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Welcome Back!   

    As we discussed in Part 1 of this series on Solar Returns, interpreting your Solar Return chart is a good way to prepare for the year following each of your birthdays.  The point is not to be fearful or complacent about the year to come, but to prepare for and take advantage of the energy that will be available to you.  You can experience more soul growth, more emotional growth, and more material success when you are mindful and aware.  This is the benefit of Solar Return chart interpretation.  In Part 1 we discussed the Ascendant in the Solar Return.  Now we will discuss Jupiter and Saturn in the Solar Return chart.  This series is meant for the person who wants to examine the Solar Return chart in detail, so make sure to check back for subsequent entries on this topic if you are one of those people.  ;)  And I know you are. 

Jupiter:  Opportunity and Expansion in the Solar Return

    Jupiter has long been considered the most "benefic"  planet--a planet that brings happiness, prosperity, and success.  Where and how it shows up in the Solar Return chart can show where we will be blessed with opportunity, but that doesn't mean we can just lay back and the universe will do it all for us.  When a opportunity becomes available to us, we must do the work of making the best of that opportunity.  Knowing ahead of time how Jupiter will function for you specifically each year will allow you to best take advantage of its gifts. 
    Peter Chavell has a terrific article on his website about Jupiter and how it shows potentials for success.  It's a great read about how Jupiter functions in the natal chart, but if you want to further understand how Jupiter functions in the solar return, the same methods Chavell uses for the natal can be applied.  The only difference, of course, is that Jupiter's role in the Solar Return chart will last just for the year that that chart is in effect, whereas Jupiter in the natal is part of our lifetime "astro-blueprint."  Additionally, Deborah Houlding has a great article on Jupiter that may help you understand this planet's role in the Solar Return Chart.  It is called "Jupiter: the Lord of Plenty," and it is a highly recommended read!
    Like we did in Part 1, we will again look to my Solar Return chart for the year (my return was just last week on Dec. 10) as an example for interpretation.  In later segments I'll probably switch to someone else's chart as I'm getting a little weary of discussing my own.  ;)  So, looking at the outer circle of the chart (which shows the solar return, as the inner circle shows my natal chart) we can see that Jupiter is conjunct Uranus in the 10th House.  It is also conjunct my natal Part of Fortune in Pisces 2nd House, sextile my natal Moon in Capricorn 12th House, and trine natal Venus in Scorpio 9th House.  Now this may seem a daunting mix of information to work through all at once (and the information from your own Solar Return chart will likely seem just as daunting) but let's work through it one piece at a time and I promise it will make sense.  And hopefully the process will be a helpful model to you as you work through your own chart.
    First, Jupiter is in the 10th House, which is the house of career and public life.  So I know that this year I will have great opportunities for expansion in this area of my life.  Next,  Jupiter is conjunct my natal Part of Fortune in the 2nd House of resources.  This is fantastic in terms of prosperity, and I truly look forward to the blessings that Jupiter promises me and I will be more than willing to open the door for every opportunity that knocks! ;)  Next, I see that Jupiter is sextile my Moon and trine my Venus.  These are both feminine planets with a focus towards emotions and relating, so I can expect to experience growth in those areas of my life in some way, and I must foster this potential growth by taking advantage of Jupiter's help. 
    Finally, Jupiter is conjunct Uranus.  Now this aspect is really interesting because these are both slow-moving planets and they will be in orb of conjunction in anyone whose Solar Return occurs between April 2, 2010 and March 11, 2011.  Interestingly, the conjunction parts (becomes greater than a 10* orb) right before Uranus enters Aries for an extended stay (until 2018 when it first enters Taurus).  This is a very interesting transit, and since it will fall in many of your solar return charts, I'll give a thorough explanation. 
    Uranus is a progressive, radical planet that brings sudden and radical change to whatever it touches.  It is a humanitarian, scientific planet that promotes technology.  Combined with Jupiter, you can expect abrupt, unexpected change (generally for the better, thanks to Uranus involvement, although Uranus can be rather cold in its change-making, so it may not seem like pleasant change).  For the most part though, sudden opportunities should be found with this conjunction.  The thing is, even though you might be getting opportunities for advancement, you will still have to take the initiative to put those opportunities to work for you. 
    On an inner-level, this placement asks you to be open-minded and just in the areas of life indicated by its house placement and aspects.  If you embrace this inner change, you will be supporting the collective raising of spiritual energy in the world.
    On a more practical, personal level, this will be like I said, about opportunities that come out of the blue.  In my chart, these opportunities will occur in the 10th house (around issues of career and public life).  I've already had one such moment since my Solar Return was direct on Dec. 10, I'm happy to report!  With the conjunction to my Part of Fortune and harmonious aspect to Venus (a planet also interested in what we have, our monetary holdings), I hope to see growth in my career/income this year with these placements.
   
Questions to answer about Jupiter in your Solar Return Chart:

1.)  Where is Jupiter in your chart?  Which house does it influence?  What aspects are being made?
2.)  Once you've noted the details of what Jupiter is doing, analyze what you think they will mean for you.  Write down your feelings.  Visualize yourself receiving the blessings indicated by Jupiter, then begin to manifest this beautifully expanded life vision for yourself!  :)  Jupiter says, "Good luck!"

Saturn:  Structure and Stability in the Solar Return

    Now, Saturn is generally considered to be the most "malefic" of the planets.  Some people think Saturn brings misery and turmoil only, although most astrologers today have a more expanded view of the planet.  I'm going to quote Joanna Waters here on Saturn, "Without Saturn we would have no boundaries. If Jupiter is 'yes, Saturn is 'no,' telling us when to stop and how to mature through learning the purpose of self-denial."  For her full article about the symbolism of Saturn, go HERE. 
    There's an I-Ching Hexagram called "Limits and Connections" that I think beautifully embodies the nature of planet Saturn.  The website Tarot.com offers free I-Ching readings where they translate/explain the meaning of this hexagram thusly: "Swimming in a sea of boundless opportunity would eventually lead to exhaustion and drowning.  Winging it alone in a sky of boundless opportunity would lead to being lost."  They accompany this example with a painting of birds flying together in formation.  These birds have a variety of limitations:  gravity and natural physics, the extent of their own individual abilities, time, etc.  But despite all of these limitations, they take on even more structure for themselves by flying in formation, and in doing so they can actually travel further than they would if they chose not to structure themselves in this way. 
    Likewise, when we purposefully apply the Saturn energy available to us, we are capable of more progress than we would otherwise be capable and success that is more enduring, long-lasting.  Have I sold you on Saturn yet?  ;)
    In my chart, Saturn joins the cusp of the 5th House, making a sextile to the solar return Sun in the 6th House and a trine to the solar return Moon in the 9th House.  These easy aspects show that Saturn's discipline will not be imposed upon me harshly, but that if I choose to I will be able to use Saturn's energy to apply self-discipline that will be very beneficial to me.  I should try my best to apply this self-discipline towards having a warm, confident self-expression (Sun) in my service and healing of others (6th House) as well as toward a comforting, understanding emotional expression (Moon) in regards to philosophical/educational/dogmatic pursuits (9th House). 
    Now I can apply this to what I already know about myself and what will be coming up in the next year.  I know that I need to become more organized and efficient in order to provide help and healing (6th House Sun) to my clients, as well as for my own improved health and well-being.  Likewise, in order to be a caring and positively emotionally-connected student and teacher of my metaphysical pursuits (Moon in 9th House) I must apply discipline to learning and instructing. 
    Saturn's rewards are not as immediate as Jupiter's, but the rewards are most certainly still there for those willing to do the hard work necessary.  My hard work will help me to take proper responsibility for the children to whom I am responsible (students, as I work also in the education field, and my niece and nephews) since Saturn's influence is in the 5th house, due to its placement on the 5th house cusp.  Knowing that my hard work will benefit them, and that my maturity and responsibility is needed in that area, I am encouraged to persevere in a structured, limited, Saturnine way.

Questions to answer about Saturn in the Solar Return Chart

1.) Which house is affected by Saturn in your chart?  You can expect limits and responsibility will be needed in the area of your life indicated by the house placement.  What planets are aspected by Saturn?

2.)  Once you've noted what Saturn is doing in your chart, analyze what these placements mean.  Envision a year in which you maturely and responsibly apply structure to your life in the ways that the solar return chart indicates will be most beneficial.  Then, begin to live that vision!

Entries in the "Understanding and Directing Solar Return Energies" Series:
 
    Part 1: How to Interpret Your Solar Return Ascendant
    Part 2: Interpreting Jupiter and Saturn in the Solar Return
    Part 3: Interpreting Pluto in the Solar Return