Lunar Return
What a Lunar Return chart is, how to access it, location input, the yearly list of returns, and how to read the chart.
A Lunar Return chart is cast for the exact moment each month when the transiting Moon returns to the same zodiac degree it occupied at your birth. This monthly chart captures the emotional tone, daily rhythms, and key themes for the coming four weeks.
What Is a Lunar Return
The Lunar Return chart is a technique for examining month-to-month trends. Because the Moon governs emotions, habits, and everyday life, the Lunar Return reveals the mood and domestic shifts most likely to surface during the cycle.
It is commonly used alongside the Solar Return to break an annual forecast into smaller, more actionable intervals. Tracking which houses are emphasized each month helps you plan with greater precision.
How to Access
You can open a Lunar Return chart from the birth data page.
- Navigate to your birth data page and display a chart
- Open the chart type dropdown menu
- Select "Lunar Return"
The chart is calculated and displayed immediately.
Location Input
Lunar Return charts allow you to specify the location for the return moment. The location determines the house cusps, which influences the interpretation.
If no location is specified, the birth location from your birth data is used by default.
Selecting a Year and Return
The Moon's orbital period is approximately 27.3 days, so a Lunar Return occurs about 13 times per year. Choose a year in the header and every Lunar Return for that year is listed in a dropdown, each shown in the return location's local time. Pick the one you want to view its chart.
By default, the first Lunar Return on or after today is selected. The top of the chart shows the exact datetime and location of the selected return, so it is always clear when and where the chart is for.
Reading the Chart
A Lunar Return chart uses the same visual structure as a natal chart, but the interpretive focus shifts to monthly themes. Pay attention to the following factors.
- Ascendant sign - Sets the emotional tone and outward impression for the month
- Moon's house - Indicates the life area where emotional energy is most concentrated
- Sun's house - Shows where conscious effort is likely to be directed
- Stelliums or house clusters - Highlight the domains that will see the most activity
For a full explanation of chart components, see Single Wheel. To compare monthly themes against the annual picture, see Solar Return.
Table Views and Tooltips
Lunar Return charts support the same table views available in the Single Wheel - planet table, aspect matrix, element and modality distribution, and house cusp table. Hover over (or tap) any planet glyph or aspect line to see a tooltip with detailed information.
Tooltip content can be customized in Tooltip Settings.
Exporting the Chart
You can export your Lunar Return chart as an image or PDF. For instructions and supported formats, see Chart Export.