HOSHIDOU

What a Solar Return chart is, how to access it, location input, year selection, and how to read the chart.

A Solar Return chart is cast for the exact moment each year when the transiting Sun returns to the same zodiac degree it occupied at your birth. This annual chart reveals the themes, opportunities, and challenges likely to unfold over the following twelve months.

Because the Sun does not return to its natal degree at exactly the same clock time each year, the Solar Return moment may fall a day before or after your calendar birthday.

What Is a Solar Return

The Solar Return is one of the most widely used techniques for annual forecasting. While your natal chart is a lifelong blueprint, the Solar Return chart highlights the specific themes activated during a given year.

By examining planetary placements and house emphasis in the return chart, you can identify which areas of life - career, relationships, health, and so on - are likely to demand the most attention. A new chart is generated every year, making it easy to track shifts from one birthday to the next.

How to Access

You can open a Solar Return chart from the birth data page.

Navigate to your birth data page and display a chart
Open the chart type dropdown menu
Select "Solar Return"

The chart is calculated and displayed immediately.

Location Input

Solar Return charts allow you to specify the location for the return moment - either where you will be or where you plan to be. The location determines the house cusps, which can significantly change the interpretation.

Changing the location shifts the house placements considerably. If you want to see how a year looks in a different city - perhaps a travel destination or a new home - enter that location.

If no location is specified, the birth location from your birth data is used by default.

Year Selector

Use the year selector to view the Solar Return chart for any year. Choose a past year for retrospective analysis, or a future year to look ahead. The current year is selected by default.

Reading the Chart

A Solar Return chart shares the same visual structure as a natal chart. Focus on these key factors to uncover the year's themes.

Ascendant sign - Sets the overall tone and outward style for the year
Sun's house - Shows the life area where your energy will be most concentrated
Moon's sign and house - Reveals emotional themes and where you seek fulfillment
Stelliums or house clusters - Highlight the domains that will see the most activity

For a detailed breakdown of chart components, see Single Wheel. To adjust which bodies and aspects are shown, visit Points & Aspects Settings.

Table Views and Tooltips

Solar 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 Solar Return chart as an image or PDF. For instructions and supported formats, see Chart Export.

Solar Return