PLANETS IN SOLAR RETURN FORECAST
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This report is written by Mary Fortier Shea. The information in this report is based on the author's experience interpreting hundreds of Solar Return charts for clients over a 20 year period. Here is everything you want to know about Solar Returns! Included in your report is an interpretation for retrograde Mercury, Venus and Mars, hemispheric and quadrant emphasis, preponderances and lacks, and each planet in every Solar Return house. Through the report, Mary Fortier Shea concentrates on a complete description of possibilities. Her examples range from spiritual transitions, starting a new business, love affairs, marriage, issues involving children and parents, health, education, writing and publishing books, relocation, income changes, career transitions, and much more. She covers both positive and negative possibilities for the different Solar Return placements and configurations she discusses. Your program comes with a long version option which includes detailed introductions to the general meaning of each planet in addition to the report, and a short version option which concentrates just on the chart being interpreted.
Languages available: English
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Planets in Solar Return Report for: Michael J. Fox June 9, 1961 12:15 AM Edmonton, Canada ****** Solar Return calculated for: June 9, 1999 5:37:10 AM Edmonton, Canada *** INTRODUCTION TO SOLAR RETURNS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION *** 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 Sun's return to your natal Sun's position), and your location (longitude and latitude) at the time of the conjunction. Tropical, Placidus, Nonprecessed Solar Return There are many different types of solar return charts: tropical, sidereal, precessed, and nonprecessed. This report is based on research using tropical, Placidus or Koch, nonprecessed solar return charts. Interpretations are very similar to natal interpretations and this should make the material more understandable to both the professional and amateur astrologer. Solar Return Location The solar return chart is generally calculated for your location at the time of the Sun's return. This may occur on your birthday, or the day before or after. During leap years, it sometimes occurs two days before your birthday. If you are going to be away or traveling near your birthday, calculate the time of the Sun's return before you leave so you can note your position the exact moment of the solar return. You can also calculate the chart for your natal birth location even if you no longer live there. The natal location solar return chart is not as definitive as the relocation solar return, but it can give you good information. The natal location solar return is like a progressed or solar arc chart; you are born with it. Therefore, a natal solar return cannot and will not reflect any free will choices you might have made regarding where you live or where you are when the sun returns. It is a good chart, but it does not mirror the whole picture, especially if you have moved a great distance. Some individuals prefer the chart calculated for their place of residence regardless of where they are located at the time of the Sun's return. This chart can be useful also, but again, it tends to be secondary to the chart of your actual location at the time of the Sun's return to its natal zodiacal position. Some individuals relocate for a short period of time, usually about 24 hours, to adjust the house placements of the planets in the solar return. Those who calculate the chart for where they are at the time of the transiting Sun's conjunction to the natal position sometimes travel to other locations to change the yearly interpretation. The relocation adjusts the angles and cusps, orienting the planets into different houses. The zodiacal degrees and aspects of the planets remain the same, but because of the different planetary placements different areas of life are emphasized. The free will choice to make this adjustment seems to bring this chart closest to the truth. Period of the Solar Return's Significance 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 passé 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 18 Gem 12 Neptune 8 Sco 58 Moon 1 Tau 27 Pluto 5 Vir 40 Mercury 9 Can 21 Asc. 18 Aqu 37 Venus 2 Tau 58 MC 14 Sag 03 Mars 18 Leo 37 2nd cusp 22 Ari 21 Jupiter 6 Aqu 49 3rd cusp 24 Tau 15 Saturn 29 Cap 07 5th cusp 0 Can 40 Uranus 22 Leo 23 6th cusp 18 Can 54 Tropical Placidus Standard Time observed June 9, 1961 12:15 AM GMT: 07:15:00 Time Zone: 7 hours West Lat. and Long. of birth place: 53 N 33 113 W 28 Astrological Data of Solar Return: Sun 18 Gem 12 Neptune 4 Aqu 05 Moon 17 Ari 51 Pluto 8 Sag 52 Mercury 4 Can 41 Asc. 24 Gem 26 Venus 3 Leo 32 MC 15 Aqu 46 Mars 24 Lib 37 2nd cusp 10 Can 41 Jupiter 26 Ari 40 3rd cusp 26 Can 33 Saturn 12 Tau 01 5th cusp 14 Vir 08 Uranus 16 Aqu 39 6th cusp 1 Sco 31 June 9, 1999 GMT: 11:37:10 Edmonton, Canada 53 N 33 113 W 28 Aspects and orbs: Conjunction : 7 Deg. 0 Min. Opposition : 6 Deg. 0 Min. Square : 6 Deg. 0 Min. Trine : 6 Deg. 0 Min. Sextile : 4 Deg. 0 Min. ELEMENTS, MODES, QUADRANTS, AND RETROGRADE PLANETS 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 12th house: The Sun in the 12th house indicates that this is a behind-the-scenes year for you unless the Sun is close to the Ascendent. This is not a year in which you will seek to be noticed. Recognition is more likely to come next year and you can be noticed then for something you accomplish now. Socially, you will tend to be quiet, more withdrawn and preoccupied with internal thoughts or projects. It is time for the important task of organizing information you have collected while the Sun was in the other cadent houses. Consequently, you will need time alone for reflection and introspection. You may daydream and fantasize a lot, or spend time contemplating your existence and the meaning of life. A religious theme is common, but all information is reorganized and not just data with a philosophical or religious theme. You will tend to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself since they are usually only partially formed or partially understood for most of the year. You tend to be tolerant of different beliefs and will not push your incomplete opinions onto others. Yearlong goals and projects are often a direct result of the reorganization process. This is usually not the year for short-term success. You should be preparing for the future at least one year ahead. This is not to say that this is a wasted year; this is a excellent Sun placement for those who are working on a long-term project and do not expect to be rewarded or praised until they complete the task at hand. Generally, the fruits of their labor will not be evident until the start of the next solar return year. If the Sun should go to the 10th house the following year, this would be the time of career recognition and praise. If the Sun should fall into the 9th, this could be a time for publication. Authors who write their books with the Sun in the 12th house often present them to publishers as the Sun moves into the 9th. If you are working, you may find it difficult to gain recognition now for the work that you are doing. Again, you might have to wait until next year when you complete a long-term project. But some individuals with this Sun placement work in a back room forgotten by management. They rarely deal with the public on a regular basis unless they are a voice over the telephone. The work they produce is unsigned and anonymous. A good example of this kind of work situation would be the publication of a newsletter that does not carry your name as writer or editor. You may hope to finally receive the recognition you deserve in the following year, but if you have your doubts, you might consider switching jobs. If you are a housewife with children, you may prefer to spend more time at home. A demanding domestic situation will cause you to retreat from extra commitments and a hectic social schedule. You might have a major project you are working to complete, such as redecorating your home, but more simply, the demands of your family and children can be overwhelming. Numerous responsibilities will drain your energy and time alone helps you to recuperate. This is also the year of the "closet personality." People will wonder where you have been and what you are up to since you will tend not to be self-disclosing. Perhaps your reputation is clouded. You might feel egoless. You are less likely to make demands on others and more likely to accept things passively, even though it is unusual for you to act this way. You can ignore feelings, thoughts or even desires for the sake of another person, especially if that person is in need. Negatively, you may be trying to bite your tongue and keep peace rather than defend yourself or say what is on your mind. If you are consciously trying to hide something, you can be secretive and deceiving, but it is also possible that others actively deceive you. It is more usual to be confused than deceptive or deceived; more positive to be enlightened than disillusioned. This might be a year when you are involved with the sick or disabled. The individual with Sun in the 12th is usually a good Samaritan. He or she spends time helping those who are incapacitated or confined, visiting friends, neighbors or relatives in the hospital. Compassion increases this year, but it is better to help those who are truly in need than those who refuse to respond or take responsibility for themselves. Beware of the savior-victim syndrome. This is a very negative manifestation resulting from intense involvement with alcoholics, drug addicts, or mentally unstable people. You may think you can help them, and they may look to you for assistance, but as the year progresses you see that they are slipping back into their old patterns and you feel drained, used and disillusioned. Steer clear of these kinds of people in personal relationships and use your compassion to direct them toward professional therapists. Working with these kinds of individuals professionally, however, may be very fulfilling for you. This is a year that can be unstructured and Neptunian. Your goals and philosophy may evolve slowly as the year goes on; consequently, it will not be to your advantage to structure and plan your schedule far in advance. Some individuals will feel that they have little control over situations because the needs of others overwhelm their own needs and they are easily sidetracked. Some will not have good control over their minds either. Those individuals who were counseling candidates before the year begins usually find this to be a very difficult year. Mental afflictions and neurosis are possible for those who do not seek counseling when they need it. Healthy individuals may notice more anxiety and nervousness as unconscious patterns surface and create difficulties. You might be phobic, worried, indecisive, less confident, or less assertive. If you are already in therapy and have been for a while, this is the time when you begin to see previously hidden patterns of behavior. You are able to put everything together and long-term issues finally become resolved. It is important that you get proper rest and nourishment. When the Sun is in the 12th house, you may be more easily drained physically and emotionally. You need time alone for contemplation and planning; illness is one way to get it. This is more likely to happen if you are overwhelmed by numerous responsibilities which you do not allow yourself to avoid. Learn to say no. Time spent alone in reflection can give you a renewed sense of faith in the Universe and a new sense of dedication to the role you play in its creation and evolution. Sun Aspects Uranus Uranus aspecting the Sun suggests that the individual desires to make changes, possibly in rapid succession. Generally, any solar return year that has a major Uranus-Sun aspect also has a corresponding significant life change or development such as a pregnancy or birth, career or job transfer, relocation, illness, etc. Changes tend to be more disruptive and less controllable when they involve a conjunction, square or opposition aspect, but all aspects can ultimately indicate beneficial changes. Issues involving boredom versus originality, or creativity and freedom versus restriction, are common. Sun Aspects Moon Sun-Moon aspects indicate either compatible external and internal goals, or a lack of agreement between the conscious and unconscious levels. Depending on the aspects and the individual's ability to integrate diverse needs, this can be a time of harmony or conflict. Common themes involve domestic and career needs. These two areas of life will complement each other or divide the individual's attention in a stressful way. Negatively, career moves may disrupt the family. Reputations thwart ambitions. Domestic responsibilities disrupt your work schedule. More positively, changes in the home coincide with professional moves. As children go off to college or school, parents are advanced to new positions. Relocations are welcomed by all family members. The unconscious need for emotional fulfillment is played out consciously in the external environment. 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 individual's emotional nature during the solar return year. The Moon as an Emotional Indicator While we speak of the Moon as simply an indication of one's emotional nature, the actual interpretation of the Moon is more complex than simple. The Moon is not just an indicator of feelings; one's 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 individual's feelings regardless of whether or not they are expressed openly. The type of feelings you have during the year can be demonstrated by the Moon's sign, position, and aspects. The Moon's 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 individual's feelings and basic temperament is that feelings tend to make up one's basic temperament. The word temperament implies one's 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 Moon's 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 Moon's 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 Mercury's placement will suggest what the person is consciously thinking, the Moon's 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 11th house: The Moon in the 11th house suggests that you have a dream or goal you are working toward. This goal should be personally fulfilling and rewarding, when and if completed. Major tasks started during this year generally involve personal commitment to a project, idea or belief. You should be your own motivator, and many times you will be working alone. The goal need not necessarily be humanitarian or idealistic. Teenagers trying to pick a college or career can have this placement. They gather the pertinent information and make choices according to their needs. You might have to work toward your goal despite much opposition and lack of assistance from family members. For example, a woman with the Moon in the 11th started her own cottage industry despite her husband's insecurity and messages of doom. Opposition to your goal can be a blessing in disguise if the tension increases your conviction and dedication to the task at hand. It can be a motivating force that pushes you onward. This is a good time to accomplish something that is truly your own. The Moon in the 11th implies personal goals. Therefore, it is very important that you reassess your present and future goals to determine if they are truly the product of your own needs and desires. Do they have great personal value to you as an individual, and will they be emotionally fulfilling when completed? You may draw closer to friends during this time while becoming more detached from your family. This is especially true if family members object to your future goals or present situation. The Moon in the 11th suggests that you develop closer bonds in what are normally more detached relationships. Friends become family and you are more apt to confide in them. They, in turn, are more likely to help you with your project than your own family. If you are at an age when peer groups are especially important, you will depend heavily on the opinions and support of friends. There could be a logical reason for this. For example, if you are selecting a college or job, other teenagers should know a lot about schools and work programs. Information acquired from other students or through the grapevine is most helpful. In this case, the dependency and close contact with friends are important to the task at hand. New patterns of closeness and independence evolve during the year and some vacillation may occur in all relationships. The basic interpretation for the Moon does not blend easily with that of the 11th house. The Moon is emotional and dependency-oriented while the 11th house is detached and independent. The lack of common ground can suggest a freedom-closeness conflict. You may be at a critical time period for your emotional maturation when you are about to take a big step toward greater independence. You could be planning to go away to school, live on your own, become self-employed or self-supporting. As much as you welcome the move toward greater independence, you will also be anxious, hence the frequent revisions in your plans. Your sense of attachment to others will also fluctuate and you may experience some relationship issues. You may not be able to depend on significant others in your life for one reason or another. They may not be dependable or supportive, or you may not want their assistance. It is difficult to actively seek out nurturing situations while at the same time struggling to establish your independence. You can experience this freedom-closeness dilemma as relationship conflicts which seem to alternate between restriction and abandonment. Reassuring others of your love can ease these growing pains. Realize that if you appear unpredictable, others will feel threatened by your need for independence. Or this struggle might be completely reversed. You may be moving toward greater intimacy. If you have been on your own for a long time and you are now romantically involved, you could fear giving up your independence and committing to a permanent relationship. The dilemma is the same, only the situation is changed. This placement is associated with all kinds of groups, but group meetings and activities will tend to be emotionally charged. Positively, you might be very concerned with an injustice or cause. The emotional impact of the group's efforts is a motivating force. Negatively, conflicts break out among members. Emotional and psychological factors within the group tend to complicate gatherings. This is an excellent time to join a therapy or self-help group. The Moon suggests emotional attachments within a detached setting, and you can spend a lot of time discussing your problems with your friends or group members. Whatever the situation, the goal is to share feelings. The give and take needed in relationships this year works well within support group situations where camaraderie occurs in a somewhat detached setting. In this type of group setting, you are able to experience strong emotions without being weighed down by emotional responsibility, a good combination for the individual with a freedom-closeness dilemma. Moon Aspects Uranus Probably the most common activity associated with a Moon-Uranus aspect in a solar return chart is moving from one home to another. You may move yourself, or help someone either move in or out of your home. Domestic changes are likely. Usually, a certain amount of disruption transpires in the home. Expect breaks in your daily routine and habits. Most likely, relationships are also changing. You could be involved in a new relationship, or an old one may be going through a period of transition or separation. Either you or your partner initiates these changes. Strong attractions are possible at this time, but this is not the most common manifestation. If you feel you are caught in an emotional rut, changes are more likely to occur. The external changes you experience in relationships are the direct result of internal restlessness. It stands to reason that if your situation and emotional needs change, you will be faced with new issues and problems, and be required to develop new ways of expressing yourself emotionally. This is one way to break inhibitions. The involvement in new situations will accentuate your ability or inability to handle emotions and relationships in a positive way. At the very worst, emotional control will be difficult and feelings will be erratic. You may be overwhelmed one day and detached or cool the next. You could say or do things without really considering the emotional consequences, but then, this might free you up to make necessary changes quickly and easily. MERCURY IN THE SOLAR RETURN CHART Mercury has two basic interpretations in the solar return chart: it symbolizes both your mental condition during the coming year and what you are thinking about. The first task involved in understanding Mercury's interpretation is to evaluate the indicators for mental conditioning and the possible sources of tension. Solar Return Mercury in 1st house: Mercury in the 1st house can show that your mind is very focused on self-interest. You will concentrate on your own needs, develop your own ideas and opinions, and/or make your own personal decisions. You will tend to be intellectually independent. You will rely more and more on your own thought processes and make decisions independently, possibly disregarding feedback or consultations with others. Subjective interpretation can be very strong. You may only see one side of an issue. Understanding other viewpoints may be difficult if you cannot relate to ideas other than your own. You value your own thoughts and opinions so highly that you may believe what you want regardless of what others tell you. This may not be a good time to truly understand others. You might have blind spots which make you unyielding and uninformed. You may stubbornly insist that you are right without reviewing the information. This can be a time of great conviction or great stupidity. Intellectual development is possible during this time, but generally the individual prefers to be self-taught rather than return to school. More than likely, the emphasis is on testing and using already acquired intellectual abilities rather than focusing on further development. This is a time to put into action what you already know. Mercury in the 1st can be very good for reading, writing, studying, or any task that requires single-mindedness to complete. Even so, sometimes there are two major tasks being worked on. Your mind is very active and very quick, perhaps even impulsive. You may choose to hammer out your ideas during conversations. Be aware that you will tend to be very opinionated and perhaps even dogmatic during the discussions. Because you are in the process of developing your ideas, your thoughts will change over the year. You may have to eat some of your dogmatic decrees, so it would be wise to talk softly. If you are not learning, reading, writing, studying, or actively thinking in a productive manner, Mercury in the 1st can symbolize a negative use of mental energy. Misdirected thought processes can succumb to nervousness, anxiety, and depression. Inconsistencies between what you know and what you are told may be at the root of your anxiety. It would be better for you to get away from a preoccupation with your problems, and to focus instead on positive mental alternatives and solutions to your situation. This can be a highly productive year, one in which your personal preferences gain strength and significance. 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 3rd house: Venus in the 3rd house of the solar return emphasizes all forms of communication, both verbal and written. Your ability to express yourself coherently is important to the activities of the year. Others will listen and respond to what you have to say; therefore your communication patterns need to be clear and concise. For example, one individual organized and wrote a correspondence course during the year Venus was in the 3rd house of the solar return chart. This person's ability to write well was crucial to the success of the task at hand. But one does not have to be involved in a major project to need good communication skills. Effective negotiating techniques are useful in many everyday situations, both business and personal. The ability to make your point quickly, easily, and clearly can give you the edge when mediating a dispute or bargaining for what you want. At other times, being diplomatic may be more advantageous. If you feel the need for improvement, you may want to take a course in communicationskills, but for those who are experiencing problems of a personal nature, it is more common to attend counseling sessions, especially when the communication and negotiation of needs are the major topics of discussion. A love of learning is also shown by Venus in the 3rd house. This is a good time to return to school or sign up for a course. If you have been apprehensive in the past about finishing your education or going on for a higher degree, this is a good time to start. It may be easier for you to adjust now since you look forward to learning new things. If you do your best work, academic honors are possible during the year. Social contacts with neighbors are increasing and you may meet or socialize with a greater number of local people. Superficial familiarity with many neighbors is more common than in-depth relating to a few. The emphasis here is not necessarily on creating new and long-lasting friendships, but acquiring new acquaintances. In keeping with this trend, you may join the neighborhood coffee klatch or community association. My favorite example for a 3rd house solar return Venus is a teenaged girl who took her first job at a local neighborhood library. She not only met many of her neighbors, she also began to date a few. Your urge to meet and communicate with your neighbors can be motivated by a neighborhood problem. Socialization may be secondary to involvement in an organized community effort or public service. Venus Aspects Pluto Pluto-Venus contacts show intense emotional involvements and complicated financial situations. 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 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, Pluto-Venus aspects 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, while learning to deal effectively with these influences affects the success of the relationship. Obviously, this is a good time for counseling of any kind. 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 and money become the main issues. Financially, Pluto-Venus aspects indicate strong financial changes or complex monetary arrangements. Salary changes 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. A college-bound student sought to manipulate her grandfather into paying for her education, while a married couple traded money for sex. 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 Aspects Neptune If you are already involved in a stable emotional relationship, Neptune-Venus aspects may be more relevant to financial concerns than romantic interests. Financial circumstances will exhibit a degree of uncertainty, but only rarely is a person unemployed for part of the year and not sure where the next dollar is coming from. A break from work is more likely to be a leave of absence without pay, but even this situation is uncommon unless you are female and pregnant (maternity leave). With Neptune-Venus aspects, it is more common to experience other reasons for financial uncertainty. You can be self-employed or have an income based on commissions, incentives or profit-sharing; your hours may fluctuate or you might work on an "on-call" basis. Under these conditions, you will be unsure of the amount of your pay until the check arrives. Changing circumstances also affect the amount of money available (e.g., relocation, divorce, illness, large purchases or major sales) and it is impossible to predict the effect these changes will have, especially if several variables are involved. For example, if you must sell your home and relocate to a different state, you may not be sure how much you can sell your present home for, how much your new home is likely to cost, how much you will be able to earn at your new job, and how expensive it will be to live in the area. You must be careful with your funds until the figures are worked out. If you are expecting money from others in the form of a loan, gift or inheritance, you will not be sure how much you will receive or when you will receive it. If you are taking a financial gamble, you can't be sure that things will work out. Regardless whether or not financial uncertainty is job-related, monetary uncertainty exists in some form, but it need not be a serious problem. This is a good time to foster a strong appreciation of the nonmaterial side of life. Since material, monetary, physical, and external indicators are so uncertain, focus on the inner qualities. Neptune aspecting Venus can also be important to understanding your relationships during the coming year. Significant emotional relationships can be very compassionate or very confusing. In strong relationships, the partners are more likely to be sensitive to each other's needs. Understanding and empathy increase and inner qualities are the focus of attention and appreciation. You can be more aware of the subtleties of your partner's unspoken preferences. Sometimes you neglect some of your own needs so those of your partner can be fulfilled. The ability to be self-sacrificing is seen with this aspect, but then, so too is the ability to be martyred. External trappings are devalued and what you materially own and share is not as important as what you are willing to share emotionally. For the time being, feelings may be all you have. If you are not already married, you or your partner may not wish to make an external commitment at this time. New or less stable love relationships tend to lack definition. The situation may be such that you can't even label your relationship or give it a name. For example, you have a one-night affair with your boss. You are not really lovers or friends, but your relationship is no longer that of employer-employee. It's hard to define what you mean to each other and where the relationship is headed. In any relationship, your partner's intentions may be unclear or actions contradictory. He or she may come and go, appear and disappear, say one thing and do another. One minute you know you are loved and the next minute you are not sure. It's difficult to know where you stand. While in this limbo, the relationship remains suspended in time, without a guaranteed future or a present reality. No relationship comes with guarantees to begin with, but with Neptune-Venus contacts insecurity can be even more evident. Because of the lack of clarity inherent in relationships, idealization and distortion occur, making partners seem too good to be true. Aggrandizement of this sort can only lead to disappointment and disillusionment. A persistent sense of confusion and insecurity can cause you to misinterpret what is actually occurring. This is most likely to happen when one or both partners are ambivalent or deceptive. At best, relationships possess a sense of compassion and sensitivity. At worst, there are lies to contend with. Clandestine and secret relationships are common with Venus-Neptune aspects and 12th house placements. Lovers meet in private and keep their relationship hidden. Even if you have nothing major to hide, you may want to meet and be alone with each other. 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 planet's 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. Solar Return Mars in 5th house: Mars in the 5th house indicates a more assertive style of self-expression. This may be most evident in creative projects, but it can also manifest in the personality. You are less likely to practice self-restraint and more likely to take risks. You are willing to go out on a limb with a new train of thought. You gain confidence by trying new things, although in the beginning your confidence tends to be fragile. This is a time when you can state what you want and go after what you need. You are direct and concise with a no-nonsense style that lets you be who you want to be. You refuse to surrender your right to freedom of self-expression, and if someone is attempting to suppress your ideas or restrict your movements (regardless of their motives), you will fight back. For example, an astrology student with this placement consistently refused to give up her studies when her fundamentalist parents objected. Despite their feelings, she could not be swayed. You are very aware of the personality's need for self-preservation and integrity. If someone is a threat, malicious or otherwise, you are ready to defend yourself. If you are involved in a continuing conflict, you will be willing to take the offensive if the situation warrants it. Some may think you are too pushy, and perhaps you are if you need to be reminded of the rights of others. Use this energy for creative endeavors and free self-expression. Do not focus on dominating or controlling others (especially children and lovers). It is not especially common to start a love relationship during the year, but if you do, the relationship can be very exciting and based on a strong sexual attraction. Desire and passion are most likely evoked by the person you are seeing, and these feelings play an important role in the relationship choices you make. Romance may not be as important as the electrifying energy that passes between the two of you when you are together. But there is no guarantee that a relationship will be all passion and no conflict; in fact, the fire that heats up your passion can also heat up your temper. In addition to the strong attraction, there is also a need for self-defense and unrestricted self-expression as discussed above. How do you defend yourself against a strong passion which is essentially an invisible power difficult to control? How do you maintain unrestricted self-expression when you are strongly involved with another person? Conflicts in relationships are common since couples will feel both the pull of attraction and the push for expression, or the desire for merger balanced by the need for freedom. Learning to maintain some measure of self-control and self-expression while in a relationship is the key to this placement. If you are a parent, your children may be pushing for new levels of independence, regardless of their age. One-year-olds go from crawling to running, toddlers enter the terrible twos, older children start school, teenagers learn to drive, get that first job, leave home to attend college, or start living on their own. The task they are working on is not as important as the reaction it causes in you. Basically, you are not ready for the changes and may disapprove of the choices they are making or the behavior they are exhibiting while out of your sight. Children appear more disruptive during this period of transition, but you are also less patient. They are probably coping with new situations, abilities, and problems. The newness builds stress and they are easily frustrated. You, in turn, wish they would return to their old pattern of behavior which seems more settled and less taxing. If your children are younger, they may disobey you, but if they are older, they will not only disagree with you, they will argue with you. They are probably intelligent enough to point out all the flaws and discrepancies in your restrictions and disciplinary tactics. Don't be surprised when they confront you with a logical attack on these inconsistencies. This exchange forces you to further define your position on any one issue and enables the child to push for change and freedom consistent with his or her real or imagined level of maturity. You, however, may not see it that way and attribute most of the tension to simple parent-child confrontations. These minor conflicts tend to be aggravating, but easier to handle than the well-planned, persistently orchestrated debate put on by some teenagers. For those more creative individuals, this is a time for original work in new areas of expertise. You should be willing to take artistic risks with your creations. If you are an artisan, experiment with new products or designs. If you are a writer, try a new style or genre. Innovations are important, and you can receive constructive criticism over your new approach. You should be ready to defend or explain your choices, but also use the information to refine your technique. Mars Aspects Jupiter Actions which directly support or contradict belief systems are associated with Mars-Jupiter aspects in the solar return chart. Personal ethics and morals may be transgressed or respected, depending on the practicality of the belief, the individual's personality traits, and the amount of conflict and stress experienced. This is a time when you are acutely aware of the role beliefs play in controlling or directing behavior. Actions are commonly categorized as right or wrong, while specific relationships are believed to be beneficial and supportive, or detrimental and thwarting. The danger with this combination is that you can behave in a manner which is ultimately not to your benefit, compromising your belief system through hypocritical actions. Compounding this problem is the tendency to overschedule activities while in the midst of a dilemma. You must manage your time in the most effective manner and still make choices which reflect your beliefs and priorities. Long-term goals must be weighed against short-term advantages. The exact interpretation of these issues relates to the positions of Mars and Jupiter in the solar return chart. The action desired or taken is shown by the house placement of Mars and the belief system, benefit or area of heavy activity is implied by the house placement of Jupiter. The aspect between the two signals the relationship existing between the dual messages and whether or not there is a perceived conflict. For example, one woman realized she could move ahead in business by having a personal relationship with her boss. Mars, the action planet, was in the 8th house of the solar return chart in good aspect to Jupiter in the 10th house of career where she hoped to benefit. She did not perceive the possibility of any long-term problems when initiating the relationship; she saw an opportunity for advancement. Another woman with the same 10th house Jupiter placement had too much of a good thing. Her Jupiter was in difficult aspect to Mars in the 12th house. She was overwhelmed with new business and found it difficult to find time to work on a long-term project requiring independent research. This woman felt pulled between her immediate success and future goals. She needed to set priorities. Each of these women faced business issues which might be beneficial or detrimental, and each made choices accordingly. The task of the Mars-Jupiter aspect is to resolve ethical, moral or philosophical dilemmas, but to do this you must discriminate between what is an impractical belief, given your behavior, and what is a hypocritical action, given your beliefs. Furthermore, you must prioritize your activities and live within the time restraints you are given. 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. Jupiter's 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 Jupiter's 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 one's 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 11th house: The number one issue with Jupiter in the 11th house is the issue of freedom as it relates to one or more specific areas of life. Goals are being set early in the year, and most likely the goals are meant to directly benefit the individual. The goals may include educational pursuits which will enhance career potential, but this is not always the case. In order to fulfill the goals, the individual must fight for freedom in one or more specific areas of life. The specific areas are denoted by the houses with Sagittarius and Pisces on the cusps. The symbolism of either one or both houses will work. For example, one young man wanted to attend graduate school, but his work demanded that he put in much overtime. He needed to fight for freedom from the grueling hours before he could attain the educational goal he wished for. Sagittarius ruled the 6th house and Pisces ruled the 10th. He eventually quit his job and found part-time employment. A young woman also wanted to go to school, but needed money from relatives. Deep underlying family complexes made it very difficult for her to address the issues clearly and acquire the much-needed financing. She eventually applied for scholarships and loans and entered the school of her choice. The issue of freedom is crucial to success. If one cannot master the tasks necessary for eliminating restrictions, one will not be free to accomplish the goal. Those who are frustrated may function erratically. Freedom in this case is a negative reaction to a restrictive condition, rather than a quest for wholeness. Friends may be crucial to the goals you set during the year. They can directly assist you or help you to make the necessary connections. It might be more important who you know than what you do, and therefore networking is to your advantage. It's possible that goals can only be accomplished through a combination of energies coming together from several different individuals. The pooling of resources enables all to succeed as a group while maintaining some measure of individual success. Group efforts and self-help programs are consistent with this placement. 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 Saturn's 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 Saturn's 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 Saturn's 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 Saturn's 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 12th house: Saturn in the 12th house implies the presence of unconscious blockages which must be overcome. Failure to overcome these inhibitions will lead to limitations in what would usually be considered normal activity. The emotions governing these limitations are fear and guilt, and breaking free generally involves much anxiety. You must face your own fears before you can go on with the maturation process, since presently they prevent you from branching out and taking risks when you should develop greater freedom of movement. Frequent fear issues include, but are not limited to: fears of not being loved or being rejected; fears of inadequacy with a constant need for reassurance; fears concerning sexual performance or orientation; and fears of losing control or being overpowered. Many times the fear-producing issue is ill-defined and ill-founded, but supported by self-defeating attitudes, free-floating anxiety, and heightened vulnerability. For these reasons, fears associated with psychic impressions are not unheard of. Guilt is the other most common unconscious restriction. There may be certain things you will do, or other things you will not do, simply because of the guilt you will feel one way or the other. If you are being controlled by guilt and do not investigate or understand these feelings, you will continue to feel forced to behave in certain ways. For example, a middle-aged woman who lived with and cared for her elderly mother found she was both tied down and drained by her mother's constant need for care and attention. But she repeatedly refused to seek out a part-time nurse or companion to stay with her mother while she pursued her own interests. Every time she left her mother with other family members, she would return to find the older woman somewhat disoriented and confused. She would interpret this disorientation as her own fault and feel guilty for leaving. Eventually, she became totally tied down by her mother's unconscious signals for attention. Saturn in the 12th is the astrological equivalent of a responsibility vacuum cleaner. There is the tendency to feel responsible (and subsequently guilty) for everything that goes wrong. You will tend not to delegate authority easily and will try to do everything yourself, perfectly, all the time. In short, you overcompensate for real or imagined shortcomings. Only by facing your fears and confronting your feelings of guilt can you begin to live a more normal life-style. There is a lack of "reality presence" with the placement of Saturn in this house. Saturn rules reality, but here in the 12th house (normally ruled by Neptune) reality seems to lose some of its clarity. Truth is more elusive. The fears, guilt, and unconscious inhibitions normally associated with this placement are partly caused by an inability to discern what is real and what is fantasy. Here there is no objective or even subjective reality, only vague impressions of what is presumed to be real. This makes the going tough. Without a clear base to work from, it becomes easier to worry about future possibilities and past mistakes. Consequently, fears and guilt tend to prosper and grow at this time. The main goal of this house placement is to come in contact with the weaker, more irrational parts of your personality which inhibit your progress. This is easier to do if you are in the process of being thwarted or feeling afraid. Only by experiencing the frustration and fear inherent in the conflict, will you actively seek ways to overcome the blockages and resolve the associated issues or problems, so life can begin to return to normal. It is to your advantage to move toward the fear rather than retreat. Investigate the issues which seem to block your progress. Look for alternatives. The tendency is to miss the obvious or not understand what is normal under the given conditions. Only by discussing your situation with others and looking for new options can you alleviate the pressure. Unfortunately, you will be doing this while feeling your most vulnerable. But you must analyze your behavior and question those actions that you do not understand. Fear and guilt are sure signals that you need to investigate unconscious blockages and make adjustments in the way you are living and handling issues. Saturn in the 12th can also show strong obligations that cannot be avoided, or the need to become responsible for someone less fortunate. Couples with newborn babies and children with elderly parents to care for frequently have this placement. Family members in need must be cared for, but friends in trouble or those less fortunate can also be the object of your concern. The need to behave in a responsible manner includes the desire to care for someone who is unable to be responsible for him or herself or needs to be saved from a difficult situation. Occasionally, the person you are most concerned about is hospitalized during the year. The need to care and the need to face a fear are usually intertwined in some way. Sometimes, the person you care most for is the person you fear. If so, by giving, you receive; by protecting, you become less vulnerable; by reaching out, you cross the bridge from fear to understanding. If Saturn is in the 12th house, but close to the Ascendent, tasks and responsibilities will tend to become stronger and more visible as Saturn crosses the Ascendant by transit and moves into the 1st house. 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 native's 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 year's 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 10th house: Uranus in the 10th house shows that professional changes are likely to occur. In most instances these changes are major and involve a switch from one career to another or from company-oriented employment to self-employment. You will tend to be restless during the year. Professional freedom is usually an issue and you will not submit quietly to authority figures, especially if they are unpredictable or if the main emphasis seems to be on restriction of goals and frustration of success. If this is your situation, you will undoubtedly rock the boat. You need to function as independently as possible for your creative urges to flow. If you are unhappy with your boss, transfer to another department or office location. If you are unhappy with your present job, find a new one. If you are unhappy with your present profession, jump careers entirely and start out in a totally new field, especially if Saturn is also in the 10th house. Consider becoming self-employed since you have the need and ability to function independently. Breaks in employment usually mark the period of transition. You may decide to stop work entirely or retire. There is an outside chance you may be fired unexpectedly from your present job if your performance is inadequate or if the company undergoes reorganization/merger. Those who do not make major career changes might feel restless at work, and easily bored with repetitive tasks or distracted by disruptions. Use this time to integrate new ideas and systems into your daily procedures. You need a variety of tasks or a change of pace. There are many ways to incorporate change into the office routine and there is always room for improvement. You might become aware of numerous and continuing daily disruptions which prevent you from functioning at your best. Distractions can draw you away from your true purpose or job description. The entire office may need reorganization and management will usually welcome constructive criticism and enlightened input. Don't be afraid to make suggestions meant to streamline office procedures for greater efficiency. Extenuating circumstances may make it difficult for you to plan out your day. The most common situation along this line is business relocation or renovation. If your office is preparing for a move, setting up shop in new quarters or rearranging old ones, it may be tough to adhere to a schedule and plan out your days in advance. Another possibility is an office agitator who regularly disrupts those trying to do their job. If you are not working at this time, you can still make major changes, usually in your life direction. Decisions may not be made quickly and easily and the tendency is to be erratic. Major life-style changes may be considered including divorce, separation, or major relocations, possibly overseas. You may move away from your parents or they may relocate to a retirement community in the "Sun Belt." If you are still living at home with your folks, you may disagree with their authority over you, especially if you are of age and need greater freedom. Demonstrating your maturity is the quickest road to independence. 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 individual's 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 9th house: This is traditionally known as the house of religious and philosophical beliefs. For those who are seeking to raise their consciousness through meditation, spiritual studies, prayer, or alternate realities, this can be a time of great enlightenment. A realization of God and the Christ-consciousness is possible. Mystical experiences occurring during the year could significantly change your understanding of yourself, the Universal Oneness and your purpose here on the earth plane. Strong realizations of this nature cannot be translated into words, and therefore may not be understood by others lacking the experience. This is a time when you move toward your own inner comprehension of God and the spirit of the law, while realizing that religion and the letter of the law are inferior attempts at definition and comprehension. The danger with this placement is a tendency to be misguided. Because there is a movement from external standards (religion) to an internal realization (enlightenment), confusion and uncertainty may accompany the transition. You can be off track for a period of time and find it difficult to cope with philosophical and practical decisions. Mundane events and issues can test your new and old beliefs, pushing you toward further definition and understanding. Do not put your faith in a belief system which is totally unrealistic or impractical. Acute idealization is a problem, and unattainable expectations will inhibit your ability to function in the real world. If you push too hard for enlightenment, you will fall into the trap of focusing on the letter of the law while missing the spirit behind it; contradictions will arise. Others may be forcing you to pursue religious or philosophical systems which do not fit your needs or are inconsistent with your purpose. You are capable of being swayed by others. The distinguishing criterion here seems to be one of understanding. If you can express a principle in words, but do not understand what you are saying, this principle is probably incorrect for you and your needs at this time. However, if you have captured the spirit of the principle within your understanding and know that it conforms to the Universal need for goodness, do not be alarmed by your inability to translate these insights into words. True understanding is, many times, beyond words. At the same time, principles and experiences which come through true enlightenment cannot be passed on to others who have not had the experience. Common ground for understanding will not exist. Grow to trust the inner process. Others might be intolerant of your beliefs, or you of theirs. You must deal with your own misconceptions or with those of others. Occasionally you come in contact with fanatical beliefs, and in extreme cases victimization can occur. Harassment because of racial differences, sexual orientation, or ethnic and religious prejudice can occur. In extreme cases, the harassment leads to legal problems. Legal questions are likely to remain undecided for much of the year. If you are involved with foreigners, or if you are a foreigner in another land, cultural differences may lead to difficulties or intolerance. Misunderstandings are possible, especially if you do not understand each other's customs. You may be thinking of attending school. If so, your course of study might be undecided. Perhaps the exact curriculum you need does not exist as a standard major, so you mix and match. You may be attending school only on a trial or probationary basis since you lack a clear understanding of your motives and goals. Financing for your education might be uncertain, leaving your continuing attendance up in the air. Another alternative is that you do not matriculate at all, but only consider the possibility all year long. But this is a good time to study religion, philosophy, or holistic concepts. This field of study can be particularly helpful. 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 Pluto's 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 day's 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 one's 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 Pluto's 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 Pluto's 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 6th house: Pluto in the 6th house of the solar return implies changes in both the daily work situation and personal health practices. Changes in physical health are also possible, but generally not as likely. In regard to employment, your work environment could change dramatically. The most common manifestation involves an office which either totally reorganizes (e.g., computerization), or moves to another location. This causes a great upheaval in the daily routine until everyone learns the new procedures, or figures out where everything is located. Preparation, implementation and resolution time may take almost a year. In lieu of this, you alone may change bosses, or departments, or be given a new assignment or job description. Daily working conditions are likely to become more complicated until the period of transition ends. This is a good time to eliminate unnecessary daily tasks. Obsessive-compulsive tendencies may have you doing more work than is necessary. You can get hung up on details, or feel pressured to stay on the job longer than your normally scheduled hours. In these situations, work begins to have power over you, and you are no longer in control. You can become a workaholic this year if you are not mindful of the need to balance your workload. If you analyze your productivity, you may discover that your time is not efficiently organized. Learn to streamline your day by creating more efficient daily routines. It is possible that tasks can be completed in less time and with less effort. Take corrective action in those problem areas. If you are self-employed, hire someone to help you with the clerical work so you can be free to work on other projects. If you are working for a company, develop a plan of action and present it to your employer or manager. This is a time when even the lowliest employee will seek some power within the work environment. Positive use of this desire can lead to improvements on the job. Power in the workplace becomes an issue, and you can use personal power as a lever for success. For example, one employee with a wealth of valuable information negotiated a higher salary and a position of authority. He was then able to use his position and abilities to transform a failing business into a successful enterprise. On the more negative side, power struggles with co-workers or lower level managers are possible. Someone may have a lot of power over you, watching what you do, when, and how. You may feel like you must be on your guard. Backbiting, gossip, and underhanded manipulative tactics can be the norm if you choose to participate. Undercurrents and back-room maneuvers dictate policy. Sources of contention are difficult to discern or confront since nothing is ever truly out in the open. Power over your own schedule or working habits might be totally out of your control as you are forced to conform to inane rules. If you wish to quit, you are likely to do so. Differences of opinion, conflicts with authorities and disputes over the implementation of new ideas can make it impossible for you to continue in the same position. If, however, you choose to remain on a job you sincerely hate, be forewarned that health problems will most likely arise. You are capable of having a lot of control over both your physical and psychological health; however, early in the year it may not seem so. Instead, you may be struck by how compulsive your habits have become. A few of you may be locked into serious addictions to alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes, but most will only experience the need to control a craving for a particular junk food, or a resistance to an exercise routine. During the year, poor health habits can be a problem, and usually these habits do not arise suddenly; rather, they are long-standing patterns which only now demand corrective attention. The push for control is indicated by Pluto's presence in the 6th house. This is a good time to make conscious, rather than unconscious, choices about health practices. You can break addictions or bad habits, especially if you also treat the underlying psychological issues. It is important to understand that your state of health or disease is directly related to your psychological diet. The more you are in tune with your inner self, the better you will feel; the more you are in touch with your environment and the people around you, the more likely you are to feel emotionally nourished. A healthy emotional climate breeds a healthy mind and body. On the other hand, the greater the stress in the environment and the more you are suppressed or manipulated by others, the greater the chance of health problems arising. Emotional upsets can directly affect your health, especially if you are caught in "damned if you do and damned if you don't," no-win situations. The emotional diet is as important as the nutritional diet, and even though you take care of yourself physically, mental-emotional stress or abuse can make you ill. If you are in a difficult situation, consider these three options. You can walk away from unending conflicts or spiritually unhealthy environments. Secondly, recognize psychological games and refuse to be manipulated. Protect your unconscious from damage. Thirdly, use relaxation techniques and spiritual insight to alleviate stress. Realize your power to grow healthy, both inside and out. |
