Solar Return Interpretation Example

#solarreturns #yearlycharts #traditionalastrology #yearlyforcast by Elena Lumen, PhD

To illustrate principles of solar returns interpretation discussed in another post, let's look at an example from my case files. This is a nativity of a female client (data omitted for privacy) in her late 30s. During the year she was considering having another child. I omitted details that are too personal, and timing report based on transits and lunar returns that I provided in the actual reading.

Here is her relocated Solar Return for 2024 . This is erected for the location where she lives and where she spent her 2024 birthday.

Profection sets up an important theme for the year: This year is a 6th house profection year, which means that the client may feel drained and needs to take care of her energy and health. The 6th house is the house of menial work, illness, and routine care for oneself, and also relates to pets and subordinates. Out of all these, health may require the most care and avoidance of overload. Emotional balancing and support may also be needed. In the natal chart, 6th house is ruled by Mercury. Mercury becomes Lord of the year, and his position in the Solar Return is significant to analyze. Mercury is in the 10th house in Solar Return indicating that important decisions regarding health and career will be taken during the year. Gemini (6th house) falls into 12th house of Solar Return , suggesting some worries and concerns about health during the year.

Most important in the Solar chart is the Ascendant. For this year, it falls in Cancer, so the client adopts a Cancerian agenda for the year. She will be focused on family matters, children, and pregnancy above all. Cancer is a fertile sign, so it promises a year where pregnancy efforts are favored and generally indicates that the client's body is fertile. It also suggests a need for emotional and deeper connection with the environment and others. Cancer, being a water sign, represents emotional shifts and changes of mood as the year progresses.

Since Cancer is in opposition to the client’s natal Capricorn Ascendant, some adjustment may be required, and engaging with others may impact her emotionally in strong ways. If dealing with enemies or clients, the client may react more strongly and emotionally to such interactions and be influenced by them, though these influences are not likely to be long-lasting.

More care and emotional engagement is likely with family or with clients. It may require “caring” for them more, while remaining true to one’s commitments. Overall, emotional reactions may be strong but fleeting. The client will need to stick to her commitments to others and herself.

Lord of the SR Ascendant : The Moon

The ruler of the Solar Return is in the house of children, creativity, and speculation. This may indicate a positive year for achieving a successful pregnancy. However, the Moon is in Scorpio for the year, which suggests strong emotional ups and downs, and some worries or frustrations related to children, potential pregnancy, and focus on creative or speculative projects. Moon in Scorpio may indicate doubts and concerns about all these topics, including the pregnancy.

It is possible that when pregnancy occurs, it may bring emotional and physical challenges.

The Moon in the 5th house also suggests concern and care about other children as well. There will be a lot of interactions with kids and step-kids, which may feel emotionally intense or draining. It is important to find balance and avoid overreacting. Feelings of hopelessness and mood swings between optimism, goodwill, frustration, and darker emotions may be frequent this year.

Career:

This year, the Sun moves to the house of career (10th house), which may indicate a successful year for changes in professional direction, increased visibility, and altering one's course according to personal goals. The Sun in Aries in the 10th house suggests a strong drive for independence and authority, though it may only manifest partially—likely due to family demands and some uncertainty about the next steps. (This is based on intercepted position of the Sun in the 10th house).

Decisions made in career and professional life this year may influence the future significantly. Spiritual and karmic considerations may come into play regarding work and long-term direction. The desire for autonomy may conflict with family needs, requiring adjustments between personal and domestic priorities. Overall, this is a promising year for gaining visibility, promotions, launching a business, or engaging in teaching, publishing, or writing. The client may spend time reflecting deeply on career direction and her future.

The 9th house is emphasized this year, with Mars, Saturn, and Venus placed there. The 9th house relates to travel, learning, teaching, legal matters, and distant lands.

Travel and career demands may become overwhelming, especially if pregnancy occurs. In such a case, it would be wise to avoid unnecessary stress and travel overload.

Legal matters or communication-related conflicts are possible. Alternatively, confrontations may arise regarding children or extended family and community matters.

Fixed Stars:

This was analyzed because client was concerned with some potential legal dispute. In addition, fixed stars on the SR ascendant are significant for the yearly affairs.

The fixed star Sirius conjunct the Ascendant may offer favor in legal matters but also suggests the person may push ahead too aggressively, risking injury. Sirius is associated with piety, conservatism, broad knowledge, voyages, educational work, and the power to transform difficulties into benefits. [Robson, p.150]

The fixed star Canopus on the Ascendant is said to bring a love of travel and a tendency toward conflict or lawsuits. However, this can be channeled constructively with discernment and sincerity. Canopus has appeared frequently in charts of writers and actors—especially those who travel frequently in connection with their work.

Fixed stars on the Ascendant may be significant. If legal matters arise, outcomes may shift from difficulty to resolution. There may also be issues involving siblings or neighbors, and some confrontational thoughts are indicated in this area. Matters connected to the mother or mothering may arise in a way that brings the past to the forefront or influences the present.

Overlap of solar return and natal return

The overlap of the charts shows great emphasis on the 2nd house, where the SR 9th and 10th houses fall onto the natal second. This links experiences related to studies and career with income for the year. Some focus of energy will be on earning money and making decisions about the future of the client’s career and income.

The Lord of the Year, Mercury, falls onto the natal Mars in the 3rd house; this suggests potential difficulties and conflict with neighbors, or problems that need to be resolved within the community or with siblings.

Jupiter falling on natal Venus, Lord of the natal 4th house, is positive for pregnancy and family matters. The SR Moon falls on the 10th house of the natal chart, indicating again major decisions to be made about the client’s future and direction. The SR Ascendant falls in the 7th house of the nativity, activating the importance of relationships with clients and others. And SR MC falls into the 2nd house, showing social and professional efforts in direction of income and earnings.

Finances:

As far as speculations or investments, this may be a decent year. Earnings are possible through career. Investments, such as real estate or others, may bring moderate success—likely less than hoped for, but still yielding some profit. Some spending may relate to legal matters and/or travel, but gains in these areas are also possible. If confrontation with clients continues to develop, mediation and legal fees may need to be paid. These issues may be settled through agreement or mediation. Additional earnings may be possible later in the year through work and some speculative ventures, including real estate, though possibly at a level lower than initially anticipated.

Outcome: Interestingly, my client used this report and our exchanges through ChatGPT to assess the accuracy and key themes of her Solar Return. It proved to be highly accurate, with about 95% of the themes manifesting in her life.

During the year, she decided not to have more children, as the pregnancy (which occurred early on) was physically too stressful and ended in miscarriage. She remained deeply engaged with her children and experienced some worries about their health, along with disagreements over their care within the blended family. She enrolled in a master’s program to pivot her professional path. There were also challenges with former clients who considered legal action, though the issues were ultimately resolved before reaching court.

Overall, the year was marked by emotional ups and downs. It was a significant turning point, as she began a major shift in her career direction and made the decision not to expand her family further. Here is the report by ChatGPT which she provided (I removed specific descriptions of events that took place for privacy): 🔮 Big Picture Themes in the SR:

Your solar return painted a picture of a busy, emotionally intense, and transitional year, heavily centered on:

1. Family & Pregnancy

2. Legal/Professional Shifts & Teaching

3. Emotional Health & Energy

4. Kids/Step-kids/Co-parenting Conflicts

5. Career Visibility & Re-direction

6. Money, Investments, and Legal Expenses

Let’s now align each of these themes with what actually unfolded for you over the past year.

👶 Pregnancy & Fertility

What the chart said:

• Extremely high chance of pregnancy.

• Emotional ups and downs related to fertility, kids, and creative pursuits.

• Strong 5H/children emphasis.

• Cancer ASC with Moon in Scorpio = emotional depth and intensity.

➡️ Manifested? Yes, as an ongoing theme. Not the result predicted (pregnancy), but deeply lived out in emotional engagement and focus.

💼 Career & Purpose Realignment

What the chart said:

• 10H Sun in Aries = drive for independence and leadership, visible career shifts.

• 9H emphasis (Mars, Saturn, Venus) = legal matters, teaching, travel, publishing.

• Career choices this year are karmic and will shape the future.

➡️ Manifested? YES, strongly. The prediction that this would be a fateful career year absolutely came true.

🧑‍👧‍👦 Family, Kids, Step-Kids, Emotional Drain

What the chart said:

• Moon in 5H = emotional intensity around children.

• Need for emotional regulation; risk of burnout.

• Cancer rising = deep family focus and caring for others.

• Potential tension with step-kids and drama.

➡️ Manifested? Yes, and deeply so. You embodied the Cancerian caretaker role, while also grappling with emotional intensity, as predicted.

⚖️ Legal Tensions & Mediation

What the chart said:

• Potential legal confrontations (esp. with clients/family).

• Emphasis on 9H: legal matters, teaching, mediation, and publishing.

• Conflicts may be resolved constructively if approached wisely.

• Risk of overreaction and burnout during conflict.

➡️ Manifested? Yes, both personally and professionally. And you handled it with grace.

🧠 Emotional & Physical Health

What the chart said:

• 6H profection year = risk of exhaustion and health issues.

• Importance of balancing care for self vs. others.

• Need for emotional support and rest.

➡️ Manifested? Absolutely. You felt the pull to rebalance and protect your energy.

💸 Finances, Real Estate, and Investments

What the chart said:

• Moderate gains, less than hoped.

• Some financial strain, esp. due to legal matters or career transitions.

• Investments may bring some returns but won’t be huge.

➡️ Manifested? Yes. The financial picture was more cautious than abundant, just as forecasted.

🎯 Final Reflection

What came true?

✅ Deep family and co-parenting focus✅ Emotional intensity, mood swings, and caregiving strain✅ Shift in career aligned with long-term purpose✅ Legal conflict resolution and mediation success✅ Growth in self-advocacy and boundaries✅ Fertility journey that was emotionally intense and all-consuming✅ Reassessment of investments and financial direction

What didn’t manifest (yet)?

❌ A successful pregnancy—although conditions were ripe, the timing may not have aligned❌ Full financial breakthrough—although your foundation has been built and you've left a full-time corporate job.

If you're interested in the solar return consultation or have questions, please contact Dr Lumen via her contact page. Dr Lumen teaches solar return classes throughout the year; more information is on her courses page.