Once each year, the Sun returns to the exact position that it held at the time of your birth. This report outlines the astrological influences on the year ahead for the positions of the planets at the precise time of your annual solar return.

The report delineates the influence of the Ascendant, Midheaven, Sun, Moon, and each of the nine planets as they interact with each other and with the Houses of the horoscope. Because there is such a wealth of information, you may find it helpful to orient yourself by first reading the following three sections in their entirety (including their subsections):

You have certainly heard the expression "Many happy returns!" - a reference to the annual cycle that begins at your date of birth. The astrological Solar Return is a chart cast for the moment when the Sun returns to the exact position it held in your Natal horoscope. Each year the Solar Return marks the start of your personal New Year, and astrologers look to the Solar Return horoscope to see what events and issues await you in the year ahead.

Your Advanced Solar Return report is based on a Return chart cast for your location (which may be different from your birth place) when the Sun returns to its position in your Natal chart. Because we insert an extra day into the calendar every four years during the leap year, your Solar Return may occur either on, or a day before or after, your calendar birthday.

If you do not know your exact time of birth, you can still do a general Return chart by using as your presumed "birth time" the exact moment of sunrise on your birth date. The Solar Return chart calculated from a sunrise birth chart provides a generally accurate astrological forecast for the year ahead; but, if possible, use your actual time of birth to get the most accurate forecast.

According to the astrological theory of Solar Returns, the Natal chart represents a basic blueprint of the individual (similar to the DNA within the nucleus of the cell) and the Return chart reveals the annual renewal or reactivation of the Natal chart as measured against both the ongoing movement of the planets and the newly generated set of House cusps at the time the individual's Natal Sun is "reborn" at the annual (SR) birthday. A key feature of Return chart interpretation involves studying the relationship between the annual Return Houses and the birth chart Houses.

In some delineations you will read that an adverse event could occur if the planet being discussed forms discordant aspects in the chart. The harsh aspects are the semi-square (45 degrees), the square (90 degrees), the sesqui-square (135 degrees), the inconjunct (150 degrees), and the opposition (180 degrees). In addition, the conjunction (joining together) of certain pairs of planets is intrinsically difficult because of the conflicting nature of the planets involved. To determine whether a stressful aspect is in effect, you may need to refer to the section where the aspects formed by the planet were first discussed in the report.

Into every life a little rain must fall. Do not be alarmed if negative predictions show up in various sections of this report. Stressful events often hover as potentials in the background but never materialize. The repetition of a trend in several parts of the horoscope chart is the key to accurate prediction in astrology. In general, adverse events occur only when many aspects or configurations repeatedly point toward their manifestation. If a stressful event is mentioned but once or twice, it is unlikely to manifest. In any case, forewarned is forearmed.

On Aspect Strengths: Next to the aspects you will often find a listing of the "strength" of the aspect. The number you see is based on how close the aspect is to being exact. The higher the number, the more exact the aspect. The aspects range in strength from a low of about 1 to a high of about 8. Theoretically, the very close aspects are more likely to manifest in your life.

If you are not familiar with astrology, it will help to know a little about the astrological Houses as you read this report. You probably know that there are 12 signs of the zodiac. In a similar way, astrologers divide the horoscope wheel into 12 "Houses," which look like a pie cut into 12 pieces. Each House represents a particular area of life. The 1st House starts at the Ascendant, which is the point where the zodiac circle in the heavens crosses the horizon in the east. By convention the Ascendant lies at the "9 o'clock" point on the circle. The remaining Houses follow the 1st House in a counterclockwise direction around the wheel so that the 10th House, which symbolizes your career and standing in the world, lies at the very top of the chart. The entry point into each House is called its cusp. Below is a list of the twelve Houses and some of their key meanings for reference as you read this report.

1st House: your body, personality, personal initiatives, life force.

2nd House: money, income, possessions, values.

3rd House: communication, analytical thinking, writing, local travel, siblings, neighbors.

4th House: home, family, parents, past conditioning, final endings.

5th House: fun, romance, recreation, vacations, children, sports, gambling, creative self-expression.

6th House: service, health concerns, daily grind, subordinates, tenants, pets.

7th House: significant others, consultants, partnerships, contracts, lawsuits, open enemies, the public.

8th House: death, sex, taxes, joint finances, surgery, investigation, transformation, occult studies.

9th House: higher education, long-distance travel, religion, philosophy, the law, foreign interests, publishing, broadcasting.

10th House: career, worldly status, honors, public standing, reputation authority, bosses, parental figures.

11th House: friends, hopes & wishes, group involvements.

12th House: solitude, imaginative endeavors, confinement, hospitalization, spiritual pursuits, loss of freedom, secret enemies, self-undoing.

The Sun, ruler of Leo, is the most important "planet" in the Return. The primal energy of the Sun makes possible our life on earth. The Sun enlivens, asserts, illuminates, vitalizes, promotes, fathers, energizes, individualizes, elevates, and makes conscious. Astrological aspects involving the Sun show how we achieve (or fail to achieve) honor, status, recognition, achievement, and individuation - how we shine, create, and make our mark on the world. People signified by the Sun include fathers, husbands, mature men, bosses, authority figures, and people of influence. In health matters, the Sun symbolizes the heart and the spine.

The Return placement and aspects of the Sun may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by the Sun, or indirectly through people symbolized by the Sun. We will next look at the zodiacal sign and House positions of the Sun in the Solar Return chart.

The Return Sun occupies the exact location in the same sign as the Sun in your birth chart. Having the Sun in regal Leo generally makes you proud, generous, warm, confident, feisty, ambitious, organized, creative, elegant, self-expressive, fun loving, dramatic, and childlike. Your faults may include being too opinionated, self-important, patronizing, arrogant, or overly dramatic.

Having considered the sign containing the Sun, we now turn to the Sun's Return House position, which highlights the central themes of the year ahead.

The Sun in your Return 3rd House emphasizes intellectual interests, studies, correspondence, communications, the exchange of ideas; and your dealings with siblings, neighbors, and kin. Your mind is full of creative thoughts pushing for expression. The Sun here enlivens and quickens any plans you have regarding selling, publicizing, or marketing your ideas. You are likely to be on the go, attending meetings, making visits, taking classes, using your computer, adding to your knowledge, and being actively involved in your community. You might travel extensively or purchase a new vehicle. If your work involves public speaking or writing, you can be extremely productive. Communicating with others now takes center stage.

This can be a year of artistic, musical, poetic, or religious inspiration. Neptune heightens your intuitive and imaginative creativity. Glamour, glitz, and illusion may become appealing. Spiritual experiences could involve you in an increased awareness of hidden dimensions of reality. You may need to reconsider your pursuit of a cherished dream or ideal. Events may occur that dissolve the boundaries of your ego, enhance your appreciation of mortality, and make you more cognizant of the universality of human experience. You may engage in activities that selflessly assist others or promote the common good. You will want to reserve time alone for reflection, prayer, and meditation. Neptune is a slow-moving planet and this influence may be felt for several years.

This stressful Sun/Neptune aspect warns that the self-sacrifice of Neptune could turn into victimization, paranoia, martyrdom, or deliberate self-harm. In rare cases, you, or someone close to you, may entertain thoughts of suicide. You would be wise to shore up your mental health and avoid acting as your own worst enemy. You may confront issues involving escapism, confusion, self-deception, hopelessness, or loss of touch with reality. You could be prone to an unrealistically romantic or secretive relationship, possibly with someone engaged in drug or alcohol abuse, illicit behavior, con games, or the like. Be sure to stay attuned to your own inner psychological states and motivations.

A significant man could pass from your life. Extra responsibilities for children may arise. If other factors suggest health problems, this aspect could signify mysterious or difficult-to-diagnose ailments, either physical or emotional, that affect you or a significant other. On occasion, grief, loss, hospitalization, or confinement may be indicated.

The Sun trine Pluto enhances your self-confidence. This year you have the power to achieve what you desire. You could assume a position of power or leadership. Events transpire that advance your goals and bring about personal transformation. Other people recognize your potential and reward your efforts. You may develop a deeper understanding of Pluto-ruled concerns such as power, domination, research, sexuality, healing, elimination, birth, death, dying, psychic phenomena, or the afterlife. Surgical or medical treatments undertaken in such a year tend to proceed smoothly. Pluto is a very slow-moving planet and this influence may be felt for several years.

A Full Moon in your Return chart marks this as a year of great personal significance. This period is the culmination of a stage of personal growth and development. Events at this time may bring to a head various developments in your emotional, psychological, or spiritual life over the past several years. You may experience a conflict between the rational and emotional sides of your personality. Sometimes this conflict manifests in the larger community in the form of public opposition to your personal goals. Mood swings, depression, emotional upsets, and identity crises are possible as you struggle with issues of dependency versus autonomy. Concerns about home, family, parents, or your role as a parent may require your attention. You seek to deepen your understanding of your own upbringing and its effect on your emotional development.

The East-West Axis of the astrological map represents the Celestial Horizon. The Ascendant (in the East) signifies the filter through which you view the world and the manner in which you project your personality toward others. It also reflects your physical body and your personal initiatives. The Descendant (in the West) symbolizes your partnerships, close relationships, and the way you get along with other people.

Planets that form close aspects with the East-West Axis of the Return chart will color your personality style, personal initiatives, and manner of relating. The degree of the zodiac rising in the East (the Ascendant) varies with your location on earth at the time of your Solar Return. If the Return Ascendant receives particularly stressful aspects, some astrologers advise their clients to travel to a location that will minimize or negate those aspects on the day of their Solar Return. In the following section we consider the influence of the horizon (Ascendant-Descendant) axis in the year ahead.

The Cancer Ascendant emphasizes matters related to the protective, sensitive, and home-oriented sign of the crab. The Moon, which rules Cancer, governs your moods, emotions, and your ability to nurture and be nurtured by others. This may be a year when you undergo significant changes related to home, family, parents, and parenting. There is also an emphasis on marriage, caring for the young, domestic issues, real estate, and dealings with the public. You are likely to pay special attention to your relationships with parents, children, family members, or even your country as a symbolic "mother-" or "fatherland." Conflicts about time devoted to family versus career may come to the fore.

The imaginative and intuitive sign Cancer may lead you to engage in artistic endeavors, cooking, the study of psychology, or activities such as travel and exploration. You may be called upon to nurture and comfort others. Some become involved in public life under this influence. Cancer and the Moon are associated with the oceans, and a journey over water is possible. As the Ascendant signifies your physical state, if the Ascendant-ruler Moon forms stressful aspects you could encounter health problems or extremes of mood during the year. Parts of the body that fall under the influence of Cancer include the stomach, pancreas, digestive system, breasts, and the womb.

The Houses of your Natal chart with Cancer on the cusp as well as the House of your Return chart that contains the Moon, the ruler of Cancer, indicate areas of your life that will be in high focus during the coming year. Planets that form close aspects to the Moon in the Return chart indicate the types of people and events that will affect your emotional state during the year.

Because the Moon rules the sign Cancer, the Moon is the ruler of the Ascendant in this year's Return chart.

The Moon, which reflects your feelings and emotional life, occupies the Return 9th House of voyages, higher education, legal concerns, publishing, foreign affairs, other cultures, religion, and philosophy. Emotional connections with people of foreign birth or who reside at a distance become significant. Opportunities to travel, learn, and expand your horizons may present themselves. You are likely to feel restless and may have a desire to explore the world. Your gut feelings may prompt you to embark on a journey to revolve some emotional concern. Time spent teaching, lecturing, or disseminating information is a frequent manifestation.

The Natal House placement of the Return Ascendant shows where you are most likely to take personal action during the coming year. Your dominant interests and activities will center around 2nd House matters such as income, finances, money, resources, belongings, and personal values. This is a year to get your financial house in order. Review your budget, plan your savings, make a will, and do what you must to provide for yourself and your loved ones. You may have the opportunity to improve your economic outlook, perhaps by seeking a raise, settling old debts, or pursuing new sources of income. If the planet(s) that rule or occupy the Return 2nd House are afflicted, there is a risk of monetary loss or financial difficulty.

The Return Ascendant-Descendant axis also highlights 8th House issues such as shared resources, taxes, loans, investment income, joint finances, sexuality, mortality, spirituality, the afterlife, crises, healing, personal transformation, and occult interests. You seek to understand what is going on beneath the surface. On occasion this can signify a need to deal with a legacy, the goods of the dead, or the passing of someone in your family or in your circle of acquaintances. You could also spend considerable time this year on matters related to your own health and mortality.

Return Mars square the Return Ascendant highlights your assertiveness, exuberance, and pioneering spirit. You have tremendous energy available to pursue your ambitions. Because this is a stressful aspect, you could become involved, as either perpetrator or recipient, in overly aggressive or potentially violent behavior.

The Return 1st House reveals your yearly personal or psychological activity. Any planets that occupy the Return 1st House show the nature of your activity and your psychological reactions during the coming year. If a planet lies close to the Return Ascendant (within 5 degrees), you will have a fair amount of personal control over the action. Planets in the 1st House that lie further away from the Return Ascendant (more than 5 degrees) indicate that you will have less control and be more at the mercy of the forces symbolized by those planets.

The Return planets that occupy your Return 1st House are listed below. If this section is blank, there are no 1st House planets in your Return chart.

The North-South or Meridian Axis of the astrological map represents your vocation, public image, parents, and family matters. The Midheaven at the top of the chart (due south in those charts of the northern hemisphere) symbolizes your career, worldly status, and public activities. The Imum Coeli (I.C.) at the bottom of the chart signifies your home, your domestic life, and the final conclusion of pending affairs.

Planets that form close aspects with the North-South Axis of the Return chart will color vocational and family matters during the year. The degree of the zodiac on your Return Midheaven depends on your location on earth at the time of your Solar Return. If the Return Midheaven receives particularly stressful aspects, some astrologers advise their clients to travel to a location that will minimize or negate those aspects on the day of their Solar Return. In the following section we consider the influence of the meridian axis in your Return chart.

The Midheaven in Pisces suggests that your career, status, and public activities will involve imagination, creativity, compassion, and visionary thinking. You may feel a desire to live out your faith or render service to others as part of your work life.

The House position of the Return Midheaven's planetary ruler gives further information about your social reputation and vocation in the year ahead. The planet ruling the Return Midheaven is discussed below.

Neptune and Jupiter are respectively the modern and traditional rulers of the sign Pisces. Thus, Neptune and Jupiter are the rulers of the Midheaven in this year's Return chart.

Neptune in the Return 9th House raises the possibility of dissolution, loss, letting go, sadness, misunderstanding, deception, or confusion with regard to legal matters, travel, higher education, publicity, communications, or foreign interests. A longstanding situation, relationship, or preoccupation related to such matters may dissolve or fade from your life. Long-distance travel, perhaps to exotic places, is common with the placement. Sometimes this placement indicates a journey for the sake of relocating to a distant shore. You tend to become more spiritual in your outlook on life. Deceptive practices can cause scandal or legal entanglements.

The Return Midheaven lies at the top of the Return chart where it reveals the actions and circumstances of your life that will be most visible to others during the coming year. When the Return Midheaven lies in your Natal 10th House, it marks an important year for professional growth and advancement. You are likely to be in the public eye and could receive some type of award or honor for your work. You could achieve a position of leadership or authority in such a year.

With the Midheaven favorably aspecting the Part of Fortune in your Return chart this year, you can expect to receive some type of award, honor, diploma, publicity, or recognition for past accomplishments. This often correlates with a job promotion or some other elevation in status.

With Jupiter favorably aspecting your Return Midheaven, you can anticipate opportunities for professional expansion and generally positive developments in your career. Honors, awards, promotions, pay raises, academic degrees, or other types of recognition of your accomplishments may come your way. Your financial picture may improve. Expect to be in the limelight and to receive favorable publicity. This is an excellent aspect for those seeking public office. You may be called upon to write, teach, travel, entertain, or communicate with those at a distance. People of influence and authority may help to advance your career, and you may have contact with the rich and famous. Religious and philosophical matters are also favored. If there are negative influences in the chart, this auspicious aspect of Jupiter protects you from experiencing the full brunt of stressful aspects.

The Return 10th House relates to career, family, worldly status, and any public actions you take during the year. The Return planets that occupy the Return 10th House reveal the nature of such public activity and how it may affect your vocational and family life.

The Return planets that occupy your Return 10th House are listed below. If this section is blank, there are no 10th House planets in your Return chart.

Uranus in the Return 10th House suggests sudden happenings that disrupt the status quo with regard to career, worldly status, parents, and authority. You wish to march to the beat of your own drummer, and you are capable of great originality on the job. Unexpected recognition, advancement, career changes, and professional opportunities are possible. Surprising or unanticipated events can abruptly alter or disrupt your professional ambitions or public standing. Be careful not to go off half-cocked on the job. Separation from a parental figure may occur.

The Moon, ruler of Cancer, receives and reflects the light of the Sun. As such, the Moon symbolizes the inner, reflective, receptive, emotional, and subconscious aspects of human life. The Moon represents our feeling states, heredity, instincts, habit patterns, our early experiences with mothering, and our domestic life. Astrological aspects involving the Moon reveal how we react emotionally, and how we give or receive nurturing and comfort. People signified by the Moon include mothers, females in general, and the significant women in our lives. In health matters, the Moon symbolizes cyclic changes, nutrition, and female issues; also, the breasts, the stomach, and the brain matter.

The Return placement and aspects of the Moon may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by the Moon, or indirectly through people symbolized by the Moon. Lunar aspects that are said to perfect on a certain date have an orb of a month or longer. We will next consider the Return zodiacal sign and House placements of the Moon.

The Moon in Aquarius enhances your desire for personal freedom as well as your dislike of restriction and limitation. In your personal life you march to the beat of your own drummer and may be drawn to friends or partners of unusual backgrounds or interests. Commitment to a close relationship could feel too restrictive. You may be drawn emotionally to humanitarian causes for the betterment of mankind. Significant travel often accompanies this placement. If the Moon forms stressful aspects, you should guard against becoming too stubborn or opinionated in your dealing with others.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §3.1 - The SR House Containing the Planet Ruling the SR Ascendant.

The Moon aspecting Pluto often indicates profound changes in your personality and emotional life. You may experience great depth of feeling about matters that are dear to your heart. This could involve coming to understand, on a gut level, the meaning of death and human mortality. You will have the opportunity to deal positively with issues of power and control in close relationships. Personal transformation may come about through your relationships with the women in your life. Psychological insights and psychic experiences commonly accompany this aspect.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §2.2 - The Sun's Aspects in the Solar Return Chart.

Moon conjunct Neptune makes you sensitive, imaginative, and compassionate. You readily tune into the needs and feelings of others, and you become more aware of your own inner psychological states and unconscious motivations. Artistic, poetic, musical, literary, and creative endeavors go well. You develop a greater appreciation of the universality of the human experience. This can be a year of tremendous spiritual growth, especially for those with any type of mystical or religious calling. There is also a risk of escapism, self-deception, a period of grief, or involvement in shady or illicit dealings during the year.

The Moon in stressful contact with aggressive Mars may stir your emotions and bring conflict or dissention into relationships, especially with women. An event may leave you feeling deeply hurt or may challenge your basic sense of security. Women in your life may suffer the consequences of precipitate action or excessive force. Difficulties can arise through rash, hasty, ill-conceived, or impulsive behavior. You tend to blame others for your problems. Stress and excitability can take their toll on your health. Moodiness and irritability can mar your relations with family members or with the public. During periods when you are in the grips of strong emotions, it is essential to take the time to cool down and think through potential consequences of any decisions before you put them into action.

The Moon stressfully aspecting Jupiter warns of emotional strain, moodiness, and extremes of conduct. You tend to blow emotional matters out of proportion. Events may occur that leave you feeling excitable, flighty, or overwrought. Others may view you as hypersensitive, maudlin, or manic-depressive under this influence. You should make a special effort to avoid letting your feelings run away with you, especially in family matters and close personal relationships. Contacts with the public can be stressful because people may feel you have exceeded the limits of acceptable behavior.

Return Moon favorably aspecting natal Mars means that your feelings work harmoniously with your self-assertive drives. You can readily accomplish goals in which you are emotionally invested. You tend to be honest and sincere in your dealings with others that are inclined to follow your lead. Where your heart is, there also your treasure shall be.

Strong feelings run deep. You feel empowered to understand the motivations of yourself and others. Your emotional life is up for review and transformation. There is a potential for extremes of mood and/or behavior. It is important to think before you act and to consider the consequences of emotionally driven behaviors.

You are likely to experience periods of heightened emotional sensitivity and enhanced intuition. You would do well to channel this energy into creative, imaginative, healing, or altruistic endeavors.

The Moon harmoniously aspecting natal Saturn stabilizes your emotional life. Committed relationships proceed smoothly. You are able to balance your responsibilities toward others with your own emotional needs.

Mercury, ruler of Gemini and Virgo, was the messenger of the gods. Mercury symbolizes language, communication, the thinking process, the intellect, writing, correspondence, education, commerce, transit, movement, and all means of transport. Astrological aspects involving Mercury show how we think and communicate our ideas to others; also, how we move about in our community. People signified by Mercury include writers, communicators, salespersons, students, the young people in our lives, messengers, drivers, neighbors, siblings, and other kin. In health matters, Mercury symbolizes the tongue, upper extremities, lungs, respiratory system, nervous system, thyroid, and the sense of sight.

The Return placement and aspects of Mercury may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by Mercury, or indirectly through people symbolized by Mercury. Travel accidents are often shown by afflictions to Mercury, especially hard aspects involving Mars or Uranus. We will next consider the Return zodiacal sign and House placements of Mercury.

With Mercury in the Return 4th House, you find yourself thinking and communicating about home, family, early conditioning, domestic issues, and final endings. You may be pondering a change of residence. Agreements about property and real estate may require your attention. Discussions with family may center on real estate, domestic concerns, and activities done at home. An important message or piece of news could affect your family life. Young people may frequent your place of residence. A child may be added to the family at this time.

Return Mercury conjunct Return Saturn marks this as a year when you can do some serious thinking. Your sense of organization and your calm deliberation can be great assets in your career. Opportunities for travel, probably related to work or other obligations, may present themselves. Now is a good time to master the basic information that will form a foundation for your career. Your thoroughness, analytical ability, and depth of thought favor scholarship, research, writing, teaching, philosophical investigation, and self-exploration. Intellectual pursuits meet with slow but steady progress. Others appreciate your thoughtfulness and mental acumen. Young people who have been of concern begin to assume a more serious and mature approach to life. This conjunction sometimes indicates depressive thinking and feelings of despondency.

When Mercury is joined to Venus, your thoughts turn to love, marriage, friendship, art, music, and the finer things in life. Your charming manner of speech and self-expression goes a long way to smooth the rough edges in close relationships. If you have a message to convey to others, your ideas will be well received. You are passing through a period of pleasant or loving communications. This is a good time to take a trip for pleasure, attend a concert, or express yourself creatively in poetry or song.

Mercury in favorable aspect to Jupiter provokes a wealth of ideas and enhances your powers of communication. There will be opportunities for travel, new learning, and contact with people of diverse backgrounds. You can harness this energy by working on projects that involve gathering information, writing, lecturing, journalism, publishing, broadcasting, foreign interests, and disseminating knowledge on a large scale.

Return Mercury in square to Natal Ascendant can indicate problems related to being too forceful in your communications with others. Miscommunication is possible, so be careful with verbal and written agreements. Do not engage in petty gossip. Focus on actively listening by putting yourself in the other person's position. Avoid being overly critical of others. Young people may be a source of stress or concern. Health difficulties could arise related to areas of the body ruled by Gemini and Virgo, such as the lungs, the tongue, the upper extremities, and GI tract.

Venus, ruler of Taurus and Libra, was the goddess of love and beauty. Venus symbolizes attraction, romance, partnerships, social life, affection, harmony, fashion, art, style, luxury, money, possessions, indulgences, and sensual pleasures. Astrological aspects involving Venus show how we give and receive love, especially of the romantic sort; also, how we manage our finances, find pleasure, and adorn ourselves. People signified by Venus include lovers, wives, important women in our lives, artists, decorators, musicians, and anyone dedicated to the pursuit of beauty and/or pleasure. In health matters, Venus symbolizes problems of self-indulgence; also, the throat, the kidneys, the lower back or lumbar region, the parathyroids, and the sense of touch.

The Return placement and aspects of Venus may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by Venus, or indirectly through people symbolized by Venus. We will next consider the Return zodiacal sign and House placements of Venus.

Venus, the goddess of love, brings good fortune and happiness to home, family, real estate, and domestic concerns. You may meet a potential spouse or domestic partner. Pleasant experiences, romantic interludes, and social gatherings are likely in the home. You might wish to remodel, upgrade, landscape, or decorate your place of residence. Some people purchase attractive home furnishings or new appliances at this time. Your aim is to create beautiful and harmonious surroundings. The affairs of a parent go well, and a new addition to the family is possible. Fundamental issues of fairness and justice may occupy your mind. If Venus forms favorable aspects, you may be the recipient of gifts or financial aid from family members. Financial gain could also come from real estate transactions.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §6.1 - Aspects of Mercury in the Solar Return Chart.

These benefic planets promise good fortune in the year ahead. Favors, popularity, gifts, prizes, awards, social invitations, and financial benefits come your way. You are able to share your happiness with others. Some fall in love or marry under this influence. Musical and artistic projects go well. This auspicious aspect does much to lessen the intensity of stressful trends elsewhere in the Return chart. Help will be available when you need it. The only downside may be overindulgence or having too much of a good thing.

Venus conjunct Saturn indicates getting serious about love, money, and artistic endeavors. This aspect can bring responsibility, obligation, and perhaps hardship into your financial and emotional life. Money may be tight, and financial losses are possible. Love may come, but at a price. You become more dutiful and earnest in matters of the heart. Marriage is possible. If unattached, you could get involved with an older, mature, or more serious individual. Your sense of duty may lead you to sacrifice a personal pleasure or benefit for a cause that you cherish or for a person whom you love. It is not uncommon to settle down and make a commitment to a relationship at this time.

This aspect stimulates your friendships, affections, and your love life. You enjoy socializing and relating to others, but there could be some tension in relationships. A memorable experience of emotional disappointment is likely during the year. Avoid overindulgence and extravagance.

This is a favorable aspect that promises periods of happiness and good fortune during the year.

Mars, ruler of Aries and Scorpio, was the god of war. Mars symbolizes initiative, courage, action, daring, aggression, leadership, drive, physical energy, heat, sexual passion, and the willingness to face challenges. Astrological aspects involving Mars show how we act independently, pioneer ideas, assert ourselves, and deal with competition. People signified by Mars include young men, husbands, leaders, warriors, and important men in our lives; also, those who regularly use force, tools, or weapons in their work. In health matters, Mars symbolizes fevers, cuts, wounds, the head, the muscular system, red blood cells, the gonads, urogenital system, adrenal gland, and the sense of taste.

The Return placement and aspects of Mars may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by Mars, or indirectly through people symbolized by Mars. We will next consider the Return zodiacal sign and House placements of Mars.

The planet Mars symbolizes your energy, drive, and personal initiative. The zodiacal sign in the Return chart that hosts the planet Mars modifies how you are able to assert yourself, confront obstacles, and face challenges in the year ahead. With Return Mars in meticulous Virgo, you apply your energy in a planned and systematic manner. After a detailed analysis, you follow a careful strategy to achieve your goals. You are quick to understand techniques and methods, and you want to achieve practical outcomes. Although you may desire perfection, you should avoid being overly critical, especially with co-workers.

Mars, the action planet, shows where you direct your energy. In the 4th House Mars energizes matters related to home, family, real estate, and domestic concerns. Parents or elders may require care and support. You may wish to spend time on home repairs and renovations. A change of residence may be indicated, but be careful not to move on a whim. Psychologically, this is a good time to investigate your roots to better understand your personal foundations and the development of your personality. There is a risk of family quarrels, domestic blowups, or problems with real estate. The sale, purchase, or maintenance of a home could become vexing and frustrating. Much energy may be expended on home projects or moving to a new home. Take precautions to avoid injuries, burns, or accidents around the home. Be sure that smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working condition.

Mars in tense aspect to Pluto represents a powerful force seething within you that needs control and direction. You might feel superhuman, manic, or invincible under this influence. Used wisely, this energy can give great personal strength and become the foundation of significant accomplishment. Used unwisely, the tremendous energy of this aspect can cause you to act in an overly daring, impulsive, or reckless manner. Injudicious valor could result in fights, quarrels, confrontations, accidents, wounds, violence, or unwise risk-taking. Angry impulsive actions can lead to hazardous or self-injurious behavior. You could also become the victim of someone else's self-serving or aggressive impulses.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §3.3 - Aspects involving the Ascendant in the Solar Return Chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §5.1 - Aspects involving the Moon in the Solar Return Chart.

Return Mars stressfully aspecting its natal position is a sign of tremendous pent-up energy that is seeking release. You must exercise caution in how you use this great store of energy. Rash actions born of frustration are likely to bring negative consequences such as disputes with others, accidents, or ill health. Positive use of this energy can be the foundation for significant accomplishments. Now is a good time to review how far you have come in accomplishing your personal initiatives.

Jupiter, ruler of Sagittarius and Pisces, was king of the gods on Mount Olympus. Jupiter symbolizes good fortune, benevolence, expansion, learning, publishing, wisdom, long-distance travel, foreign interests, further education, philosophy, religion, and the broadening of one's horizons. Astrological aspects involving Jupiter show opportunities for advancement, potentials for growth, and our willingness to gather new experience. People signified by Jupiter include mature men, judges, lawyers, physicians, clergy, university professors, politicians, and those who have achieved positions of prominence or influence in their fields. In health matters, Jupiter symbolizes problems due to excess; also, the liver, pituitary gland, thighs, blood, arteries, and the sense of smell.

The Return placement and aspects of Jupiter may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by Jupiter, or indirectly through people symbolized by Jupiter. We will next consider the Return zodiacal sign and House placements of Jupiter.

Return Jupiter in the Return 7th House usually brings benefits through marriage, business partnerships, and contractual agreements. You can negotiate successfully and prevail in legal controversies. Financial benefits may come through partnerships. Adversarial issues and legal matters from the past can be resolved. Consultants and advisors will be especially helpful. Good publicity may come your way. If your work takes you before the public, you can expect popularity and critical acclaim. There may also be opportunities to lecture or present your work in an open forum.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §7.1 - Aspects of Venus in the Solar Return Chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §6.1 - Aspects of Mercury in the Solar Return Chart.

Jupiter favorably aspecting Saturn correlates with events that further your career and improve your standing in the world. This can be a year of sustained and steady progress. You may have an opportunity to travel for educational or occupational advancement.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §4.3 - Aspects involving the Midheaven in the Solar Return Chart.

Return Jupiter beneficially aspecting the Return Part of Fortune is a favorable indicator for the year ahead. You can expect general good fortune and the mitigation of negative factors in the Return chart. Opportunities abound, income increases, and help is there when you need it. Events occur that are almost too good to be true. This aspect is associated with honors, awards, marriage, serious romances, gifts, legacies, windfalls, and winnings in games of chance. Activities related to publishing, higher education, travel, and foreign interests prosper. Wishes may come true, especially with regard to the Houses connected with Jupiter and the Part of Fortune in the Return chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §5.1 - Aspects involving the Moon in the Solar Return Chart.

Extremes of mood are possible so try to get a handle on your emotions. There may be a tendency to view only your own issues as important. Keep in mind what it feels like to walk in another person's moccasins.

This can be a time of emotional expansion and self-indulgence. Material benefits are likely but they come at a price. Try to do things in moderation. Excess usually leads to waste and resentment.

You can accomplish a great deal but beware of impatience, arrogance, and overconfidence. There may be a tendency to put too much on your plate. Numerous past projects may all reach a climax and need attention simultaneously.

Saturn, ruler of Capricorn and Aquarius, wrested power from his father Uranus by castrating the ruling father sky-god and casting his genitals into the sea. Saturn symbolizes ambition, responsibility, stability, duty, discipline, boundaries, rules, and regulations. It also represents crystallization, aging, death, fears, restrictions, hard things, the reality principle, and lessons that we must learn. Astrological aspects involving Saturn show how we build structure in our lives and how we deal with the inevitable limitations and losses that life brings. People signified by Saturn include parents, teachers, taskmasters, older individuals, government officials, bosses, and those of a serious disposition. In health matters, Saturn symbolizes blockages, hardening, obstructions, and acid formation; also, the skin, teeth, bones, joints, spleen, gall bladder, knees, the vagus nerve, and the sense of hearing.

The Return placement and aspects of Saturn may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by Saturn, or indirectly through people symbolized by Saturn. Look to Saturn to see where your major struggles will occur in the year ahead. We will next consider the Return zodiacal sign and House placements of Saturn.

Return Saturn occupying the Return 4th House marks a time when you must get serious about home, family, parents, real estate, personal foundations, and final endings. You may decide to settle down, establish yourself, buy or sell a home, get married, or start a family under this influence. Some aspect of family life may become burdensome and need to be put in order. You may need to assume additional responsibility for the welfare or the goods of a parent, parental figure, or member of the family. Delays or additional costs can muddle real estate transactions. A burdensome situation from the past may come to a final conclusion. On occasion, this position will signify the loss of a family member during the year.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §6.1 - Aspects of Mercury in the Solar Return Chart.

Saturn favorably aspecting the Part of Fortune brings success, achievement, and recognition for past efforts. You can expect positive developments in your career and worldly standing. Some enter into long-term commitments at this time. Matters governed by the Houses with Capricorn or Aquarius on their cusps should go well.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §7.1 - Aspects of Venus in the Solar Return Chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §9.1 - Aspects of Jupiter in the Solar Return Chart.

This is a harsh aspect that can leave you feeling depressed, frustrated, limited by circumstances, and cut off from others. Your relationships are put to the test and some may not survive the stress. You may feel that you are being constantly criticized or taken to task. This can take a toll on your physical and emotional health.

This is a very stabilizing influence. Careful planning at this stage will lead to future success. Work-related activities are likely to go well. Set your mind on a goal and keep plugging away for it.

Uranus, ruler of Aquarius, was the original sky-god who was castrated by his son Saturn in a coup to usurp his power. Venus-Aphrodite was born of the white foam that spread around Uranus' discarded genitals in the sea. Uranus symbolizes sudden shocking events, electrifying change, willful independence, separations, originality, inventiveness, modern technology, and progressive thinking. The action of Uranus is abruptly and without warning to shatter the old structure built by Saturn.

Astrological aspects involving Uranus show how and where sudden change, excitement, and disruption come into our lives; also, where we are likely to rebel against the past and strike out to do our own thing. People signified by Uranus include scientists, modernists, astrologers, reformers, inventors, eccentrics, and those who insist on marching to the unique beat of their own drum. In health matters, Uranus symbolizes strokes and accidents; also, the ankles and calves.

The Return placement and aspects of Uranus may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by Uranus, or indirectly through people symbolized by Uranus. Look to Uranus to see where you can expect the unexpected in the coming year. We will next consider the Return zodiacal sign and House placements of Uranus.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §4.4 - Planets in the Tenth House of the Solar Return Chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §8.1 - Aspects of Mars in the Solar Return Chart.

This is a fortunate aspect that often brings sudden good fortune and beneficial twists of fate into your life. You are able quickly to size up a situation and to use your insights to your best advantage. Your intuition is strong and accurate. You are likely to become interested in new ideas and philosophical matters. There will be ample, and perhaps unusual, opportunities to expand your horizons.

This aspect gives you the opportunity to review where you have arrived in your life and to decide what you need to do to express your individuality. Personal freedom is an important theme this year. You become aware of how unique you are as a person, and you are able to make choices that allow you to make your individual stamp on the world.

Neptune, ruler of Pisces, was the god of the oceans. Neptune symbolizes boundlessness, intuition, psychic sensitivity, compassion, spirituality, sleep, unreality, creative imagination, artistic inspiration, fantasy, illusion, Hollywood, subconscious processes, fog, confusion, self-sacrifice, and self-defeating attitudes. Astrological aspects involving Neptune show how we attune to the feelings of others, use our imaginations, distort our perceptions, undo our own efforts, and also how we deal with the dissolution of old structures in our lives. People signified by Neptune include poets, artists, dreamers, musicians, mystics, spiritualists, idealists, sensitives, and those who compassionately tend to the needy. In health matters, Neptune symbolizes the feet, sleep difficulties, intoxicants, mental disorders, and problems with drugs and alcohol.

The Return placement and aspects of Neptune may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by Neptune, or indirectly through people symbolized by Neptune. We will next consider the Return zodiacal sign and House placements of Neptune.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §4.1 - The SR House Containing the Planet Ruling the SR Midheaven.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §2.2 - The Sun's Aspects in the Solar Return Chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §5.1 - Aspects involving the Moon in the Solar Return Chart.

This aspect calls upon you to make a spiritual review of your life. "No Man is an Island". Consider how you are linked to all of humanity and how you are an integral part of the universe. If you have been neglecting your spiritual life, this is the year to get back on track. You may also find yourself interested in the dreams, the unconscious, hypnosis, meditation, the occult, and metaphysical studies.

Return Neptune in stressful aspect to Natal Pluto can indicate periods of feeling disheartened and on edge while you undergo significant changes in your life. Past conditions surrounding family, home, marriage, career, and belief systems may fade from your life this year as they have outworn their purpose or usefulness. Your deepest secrets may surface for review and resolution. Hidden health problems may require medical attention. For many, this time represents a period of crisis in their belief system.

Beware of self-deception as well as being lied to by others. Too much fantasizing can corrupt your critical thinking. Try to stay grounded in reality.

You are able to direct your energies toward altruistic goals and idealistic ends. Spiritual pursuits are favored. Raw self-interest does not do well under this aspect.

Pluto, ruler of Scorpio, was the Greek Hades, lord of the underworld. He abducted and raped Persephone - an action that ultimately brought about the season of winter on earth. Pluto symbolizes power, control, domination, the management of joint resources, penetration, unconscious processes, irresistible forces; also, uprooting, elimination, death, regeneration, rebirth, radical transformation, and the ending of a phase of life. Astrological aspects involving Pluto reveal which deeply buried factors in our lives need to be brought to the surface so that they can be reviewed, reworked, transformed, or eliminated. People signified by Pluto include miners, psychoanalysts, occultists, undertakers, money managers, and anyone whose work involves exposing that which is concealed or hidden. In health matters, Pluto symbolizes the gallbladder, the sex organs, the organs of elimination, and the body's ability to restore itself.

The Return placement and aspects of Pluto may involve us either personally through health matters and life circumstances governed by Pluto, or indirectly through people symbolized by Pluto. We will next consider the Return zodiacal sign and House placements of Pluto.

Pluto, the planet of radical change and transformation, occupies your Return 6th House of daily work, co-workers, health, hygiene, and small animals. Significant changes may occur in your work environment or in relationships with colleagues on the job. This is an excellent year to engage in a program of diet and exercise to improve your health and well-being. If you have a pet, be sure to keep up with routine visits to the vet for inoculations, etc.

The intense energy of Pluto in the House of work can make this a very busy year on the job. You may need to lighten up and avoid a tendency to become overly self-critical about your work. Your powers of analysis are likely to be especially active. You may also find yourself engaged in work related to service, healing, or psychological counseling at this time. Alternatively, your job performance may lead you to some deep insights about your personality. If you are older, you may be thinking about retirement.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §8.1 - Aspects of Mars in the Solar Return Chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §5.1 - Aspects involving the Moon in the Solar Return Chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §2.2 - The Sun's Aspects in the Solar Return Chart.

Return Pluto conjoining Natal Mars suggests an image of uncontrolled force or unbridled passion. Quarrels, arguments, and temper outbursts are possible. Sexual tensions run high. This aspect sometimes indicates a risk of accidents, injury, robbery, brutality, or violence, so be careful to avoid areas and individuals you know to be dangerous. Choose your associates carefully. If you need to employ people to perform potentially hazardous tasks, carefully check their background and qualifications for the job. Concerns about the health and welfare of a significant man in your life may also call for your attention.

Intense emotional experiences lead to tremendous personal growth. You are not satisfied with superficial explanations and prefer to understand matters in great depth. Now is a time to reform basic aspects of your personality that need to change and grow. Discard what is useless and have the courage to evolve.

This aspect affects your entire generation and alerts you and your contemporaries to the spiritual dimensions of existence. Now is an excellent time to pursue occult, metaphysical, or mystical studies. Pay attention to your dreams and intuitions.

You will experience important events that have a long-term effect on your career and public standing. Opportunities may arise that will allow you to take a new direction. Forces beyond your control may set you on a new path. Significant changes in your attitude toward your profession and ambitions are likely. Your hard-work and in-depth study will pay off.

The Return Part of Fortune is a benefic point whose location in the chart is based on the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant in this year's Return. It symbolizes those areas of life that are likely to be especially profitable and productive in the year ahead. Knowing where your greatest benefit lies will allow you to focus your energies so that you can achieve a greater measure of success.

When in Capricorn, the Part of Fortune advises you to make optimal use of your capacity for discipline, practicality, goal setting, strategic planning, concentrated effort, endurance, and striving to achieve your ambitions.

The Part of Fortune in the Return 7th House indicates success in marriage and partnerships. Benefits arise through cooperative ventures with others. Offering your goods and services before the public may bring rewards.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §10.1 - Aspects of Saturn in the Solar Return Chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §4.3 - Aspects involving the Midheaven in the Solar Return Chart.

This interpretation appeared previously in section §9.1 - Aspects of Jupiter in the Solar Return Chart.

The House cusps are power points in the chart, and any planet that aligns closely with a House cusp will be especially prominent in the year ahead. Planet to House cusp alignments often portend specific events whose nature combines the symbolism of the planet and the House involved.

The three sections that follow will look at the contacts, if any, (1) between Return planets and Return House cusps; (2) between Return planets and Natal House cusps; and finally, (3) between Natal planets and Return House cusps.

When comparing the Solar Return and the natal charts, any close alignment between a planet and a House cusp is highly significant. In fact, the conjunctions of planets with House cusps in the superimposed natal and return charts usually pinpoint the major factors that will be operative during the year. Pay close attention to the following three sections because they highlight the specific events that you will need to deal with in the coming Solar Return period.

This section considers the influence of any planet or point in the Solar Return chart that forms a close connection with a House cusp in the Solar Return chart.

Saturn, the Great Teacher, reveals lessons to be learned during the coming year. Conjoining the Return 4th cusp, Saturn suggests that you will need to assume greater responsibility for home, family, parents, real estate, and domestic matters. This is a time to get serious about laying the foundation for future growth. You could get a lot of work done in the home. Maintenance of your dwelling could prove more costly than anticipated. You may need to care for a family member, an older person, or a parental figure, possibly in your home. You seek in earnest to understand more about your family, traditions, and ethnic origins. On occasion, this aspect may mean the death of a parent or an older individual during the year.

When near an angle in the Return chart, Saturn prompts you to face the Shadow aspects of your personality -- the disturbing parts of yourself that you fear, repress, and project onto others. Saturn may knock you to your senses by confronting you with a dose of harsh reality. The time has now come to pay the piper. The goal of Saturnian discipline is to foster a better integration of your personality. Saturn's tests may arrive in the form of hardship, oppression, burdens, obligations, illness, surgery, poverty, loss, restriction, disappointment, bereavement, or conflicts with authority. The lessons you learn at this time come from taking a hard look at what you have been doing with your life.

Mercury prominent in the Return chart places an emphasis on communication, adaptability, education, travel, and commerce. This year will be full of mental activity, talk, letters, phone calls, writing, travel, movement, busy work, short trips, and frequent comings and goings. Much of your activity centers on matters related to home, family, and domestic concerns. You tend to be more youthful, agile, quick-witted, and verbally expressive. You may teach, take classes, or receive training under this influence. Pursuing further education can have a beneficial effect on your career. Activities that require physical movement and dexterity are especially appealing. You are also likely to have frequent contacts with siblings, young people, kin, neighbors, and members of your local community.

Return Pluto on the Return 7th cusp suggests that this year you are dealing with particularly strong feelings about a close relationship. Beware of involvement with individuals of an unsavory or vindictive character. Intense experiences of intimacy with another are characteristic of this aspect. Matters related to sexuality, death, personal transformation, and human mortality come into sharp focus. A relocation is sometimes indicated. Pluto conjunct an angle sometimes indicates a health crisis, which could involve a need for surgery or other powerful healing methods. In rare cases Pluto in this position may signal a brush with death or at least concerns about your own mortality.

The Moon favorably aspecting the Ascendant signifies positive changes in your emotional and domestic life. Loving and being loved are important issues. This aspect will ease any tensions that exist in family matters. You tend to be sensitive, nurturing, intuitive, and compassionate. Changes involving home and real estate go well. If your work involves dealings with the public, you tend to be well liked and popular. You may make a journey, possibly over water. Good publicity often accompanies this aspect. It can also indicate falling in love, getting married, or bringing a child into the family, especially if the Moon trines the Ascendant from the 5th House of children and love affairs.

Return Venus on the 4th House cusp benefits family, home, real estate, and domestic matters. You could find your dream home or redecorate your current residence. Benefits may come through the purchase or sale of real estate. Your relationships with parents and other family members tend to be harmonious. Because the 4th is the House of endings, this placement can indicate a legacy, an inheritance, or gain through the conclusion of a longstanding matter. This is a good time to begin planning for circumstances toward the end of your own life. You may wish to make or revise a will, set up trusts for your children, plan for retirement, and decide how you wish to bequeath your estate to your heirs.

A prominent Venus generally emphasizes peace, harmony, friendship, love, marriage, cooperation, teamwork, the balancing of relationships, negotiations, artistic endeavors, values, and finance. Venus increases your popularity and can bring favor with the public. Opportunities for profit and increased income may arise. Venus is a natural signifier of female friends, relatives and associates, whose activities and circumstances may play a major role in your life. The aspects formed by Venus will give further details about what to expect in the coming year.

This section considers the influence of any planet or point in the Solar Return chart that forms a close connection with a House cusp in the Natal chart.

Return Venus conjunct the Natal 5th House cusp favorably influences the areas of romance, creative self-expression, speculative investment, and dealings with children. You may earn money from your investments or from a hobby. Recreational and sporting activities are especially enjoyable.

The Return Ascendant conjunct your Natal 2nd House cusp puts a strong emphasis on income, purchases, and money management. You may be involved in a great deal of buying and selling. Opportunities to earn more money could materialize, but keep something in the bank for a rainy day. This is a good time to clarify your values and priorities in life. At the same time the Return Ascendant opposes your Natal 8th cusp and may bring issues of sex, death, and personal transformation into sharp focus.

Return Mercury conjunct the Natal 5th House cusp directs your thinking toward love, fun, sports, and recreation. A trip to a pleasant vacation spot may be in the cards. This is an excellent time for any type of creative self-expression. You are likely to have many creative ideas that can become the basis of artistic endeavors. Curiosity about investing may pique your interest in the stock market or other speculative ventures. There may be opportunities to spend time teaching or learning from children.

Return Pluto conjunct the Natal 8th House cusp highlights 8th House issues such as sex, death, surgery, investigation, and joint finances. You could undergo a brush with death or an experience that drives home the reality of human mortality. A need for surgery or intensive medical therapy is sometimes indicated.

Return Saturn crossing the Natal 5th cusp suggests getting serious about creative self-expression, speculative investments, romance, and recreational endeavors. Concentrated effort can turn a hobby into a new career. Artists and performers can do some of their best work at this time. A romance with an older partner is possible. Your mind may turn to thoughts of marriage and settling down. The 5th House also represents children, and you might decide to have children or you could assume more responsibility on their behalf.

Because Saturn is a symbol of obstacles and frustrations, its position on the 5th House cusp could manifest as problems with a love affair, blocks in creativity, losses in the stock market, or difficulties with children.

The Return Part of Fortune falling on the Natal 8th House cusp bodes well for shared resources and joint finances. Tax and estate matters are settled in your favor. This configuration sometimes indicates the birth of a child or the receipt of an inheritance.

With The Return Midheaven falling on your Natal 11th House cusp, you should spend time this year planning for your future career goals. Friends and acquaintances can be very helpful in this regard. Wise counsel from a friend might even open you to new career possibilities. You could be called upon to assume a position of leadership in a club or organization. Advancement follows upon your willingness to be a team player. Children within your circle may receive some type of honor or recognition.

This section considers the influence of any planet or point in the Natal chart that forms a close connection with a House cusp in the Solar Return chart.

The Return 11th House cusp conjunct the Natal Moon brings rapport and emotional support from friends. You may get involved with groups that espouse a cause you feel strongly about. Examine your hopes and wishes to see how much they are based on wishful thinking rather than sound judgment.

The Return 9th House cusp falling on your Natal Midheaven promises a significant journey of body or mind. This is an excellent year to further your education or to pursue religious or philosophical interests. Contacts with the courts or the legal system are possible.

The Return 2nd House cusp conjunct Natal Uranus brings sudden changes to your financial life. Unanticipated expenses may take you by surprise, but there may also be unexpected opportunities to increase your income. Get ready for surprises where money is concerned.

The Return 5th cusp conjoining your Natal Venus is a very romantic aspect. Love is likely to blossom. This is a time for fun, recreation, and enjoyment. Children, in particular, can light up your life. Financial speculations may bring dividends. Plan a wonderful vacation and enjoy yourself.

The Return 2nd House cusp conjunct Natal Jupiter indicates increased income, the ability to sell yourself and your ideas, and also increased spending. Good things are likely to come into your life, especially on the material plane. You will likely find yourself acquiring more possessions, some of which will be gifts and favors from others.

Natal Mars on the Return seventh House cusp indicates that you will devote a great deal of energy to partnerships, close romantic relationships, and contractual agreements. Your work may take you before the public. Conflicts or disputes with partners are possible. Negotiations could produce a lot of heat and friction.

Joint finances are likely to prosper. Applications for loans or mortgages will meet with approval. Sexual opportunities may be plentiful. Detective work or in-depth investigation can be