6. Solar Return Charts
1. Definition and purpose. The Solar Return chart indicates influences of the coming year in an individual's life.
2. How solar returns work. The Solar Return Chart is erected for the moment the Sun returns to its exact position at the time of birth - at the location one happens to be at, when the return occurs. Diana's location on 1 July 1997 was reported to be in London and the Return Chart was set up at that location.
3. How solar returns are used. It is read like a natal chart - but just for the year ahead.
a. The ascendant sign:
- Cardinal: a year of action, new projects.
- Fixed Signs: a year to consolidate things.
- Mutable Signs: changes, flux, mental focus or preparation for the near future.
- The planet ruler of the ascendant will give more information about important indications in the year.
b. Planets on angles (8-degree orb): will have the major impact in the year. Of secondary importance are planets on other cusps.
c. Planets: interpret as for a natal chart. If most planets are in angular houses, it is a year of new activity; in succedent houses a year of consolidation; in cadent houses a quiet or introspective year.
- Sun: The most important life area, where the primary focus is. Its aspects are important.
- Moon: where primary emotional needs are focused and general changes occur.
- Asc: how the year is approached, and where (location of planet ruling Asc.)
Diana's 1997 Solar Return Chart
1. On the angles are cardinal signs. This was a year Solar Return of action and change for Diana.
2. In March 1997, there was an eclipse at 3 Libra, on the Return chart ascendant, which rules the physical body; and on Mars, which was located there. Mars rules cars, accidents, drunken men, and in the Return chart it rules the eighth house of death. A serious warning was given about the consequences of rash and hasty decisions. Driver Henri Paul was drunk at the time. He had been on leave but was called back to drive Diana.
3. Pluto, the natural ruler of the eighth house of death is in Sagittarius (pleasure seeking involved), and is in the third house of short distance travel and transport. Her death would be traumatic for the public (Pluto opposite the Moon).
4. The Sun and Mercury were in the tenth house. Diana's accident and death (Sun square Mars), would be in the news, would make headlines. If she had not died, she would be in the news for her humanitarian work (the Sun rules her eleventh house), or some other reason.