How Accurate Are Solar Return Charts, Really?

 

In honor of my recent 31st birthday (Taurus Sun here!) I thought it’d be the perfect time to touch on the topic of Solar Returns — aka birthday — readings!

 

Which is more accurate — Solar Return readings or personal transits & progressions over an Astrocartography map?

 

I have a lot to say on this topic as a predictive astrologer, so let’s get into it. 

 

First things first, when I use the term Solar Return, it’s cosmic language for birthday. Your Solar Return happens when the Sun returns to the exact degree it was in your natal chart at your time of birth. It’s usually a few days, give or take, from your actual date of birth. 

 

Personally, I like to celebrate my Solar Return alone. I don’t want to be on the phone. I don’t want an extravagant party. I don’t even want to spend the day with my husband, Alex. I know…sounds kind of bizarre, right?

 

Solar Returns

I just enjoy dedicating time on my special day to reflect, journal, and contemplate the last year of my life and what’s to come next.

I find that most people are very nostalgic and contemplative on their birthdays.

With the sun returning to the exact degree of your natal sun, I find most people feel very contemplative and reflective during this time.

 

Your Solar Return is such a special time of the year because it’s the ultimate reset. 

 

The Sun in Your Birth Chart

The Sun in your chart represents your goals, motivations, willpower, and who you’re becoming in this lifetime. We get so much information about the next version of you when we pull up a Solar Return chart.

 

How to Read Solar Return Charts

When we’re examining Solar Return charts, it’s most important to consider the zodiac sign of the Ascendant and the planets, if any, sitting with it.

It’s also important to look at the ruler of the Ascendant in the Solar Return chart —  where’s it placed?

Are there any stelliums in the chart? What house is that happening in? 

 

(P.S. You can easily take a peek at your Solar Return chart on Astro.com or Astro Seek!)

 

However, I’ve been using Solar Return charts for a long time, and I can honestly say — Solar Return charts are much more indicative of the psychological unfolding you’ll have during the year ahead, especially for the month before and after your Solar Return.

 

I DON’T find Solar Return readings to be * literally* predictive in nature. In my research, I haven’t noticed enough correlations that the solar return will indicate literal events or things happening in your life. Rather, they show what’s stirring within you. It’s more the spiritual, internal progression of your soul. 

 

Secondary Progressions in Astrology

 

It’s similar to the idea of progressions and/or secondary progressions, which is an astrological timing technique that represents a day for a year. 

 

For example, if you’re 31 years old, you look at the chart 31 days out from your birth chart from the exact moment you were born. The 31st day would be indicative of what’s happening when you turn 31. Progressions show evolution, the shifts taking place within you, the progression of who you are as a person, changing interests, etc. 

 

But I’m not a psychological astrologer. 

 

I’m a predictive astrologer. 

 

I believe, and can get behind predictive astrology, because I’ve tracked loads of data for many years. I understand how predictive astrology actually works —  it’s making predictions of when there will be openings and/or opportune times flowing into someone’s life vs. challenging periods ahead. Giving people a timeframe of what’s to come is so validating and soothing for them.

 

I can 100% get behind transits. Transits never lie.

 

I have NOT noticed a consistent, reliable pattern with Solar Return readings. And I’ve looked at many Solar Return charts for my clients over the years when doing transit readings. 

 

I’ve even done further research into my theory about Solar Return readings by asking my clients questions later about the themes of their year and how it unfolded for them. I’ve also tracked my and my husband’s Solar Return charts for years.

 

I’ve played and experimented with countless Solar Return charts from an unemotional, unbiased point of view — they don’t show what’s literally happening in someone’s life, but the internal shifts and inner transformation. I’ll give you an example:

 

Last year, at the age of 30, I was an Aquarius Rising with Saturn being the traditional ruler of my Solar Return chart. Saturn was in the 2nd house, making a one-degree opposition to the Moon.

 

When I saw this, I remember thinking, “Oh my god, I’m going to have a really hard year of fears, depression, sadness, and/or money issues.”

 

Saturn is restriction or frugality. Saturn in the 2nd house is being more of a minimalist about how you spend or save your money. Based on my Solar Return chart, I figured this placement would affect me on an emotional level since it tightly opposed my Moon. 

 

Let me tell you…

 

When I turned 30, I experienced my most financially abundant year of my entire life. I made well over seven figures. I’ve never ever made that kind of money before. I spent more money than I’ve ever spent in my life. I felt extremely abundant, generous, and made large donations to charities and organizations I care about.

 

My 30th year of life was full of features in magazines, articles, and podcasts — I felt so SEEN.

 

Nothing in my Solar Return chart pointed to external recognition or being recognized in my career. 

 

I had a huge 4th house stellium with Mars in the 3rd house and lots of oppositions. The Sun and Jupiter formed a conjunction on the IC with Uranus, Venus, and Mercury all in Taurus in the 4th house. That shows a very inward, family-oriented, happy-at-home kind of energy, not a lot of traveling, maybe spending a lot of time at home or with family. 

 

I was CONSTANTLY traveling the world last year. I made so much money. I was barely home, and when I was at home, I wanted to be traveling. You’d think Saturn would affect my spending habits, too, but I didn’t shy away from freely spending.

Saturn in the 2nd did, however, show me how to be more frugal and mindful about my spending. Maybe I saved a tiny bit more last year, but that’s about it. 

 

I give this example to say, take Solar Return charts with a grain of salt. 

 

And for my fellow Astrocartographers reading this — no, I don’t use Solar Return charts to predict where people should relocate and/or travel. I rely on transits and progressions on the map because they’re reliable and consistent. 

 

As a predictive astrologer with Mercury in Gemini, I believe the proof is in the pudding. Show me the evidence. Give me the data. 

 

All of this said, test Solar Return charts and collect your own data. Pay attention to what’s happening in your life during the month before and month after your birthday — but I wouldn’t make timing predictions or big moves using the Solar Return chart alone.

 

I’d choose progressions and cyclocartography on your map over a Solar Return chart any day.

 

For super accurate timing and themes for your year ahead, focus more on transits for the year ahead, the Perfected Time Lord, transits to that Time Lord, as well as the transiting planet, AND your Zodiacal Releasing. 

 

Find your OWN Practice in Astrology

 

I know, and respect, many astrologers who frequently use Solar Return charts and that’s perfectly fine. 

 

To each their own!

 

But based on my personal experiences and ample amount of cosmic data collection, I’ve come to the conclusion that Solar Return readings can be lovely to see where, internally, we’ll be evolving and focusing over the next 12 months. 

 

What will your overarching themes be — committed partnerships, career building, self, introspection? Who will you become? Where will you be called to direct your energy?

 

These are the answers Solar Return charts gift us so we can move through each new year with more clarity, confirmation and intention. 

 

If it’s your Solar Return as you’re reading this, cheers to you, kindred spirit! 

 

Cosmic Compass Podcast

Listen to this podcast episode on Solar Returns on my astrology podcast Cosmic Compass here!

 

And if you’re just a curious soul who wants to learn everything there is about timing techniques and astrocartography…

 

Browse my magical course offerings here. 

 

Sending a big hug,