Chapter 1 Introduction

two basic points

(the author claims that) solar returns only work when the sidereal zodiac is use
d. Tropical solar returns are apparently unreliable
some general blather about transits vs progressions.
JE (the author) considers the idea that transits result in external events and p
rogressions result in 'psychological changes' too simple, and states that events
and psychological states are intertwined all the time, but then goes on to stat
e that the *source* of the life change is 'internal' or based on the 'natural e
volution of the natal condition' for progressions and comes out of' interaction
with the natural environment' for transits ( I'm not sure that clears up anyth
ing).
He also implies that the wider orbs catch subconscious changes etc but tight orb
s catch obviously manifest oncoming transits/progressions.
Chapter 2. Speaking the same language
1. JE claims that different techniques are needed for different charts. He says
that when aspects of (natal?) planets to fixed stars are considered, only conjun
ctions, oppositions and squares are noted, and not trines, sextiles etc (WTF? )
but they are significant for natal chart interpretation
2. JE recommends a 'two pass' approach to reading Solar Return charts. First app
arently it is read as a 'new birth chart' for the year which overlays the origin
al natal chart. Secondly it is read in a 'return chart style' . Both approaches
are detailed in coming chapters.
Chapter 2
The author begins delineating the terminology of Sidereal astrology.
Angularity: JE sticks with the notion of angularity but detaches it from details
of the house system. He states that angularity (nearness to the angles) determi
nes not so much the 'power' of a planet, but how easily it expresses itself ( ex
ample? specific difference between 'power' and 'ease'?)
He defines foreground as 'half a house either side' of the four angles. (he uses
the Campanus system for this). The middle ground is half a house on either side
of succedent cusps. Similiarly background = half a house either side of cadent
cusps. He uses Campanus houses. I'll continue to use Placidus.

Principle: Planets in the foreground of a chart - natal, solar return, ingress,

whatever, are the most important and prominent.
Background planets acquire importance also because they are least able to expre
ss themselves and represent qualities that are held in abeyance (== ??)
Midground planets are neither particularly strong nor particulary weak (note: J
E is using strong/weak vs expressive/inexpressive) but reflect a measure of easy
moderation.
Garth Allen studied the birth charts of 42 murderers and found that Pluto, Mars
and Neptune are the most in the foreground! (note: I have Mars in the foreground
!)
To understand the rest of the system, I need to really understand all the 'circl
es' used to divide into houses etc.

Step 1
Imagine an observer standing at the centre of a circle. The circumference of the
circle is the visible horizon. The E, W, N, S points on the horizon circle are
the East Point, West Point etc
The point directly above the observer is the Zenith. The point directly opposi
te to this, so below the observer is the nadir.
A circle that starts at the East Point, goes to Zenith, West Point and Nadir is
called the Prime Vertical.
The circle starting at North Point, goes to Zenith, South Point and Nadir is cal
led the Meridian.
Step 2
The Earths poles form an axis.
The Earth's equator is perpendicular to this axis.
The equator projected onto the celestial sphere is the "Celestial Equator".
The Earth's path around the Sun forms a plane called the Ecliptic.
Since astrology is geocentric, we extend this plane to the celestial sphere obta
ining a circle called the 'ecliptic' along which the Sun appears to travel.
The ecliptic is at an angle of about 23.5 degrees to the Celestial Equator.
Step 3
Since the observer from step 1 above is (unless he is at the direct North/South
polar points) standing on a spherical /elliptical Earth,his horizon circle also
makes an angle to the equator (depending on his lattitude). In practical terms,
the celestial equator would appear as a tilted circle.
(So if obsever is standing on the Equator, the Prime Meridian would equal the ce
lestal Equator?)
The celestial horizon is a disc parallel to the local horizon, but with its cen
tre at the centre of the Earth, and its edges projected to the Celestial Sphere.
If the observer is at the poles, the Celestial Horizon and Celestial Equator w
ould be the same.
So in essence, the observer stands in a 'co - ordinate system' formed by these
circles.
1. Horizon
2. Prime Vertical
3. Meridian
4. Celestial Equator
5. Ecliptic.
.
Added later in the night: (I want to start the next section tomorrow)
what the writer considers 'extra sensitive points' (other than the angles)
1. (longitude of ) Zenith
2. (longitude of ) Nadir
3. East Point (has a 1st House quality)
4. West Point (has a 7nth House quality)
5. Vertex. If any planets conjunct, their manifestations have an unconscious qua
lity.
6. Anti Vertex
7. South Point (4th house quality)

8. North Point (10th house quality)

Aspects used
classicals
'dynamic' and 'static' preferred to 'hard' and 'soft'
JE thinks dynamic aspects portend movement and activity and static aspects still
ness and quietitude, even a dampening effect.
But if a static aspect connects to a dynamic aspect, (e.g a trine aspects one e
nd of an opposition and sextiles another), in which case the hard aspect is enha
nced
JE thinks that when examining Solar Returns one's attention must focus only on t
he hard aspects (I reject this)
Parans:
JE says the potential paran becomes an active paran when a Solar return chart ha
s the same sidereal time (??) as the objects forming the potential paran. (how t
o find sidereal time of a chart?!!! and each object in a paran relationship?!!!)
I *think* what he is trying to say is that when any of the *angles* of the Solar
Return chart coincide with the *angles* of a potential paran, then it becomes a
ctive.
So for e.g
CHI MC
PLU IC
MAR MC

from
008
008
009

my natal chart
00 so 8 Aries
30, = 8 Aries 30
21 = 9 Aries 21

When the (paran?) of the Solar Return chart angles hit these angles, the chart b
ecomes active. Not sure what the Sidereal time of the chart etc means.
Chapter 2 (cont'd)
Angles
mostly about the meanings of 1-4-7-10 angles.
Houses
JE claims 4th-10th axis has to do with identity.
MC connected to public identity - the authority one acknowledges in an outerwor
ld 'superior' - parent, employer etc. MC signifies the unfolding of a personal s
ense of direction, the outcome of which is to be more truly and fully become one
self.
In natal astrology, the key to identity as measured by outerworld standards
In SR characteristically pinpoints one's experience of "highness" (prestige, pro
minence, culmination) . Reputation and status are often involved, because one's
career is a frequent, but not only area of manifestation. For a public figure, i
t can reveal the overall tone of ones' interaction with the public.
IC - the most personal, private focus of awareness in a horoscope. Privacy is t
he keyword of the angle. Due to angularity planets on the IC are highly expressi
ve keynotes of the year in question. But the realm of manifestation is withing e
motional (if not physical) close quarters to home. Specific outer manifestations
will center around domestic concerns, family property etc. Psychological orient
ation towards roots, sense of inner self, psychic foundations of life - reevalua
tion of priorities, ongoing decisions at subconscious level emerge into consciou
sness etc - prompting a major cycle shift 'the end of the matter' especially if
Sun, Pluto, or Uranus is placed there.
Ascendant - one's experience of oneself in the process of interrelating with ano
ther - projected self image - how we extend ourselves to others. JE considers s

elfhood as a matter for the entire horoscope with the ascendant implicitly signi
fies the presence of relationship. ascendant can be considered "I Do" in SR char
ts, denoting self involvement.
Descendant - other consciousness, an awareness of other people, cooperation on c
ometition as keynotes designating DC attributes. focus of attention away from s
elf. death , but not solely, just stepping out of purely individual concerns.
Signs
mostly irrelevant in SR analysis, except the sign occupied by the SR moon.
Location
Essentially SSR charts are cast for the location native occupies, vs is born in.
Posted by Ravi at 11:08 PM No comments:
Labels: SSR
Friday, May 13, 2016
Day 14 . [Saturday, May 14, 2016]
Chapter 2 (cont'd)
Houses:
do have a certain measure of importance in Solunar interpretations. But not prim
ary. (which are angularity and aspects)
When SR are interpreted 'as native charts' in pass 1, houses are important. JE t
hinks house dispositorships are misleading, but a planets position in a house is
revealing.
The important factors wrt houses are luminary placements and stellia.
A planet can be simultaneously foreground and angular *or* cadent. (likewise mid
dleground + angular/succedent, background + succedent/cadent).
The houses related to the foreground planets in an SSR should be focused on.
SSR houses and angles mean the same thing as natal houses and angles, except tha
t they specifically apply to unfolding patterns and events within a certain time
frame.
Meanings of SR planets in SRc houses resemble meanings of *transiting* planets i
n natal houses. Natal planets on SR angles ( I interpret this as saying that whe
n the SR angles share the same zodiacal degree as a natal planet) they manifest
Chapter 3 - The Interpretation of Planetary Angularity
The last two chapters have emphasized the 'foreground' nature of both natal and
solar return planets.
This chapter is about interpreting such placements. I am skipping the details of
each planet in the foreground/background etc but there seem to be two principle
s for such interpretation
principle 1 = Foreground planets both solar and natal (A) set the tone of the e
ntire period covered by a solunar return. Background planets (in the solar chart
, whether solar or natal) represent the least manifest themes. E.g: background M
ercury is bad when trying to write a book.
(1) This seems to
lar return chart*
y 2015 SSR has an
hart. ). Likewise

refer to the natal planets coming in the foreground *of the so

i.e with reference to the angles *of the solar chart*. (e.g M
ascendant of 07 Cancer. The TSN is in the foreground of this c
for background planets.

[There is a list of transiting planet foreground and background effects, then na

tal planets foreground and background effects. Skipped for now. Will read later
after getting Ebertin's book]
Principle 2: Most foreground natal planets don't have an influence that varies w
ith which angle they are 'bound' to via foreground. Angularity just emphasises t
hem. BUT if the planets are conjunct the angles (within 5 to 7 degrees, vs just
being in the foreground via that angle,) then the angle has a specific effect on
how exactly the planet is emphasized.
[long list of planet P on angle A delineations skipped for now]
Chapter 4 Interpreting Lunar Aspects
Focusing on foreground solar and natal planets give us the main theme of the SSR
. Then we focus on the solar moon and its aspects
Planetary angularity (and 'foregroundness') are is important to clear understand
ing of Solunar returns. But angles are static and only 'set the stage'.
Angles + Luminaries = Personal points.
Sun + Moon + Ascendant + MC draw attention to the most significant parts of the
chart.
in the SSR, the solar Sun and natal Sun occupy the same point. This makes the mo
on the most crucial part of a SSR chart, after the angles. Lunar aspects to sola
r and natal planets are important. If lunar aspects are nearly exact while foreg
round planets are not exceptionally close to the angles, then the solar Moon can
be considered the prime theme setter for the year ahead.
In the section, "The Meaning of the Solar Moon" JE ties the status of the Solar
Moon to various things 'emotional' - emotions of people in the querent's life, t
he emotions he exhibits etc. I am skipping all this psychological woo and focusi
ng on event prediction.
In the section "The Solar Moon and Health" JE says that important illnesses mani
fest as afflictions to the Solar Moon. Technically the angularity of lights is
supposed to show wellness but JE says Moon in foreground or midground shows affl
ictions if badly aspected. The Sidereal 'constellation' (== sign in sidereal cha
rts) shows which part of the body is affected.
Lunary importance in terms of angularity
Contradictory pieces of advice
1. Luminaries are important in any chart
2. Planets not in the foreground can be ignored.
So what if luminary is in background?
JE's solution
1.Solar Return Moon
a. if in foreground or middleground give aspects full priority
b. if in background give aspects full priority only if other parts of chart p
oint in the same direction. (e.g: all aspects of less than 1 degree are of impor
tance irrespective of cadency)
2. Solar Return Sun
a. if foreground, give full priority to aspects

b. if middleground give priority to aspects only if other chart factors are co

ngruent
c. if background, ignore completely (except partile aspects which are always p
otent)
Reinforcement and activation
sometimes the SRMoon acts as a trigger for an existing aspect (in the SSR), in w
hich the lunar nature is hard to discern and the planetary nature is prominent.
e.g # 1: King Edward's 1900 SR had a wide Saturn Venus square. Other aspects T.
Jupiter conjunct TPluto and conjunct NJupiter, opposed by NPluto and conjunct We
st Point -were important. The SSR Moon was weakly placed (just below? 6th cusp)
but opposed Saturn and squared Venus (thus activating this aspect) -> death of
Queen Victoria etc.
e.g #2: JE's solar return had a middle ground Venus Saturn opposition. But the M
oon was squaring these planets and so activated this aspect. When SSRMoon progre
ssed to exact square Saturn, his grandfather died.
generalization - Moon activated a Venus Saturn aspect causing an emotional outco
me.
emotional/psychological delineations of Solar Moon to Solar planets and Solar Mo
on to natal planets skipped.
Skimming through the Patricia Hearst solar return series.
I think this is too influenced by the 'retrospective fitting' effect. And also t
oo much psychology analysis vs hard event focus.
Extracted principles
For each chart GE looks at foreground planets, close to exact aspects etc. The a
nalysis I consider dubious due to the 'retrospective' and 'psychological' factor
.
1. Look for the unusual in a chart - GE suggests angularity, (sign and house of)
stellium, tight aspects (which GE says are the best starting points of a deline
ation).
2. Planets are the active agents and (therefore) angularity and aspects provide
the most information. Signs and houses indicate how and where such aspects manif
est. Stelliums indicate an emphasis in signs/houses.
3. Strength is given by partility (closeness of orb of aspect). Angularity indic
ates ease of expression.
here some examples are given where aspects are expressed in terms of psychologic
al needs etc. Skipped.
4. PH chart 1.
a. Mundoscope + paran analysis support Pluto Moon Jupiter Uranus aspects .
b. Interesting is that a background Mars squaring Pluto is interpreted as 'this
bg Mars can find expression only via its square to Pluto" which is an example of
an interesting principle.
5. PH chart 2
a. A Pluto conjunct the ascendant of this SR, along with the Uranus in H1 is int
erpreted as 'the type of personality which will manifest this year" (?? this loo
ks dubious and a matter of 'retrofitting')
b. aspects among planets which are both foreground (here Venus Uranus square) is
considered very relevant for this year.
c. close aspects from all over the chart are considered relevant and interpreted

d. fifth house stellium is also folded into the interpretation. Interesting is t

hat the 'fifth house' is an SR house, not a natal house
6. PH chart 3
a. GE claims this chart has a 'new tone'
b. Again, aspects between planets in the foreground are important.
7. Repeating features across successive SR charts are indicative of 'stages in n
atural development (of a multi year phase?). Aspects are repeated across success
ive SR charts, and GE also notes grand trine etc (which is one of aspect pattern
s?)
Summary: While in chapters of the book, GE emphasises foreground/midground/backg
round distinctions, in practice, aspects are also very important when it comes t
o delineation.
Chapter 6, Second Time Through - Wheels within Wheels
Solar Return delineation has good accuracy and also simple methods. In this chap
ter, an easy way of getting information from an SSR quickly and efficiently. No
need for complex approaches or psychic abilities. Though GE generally discourag
es 'rules', in SSR interpretation he strongly reccomends a routinized delineativ
e approach.
Two distinct steps
1. First SR chart by itself - (SA: as previously foreground, midground, backgrou
nd etc planets. Then parans, zodiacal and mundane aspects all sorted by partilit
y)
2. Add "inner wheel" of natal chart, approach becomes more tightly focused, disc
iplined and acute, knowing precisely where to look
Algorithm for interpreting SSR - 2nd run
1. Observe angularity and aspects. Set aside signs and houses.
2. Foreground planets are important. Middle ground planets are important only wh
en involved in exact aspects. Background planets are significant for lack of act
ivity.
3. Only hard aspects are to be considered. Trines and sextiles of solar planets
to luminaries are important.
4. The inside/outside notion should be carefully applied.
In detail
1. Note which planets are foreground and background, both natal and solar. Frame
the core of your delineation around these factors alone, trying to come to som
e kind of integrated assessment of general tone.
a . If the same planet is foreground in both natal and solar charts, it takes
on special significance as a theme (setter) planet
b. The planets closest to the angles have the most to say. This guideline w
ill help prioritize and weight planetary involvement.
c. Solar planets are interpreted as circumstances the world brings to the ind
ividual. Natal planets are interpreted as either the actions that evoke these ci
rcumstances or the individual's reactions to them.
2. Note aspects between/among foreground planets
a. aspects to foreground natal planets help refine judgement on what to expects
from the outside world.
b. Interpret natal foreground planets by what they represent in the nativity (s
hown by natal aspects, and to some degree by their sign placements)
c. Note aspects between foreground solar and natal planets.

3. Interpret aspects of the Solar Moon to both solar and natal planets. Stop at
this point and make sure the delineation is consistent and makes sense.
4. Observe which solar planets are in the background and how they color the pict
ure so far obtained.
5. Interpret aspects of the Sun to solar planets.
6. Consider any remaining aspects within about 1 degree. These represent supplem
entary background considerations.
Chapter 7. Timing
SSR as predictor of events and timing these.
SSR pinpoint events (SA: in reality the planetary natures of events) within a y
ear. What an SSR describes will come true within that year. We need other method
s to designate narrower time periods.
1. A Demi Solar Return is the chart for the moment when the transiting Sun is ex
actly opposite the natal Sun. Considered a supplementary chart describing the la
tter half of the year.
2. A Quarti Solar Chart - a chart of the moment whet TSun is exactly square nat
al Sun is somewhat representative of the quarter of the year. JE doesn't conside
r them as strong/reliable as the SSR + DemiSolar.
if the subsidiary charts reflect/continue the same event-causing-planetary-signi
fcances from the SSR, then the events will happen in that half/quarter. Else, it
will happen in the first half/quarter.
Timing (cont'd)
The Anlunar return is when the moon returns to the position she had *in the SSR
chart* . There are 12-13 of these charts.
Interpret the anlunar charts by the same rules as in "Procedure for SSR analysis
" in chapter 6 but giving more importance to the transiting Sun
GE suggests putting SSR in the inner ring and the Anlunar chart on the outer rin
g. GE says the Anlunar charts aren't reliable as independent charts, but *are* r
eliable in pinpointing the month in which portents of the SR are most likely to
be actualized, especially when used in conjunction with the Demi and Quarti Sola
rs.
Progressing the SSR chart.
the SSR can be progressed just like the natal chart. There are two methods to pr
ogress this chart
1. The Solar Quotidian (SQ) (2) The Progressed Sidereal Solar Return (PSSR)
Quotidian means 'daily' and both these charts are daily charts.
There is some unclear theory here (wrt SQ) but I think the essence is that this
chart is essentially the progressions *of the SSR* for the year, with the vario
us aspects in the SSR manifesting most strongly on the day when the progressed a
spect becomes precise.
Also the progressed Moon and angles form partile aspects on specific days and th
ose become very important.
Essentially (pg 108) SQ and PSSR give daily angles. And on the days any planet -

natal, solar, transiting, or progressed solar - come within 1 degree (rarely 2

degrees) of these angles, those planets dominate the day.
(ok so far, but I need to actually do some work with a real chart and also wor
k out the precise procedures with Solar Fire etc to really get it)
Transits to SSR chart
JE claims that SSR planets and angles are susceptible to transits, perhaps more
than natal charts (!)
The main distinction between Solar planets and natal planets is that solar plane
ts represent forces coming at you from the external world which are relevant for
a year (and natal planets the reverse? this seems to be more of the psychology
based inner/outer stuff).
So transiting Mars conjunct natal Venus indicates a good time for a sexual enc
ounter but transiting Mars conjunct Solar Venus can indicate stress in a relatio
nship.
A special situation wrt outer planets is that if planets are retrograde in SSR c
hart when the reverse direction, they eventually progress to themselves. This ex
poses the individual to the purest essence of the planetary influence
e.g transiting Pluto precisely conjunct Solar Pluto will mark the most intensely
Plutonian week of the year. It is as though a personal window has been opened,
giving the individual direct access to the planet's untainted central nature.
End of year mop up . GE says that any unresolved (in the year) features of the S
SR will manifest in the last 8-10 weeks of the year. (my comment - this seems a
bit dubious)
example 1: ignoring details, extracting process
SSR shows SMoon 7 and 1/2 degrees to exact trine to Solar Venus.
By SQ rate, this shows progressed Moon Venus trine as occurring 7 1/2 months aft
er his birthday (May). PSSR shows 6 months after birthday(March)
Examining an ephemeris, GE isolated a Jupiter square Solar Venus aspect in March
(apparently Venus-Jupiter aspects are common to weddings) . Since no correspond
ing transit in May, March is selected.
The square becomes exact on March 13. PSSR Moon trined the Solar Venus on March
14. On March 16, transiting Venus squared solar Midhaven.
Example 2:
SSR shows a Saturn Mars opposition (even if middleground). Apparently Mars Satur
n aspects are the most stressful. also Solar Moon was applying to a conjunction
with Solar Neptune. Quarti solar indicated the same configs.
Key principle = aspects with small orbs landing excruciatingly close to Solar/An
lunar etc Return angles = extreme results
Chapter 9 Enneads
The originally Egyptian (?) now Hindu Navamsa divisions of the ecliptic also hol
d *as viable returns* . i.e there are 9 basic solar returns every year, one for
each 40 degree from the position of the natal Sun.
Navamsa is identical to John Addey's "Ninth Harmonic Chart".
Every point of the Zodiac is considered to be in pseudo conjunction with points
40, 80, 120 and 160 degrees from it in both directions. Trines and conjunctions

are the only 30 degree aspects which are also multiples of 40.
Garth Allen called his discovery the Ennead . It forms a ruling triumvirate alon
g with the ordinary Solar and Lunar Return -forming the backbone and flesh of ef
fective astrological forecasting
Creating the Ennead
Essentially add multiples of 40 degrees to the Natal Sun. (Cast charts for tho
se moments seems to be implied). You can sudbivide the ennead into 4 period of 1
0 degrees/10 days each.
Interpreting:
Enneads are interpreted with the same rules as SSR, but only once, with the "sec
ond reading" approach.
Example of Kennedy assassination ennead elided. (vertex conjunct natal Saturn!!)
GE thinks Enneads are more potent individual charts than Anlunars, but don't act
as 'triggering' mechansims. Enneads describe the *situation* or more precisely
the individual undergoing the experience indicated in the solar/anlunar etc cha
rts.