TECHNIQUE
Solar Return
A solar return is an astrological chart cast for the exact moment the Sun returns to its natal ecliptic longitude — once per year, usually within ±24 hours of the birthday.
The chart describes the year ahead. Its houses, angles, and angular planets shift based on the location at the return instant, which is why traveling for one's birthday (relocated solar return) is a classic electional technique. Planetary positions themselves are location-independent — only the frame moves.
RELATED TERMS
- Solar Return Location Election
A solar return location election picks the geographic location that produces the most favorable solar return chart for a given intent.
- Annual Profection
Annual profection is a Hellenistic time-lord technique that advances the natal Ascendant by one whole sign per year of life, activating one house and one ruling planet per year.
- Angular Planet
An angular planet sits within roughly 5° of one of the four chart angles: Ascendant (1st cusp), MC (10th cusp), Descendant (7th cusp), or IC (4th cusp).
- Ascendant (ASC)
The Ascendant is the ecliptic degree rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth, and the cusp of the 1st house.
Put this into practice.