the best that each Ascending sign has to offer.

Solar Return Ascendant Virgo :

        When the solar return Ascendant is in Virgo, you understand the relationship between cause and effect, and see how things work. "If I do this, then that will happen!" This gives you the ability to make practical, intelligent decisions, and break negative behavior patterns. You are methodical, analytical, and detail oriented, but your striving for perfection can result in nervousness and anxiety. You go too far when you become judgmental. A tendency toward negativity may result from a feeling of inadequacy and can impact your health.



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 5th house:

        The Sun in the 5th house emphasizes the need to express yourself more fully. When the Sun is in the 1st house you try to find out who you are, but when the Sun is in the 5th house, you know who you are, and have a stronger-than-usual urge for expression. Having your Sun in this house can mean watching your personality bloom. This is a wonderful position for those who have been compromised in the past and now feel the need to be more assertive. The outer expression of your personality should become more useful to your future goals and also more consistent with your inner qualities. "To thine own self be true," should be the motto for this placement. But keep in mind also the desire to maintain relationships with others. Although self-expression may disrupt relationships somewhat, the purpose of this placement is to foster good relationships while increasing your self-expression.

        Self-expression can take several forms, some of which are artistic and most of which are creative. Artistic pursuits include painting, writing, poetry, and music; however, you may concentrate on a more mundane project such as creating your own lesson plans, developing your own business style or founding your own nursery school. The medium for self-expression is not important, it is the self-expression itself which is creative, and it need not necessarily be artistic.

        The Sun in the 5th house can also show a strong involvement with children; if you are a parent, they may be the major focus of your attention. If you have a tendency to express yourself through your children, you must be careful not to dominate their lives. On the other hand, this can be a rewarding time, one in which you are very proud of your children and their achievements.

        There is always the possibility of romance with this placement, and if a relationship occurs it is usually very exciting. Sexual attractions play a major role in determining to whom you are drawn. Romantic interchanges and affairs are likely. This can be a heart-pounding infatuation at its best, but remember that the 5th house rules unbounded relationships rather than marriage. Although you may discuss marriage with your newfound love, it is very unlikely that you will tie the knot this year.

        Because the 5th house is also the house of speculation, you are more likely to take risks this year. You do not necessarily gamble or speculate (though you may), but you are willing to bet on your own abilities. The chances you take may or may not involve money, but you are open to asserting yourself and trying new things. You readily risk failure because of a desire to stretch the boundaries of self-expression.

Sun Square Saturn

        Sun square or opposite Saturn in the solar return chart implies a sense of structure. Whether this structure becomes supportive or restrictive depends on the situation and the individuals ability to handle Saturnian issues in a positive manner. Saturn rules hard work.  The productive characteristics associated with Saturn include persistence, patience, organization, stability, practicality, and realistic expectations. When the individuals behavior is consistent with these beneficial traits, progress and self-mastery result. When the individual shirks responsibility and bucks authority, circumstances can deteriorate into a stalemate situation in which no one wins. Saturn has been called "the tripper" planet. If you don't do things the right way, you can be tripped up until you get it right.

        This is not meant to be a depressing time, but you must be realistic. Accurate perceptions of existing situations are essential to either accept or alter future expectations. For those anticipating fantastic or overly idealistic outcomes, reality can be too stark. Some individuals may feel depressed during the solar return year either because their expectations were unrealistic or because they did not put in the necessary effort to manifest what was wanted and/or needed.

        When the Sun is square or opposite Saturn, the root of problems, issues, or objections might lie with someone else. If objections are coming from a government agency or regulatory commission, you must meet standards or seek a waiver. There may or may not be reasons for delays, restrictions, or conflicts, but they can still plague you. Get through this time by appeasing reasonable demands. Unfortunately, requirements or expectations are not necessarily reasonable or rational. Still, accept responsibility for your own life situation and work with those limitations you cannot control or change. Into every life a little rain must fall and this might be your year. Complaining will only lead to frustration, isolation, and loneliness. Saturn has also been called "the great teacher." There is a lesson to be learned here even if it is not an easy lesson to address.

        You must be both realistic and patient in assessing your options. Progress can occur, but it tends to occur slowly and involve careful planning, hard work, and discipline, so put in the effort. It is common to be involved with a major project or task during the year that requires your full attention. Focus on finding solutions to problems. Use your skills and talents in a productive manner or develop the expertise you need to succeed.

Sun Trine Mars

        Mars symbolizes the energy necessary for successful accomplishment. When Mars is sextile or trine the Sun, work on a project that requires a great deal of effort to complete. Success can come in the form of personal or professional achievement, especially if original and creative work is involved. First time projects or ambitious endeavors are also appropriate.

        You need to balance self-centered drives with the needs of others. Too much emphasis on self can make for strained relations. Be a team player. You have the ability to motivate others in a positive and productive way, and that may be the best course of action.

        Learn to deal with aggression, conflict, and anger in an effective rather than detrimental way. Think before you act. Handle negative situations positively with an eye toward fair play and productive changes. Defend you actions and decisions if need be. Defend others when you see injustice. Be an advocate, but remain calm and rational. Direct efforts and frustration into positive endeavors.

Sun Conjunct Mercury

The Sun conjunct Mercury indicates that the intellectual mind is actively involved in the implementation of goals represented by the Suns solar return house placement. Reading, writing, studying, and communication in all forms will be important along with the decision-making process.


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 individuals emotional nature during the solar return year.

The Moon as an Emotional Indicator

        While we speak of the Moon as simply an indication of ones emotional nature, the actual interpretation of the Moon is more complex than simple. The Moon is not just an indicator of feelings; ones 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 individuals feelings regardless of whether or not they are expressed openly. The type of feelings you have during the year can be demonstrated by the Moons sign, position, and aspects. The Moons 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 individuals feelings and basic temperament is that feelings tend to make up ones basic temperament. The word temperament implies ones 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 Moons 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 Moons 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 Mercurys placement will suggest what the person is consciously thinking, the Moons 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 10th house:

        The Moon in the 10th house suggests changes in career, or professional tasks you are asked to perform. While the Moon in the 6th house can indicate minor changes in working conditions, the Moon in the 10th house generally implies changes that are far more significant, either in the immediate future or several years down the road. Minor changes can occur and may involve shifting positions or departments within the same company, but it is more likely that this shift includes important changes in your job tasks. For example, a secretary accustomed to working on a typewriter was asked to do secretarial work on a new computer. Eventually, this individual went on to a career in word-processing because of this experience.

        Changes occurring during the year can be very beneficial. This is a good time to focus on career development and take advantage of professional opportunities as they arise. Many times your reputation plays a key role in the professional events of the year. Everything you do at work will be more public this year. If you perform well, you will receive the recognition you deserve; but if you perform poorly, your mistakes will be very noticeable.

        Job security can be an important issue and you may feel that your position is threatened in some way. The company you work for could be having financial difficulties, or conditions within the company might seem unstable. The Moon is less apt to indicate that you lose your job or are laid-off; serious job changes are more likely to be suggested by Saturn or Uranus in the 10th house. However, firings and layoffs can and have occurred while the Moon was in the 10th house. Usually the individuals involved were controversial figures who were unpopular, and had acquired a negative reputation. As a rule, most changes are directly or indirectly within your control. Even those who lose their jobs play a role in their own misfortune.

        The Moon can indicate public recognition as well as recognition within the company. You can have more contact with the public than previously. You could move to a position involving public service, relations or communication. For some individuals, the Moon in the 10th house indicates notoriety and a public reputation. The publicity can be either good or bad. This is a good time to focus on your dealings with the public and to use the media positively. If you are a politician, you can develop a following. If you are a salesperson, you can key in on the wants and needs of your customers. Emotional intuitiveness can serve you well in your dealings with the public at large.

Moon Trine Saturn

While the Moon in aspect to Uranus suggests an inability to suppress emotional information, the Moon sextile or trine Saturn is more closely associated with emotional control, stability, and careful planning. This is a time when you are likely to take on extra responsibility. If you are involved in an important project which you feel must be completed, you will maintain your composure and accomplish the work in a timely manner. You are a hard worker who takes commitments seriously. This is a good time to develop an organized system for dealing with projects, problems, and issues. The goal is to stay focused.

For example, a high school senior pushed himself in his chosen sport. He practiced when he was tired and missed a number of social events during his senior year, but he was able to set a goal and work toward it. He knew the importance of his talent and worked hard to develop his potential fully.

Others may depend on you because they see you as strong and capable. You can be a stability factor in your family and among friends. When it comes time to make important decisions, they look to you for guidance. You only make major decisions after careful consideration. Your perspective is realistic and your solutions are practical. If there are other stability factors in solar return chart, this might be a fairly balanced year during which you may develop your abilities and talents, and gain experience and knowledge.

Moon Square Mars

        The Moon square or opposite Mars implies involvement in a situation which is emotionally uncomfortable or conflicted. The energies represented here suggest working at cross-purposes and you may have ambivalent feelings about your circumstances. The Moon symbolizes your nurturing qualities and emotional nature. Mars, on the other hand, symbolizes your independence and assertiveness, or your anger and aggression. The basic interpretations for these two planets are so different that they tend to remain separate like oil and water. They represent two different sides of a coin or perspectives on one situation. When the Moon and Mars are in difficult aspect to each other, you can work against yourself. Your actions, (Mars), belie your feelings, (Moon). You may want to be close to others, but you push them away. In the worst case scenario, you can be emotionally and psychologically dysfunctional, instigating conflicts with family members or the women in your life. If you continue to act like this, others will see you as an angry person who is a trouble maker.

        Moon square or opposite Mars suggests 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. Instead, focus on channeling your discontent into meaningful actions that foster change.

        The Moon-Mars combination need not be difficult, nor must it involve your personal life. It can refer to professional endeavors or social activism. You may be motivated to act because you are affected emotionally by what you see. If you are upset by conditions in the poor section of town, you might volunteer your services at a local soup kitchen. The unpleasantness you feel compels you 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 what you are thinking about and your mental condition during the coming year.

        What you are actually thinking about is shown by the solar return house placement of Mercury. The important thing to remember about Mercurys placement is that it is indicative of a mental exercise only. Alone in a house, Mercury can show mental preoccupation without psychological pain or physical consequences. It suggests the ability to make decisions only, and may not be a clear indication of action in any particular area. Mercurys aspects to the other planets indicate how information is gathered, assimilated and integrated into attitudes that persist for most of the year. How easily this is accomplished, and in what manner, is suggested by the aspects themselves.

        Conditioning is noted by solar return aspects to Mercury. Squares and oppositions to Mercury indicate possible sources of tension and conflict.  If Mercury is in an air sign, (Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius), rational thought processes are emphasized.  If Mercury is in a water sign, (Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces), strong emotional factors influence thinking. If Mercury is in an earth sign, (Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn), the tendency is to be practical. If Mercury is in a fire sign, (Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius), the individual is motivated by self-interest, passion, philosophy, or spirituality. When assessing the conditioning of Mercury, it is also important to note the sign and conditioning for the Moon and whether the Moon is in an air or water sign. This will help you determine if the thinking process or emotions are dominant during the year and if integration is possible.

Mercury in 5th house (within 3 degree orb of 6th house)

        A 5th house Mercury can indicate an increased interest in creative pursuits. This is a good time to express yourself artistically or creatively. Writing articles or books, composing music or poetry, painting, or sculpting will channel your self-expression into artistic media. You are not necessarily any more creative this year than you were last year, but you have a stronger need for self-expression. The key here is to find some positive way to use your mental abilities in expressing yourself more fully. You do not have to be artistic to do this. Generally it is the expression itself that is more important than the means. There are many mundane media. You may plan out the landscaping around your house; you may create lesson plans for a course you are teaching; you may start a newsletter concerning something that you believe in passionately. Failure to find a good forum may mean that you risk becoming very opinionated and domineering in your personal relationships. Being pushy is a poor substitute for creative self-expression, and the desire to dominate others should be consciously avoided.

        Your thoughts may center around romance and sexual encounters. If you are involved in a strong infatuation this year, you may find it difficult to concentrate on work and studies. Romantic preoccupation is possible. You may spend a lot of time analyzing the positive and negative qualities of this interaction. Relationships formed at this time are more likely to have good verbal rapport. Intellectual stimulation and communication may play central roles in your attraction to this person. However, this does not guarantee a good emotional relationship, only that the two of you will find it easy to talk and exchange ideas.

        If you are a parent, this is a good time to focus on communication with your children. Situations involving your children will make you more aware of their mental health, educational needs and intellectual functioning. You may need to make decisions concerning their future. If they are older, you will have to let them make their own decisions; however, this does not mean that you cannot offer an opinion.

Mercury within 3 degree orb of 6th house

        Mercury in the 6th house can indicate a desire to evaluate your health and health practices at this time. Mercury by itself does not generally indicate serious health problems, but rather a realization that changes should be made if wellness is to continue. This is an excellent time to make decisions that will have a positive effect on your future health. You should become more aware of the value of exercise, adequate rest, good nutrition and eating habits. Educate yourself on these topics and begin to incorporate the information into your daily routine. Learn stress-reduction techniques and question your involvement in stressful activities. Your mind is not only instrumental in making decisions concerning your health, it is also directly related to physical health. Stressful situations can quickly lead from nervousness and anxiety to physical illness; therefore relaxation and the elimination of unnecessary stress is crucial. If your mind is not focused on positive learning, you can become very anxious about your health. Excessive worry can lead to hypochondria. Choose to work with health issues before they become health problems.

        During the coming year, you may have to face certain facts about your job, work habits, or working conditions. It is likely that your job will grow a bit more tedious and detail-oriented. You may have a lot more paperwork to handle. Your ability to pay attention to detail may be helpful if you are working in quality control, but do not let your push for the perfect product become stressful or obsessive. Tension on the job, without recourse, can make you overly critical of your position, co-workers or employees. Use your analytical ability for constructive criticism. If you are in a position of authority, you may be able to reorganize your office or working time so as to be more productive. The 6th house rules the day-to-day issues surrounding employment, rather than major career decisions. Analyze the daily operation of the office and explore methods for greater efficiency. If you are not in management, you can still make suggestions for improvement. Even those individuals who have no authority must make decisions concerning their jobs or work environments. Depending on your position within the company, you may not have a lot of freedom in these decisions and may only be offered "either-or" choices.

Mercury Conjunct Neptune

        Mercury conjunct Neptune in the solar return chart suggests you are motivated by 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 insights. Dealing with these subtle themes can lead to some uncertainty and confusion in the thinking process. Increased intuitive and psychic awareness can precede the ability to weigh this information for its accuracy. It is sometimes difficult to discriminate between what is really intuitive 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 Mercury-Neptune aspects.

        Important factual information 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. Neptunes 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 conjunct Neptune aspects can indicate a call for 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.

Mercury Trine Mars

        Mercury sextile or trine Mars suggests an active thought process. This can be a time when great mental energy in expended in a search for knowledge. Your mind should be quick and alert, though not necessarily highly retentive. Learning can be very exciting and self-perpetuating even if you study alone.

        What is great for the learning process may not be so advantageous when making decisions. The speed normally associated with Mars might indicate that you are impulsive and quick to jump to conclusions. Weighing your options carefully and researching situations thoroughly can help you make considered responses.

        Mercury sextile or trine Mars implies the ability to be assertive when necessary. You are not angry or aggressive, but you do hold your ground. You know what you want and you are able to go after it. Thoughts are channeled into concrete actions. You are motivated to accomplish what you say you intend to do.


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 4th house:

        Venus in the 4th house indicates that now more than ever you need a comfortable home to serve as a retreat, a place to regenerate your vitality and nourish your emotional nature. "Home" needs to be a supportive place, a shelter for the wounded, a protection from less hospitable environments. Home may be the place where you are now living, the place you are moving to, or the place where you grew up. It is the sustaining quality that is important, not the location. You need to feel comfortable somewhere on the face of the earth.

        If you do have that warm and cozy place to call home, you will enjoy being there this year and may not care to go out much. Rather than nights on the town, you prefer staying at home and entertaining others. If you do not have a sense of home at the present time, it will be your goal to develop a more comfortable living space over the next year. You will want your interests and needs reflected in the place you call home. The changes and decisions you make concerning your external physical environment will reflect your internal emotional changes and decisions.

        You will probably redecorate your home. Venus by itself in the 4th house usually indicates simple redecorating. Many planets in the 4th can show major renovations (and a greater tendency toward strong emotional change). You may have the urge to redo the whole house, knock down walls or build on additions. Remodeling of this nature is more extensive and tends to take most of the year. During this time you may experience a period of discomfort and physical upheaval as you wait for the renovations to be completed.

        There is a reason why the quality of the home life becomes so important. This year can be a time of recovery and healing. Venus in the 4th is often seen in the charts of those who have experienced difficulties in the previous year or years, and who are now focusing their energy on healing old wounds. These individuals need to feel centered and whole, and they focus on their physical home as a source of comfort and rootedness. The healing process can be more complicated than simple recovery. Issues need to be resolved and the native may experience continuing or intermittent problems related to the initial wound.

        This is a good time to improve your relationship with your parents. If your parents have already passed over, use this year to foster and recall fond memories you may have of them, especially if up until now you have only been able to remember more painful times. If your parents are still living, work to improve your relationship with them. You need that strong sense of rootedness that can come from family ties. If your relationship with your parents has always been difficult and things still don't work out well, this is a good time to form your own roots and fond memories.

Venus Conjunct Pluto

        When Venus is conjunct Pluto in the solar return chart, intense emotional involvements and complicated financial situations are likely. 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 can 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, Venus conjunct Pluto 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, and learning to deal effectively with these influences impacts the success of any relationship. Obviously, this is a good time for counseling.

        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, money, and power become the main issues.

        Financially, Venus conjunct to Pluto indicates strong financial changes or complex monetary arrangements. Salary changes, both positive and negative, 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.

        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 Opposition Jupiter

        When Venus is square or opposite Jupiter in the solar return chart, you can benefit, either directly or indirectly, through the influence or assistance of another. Relationships can be rewarding and you reap what you have sown. If you have been helpful and understanding to others in the past, you can expect the same treatment now. Your lover, business partner, or spouse should be actively supportive of your goals, either financially or emotionally. Indirect benefits can also come to you through your partner. For example, your spouse accepts a job transfer to Colorado and you always wanted to live in ski country.

        Although you may benefit direct or indirectly through another, this does not necessarily mean you are a match made in heaven. When Venus is square or opposite Jupiter, there tends to be a philosophical difference between you and your partner. The two of you may not feel the same way about each other or the purpose of the relationship. Issues and conflicts regarding morals, ethics, and monogamy are possible and lead you to discuss whether your relationship is open or closed. The two of you may have different religious backgrounds and find it difficult to integrate beliefs. You might want children while your partner does not. Independent activities may limit time together as priorities can be different and conflict. One persons needs might overwhelm the partner and dominate the relationship.

        The same is true of spending practices. The tendency is to overextend the budget and spend more than you make or can afford. This can cause friction in any relationship. Gambling, risk taking, and addictions are possible, but less likely. The goal for the year either in regard to relationships or finances is one of balance and integration.


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 planets 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.

Mars in 1st house (within 3 degree orb of 2nd house)

        This is a year when you seem to have more energy, especially if you do your own thing and enjoy what you are doing. You can get an earlier start, last longer, and work harder. For those who are interested in body work, this is a great time for physical exercise. You could have more energy than you can easily contain and it is to your advantage to work it off in a variety of ways, both physically and intellectually. The energy surge should also be channeled into practical projects. You have the ability to conceive of a plan and independently complete a task. Most likely, the task you choose to work on requires much personal initiative and self-motivation.

        This is the year to get in touch with your unique drive for accomplishment. Ego fulfillment and self-interest are important at this time since personal needs are more pressing and demand your attention. You could accomplish a lot if you focus on these needs and allow activities to develop naturally. Much good can eventually arise from your desire to meet and fulfill present and future personal goals. For example, one individual started his own business with Mars in the 1st house with Saturn. He was able to channel his physical energy and organizational ability into a productive accomplishment which required many hours on the job. By the end of the year, he was totally self-sufficient and able to enjoy a very independent life-style. Before quitting his former job, he was very angry and frustrated, but the positive use of his feeling of job dissatisfaction led to the new career.

        It is true that the seeds sown this year tend to reflect self-interest, but the goal may not be selfish at all. The intent is to apply energy toward self-actualization, and in doing so the ego is able to foster new projects and develop strengths which were previously unrealized. You should feel good about personal application and hard work as long as you don't overtax yourself and your energy is not drained away by conflict, or by too many diverse interests.

        Despite your high level of energy, you can attempt to do too many things at one time. Time is limited and handling several activities adequately will be difficult. The conflicts you experience with others naturally push you toward functioning on your own (which may be the ultimate goal of this placement), but it is to your advantage to balance all the needs in your life. Failure to recognize personal needs while overemphasizing the needs of others can lead to much anger. Selfish preoccupation can lead to conflict.

        Anger in any form is certainly an issue during the year. This is not the time for passivity, and you should be more vocal about what you want. If you feel compelled to defend your rights, you can do this without alienating others. Persistent anger is a negative manifestation and a misuse of energy. You can become your own worst enemy by either abusing others (in the name of anger and self-defense) or allowing yourself to be exploited (self-destruction). In either case, anger drains away your stamina and prevents you from being more productive. It undermines your ability to accomplish. Although your anger is aroused more quickly this year, it is important to handle conflicts effectively. Use assertiveness to take corrective action and then channel your energy in more positive ways.

Mars within 3 degree orb of 2nd house

        For employed individuals, Mars in the 2nd house usually indicates an income based on commissions or sales. You are able to hustle for a higher income, and your earnings, at least in part, depend on how actively you focus on making money. Even if your income is normally based on a fixed hourly rate, you may be involved in an incentive program or contest which rewards you for the amount of work you are able to generate or handle. If you are considering self-employment on the side, then this might be a good time to piggyback a new budding career on top of a present full/part-time position. Your salary is then augmented by the second job. In some way, the amount of money you earn is at least partially tied to the amount of work you accomplish, and consequently, your income may be affected positively. If you refuse to put in any extra effort or even maintain your present level of involvement, your earnings might be affected negatively.

        Mars in the 2nd is also indicative of individuals who either take a pay cut during the year, or do not charge enough for their services. Pay cuts are generally self-initiated, though not always. You can opt for a salary decrease if you really desire fewer working hours and more free time. If your focus is already shifting to other areas, you will not be willing to put extra time and effort into an old routine. Having more freedom gives you more time to work on future goals you are creating and pursuing. If you are self-employed or directly involved with the future success of your employers company, you can accept a pay cut to insure the future viability of the business and your job. It is possible that both manifestations of Mars, hustling for money and accepting a pay cut, will operate within the same year. For example, if you start your own business, you may leave a steady job with a good salary. Initially, you earn less and have to hustle to establish your business and draw new customers.

        Arguments over finances are possible if you are sharing resources with another person. How you earn money (or what you do for a living), and how you spend money (or what bills you pay, don't pay, and what you choose to purchase), may be points of contention. You feel the need to decide personally how you will earn money and what you will do with it once you get it. For those who are not employed during the year, but are dependent on others for financial support, this placement can be associated with arguments over the distribution of funds. With Mars in the 2nd house, you should normally want to participate actively in the money-making process, but if you do not work, the ambition normally reflected in your own earning power can be projected onto the provider. He or she may or may not have your same desire for success, but generally will not meet your expectations. His or her perceived ineptitude or mismanagement becomes a bone of contention. The underlying issue is not his or her failure as a provider; this person cannot meet your needs since these needs are innately your own. You cannot give away energy and expect others to use it solely for the purpose intended.

        Mars in the 2nd indicates your own need to be financially successful, independent, and in control of your financial resources. It is difficult to do this when you are not working. The best way to proceed is to take action on your own. Carve out your own little financial niche. Become a fund raiser for a nonprofit organization or your childs PTA association. Help your spouse or counterpart by taking the initiative in areas he or she has not considered. Lend support by establishing yourself as an independent and equal financial partner. Don't squander your own abilities and ignore your own needs. Complaints are no substitute for financial potential and ambition. If you feel that you cannot work in any capacity at this time, realize that others cannot and should not be held responsible for your psychological need for success in this area. If you do not understand this principle, your behavior can become self-defeating. You can spend money impulsively, faster than your provider can make it, which is a negative form of financial control (or lack thereof).

        The 2nd house is also the house of self-worth, material values, and traditional morals. During the year, you will be very aware of how others treat you and whether or not you receive the respect you deserve. If you are not fully appreciated, you can assertively or even aggressively stand up for yourself, your decisions and your life-style. Your material value system is changing and you set new priorities which are more consistent with your personal perspective. Moral decisions are made independently and you are willing to support your stance vocally. You are not afraid to go against the grain and will actively pursue what you deem worthy or essential even if you must defend or protect yourself from the remarks of others.


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. Jupiters 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 Jupiters 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 ones 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 10th house:

        Jupiter in the 10th house implies an easy flow of opportunity and advancement in the career arena. The harder the person has worked for this success in the past, the greater the opportunity for advancement now. Those who have done little to foster their own success might still advance, but if so, they are more likely to be at the beginning of a professional climb and will not be able to go as far as those who are better prepared. Regardless of your position, a chance for advancement can materialize without a lot of work on your part. Opportunities may specifically relate to a new field of interest, and moving into a new career arena can be so easy that one only realizes the transition in hindsight. This is a time when most career maneuvers can be accomplished easily. Sometimes little or no effort is needed to acquire a new job. You can be at the right place at the right time. You can also be released from a difficult employment situation of the past.

        If you are self-employed or in a position where the development of a clientele is important, you will most likely find that, by the end of the year, you no longer need to search out clients; they come to you of their own accord. If you own a business, you may expand your operations into new areas, open a new branch office, relocate the factory, or seek a more beneficial working environment. Both owners and employees can use professional connections to network with others in the profession.

        Those intent on staying with a chosen profession or job can enhance their present situation by seeking in-office opportunities for advancement or options to improve daily procedures. If you have performed well in the past, you may expect to be promoted. Transfers and travels to new locations, even overseas, are possible if they are self-initiated and welcomed. Past or future educational goals can play a role in governing your options. Educational benefits or on-the-job training opportunities could be made available to you. In the best possible scenario, the career becomes a point of stability and success in the life pattern for the year. If you are unhappy with your present position, this is an excellent time to change jobs or careers.

        Too much of a good thing is the negative manifestation with this placement. Short-term goals may overrun long-term career needs. You may be so busy advancing that you skip over necessary steps or compromise your own business ethics. Advancement may require that you maintain jovial relationships with authority figures, and this may or may not be in your best interest in the long run. Analyzing the lines of stress coming out of the 10th house can help you to envision the possibility of being put in a compromising position and the implications of such a dilemma. Opportunities abound and one does not necessarily have to settle for less.


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 Saturns 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 Saturns 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 Saturns 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 Saturns 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 2nd house:

        Saturn placed in the 2nd house is generally not a sign of financial success and monetary abundance. It usually means learning to live with less either because you have to or because you want to. Individuals have experienced this transit differently. Some have experienced financial hardship because they have overspent in the past, but others have planned inadequately for the future and are now faced with a pending major expense. In either case, the reality of the financial situation becomes very evident and these individuals must suddenly take fiscal responsibility for their past and future actions and curb their material appetites.

        Other individuals with this placement in their solar return charts are not so hindered by budgetary limitations because they have priorities stronger than money. To them, money is seen as only a means to an end and not an end in itself. Fiscal control is necessary for goal fulfillment, and there are priorities more important than money. Those individuals considering major changes in life-styles will have this placement if the change involves a decrease in salary. Goals of returning to school, having a child, starting a business, working on a long-term project with little financial reward, retiring, or moving to another part of the country are consistent with Saturn in this house. Its placement here signals your ability to cope with financial belt-tightening.

        Use this time to reassess your value system and establish priorities consistent with your future goals and present earning power. Do not allow your options to be limited by inadequate funding. You may have to budget your income, save for a rainy day and cut your living expenses in order to realize your dream, but the adjustments can be made and you can live on less. This time can be used to save for a major expense (such as purchasing a house or car). It is also possible that this is the first year after a major purchase when finances are generally very tight.

        The 2nd house is the house of self-worth, and during the year you can place yourself in a situation where you are either underpaid or not fully appreciated. If you have a poor self-image, you may need to experience deprivation to get in touch with your own real value. The fact that your situation is not healthy encourages indignation and reassessment.

        Those individuals with strong feelings of self-worth might stay in a low-paying job or difficult situation for different reasons. Morals, values, and ethics are extremely important and you may deliberately stay in a difficult or low-paying position because of your ethical priorities. A man working for a non-profit organization stuck with his job despite the financial hardship placed on him and his family. His belief in what he was doing was so strong that he could not in good conscience leave until his task was completed one year later.

        The process of reassessing your value system and living by the financial priorities you set yourself is consistent with Saturn in the 2nd house. Money and material possessions should not matter, only your priorities for the present and your goals for the future. During this year, long-term goals, and satisfaction are more important than short-term compensation.

        Saturn in the 2nd denotes a desire to limit all excesses and overindulgences. If you are a smoker, heavy drinker or drug addict, you will be very aware of the connection between your behavior now and the possibility of present or future health problems. The urge to limit these indulgences will be especially strong early in the year and it is to your benefit to take action at that time. (The desire to quit smoking is especially strong with this placement.) You will begin to see the negative consequences commonly associated with your behavior. These negative reactions will manifest both in your own body and in the health of others. The issue of control will surface again and again. You can go cold turkey with this placement, simply consider this option, or seek professional assistance.


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 natives 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 years 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 7th house:

        The primary interpretation for Uranus in the 7th house focuses on changes to relationships. Depending upon what you are used to, relationships can change in a number of different ways. If you are not in a major relationship or have not been up until this point, this can be a milestone year for you, one in which you change your style of relating and push for greater intimacy. Sudden attractions are possible and the person you have your eye on may be quite different from what you would normally expect. Attractions can be very exciting, but also unpredictable. Patterns of relating tend not to be soothing, but somewhat disruptive. It may be difficult for you to depend on the person you are involved with, since he or she will not want to be tied down at this time. Freedom is an issue for both of you and togetherness may be on-again, off-again. Marriage is probably not an option during this year, though you may live together.

        Existing relationships may go through a period of transition because one of you wishes to make a major change or needs more freedom of movement. Usually the freedom to make a major change is sufficient, but sometimes the push is stronger. Although separation may be indicated by Uranus in the 7th house, it is more commonly associated with Uranus in the 4th house square to the Ascendant-Descendant axis. Separations in consciousness are frequent with Uranus in the 7th house. If your partner is working on a major project, he or she may seem detached and preoccupied, or extensive travel may be a job requirement, taking him or her away for part of the year. On the other hand, you might be the preoccupied or busy person. It is common to be separated for short periods of time for one reason or another. Perhaps one of you is married, lives out of town, or is busy with school, work or other activities. Changes directly affecting you can come through the spouse, lover, or business partner. For example, the person you are living with relocates and you must decide to move also or separate. It is also possible for you to instigate changes on your own.

        In both new and old relationships, a lack of true intimacy is a frequent complaint. Connections might seem distant, commitments erratic. A conflict of interest is possible, especially if there are squares or oppositions to Uranus in the 7th house. It is normal to experience some relationship oscillation during the year. Changes sometimes necessitate a disruption of the intimacy routine and flow, but some couples move closer as they grant each other greater freedom of movement or expression. This is a time to become a friend to the person you are closest to. Distances will be more evident and serious in difficult relationships, but good relationships will survive and grow from the transition.


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 individuals 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 6th house:

        Neptune in the 6th can mean working at a job when your hearts not in it, or when you really have no sense of direction or purpose. Most commonly, you are in a period of transition between jobs. You are in the process of finishing up an old job, business or career, and moving toward a new professional endeavor. Usually there is an overlapping period when you are not physically through with your former job even though you are mentally finished. Mentally, you are now involved with your new position even though the physical transition has not yet begun or been completed. So you are just marking time, picking up a pay check, or existing in limbo until everything is set for the transition to be accomplished. It is unlikely that this will occur until the end of the solar return year, or until Neptune transits out of the 6th house, unless your new position is as probationary or "iffy" as the transitional period itself. Becoming self-employed generally falls in this category. A need for job fulfillment pushes you to find a more suitable position. The job you are leaving might fall short of your abilities. You may not feel as helpful or as effective as you could be if given more opportunity. Misunderstandings between you and your employer are possible. A few individuals might be unemployed or drifting from one job to the next during this time.

        Assuming you are happy with your present employment situation, this can be a time of job confusion or uncertainty. New office procedures might turn your workday upside down if inadequate training leaves you unsure of what to do. Job security in your present position can seem precarious. Rumors of layoffs, mergers, relocations, or shift changes are possible. Poorly defined threats to your job are likely, but generally there is no loss of position or employment time. Coming reorganization plans leave future responsibilities undefined and you might be unsure where you will be in one years time. Or you could be involved in a project which has an indeterminate outcome. You and the others could risk your time and effort on a long shot project you are not sure will pan out. If you are the owner of a business, you may be considering a merger, buyout, partnership or stock option. You will find it difficult to make concrete business plans for the future until certain issues are settled. Misunderstandings with others can occur during the year regardless of your level of employment. It is to your advantage to communicate directly with business associates. Do not rely on intermediaries to convey your messages.

        Illnesses and diseases, if they occur, tend to be more difficult to diagnose while Neptune is in the 6th house. Generally you are the person seeking diagnosis, but if you are responsible for a child or an elderly adult during this year, it is possible that the vague and undiagnosed health problem is his or hers rather than yours. The health provider may be baffled by the symptoms and recommend several different courses of treatment. He or she may not be sure exactly what will work. The tendency is to try one method first, and then move on to another form of treatment if needed. A second opinion might be advantageous. You can be successfully treated without ever really knowing what you had. The origin of an illness needing diagnosis and treatment may not be clearly understood for most of the year, or until Neptune transits out of the 6th house. Symptoms are generally vague, conflicting or intermittent. Complaints of tiredness are common. A case of the flu might hang on longer than expected, or leave you feeling less than "right." Allergies to smoke, aerosols, pollutants, medications, and foods are more likely to affect your life-style or diet during the year.

        The increased sensitivity associated with Neptune is apparent in the physical bodys acceptance or rejection of certain daily work, living or eating habits. Emotional upheavals and stress are more apt to affect your physical form and aggravate existing illnesses, causing symptoms to reappear or multiply. If stress is coming from your job, realize that health is more important than work. Spiritual beliefs and attitudes need to become a part of your daily routine while certain detrimental habits fall away. If you cannot maintain a spiritual perspective during your daily routine, it may be time to change the routine. Cultivate serenity.


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 Plutos 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 days time. Perhaps you see where improvements can be made, but your immediate boss disagrees with you or thwarts your efforts. As long as you continue to try and convince your immediate boss of the need for change, you will get nowhere. If you can easily go over his or her head to a higher boss, this could be an effective way to handle the stalemate. Seek the quickest solution to a problem if one is available. Do not get locked into long, drawn-out struggles if they are not necessary.

        Ultimately, power struggles can have either beneficial or detrimental results, depending on your perspective. In the external environment, you may or may not win, assuming there can be a victor. More than likely, victory, if it comes, involves compromise for all involved. But the inner process of awakening ones own ability to effect a creative change in the environment is usually beneficial. You can make a difference. The creative potential associated with Pluto comes from a penetrating insight into the hidden worlds of the unconscious and an understanding of the Universal laws of Karma. Powerful insights should spring spontaneously from the situations associated with Plutos placement in the solar return chart. Suddenly you can become aware of new forces, subtle and previously unnoticed, which seem to influence personal decisions and situations you are involved in. Once you have the insight, what you do with the information becomes crucial to the creative process.

        The primary goal of the Plutonian process should be growth through awareness. Therefore it is essential, no matter what your focal orientation, to use information and insight gleaned from experiences to foster a new understanding of self and Universal principles. The main growth process begins and ends with the self.

Three Different Plutonian Processes

        Plutonian power is associated with three different processes: keeping things the way they are, usually by resisting an internal or external force; changing the form of what already exists, i.e., transformation; or eliminating what is no longer useful or essential, a form of death. Any of these powers can be either beneficial or detrimental to the user or others involved. It is the purpose and intent of the process that is important.

        The power to keep things the way they are can sometimes be an awakening to personal power. Implied here is a resistance to a force seeking change, and sometimes the intent of change is negative. The pressure can come from an external or internal source, and the changes desired may be either external or internal also. For example, if you are a recovering alcoholic facing a difficult life situation, you might feel the pressure to start drinking again. The pressure could come from your own wish to avoid major decisions, or from a person you are associating with.

        In actuality the internal and external sources are really one and the same, a reflection of each other since internal needs draw external situations. In the situation given above, the individual seeks to remain a recovering alcoholic despite internal and external pressure. This is a positive goal and if attained, implies personal power. It is also beneficial to remain the same when others seek to control your actions and thwart free will. Pluto represents the insight necessary to perceive manipulative efforts as they arise and avoid ploys whenever possible.

        In some instances, the power to remain the same can be a negative manifestation, actually causing the stagnation of growth. If you resist all new internal and external insights which would enhance your growth or cause you to make changes, little progress will result. You will stall. When your purposes are not in keeping with Universal Good or personal benefit, you are more likely to be involved in a negative use of Plutonian power.

        The process of elimination can be very cleansing, even though a symbolic death is involved. If you streamline your business or office procedures, letting go of compulsive and unnecessary activities, this is a death of sorts, but much to your benefit. So is a budgetary review which eliminates the fat from your spending practices and allows you to cut back on your work schedule. In more serious circumstances, perhaps all you can do is release a situation that is detrimental to your progress. Letting go can be a positive choice, but it might also be a negative one if you cut someone out of your life without resolving or releasing the conflict. If this is true in your case, avoiding persons or situations will consume your energy. Transformation is the process whereby a situation, thing or level of consciousness is changed into a new, and hopefully higher, manifestation. Careers, marriages and self-images can all be transformed for the better. Commonly, though, we think of the transformation process in terms of psychological insight and level of consciousness. Information from subtle sources or the unconscious is gradually or suddenly made available to either the rational mind or the Higher Self, and subsequently a change occurs on the mental, emotional or spiritual level. Information that was previously unavailable becomes understandable through the process of insight, and power is released through new awareness. This can be a very enlightening and beneficial transition, but naturally it is what you do with the information that is important. If intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth are triggered by the new awareness, the process continues to be positive; however, if instead you use your newfound insight to control others or block growth, you have used your knowledge in a negative way.

        Misuse of the Plutonian process creates an inability to continue on the life path until issues are resolved and lessons are learned. Stagnation occurs as the individual fails to progress to the next level of comprehension or misinterprets the task at hand. Power struggles can be the cause of such stagnation, and should be taken on only after careful consideration of the issues and implications. Power struggles are expensive in terms of time and energy. Some are essential to growth, others are self-inflicted. Know the source. Ideally, if you avoid a conflict in Plutos solar return house placement, you should have more resources available for higher awareness. Conflicts consume energy and sap the strength necessary for the ascent. Without opposition, one can move quickly when concentrating on insight and awareness. Barriers can be torn down and the connections among all things become apparent.

        But a world without struggle is the ideal, and not necessarily the reality. Your situation may require that growth be attained through struggle. The resistance may stimulate your awareness and creativity. Real progress might only occur after the resolution of conflict or during respites in the battle. However, within a long-lasting, stalemated struggle, one is more likely to get caught in a circular argument going nowhere. Nonproductive battles can be avoided by those who work toward increased awareness.

Solar Return Pluto in 4th house:

        Pluto in the solar return 4th house is the single best indicator of moving from one home to another. Uranus in the 4th house can also indicate relocation, but when Uranus is in the solar return 4th you are more likely to have changes or disruption within the domestic environment, particularly involving family members or roommates. Pluto, on the other hand, is more representative of moving from one home to another, or major renovations to the living structure itself along with a disorientation or upheaval that lasts for a period of one year. These are fine-line distinctions, and of course, variations will occur. If you purchase a home during this year, it may need a lot of work. Redecoration is likely, and the repair of unforeseen problems a possibility. It is in your best interest to have an engineer inspect any home you are seeking to purchase. Hidden or unanticipated difficulties can then be made known before any transaction takes place.

        Relocation complications can arise for a number of reasons, though, and are not limited to repair problems. If you are building a new home, construction can take longer than expected. You may have to live in several temporary residences or stay with relatives for a period of time. Once you finally move in, you must decorate from scratch, purchasing everything an established home is already likely to have. Moves over great distances are very complicated in and of themselves, and generally require a full years time for preparation and settling in. The hassles of adjusting to a new state, climate, culture, or environment can take the place of problems with the house structure itself.

        Major renovations are also seen while Pluto is in the 4th house. These kinds of renovations necessarily cause a prolonged upheaval in the domestic situation. Large additions, modernizations, or construction which involves moving walls or piping is likely, and the disruption caused by the dust and building will probably last for most of the solar return year.

        If you do not move or renovate, it is still likely that changes in the domestic situation will occur. Commonly, someone either moves in or out, and living arrangements must be adjusted accordingly. New situations will take a while to get used to. All changes involve the consideration of many different factors, and simple decisions are not likely. In addition, transitions are likely to be complicated by psychological issues, and may even be unconsciously motivated. For example, your mother moves in and you must make arrangements for her to get to the senior citizen center during the day. She is somewhat incapacitated and needs daytime care. She also requires a living space on one floor and you must rearrange rooms and put in a new bathroom for her use. Psychologically, you must make the adjustment from living alone to caring for an elderly parent. Certain childhood issues might arise as you search for new patterns of behavior.

        It is true that complications and struggles are associated with domestic situations when Pluto is in the 4th house; however, the complications and struggles are inherent in the project or transition you wish to complete and not the planetary placement itself. This is a time when individuals naturally seem to choose to make major changes in their home and/or living style, and it is unlikely that a transformation of this caliber could be made quickly and easily, without some hassle.

        The desire to make strong and sweeping changes in the physical home is accompanied by corresponding emotional transformations. Sometimes the two manifestations are directly connected; sometimes they are totally separate; commonly, they are at least symbolically related. For example, during a long period of domestic upheaval, you could feel disconnected or not grounded, without a sense of "home," or a base for operations. If you are living with others, caught in a limbo between residences, you might be forced to subsist for a while without your own space, possessions, privacy, personal control, or sense of organization. You might feel stripped to the essence of your being, devoid of any external trappings, left to exist as you are, without the familiarity of what you own or can accomplish. Without the inner sanctum of your home for protection, you could feel exposed, and it is true that you are vulnerable to the idiosyncrasies of temporary housemates. Emotions are bound to fluctuate under such conditions. Old behavior patterns break down quickly as new patterns and coping mechanisms are necessitated by changing circumstances. In this way, Pluto in the 4th house usually indicates an emotionally unsettled time, as well as a physically unsettled time.

        Sometimes this emotional upheaval can occur because of a coincidental physical change in anothers situation, but a transition in the natives own consciousness is essential for growth. Suppose your parents decide to sell your childhood home and move out of state. If you are still attached to your parents' residence, you must make adjustments in your thinking. You can still visit your parents, but you can never go home again if the trip involves one particular building or location. Perhaps it is time for you to think of your own residence as "home."

        When Pluto is in the 4th house, emotions are not only the motivating force behind physical changes, but also the end result. The purpose and desire associated with this placement is the need to establish an emotionally fulfilling environment, both on the internal and external planes. This is why moving or changes in the physical home (external) are as important as evolutionary growth in the feeling nature or unconscious (internal). The two levels of manifestation go hand in hand during the year, and you can be sure that if your physical surroundings are in a state of transition, corresponding changes are also affecting your emotional level.

        By the same token, the inability to make wanted and needed external changes probably indicates the presence of internal blockages and external resistances. A search is underway to form stronger roots in the physical and emotional environment. Shallow connections will not do. One must either dig deeper or move on; reaffirm the commitment to the existing structure (renovation), or begin anew (move). The same process is occurring on the emotional level. Individuals must reaffirm a commitment to family members and roommates, or seek support elsewhere.

        Unlike other 4th house placements which also indicate changes in the physical and emotional home, Pluto generally indicates that not only are changes long overdue, but there are also some inner and outer resistances which must be overcome to fully realize the internal potential in the external world. Consequently, a power struggle with oneself and others is likely, both before and during change, and the arena for this struggle takes place in the home and among family members. Conflicts arise when others do not want the same home environment you envision. In the best of circumstances, negotiation and compromise may be all that are necessary to resolve differences. However, in some families the word "negotiation" is really a cover for manipulative tactics and controlling influences. Nothing is ever resolved, issues remain unsettled, and decisions are not finalized. Within this domestic milieu, the creative urge toward rootedness and its resultant manifestations on the physical and emotional planes are stifled before they can be realized. For this reason, you should consciously work to undo old, existing response patterns which allow others to psychologically control your emotional nature and rob you of its creative potential. Being emotionally controlled is generally synonymous with also being physically controlled, and therefore unable to create the home and home life you desire.

        This is a good time to enter therapy, especially if unconscious manifestations (fear, guilt, negativity, power struggles, etc.) are blocking new and old commitments, or stifling your urge toward growth and change. Repetitive issues, unfulfilling emotional interchanges, and the inability to cope with your home and necessary changes signal the need to reassess response patterns for power leakages. During the year, heightened sensitivity will cause you to become aware of psychological games which rob you of personal power in the emotional arena. At this time, even an intellectual interest in psychology can give you great insight into domestic and familial patterns.

        Because of the issue of creative emotional power and its manifestation on the physical plane, life seems more crucial, decisions more important, problems more complicated. Everything leads to something else and you have a vested interest in how matters finally turn out. Commonly, the meaning of life is discussed, and within this climate the issue of death arises, causing you to face the issue of your own mortality. There may be a death in the family during the year, but more often you are merely acquainted with someone your own age who must deal with a potentially life-threatening illness. His or her situation calls you to consider the possibility of your own death, and the reason for your existence. The interplay between the creative emotional nature and the issue of mortality leads you to understand the extent and limitations of your own power. One does not have control over death; all living things die. However, one does have power over the emotional response to death, and for that matter, all emotional responses. The need to direct your own emotions toward a rewarding and fulfilling expression is at the root of this Pluto placement.



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