Solar Return Chart

The solar return chart is computed for the exact moment that the sun returns to its position at birth.  This happens every year near the person’s birthday. Unlike a progressed chart, the solar return is not considered so much in relation to the natal chart as a stand-alone reading itself for the year to come.

A couple practices have become strongly associated with solar return charts.  The first is connected with relocation. Many say that the solar return chart should be computed with respect to the geographic location of the individual on that day, regardless of permanent residence or birthplace. This will be done for ANS solar return charts if “relocated” option is checked. In any case, the current location should be entered so that the correct time zone can be used for the moment of the solar return.

It has also been said that solar return charts are more accurate if the time of the return is corrected for the earth’s precession. In effect, this means that the chart is not computed for the sun’s return to the same tropical zodiacal degree, but rather the same sidereal position in the sky. The difference is only a few hours when young, but the time difference grows as you grow older.  To use this method, simply check “precession corrected”.  If the chart is computed using the sidereal zodiac, then this correction is not necessary.

It should be noted that an Astro*Carto*Graphy map done for a solar return should also be precession corrected, if desired. But it needs no relocation information.