How to interpret a Sidereal Solar Return

[Jim Eshelman]

Recommended protocol for analyzing a
Sidereal Solar Return (SSR)

1. GATHER RAW MATERIAL: Tabulate angularities and foreground aspects.
   1. Determine which natal and SSR planets are foreground in the SSR.
   2. Identify all major hard aspects (conjunctions, oppositions, squares) only between these foreground planets (transit-transit, transit-natal, and natal-natal).
   3. "Aspect," as used here, means either ecliptical (celestial longitude) or mundane (prime vertical longitude) interchangeably. There is no difference. They are equal. Both are essential.
2. FIRST IMPRESSION: Make a quick assessment of whether the year will be experienced primarily as good, bad, or mixed.
   1. Good year: Clear predominance of foreground natal and SSR benefics (Venus, Jupiter, Uranus).
   2. Bad year: Clear predominance of foreground natal and SSR malefics (Mars, Saturn, Neptune).
   3. Mixed year: A roughly even mix of the two sets.
3. ANGULARITY: Draw further broad preliminary impressions from the list of foreground planets, especially those closest to the angles. Look for primary themes.
   1. Planets closest to the angles have the strongest voices and usually set the main tone. Weight each planet proportionate to its relative angularity.
   2. SSR (i.e., transiting) planets are centripetal, describing circumstances the world draws to a person. Natal planets are centrifugal, showing the person's evoked responses or, sometimes, actions that invoke the centripetal circumstances.
   3. If the same planet is foreground in both the natal (inner) and SSR (outer) wheels, it takes on greater importance as a theme planet (orbs allowing).
   4. Pro tip: Ultimately, planets are best understood as expressions of fundamental, universal needs we all share. Natal planets signify the strength and character of our needs (intensified by SSR angularity). Transiting planets show the universe opening a gate to invite the fulfillment of those same needs, often with compelling force.
4. FOREGROUND ASPECTS: Interpret aspects between foreground planets (primarily aspects with a close orb; say, 3°). These most reliably show the main dynamics of the year: Interpret the return primarily from its foreground aspects but within the overall tone shown by the angular planets group.
   1. Transit to transit: Aspects between foreground SSR planets narrow the range of what to expect from the world. These tell the primary "What will happen to me?".
   2. Transit to natal: Foreground SSR planets aspecting foreground natal planets are especially dynamic. (These are transits active for the life of the return chart.)
   3. Natal to natal: Foreground aspects between natal planets show pronounced elements of our character during the term of the return, including what comes forth from us to inaugurate or respond to the transiting circumstances. (Newly formed mundane aspects of natal planets in the SSR foreground show new or rarer behaviors.)
5. SSR MOON ASPECTS: Interpret conjunctions, oppositions, or squares of SSR Moon to both SSR and natal planets.
   1. If foreground or middleground, give these full priority.
   2. If background, only consider them if the rest of the chart points in the same direction.
   3. However, all partile Moon aspects (within a 1° orb) are important, regardless of cadency.
   4. Various ways that SSR Moon expresses its aspects are elaborated here.
6. PAUSE to confirm that the delineation is consistent and makes sense.
7. BACKGROUND PLANETS: Observe which SSR planets are background and whether this colors the picture so far obtained. (E.g., if benefics are foreground, see whether malefics are background and vice versa.)
8. OTHER PARTILE ASPECTS: Consider any remaining ecliptical or mundane conjunctions, oppositions, and squares within about 1°. These show background (backdrop) considerations that embellish the picture already framed. They are not strong enough to alter the essential nature of the SSR but commonly add useful details. They also stand ready to come to angles during the year.

[Jim Eshelman]

I thought it time to update this after seven years. The outcome isn't all that different, but it has nuances as I've discovered better, clearer ways to say the same things.