Sidereal Lunar Return (SLR)
- Tabulate angularities and foreground aspects.
- Determine which natal and SLR planets are foreground/angular.
- Identify all conjunctions, oppositions, and squares between them (transit-to-transit, transit-to-natal, and natal-to-natal).
- NOTE: "Aspect," whenever used here, means either ecliptical (celestial longitude) or mundane (prime vertical longitude) interchangeably. There is no difference: They are equal. Both are important.
- Make a quick assessment of whether this likely will be experienced as a good month or a bad month.
- Good month: Predominance of foreground natal and SLR benefics (Venus, Jupiter, Uranus).
- Bad month: Predominance of foreground natal and SLR malefics (Mars, Saturn, Neptune).
- Mixed month: A roughly even mix of the two sets.
- Derive your primary interpretation from the planets (natal and SLR) that are foreground in the SLR.
- Planets closest to angles have the most say. Those most angular usually set the entire tone. Weight each planet proportionate to its relative angularity.
- Interpret SLR planets as circumstances the world brings to the individual. Natal planets represent the individual's reactions to these circumstances or, sometimes, the actions that invoke them.
- If the same planet is strongly foreground in both the natal (inner) and SLR (outer) wheels, it may take on unusual significance as a theme planet.
- Observe which SLR (i.e., transiting) planets are background and whether they color the picture thus far obtained.
- If benefics are foreground, see whether malefics are background (and vice versa).
- Think of planets as pairs of opposites. See whether one, the other, neither, or both are foreground. For example, note the difference of:
- Venus foreground, Mars background
- Venus background, Mars foreground
- Venus and Mars both foreground
- Venus and Mars both background
- Don't dwell too much on this point; but it may be helpful in sorting through complex charts.
- Note conjunctions, oppositions, and squares between/among foreground planets (ideally 3° orb, may extend to 5-6° especially if few aspects)
- Transit to transit: Aspects between foreground SLR planets clarify what to expect from the world. These tell the primary "What will happen to me?" story.
- Transit to natal: Foreground SLR (transiting) planets aspecting foreground natal planets are especially dynamic.
- Natal to natal: Foreground natal aspects show what comes forth from us to inaugurate or in response to the new circumstances, or what elements of our character are most pronounced during the term of the return.
- Pause to ensure the delineation is consistent and makes sense.
- Consider any remaining conjunctions, oppositions, or squares within about 1°. These represent background (backdrop) considerations, including ongoing outer planet transits. These are not strong enough to alter the essential nature (primary themes) of the SLR but routinely add useful details.
In brief...
- Make a quick assessment: Will it likely be experienced as a good month or a bad month.
- Note which planets (both natal and SLR) are foreground in the SLR. Frame your primary delineation around these.
- Observe which SLR planets are background and whether this colors the picture obtained thus far.
- Note conjunctions, oppositions, and squares between foreground planets (SLR to natal, SLR to SLR, natal to natal)
- Consider any remaining partile hard aspects as background (backdrop) factors.