If most of your planets are in the 2nd quadrant of the solar
return chart, there is an emphasis on expressing yourself both personally and
creatively. This is the quadrant where self (the northern part of the chart)
meets others (the western side of the chart). The emphasis is on achieving
personality integration and individualization while still maintaining strong
relationships with your family, lovers, and co-workers. You may need to learn
to express who you are in spite of the risk of disapproval and disagreement.
Working creatively with self-expression and your relationships can help you
achieve a complementary exchange of love and assistance at home or work, and in
one-on-one exchanges. Creative abilities will introduce changes in these areas,
which could be beneficial for all involved.
This can show a year with a tremendous amount of activity (which
usually amounts to too much activity). You may expend your energy in several
different directions by working on a number of projects. Each of these projects
will be well-defined and equated with a personal need; however, you will feel
torn among all the things you want or need to do. You are trying to do too
much. If you overload yourself with too many activities, you will begin to
procrastinate, miss deadlines and be forced into crisis management. Your
nervous system will be taxed and you will begin to make impulsive decisions
with little forethought. You need to be better organized. Perhaps you should
finish one project before starting another, or you should seek assistance. If
you must juggle a busy schedule, learn to streamline your routine and optimize
your use of time and energy.
While the preponderance of earth is generally associated with
attention to financial matters, the lack of earth is more closely associated
with financial limitations. Implied is a lack of money, through a loss of
income, mismanagement, or self-imposed limitations. If you usually have money
problems, then the lack of earth in the solar return chart can indicate
increasing or continuing economic difficulties during the coming year. You may
find that you have reached your credit limit and can no longer spend money without
planning. You will not necessarily have employment problems, though sometimes
that is the case. The lack of earth in the solar return chart suggests a lack
of attention to financial concerns which can eventually lead to significant
debt and overextension.
On the other hand, this is an excellent time to budget. Those individuals who
are able to set their own limits use this time to become artificially poor and
live on less money than earned. The lack of earth can indicate the desire to
impose a strict system for saving money toward a large purchase such as a down
payment on a home. In this case, the monetary pinch comes from your own savings
program and not a lack of real funds or impinging debts. You can channel your
money into various projects and expenses, leaving less to play with. If you are
very concerned with your future financial security, vow to do something about
it now.
For some individuals, the lack of money will not be a problem. You can place a
greater emphasis on intangibles and therefore money is not a top priority. The
quality of life is more important than the current financial state. If you are
unhappy with your job, this is a good time to quit since career satisfaction
will be more important to you than the salary you are paid. You are capable of
living on less.
When the solar return Ascendant is in Libra, cooperating with
others and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships result in a rewarding
lifestyle. You prosper through associations, whether personal, romantic, or
professional. You love exchanging ideas, and gravitate toward intense
discussions in which you can argue either side. However, you alienate others
when you argue incessantly, and make war, not peace. Learn to walk that fine
line between competing with others and appeasing them. Balance in all things is
the key to happiness.
The Sun in the 5th house emphasizes the need to express yourself
more fully. When the Sun is in the 1st house you try to find out who you are,
but when the Sun is in the 5th house, you know who you are, and have a
stronger-than-usual urge for expression. Having your Sun in this house can mean
watching your personality bloom. This is a wonderful position for those who
have been compromised in the past and now feel the need to be more assertive.
The outer expression of your personality should become more useful to your
future goals and also more consistent with your inner qualities. "To thine
own self be true," should be the motto for this placement. But keep in mind
also the desire to maintain relationships with others. Although self-expression
may disrupt relationships somewhat, the purpose of this placement is to foster
good relationships while increasing your self-expression.
Self-expression can take several forms, some of which are artistic and most of
which are creative. Artistic pursuits include painting, writing, poetry, and
music; however, you may concentrate on a more mundane project such as creating
your own lesson plans, developing your own business style or founding your own
nursery school. The medium for self-expression is not important, it is the
self-expression itself which is creative, and it need not necessarily be
artistic.
The Sun in the 5th house can also show a strong involvement with children; if
you are a parent, they may be the major focus of your attention. If you have a
tendency to express yourself through your children, you must be careful not to
dominate their lives. On the other hand, this can be a rewarding time, one in
which you are very proud of your children and their achievements.
There is always the possibility of romance with this placement, and if a
relationship occurs it is usually very exciting. Sexual attractions play a
major role in determining to whom you are drawn. Romantic interchanges and
affairs are likely. This can be a heart-pounding infatuation at its best, but
remember that the 5th house rules unbounded relationships rather than marriage.
Although you may discuss marriage with your newfound love, it is very unlikely
that you will tie the knot this year.
Because the 5th house is also the house of speculation, you are more likely to
take risks this year. You do not necessarily gamble or speculate (though you
may), but you are willing to bet on your own abilities. The chances you take
may or may not involve money, but you are open to asserting yourself and trying
new things. You readily risk failure because of a desire to stretch the
boundaries of self-expression.
Mars symbolizes the energy necessary for successful
accomplishment. When Mars is conjunct the Sun, work on a project that requires
a great deal of effort to complete. Success can come in the form of personal or
professional achievement, especially if it involves original and creative work.
First time projects or ambitious endeavors are also appropriate.
Relationships might be conflicted or competitive. You need to balance
self-centered drives with the needs of others. When the Sun and Mars are
conjunct, they can indicate considerable self-interest, and perhaps even a
selfish attitude. Too much emphasis on self makes for tense relations. Others
may view you as competitive when you should be a team player. You can motivate
others in a positive and productive way, and that may be the best course of
action.
Learn to deal with aggression, conflict, and anger in an effective rather than
detrimental way. You may be stressed out and under the gun regarding tasks and
responsibilities. Do not take it out on others. Think before you act. Handle
negative situations positively with an eye toward fair play and productive
changes. Defend you actions and decisions if need be. Defend others when you
see injustice. Be an advocate, but remain calm and rational. If you let your
temper flare, things can only get worse.
Less spiritual themes associated with Sun conjunct Mars involve
self-destructive urges. Prolonged anger creates blockages which waste energy in
a cycle of negative emotions that have no real purpose or goal. It is better to
direct efforts and also frustration into positive endeavors.
The Sun conjunct Uranus in the solar return chart suggests that
the individual is making changes. Changes are usually major and sweeping,
though sometimes a series of small changes in rapid succession is needed for a
shift to occur. Changes are usually self-initiated and directed, unless a
persistent problem or internal restlessness is ignored. When you avoid the
obvious need for change, matters can be taken out of your hands, in which case,
you become the passive recipient of the change you sought to evade. Changes
tend to be more disruptive and less controllable when they involve a Sun-Uranus
conjunction, but all aspects can ultimately indicate beneficial changes.
Generally, change is a part of any solar return year that has the Sun conjunct
Uranus. Since Uranus transits can last for two or more years, you may be at the
beginning of the change this year or near the end. If the degree for Uranus is
less than the degree for the Sun, Uranus by transit is applying to the Sun and
the change is probably about to begin. If the degree for Uranus is higher than
that of the Sun, Uranus by transit is separating from the Sun and the change
might be nearing completion. If the Sun and Uranus are very close together
within two degrees, you are probably in the midst of change.
Changes correspond to significant life developments such as a pregnancy and
birth, a job transfer, relocation, health crisis, a separation, or the beginning
of a new relationship. Issues involve boredom versus excitement, restriction
versus freedom, and stagnation versus growth. This is a good time to be
creative, inventive and original. You can recreate your life.
The 8th house is the house of acute awareness of emotional forces
and psychological powers. Nearly all of this awareness will result from a
newfound ability to spontaneously perceive information on these subtle levels
rather than from a rational analysis of any situation. It is the intense
awareness of unconscious emotional and psychological issues that forces
conscious insight into human behavior. These realizations can be upsetting and
you may end up seeing or knowing more than you care to see or know. Acute
awareness is also associated with the Sun in the solar return 8th house, but
with the Moon here you are more apt to be emotionally involved with the people
and issues concerned. It is likely that someone in your immediate family or
circle of friends needs counseling. During the year, you grow more aware of
your own emotional needs and psychological forces and you also learn to
recognize these influences in others.
It is very likely that you will study some psychology during the year, but you
may become aware of psychological influences naturally without any education.
Initial insights can come from associating with mentally disturbed people. The
intensity of their psychological abnormality is fascinating, yet frightening.
It is common to have an 8th house solar return Moon if you are a professional
therapist or astrologer just starting to counsel others. Disturbed individuals
need not play an important role in your life and may be mere acquaintances.
They are not the real focus of your realizations, they are merely the catalyst.
You need to become more aware of the psychological influences affecting you and
your immediate relationships. Intense realizations associated with bizarre
personalities will give way to insights into subtle manipulations and power
plays. Eventually, psychological realizations can occur during the simplest
interactions with others. If you are caught in an emotional power struggle, it
will become more obvious how you and/or others manipulate rather than state
clearly what you need. Psychological complexes and hurt feelings complicate
relationships and make it more difficult to discuss problems rationally.
Unconscious feelings may undermine conscious decisions. Ambivalence is common.
Obsessive-compulsive behavior, jealousy, guilt, unexplained anger, and
helplessness are frequently clues that something is wrong.
Recognizing and understanding your own psychological idiosyncrasies will give
you great power over your own life. Insights into your defensive reactions will
help you overcome barriers to intimacy. Increased intimacy is especially
important since superficial relationships and superficial discussions will not
suit you this year. You need to be able to talk at length and in depth about
what you are feeling and perceiving. It is during these discussions that
initial realizations are triggered and later confirmed. It is also during these
discussions that you formulate and express new behavioral patterns that
sidestep psychological inadequacies.
Emotional situations tend to be more complicated and intense. Issues are no
longer black or white, good or bad. Decisions are less straightforward,
especially if you feel responsible for the well-being of others. For example,
if you have children and were offered a transfer to another state, you would not
make this decision without careful consideration. On one hand, the move may
improve your career possibilities, but on the other hand, the move could have a
great impact on your children. You must consider the emotional or psychological
ramifications of your decisions since they are more likely to affect others.
If partners or family members are moody or unstable, you may have to think
before you speak if you want to avoid upsetting responses. You may be in a
delicate position requiring great diplomacy and tact. Others can interpret what
you say incorrectly or overreact. You will be dealing with intense feelings and
may expect others to involve you in very emotional circumstances. If you
counsel others professionally, it will be easier for you to control these
situations. If these situations are appearing in your personal life, you can
deal with them effectively on your own or seek advice.
Increased intuitive accuracy will encourage your reliance on this mode of
perception. Psychic and intuitive realizations grow stronger, but may seem less
controllable. Even if you do not consider yourself psychic, this is a good time
to trust your hunches, but if you are psychologically stressed, you may be less
able to distinguish true psychic impulses from fears and anxieties. If this is
the case, you should reserve judgment until your powers of discrimination grow
stronger.
The Moon in the 8th house can show changing shared resources or economic
dependency. If you share funds with your spouse or some other person, the
amount of money you receive will change either positively or negatively. On the
other hand, your own personal resources are more likely to decrease in
comparison. The reduction need not be much, but you are more likely to feel
like a dependent rather than an economic equal. There could be very valid
reasons for this. For example, you may be on pregnancy leave or attending
school. Financial power struggles are possible. You and your partner or someone
else may fight over how to handle money or pay bills. These arguments might be
very emotional and further complicated by unresolved psychological issues.
Clarity and a willingness to discuss needs will help you to reach positive
compromises. The Moon in the 8th house also indicates a change in indebtedness.
Debts either go up or down but they rarely stay the same.
The Moon sextile or trine Venus suggests emotional security and
domestic issues are tied to relationships and financial considerations. This
can be a pleasant time for relationships depending on the house placement of
the Moon and Venus. The house placement for Venus in the solar return chart can
indicate where the support and benefit is coming from. The house placement for
the Moon shows the emotional need or response.
When these two planets are sextile or trine, your monetary situation will tend
to be positive, unless there are other limiting aspects seen in the chart. You
should have enough earnings or money to pay for life's necessities and feel
secure. You may have extra funds for savings, investments, and discretionary
spending. Financial stability is affected by domestic conditions. Moving,
pregnancy, birth, and education are common events that affect the amount of
money earned and spent. Occasionally this aspect can show a time when you are
financially dependent on others for support for one of the reasons mentioned
above.
If you are planning on pursuing an emotionally fulfilling career goal, consider
your financial situation before making changes. Whether or not your goal is
feasible at this time depends on how much money you have set aside or the
support you get from others. You might take a pay cut to enter a more rewarding
field, but ultimately, your salary will increase if you are successful in your
new endeavors. Follow your heart and you will make money.
The Moon square or opposite Mars implies involvement in a
situation which is emotionally uncomfortable or conflicted. The energies
represented here suggest working at cross-purposes and you may have ambivalent
feelings about your circumstances. The Moon symbolizes your nurturing qualities
and emotional nature. Mars, on the other hand, symbolizes your independence and
assertiveness, or your anger and aggression. The basic interpretations for
these two planets are so different that they tend to remain separate like oil
and water. They represent two different sides of a coin or perspectives on one
situation. When the Moon and Mars are in difficult aspect to each other, you
can work against yourself. Your actions, (Mars), belie your feelings, (Moon).
You may want to be close to others, but you push them away. In the worst case
scenario, you can be emotionally and psychologically dysfunctional, instigating
conflicts with family members or the women in your life. If you continue to act
like this, others will see you as an angry person who is a trouble maker.
Moon square or opposite Mars suggests emotional situations are not simple and
usually involve a strange combination of contradictory emotions. They can also
indicate that you might act in a way that detracts from your own sense of
security and well-being, thereby creating stress. Instead, focus on channeling
your discontent into meaningful actions that foster change.
The Moon-Mars combination need not be difficult, nor must it involve your
personal life. It can refer to professional endeavors or social activism. You
may be motivated to act because you are affected emotionally by what you see.
If you are upset by conditions in the poor section of town, you might volunteer
your services at a local soup kitchen. The unpleasantness you feel compels you
to look at your surroundings more closely and work to correct or improve
conditions.
Moon sextile or trine Jupiter in the solar return indicates a
positive outlook on life. This can be a year of happiness and contentment. You
should be optimistic about the future and your potential for success. Use your
talents and abilities to advance professionally or evolve spiritually.
Expansion into new areas is advantageous. The house placement of Jupiter should
indicate where expansion is likely to occur.
Your ability to express your feelings within a significant relationship is
important to your own emotional growth, and also to the growth of the
relationship. Jupiter symbolizes your ability to expand and the Moon symbolizes
your feeling nature. Together in aspect, they emphasize the process of sharing
emotions, having those emotions understood, and growing from the interchange.
Expansion through emotional interchange and relatedness is the key. For
example, if you are involved in counseling, this exchange is crucial to the
therapeutic process. If you are involved in a serious relationship, sharing
your feelings is necessary for the development of greater intimacy.
It is important to convey serious emotions as well as cheerful feelings,
especially if you are in a situation where candidly expressing your feelings
could motivate others. For instance, if you are working on a humanitarian
project and you need volunteers, your ability to inspire others with your
honest portrayal of the situation will help your cause.
While the Moon in aspect to Uranus suggests an inability to
suppress emotional information, the Moon sextile or trine Saturn is more
closely associated with emotional control, stability, and careful planning.
This is a time when you are likely to take on extra responsibility. If you are
involved in an important project which you feel must be completed, you will
maintain your composure and accomplish the work in a timely manner. You are a
hard worker who takes commitments seriously. This is a good time to develop an
organized system for dealing with projects, problems, and issues. The goal is
to stay focused.
For example, a high school senior pushed himself in his chosen sport. He
practiced when he was tired and missed a number of social events during his
senior year, but he was able to set a goal and work toward it. He knew the importance
of his talent and worked hard to develop his potential fully.
Others may depend on you because they see you as strong and capable. You can be
a stability factor in your family and among friends. When it comes time to make
important decisions, they look to you for guidance. You only make major
decisions after careful consideration. Your perspective is realistic and your
solutions are practical. If there are other stability factors in solar return
chart, this might be a fairly balanced year during which you may develop your
abilities and talents, and gain experience and knowledge.
Mercury in the 6th house can indicate a desire to evaluate your
health and health practices at this time. Mercury by itself does not generally
indicate serious health problems, but rather a realization that changes should
be made if wellness is to continue. This is an excellent time to make decisions
that will have a positive effect on your future health. You should become more
aware of the value of exercise, adequate rest, good nutrition and eating
habits. Educate yourself on these topics and begin to incorporate the
information into your daily routine. Learn stress-reduction techniques and
question your involvement in stressful activities. Your mind is not only
instrumental in making decisions concerning your health, it is also directly
related to physical health. Stressful situations can quickly lead from
nervousness and anxiety to physical illness; therefore relaxation and the
elimination of unnecessary stress is crucial. If your mind is not focused on
positive learning, you can become very anxious about your health. Excessive
worry can lead to hypochondria. Choose to work with health issues before they
become health problems.
During the coming year, you may have to face certain facts about your job, work
habits, or working conditions. It is likely that your job will grow a bit more
tedious and detail-oriented. You may have a lot more paperwork to handle. Your
ability to pay attention to detail may be helpful if you are working in quality
control, but do not let your push for the perfect product become stressful or
obsessive. Tension on the job, without recourse, can make you overly critical
of your position, co-workers or employees. Use your analytical ability for
constructive criticism. If you are in a position of authority, you may be able
to reorganize your office or working time so as to be more productive. The 6th
house rules the day-to-day issues surrounding employment, rather than major
career decisions. Analyze the daily operation of the office and explore methods
for greater efficiency. If you are not in management, you can still make
suggestions for improvement. Even those individuals who have no authority must
make decisions concerning their jobs or work environments. Depending on your
position within the company, you may not have a lot of freedom in these
decisions and may only be offered "either-or" choices.
While Mercury-Saturn aspects are associated with pessimism,
Mercury-Jupiter aspects are associated with optimism and confidence. You may
look forward to the future with great enthusiasm. You believe anything is
possible and you are willing to work to make it happen. But what you believe to
be possible may differ from your actual experience. Optimism can lead to
miscalculations and poor decisions if you overestimate your chances for success
or underestimate the amount of time you will require to complete a task.
Overscheduling is directly related to this inability to foresee possible future
difficulties. You might assume that tasks are quite simple, when in fact they
are difficult. The tendency to be overwhelmed and overscheduled will be shown
by the solar return house placement for Mercury and Jupiter.
This is a good time to expand your mind by returning to school, joining a
discussion group, or studying on your own. Some individuals might find the
mental expansion process stressful. Situations they are involved in can
directly conflict with long-held philosophical, ethical, and religious beliefs.
Very narrow minds might steadfastly hold on to basic beliefs which are
contradicted by personal experience. These individuals will find it difficult
to make the philosophical adjustments necessary to accommodate new beliefs and
new information.
Mercury conjunct Uranus in the solar return chart suggests that
you are open to new ideas which may take the form of information you are
learning or concepts you are developing yourself. This aspect can indicate
great creativity since it implies that the individual is able to approach
problems from many different angles and is not locked into one structured way
of thinking. Use this time to be innovative and original. Brainstorm with
others. Because your mind is somewhat unstructured, your ability to think
clearly may be interrupted by erratic impulses and an inability to concentrate
over any length of time. New information may be more exciting than reorganizing
what you already know. If you must work on a major project that requires
sustained mental energy, take frequent breaks.
There is the possibility that you will subject yourself to psychologically
stressful situations during the year. Increased nervousness, anxiety, and
irrational thinking may be directly related to these stressful situations.
Question the necessity for excessive tension in your life. If possible,
withdraw from those situations which tax your mental and physical health. Work
on calming and nurturing your nervous system. You may want to practice
relaxation techniques like meditation and avoid stimulants.
Mercury square or opposite Pluto in the solar return chart
indicates that your conscious mind is very aware of unconscious material and
psychological complexes. This awareness may originate from naturally occurring
insights into human behavior or educational pursuits, but it is more likely to
arise from conflict. You are better able to perceive what is unspoken or hidden.
Motivations will be clearer to you even when they are not stated. The body
language of others can be very revealing. Attempts at manipulation and
psychological games will also be more obvious. Most likely this awareness will
not be one-sided. You will be as aware of your own unconscious nature as you
are of psychological complexes in others. Resurfacing unconscious material can
spill over into everyday consciousness and distort perceptions and thinking
patterns.
If you are involved in repetitious verbal battles over ideology, prejudice, or
intolerance, realize that these confrontations may be related to your own
psychological tendencies. They might not be the sole product of other minds.
Being aware of psychological dysfunction can be stressful, especially if you
know more than you are capable of handling. This is an excellent time for
counseling, should you feel the need. Others may be adamant about their beliefs
and opinions. Their information is not necessarily factual or proven, but they
can be loud, insistent, and controlling. You have to tempter your responses and
limit reactions. Fanning the flames will only make situations more contentious.
The implication here is that knowledge is power, and specifically in this case,
it is knowledge about the unconscious mind which conveys power to those who are
aware of it and able to gain insights from it. This information is as valuable
as intellectual facts gained from school. The more you understand about the
unconscious, the more you are able to control your own impulses or resist the
manipulative behavior of others. Although initially this increased
psychological awareness may be stressful in itself, the understanding and
control you achieve in the end can actually lead to stress reduction.
Venus in the 4th house indicates that now more than ever you need
a comfortable home to serve as a retreat, a place to regenerate your vitality
and nourish your emotional nature. "Home" needs to be a supportive
place, a shelter for the wounded, a protection from less hospitable
environments. Home may be the place where you are now living, the place you are
moving to, or the place where you grew up. It is the sustaining quality that is
important, not the location. You need to feel comfortable somewhere on the face
of the earth.
If you do have that warm and cozy place to call home, you will enjoy being
there this year and may not care to go out much. Rather than nights on the
town, you prefer staying at home and entertaining others. If you do not have a
sense of home at the present time, it will be your goal to develop a more
comfortable living space over the next year. You will want your interests and
needs reflected in the place you call home. The changes and decisions you make
concerning your external physical environment will reflect your internal
emotional changes and decisions.
You will probably redecorate your home. Venus by itself in the 4th house
usually indicates simple redecorating. Many planets in the 4th can show major
renovations (and a greater tendency toward strong emotional change). You may
have the urge to redo the whole house, knock down walls or build on additions.
Remodeling of this nature is more extensive and tends to take most of the year.
During this time you may experience a period of discomfort and physical
upheaval as you wait for the renovations to be completed.
There is a reason why the quality of the home life becomes so important. This
year can be a time of recovery and healing. Venus in the 4th is often seen in
the charts of those who have experienced difficulties in the previous year or
years, and who are now focusing their energy on healing old wounds. These
individuals need to feel centered and whole, and they focus on their physical
home as a source of comfort and rootedness. The healing process can be more
complicated than simple recovery. Issues need to be resolved and the native may
experience continuing or intermittent problems related to the initial wound.
This is a good time to improve your relationship with your parents. If your
parents have already passed over, use this year to foster and recall fond
memories you may have of them, especially if up until now you have only been
able to remember more painful times. If your parents are still living, work to improve
your relationship with them. You need that strong sense of rootedness that can
come from family ties. If your relationship with your parents has always been
difficult and things still don't work out well, this is a good time to form
your own roots and fond memories.
Venus sextile or trine Jupiter in the solar return chart has
several possible interpretations. You can benefit, either directly or
indirectly, through the influence or assistance of others. Benefits are shown
by the solar return house placement of Jupiter. Relationships can be very
rewarding and you reap what you have sown. If you have been helpful and
understanding to others in the past, you can expect the same treatment now.
Your lover, business partner, or spouse should be actively supportive of your
goals, both financially and emotionally. Indirect benefits can also come to you
through partnerships. For example, your spouse accepts a job transfer to
Colorado and you always wanted to live in ski country.
What you believe to be true about most relationships tends to be consistent
with your experience. Developing a philosophy of relationships will help you
and your partner make joint decisions regarding morals and ethics. Your beliefs
match those of your mate and any religious differences are not important. You
give each other the freedom to develop spiritually, intellectually, and
creatively.
The tendency is to be generous with time, money, and resources. This can cause
you to be overscheduled or overextended financially if you do not set limits
and establish priorities. Additional funds might become available, but money
can flow out as quickly as it flows in, especially when you make large
purchases or have major expenses. Pulling together as a team and establishing a
sense of balance will optimize you relationship and experience this year.
Venus sextile or trine Saturn in the solar return chart suggests
stability in relationships and in finances. Healthy relationships can strengthen
and show a renewed sense of commitment by both partners. The acceptance of more
responsibility with or for each other is common. Marriage, raising children,
and purchasing homes together are three common events that reflect this change.
The relationship gains stability because of a new definition of purpose and
intent. Partners are able to pull together, organize, and plan for the future.
Partners who love each other and are committed, but experience the need for
change and adjustment, might do well to give each other space, understanding,
and support. The distance can foster individual expression and achievement. For
example, if you or your spouse wants to go back to school for a higher degree,
time must be set aside for classes and study.
Financially, this is a good time to plan for the future and budget. You might
be working with less cash during the year, but only because you choose to
conserve money and build savings. Perhaps you wish to purchase a home or new
car. You need to know how much money you have and where it all goes. Some may
experience a decrease in funds. These are the people who quit their jobs, cut
back on hours, become self-employed, or experience a dramatic change in their
life-style which would naturally affect funds available.
Mars in the 5th house indicates a more assertive style of
self-expression. This may be most evident in creative projects, but it can also
manifest in the personality. You are less likely to practice self-restraint and
more likely to take risks. You are willing to go out on a limb with a new train
of thought. You gain confidence by trying new things, although in the beginning
your confidence tends to be fragile. This is a time when you can state what you
want and go after what you need. You are direct and concise with a no-nonsense
style that lets you be who you want to be. You refuse to surrender your right
to freedom of self-expression, and if someone is attempting to suppress your
ideas or restrict your movements (regardless of their motives), you will fight
back. For example, an astrology student with this placement consistently
refused to give up her studies when her fundamentalist parents objected.
Despite their feelings, she could not be swayed. You are very aware of the personality's
need for self-preservation and integrity. If someone is a threat, malicious or
otherwise, you are ready to defend yourself. If you are involved in a
continuing conflict, you will be willing to take the offensive if the situation
warrants it. Some may think you are too pushy, and perhaps you are if you need
to be reminded of the rights of others. Use this energy for creative endeavors
and free self-expression. Do not focus on dominating or controlling others
(especially children and lovers).
It is not especially common to start a love relationship during the year, but
if you do, the relationship can be very exciting and based on a strong sexual
attraction. Desire and passion are most likely evoked by the person you are
seeing, and these feelings play an important role in the relationship choices
you make. Romance may not be as important as the electrifying energy that
passes between the two of you when you are together. But there is no guarantee
that a relationship will be all passion and no conflict; in fact, the fire that
heats up your passion can also heat up your temper. In addition to the strong
attraction, there is also a need for self-defense and unrestricted
self-expression as discussed above. How do you defend yourself against a strong
passion which is essentially an invisible power difficult to control? How do
you maintain unrestricted self-expression when you are strongly involved with
another person? Conflicts in relationships are common since couples will feel
both the pull of attraction and the push for expression, or the desire for
merger balanced by the need for freedom. Learning to maintain some measure of
self-control and self-expression while in a relationship is the key to this
placement.
If you are a parent, your children may be pushing for new levels of
independence, regardless of their age. One-year-olds go from crawling to
running, toddlers enter the terrible twos, older children start school,
teenagers learn to drive, get that first job, leave home to attend college, or
start living on their own. The task they are working on is not as important as
the reaction it causes in you. Basically, you are not ready for the changes and
may disapprove of the choices they are making or the behavior they are
exhibiting while out of your sight. Children appear more disruptive during this
period of transition, but you are also less patient. They are probably coping
with new situations, abilities, and problems. The newness builds stress and
they are easily frustrated. You, in turn, wish they would return to their old
pattern of behavior which seems more settled and less taxing.
If your children are younger, they may disobey you, but if they are older, they
will not only disagree with you, they will argue with you. They are probably
intelligent enough to point out all the flaws and discrepancies in your
restrictions and disciplinary tactics. Don't be surprised when they confront
you with a logical attack on these inconsistencies. This exchange forces you to
further define your position on any one issue and enables the child to push for
change and freedom consistent with his or her real or imagined level of
maturity. You, however, may not see it that way and attribute most of the
tension to simple parent-child confrontations. These minor conflicts tend to be
aggravating, but easier to handle than the well-planned, persistently
orchestrated debate put on by some teenagers.
For those more creative individuals, this is a time for original work in new
areas of expertise. You should be willing to take artistic risks with your
creations. If you are an artisan, experiment with new products or designs. If
you are a writer, try a new style or genre. Innovations are important, and you
can receive constructive criticism over your new approach. You should be ready
to defend or explain your choices, but also use the information to refine your
technique.
Generally, your job tends to get both easier and more enjoyable
while Jupiter is in the 6th house. How this comes about varies. Working
conditions can improve and good co-worker relationships are possible. Friendly
interchanges with clients, customers, fellow employees, and the cultivation of
a helpful attitude could prove very beneficial to you personally and the
general climate of the office. During the year, physical as well as attitudinal
changes specific to the environment can enhance your surroundings, making them
more pleasurable. For instance, your office might become smoke-free, you might
move to a bigger or nicer location, or new procedures could streamline your
workload.
You function at your best when you are given the freedom to handle tasks in
your own way and at your own speed. Flexible schedules might be instituted,
allowing you to set your own hours. This flexibility may arise because of your
position, seniority, or changes in office policy. You may want to take time off
or cut back on hours, which should not be a problem unless Jupiter is heavily
aspected, implying a complicated situation. With this placement, the workload
is often shared with co-workers who cover for you while you are gone. It is
also possible that the job situation is such that you can easily take time off.
You might need to do this to handle other pressing responsibilities.
Job benefits, incentives or awards are possible with this placement, and you
can benefit directly or indirectly from your position as either boss or
employee. Rewards can be monetary, as in a promotion or raise, or otherwise
(e.g., travel). Opportunities arise for advancement or on-the-job training.
Watch for these and take advantage of them.
The daily running of the office either competes with or contributes to career
goals. The problem here is that you will not be pushed to complete long-term
projects and daily short-term projects will interfere. Motivation is a problem
when a laissez-faire attitude exists.
Health improves as long as you do not overindulge or make excessive demands on
your body. The possibility of your health improving is most noticeable
immediately following a difficult year punctuated by health problems. New or
old difficulties arising during the year are generally directly associated with
present or past overindulgences. Excesses of all kinds are a danger, even
sudden and excessive exercising since you may push yourself to the point of
injury. Included also are alcoholic and dietary excesses. Because of the
tendency toward overeating, you can gain weight, but it is just as likely, and
perhaps even more so initially, to try to eat a nutritious well-balanced diet.
This is the time to pay more attention to what you are eating. Becoming mindful
and better informed will make you an educated consumer. Since Jupiter rules
higher education, you may be less likely to eat junk food and more likely to
eat foods that are good for you.
Unfortunately, Jupiter's negative manifestation is the inability to exist for
long in a state of moderation. Jupiter in the 6th is a perfect set-up for
"yo-yo" dieting. You may lose a lot of weight, only to gain it all
back if you have not assimilated the knowledge which originally created the
loss. It is knowledge that supports your most positive actions and establishes
a sense of balance and moderation leading to good health. Creating natural
limits through educated responses to stimuli is the task of this placement.
Saturn in the 12th house implies the presence of unconscious
blockages which must be overcome. Failure to overcome these inhibitions will
lead to limitations in what would usually be considered normal activity. The
emotions governing these limitations are fear and guilt, and breaking free
generally involves much anxiety. You must face your own fears before you can go
on with the maturation process, since presently they prevent you from branching
out and taking risks when you should develop greater freedom of movement.
Frequent fear issues include, but are not limited to: fears of not being loved
or being rejected; fears of inadequacy with a constant need for reassurance;
fears concerning sexual performance or orientation; and fears of losing control
or being overpowered. Many times the fear-producing issue is ill-defined and
ill-founded, but supported by self-defeating attitudes, free-floating anxiety,
and heightened vulnerability. For these reasons, fears associated with psychic
impressions are not unheard of.
Guilt is the other most common unconscious restriction. There may be certain
things you will do, or other things you will not do, simply because of the
guilt you will feel one way or the other. If you are being controlled by guilt
and do not investigate or understand these feelings, you will continue to feel
forced to behave in certain ways. For example, a middle-aged woman who lived
with and cared for her elderly mother found she was both tied down and drained
by her mother's constant need for care and attention. But she repeatedly
refused to seek out a part-time nurse or companion to stay with her mother
while she pursued her own interests. Every time she left her mother with other
family members, she would return to find the older woman somewhat disoriented
and confused. She would interpret this disorientation as her own fault and feel
guilty for leaving. Eventually, she became totally tied down by her mother's
unconscious signals for attention.
Saturn in the 12th is the astrological equivalent of a responsibility vacuum
cleaner. There is the tendency to feel responsible (and subsequently guilty)
for everything that goes wrong. You will tend not to delegate authority easily
and will try to do everything yourself, perfectly, all the time. In short, you
overcompensate for real or imagined shortcomings. Only by facing your fears and
confronting your feelings of guilt can you begin to live a more normal
life-style.
There is a lack of "reality presence" with the placement of Saturn in
this house. Saturn rules reality, but here in the 12th house (normally ruled by
Neptune) reality seems to lose some of its clarity. Truth is more elusive. The
fears, guilt, and unconscious inhibitions normally associated with this
placement are partly caused by an inability to discern what is real and what is
fantasy. Here there is no objective or even subjective reality, only vague
impressions of what is presumed to be real. This makes the going tough. Without
a clear base to work from, it becomes easier to worry about future
possibilities and past mistakes. Consequently, fears and guilt tend to prosper
and grow at this time.
The main goal of this house placement is to come in contact with the weaker,
more irrational parts of your personality which inhibit your progress. This is
easier to do if you are in the process of being thwarted or feeling afraid.
Only by experiencing the frustration and fear inherent in the conflict, will
you actively seek ways to overcome the blockages and resolve the associated
issues or problems, so life can begin to return to normal. It is to your
advantage to move toward the fear rather than retreat. Investigate the issues
which seem to block your progress. Look for alternatives. The tendency is to
miss the obvious or not understand what is normal under the given conditions.
Only by discussing your situation with others and looking for new options can
you alleviate the pressure. Unfortunately, you will be doing this while feeling
your most vulnerable. But you must analyze your behavior and question those
actions that you do not understand. Fear and guilt are sure signals that you
need to investigate unconscious blockages and make adjustments in the way you
are living and handling issues.
Saturn in the 12th can also show strong obligations that cannot be avoided, or
the need to become responsible for someone less fortunate. Couples with newborn
babies and children with elderly parents to care for frequently have this
placement. Family members in need must be cared for, but friends in trouble or
those less fortunate can also be the object of your concern. The need to behave
in a responsible manner includes the desire to care for someone who is unable
to be responsible for him or herself or needs to be saved from a difficult
situation. Occasionally, the person you are most concerned about is
hospitalized during the year. The need to care and the need to face a fear are
usually intertwined in some way. Sometimes, the person you care most for is the
person you fear. If so, by giving, you receive; by protecting, you become less
vulnerable; by reaching out, you cross the bridge from fear to understanding.
If Saturn is in the 12th house, but close to the Ascendent, tasks and
responsibilities will tend to become stronger and more visible as Saturn
crosses the Ascendant by transit and moves into the 1st house.
Uranus in the 6th house can show a job change during the year or a
change in working conditions. Changes could be either self-initiated or beyond
your control. Temporary working positions or breaks in employment are possible.
For example, one woman worked for a nonprofit organization. Her salary was paid
for by a government grant and when the grant money ran out, she was let go,
only to return when new funds came in. If you are presently working for someone
other than yourself and dissatisfied with your job, now is the time to
investigate new placements. You can change companies entirely, but it is
possible simply to transfer to another office under your present employer. Some
individuals will ask to work on independent projects of their own choosing, or
go one step further and create their own businesses, becoming self-employed.
If you maintain your old job, changes in your daily routine are likely and can
involve relocation of the office, temporary change of duty station (travel),
new office procedures, or the installation of new computer equipment. During
the period of transition, simple procedures become very complicated and normal
operations will be disrupted. In very negative situations, especially those
involving conflict and even sabotage, work can come to a standstill.
Scheduling changes are also possible during the year. Your office adopts a
flexible or rotating schedule, and you might be able to set your own hours. If
there is no change in your job at all, work can become very nerve-wracking,
tedious and stressful, particularly if you are restless and need a change of
pace. You will be easily bored with repetitious tasks and needless
restrictions. If all goes well, any change in your job will involve a variety
of tasks and greater freedom. You need a position that gives you a new
challenge, coupled with a changing schedule and the freedom to work to your
potential.
Trying to stay at the same job doing the same thing in the same way will create
stress. Changes are not only likely, but necessary for progress to occur. Until
adjustments are accomplished and your office streamlined and better organized,
your normal workday can be constantly disrupted by little crises. This is also
true if you own your own business. You should be contemplating adjustments
which will eventually lead to a more efficiently run business. The disruptions
may occur during the period of transition to the new procedures or may actually
prompt the procedure changes.
All this stress and tension at work can affect your health if you do not
protect yourself. Your physical and emotional well-being is directly tied into
your job situation and should be watched carefully, especially during a time of
stress. Learn relaxation techniques and use them to rid your body of tension at
the end of the day. Do not bring work or problems home with you. You need your
free time for recuperation. Cut back on caffeine drinks and take
stress-preventative vitamins when necessary. Most importantly, correct those
job situations which are the most stressful.
Health habits tend to be erratic during the year, and consequently, you may
experience sporadic health problems. A lot depends on age. Generally the
younger and healthier you are, the less likely you are to be sick. Tensions at
work are the most likely cause of stress-related illnesses. Work demands can
disrupt health routines, especially if you must travel for your job or work
crazy hours. Wide variations in your eating habits (including rapid weight
losses or gains) can occur. Stressful work habits or rotating sleeping patterns
are not in your best interest. Practice moderation in all things. This is a
good time to change your health regimen consciously in order to foster a
healthier body.
Spiritual concepts of unity among all human beings can soften the
way you express yourself. A gentler involvement with the world is warranted at
this time. As with all Neptune placements, higher principles are seeking a
practical application in the real world. An increased sensitivity to specific
situations, and uncertainty or confusion associated with actions or thoughts,
tend to signal this infusion. While Neptune is in the solar return 5th house,
spiritual concepts which are already understood need to find a mode of
expression. Principles of Universal love can be expanded upon through
compassionate interactions with lovers, children and others. Working with
creative and artistic projects can also heighten your awareness. What is needed
is an evolution in self-expression toward a more spiritual and insightful
manifestation. Inconsistencies between the self and the Higher Self must be
eliminated. You cannot believe one thing spiritually, yet express something
else to others. The self (external expression) must be one with the Higher Self
(spiritual ideal).
As you gentle your approach to the world, you may not be sure what you wish to
express or represent. Tentative self-expression is common during the transition
period. Sometimes external changes in the social milieu trigger the shift, but
often gentleness is brought on by an increased awareness of the way you
interact. Careful consideration is warranted. How are you perceived by others?
Do you reflect your spiritual beliefs? Do you allow your true self to come
through, or do you hide behind a persona? Is someone questioning the way you
express yourself or what you purport to represent?
Consistency is important. Ask yourself, "Am I real? Or do blockages keep
me from expressing who I really am, or what I really feel?" During this
time, others tend to point out your inconsistencies. Occasionally, they add to
your tentativeness by giving you very negative messages which are not truly
insightful. Self-discernment is a task associated with this placement and you
must learn to discriminate between helpful insights and negative comments. The
lack of certainty along the way allows for the development of the softer side
of your personality by making you hesitant enough to reflect on the other
person's perception of you and what you truly wish to impart. For this reason,
it's important to view self-expression from the other side, seeing yourself as
others see you. Confusion about your identity is likely to continue until you
begin to manifest the spiritual directive you purport to understand.
Increased compassion and sensitivity to others will bring about positive
changes in self-expression. Loving and nurturing relationships can lead to an
evolution in consciousness. Nonsexual spiritual relationships are possible with
this placement, though sexual involvement is not necessarily prohibited.
Nonetheless, it is the spiritual love which is important. You can love someone
dearly without any thought of return or commitment. Assurances will not be
necessary, nor will they be forthcoming. A lack of definition tends to permeate
love affairs while Neptune is in the solar return 5th. You can never be sure
where the relationship is headed, and the future is often left hanging.
Sometimes you are not even sure when you will see each other again. This is a
time to let relationships simply "be" what they are meant to be. Real
limitations may or may not exist. For example, your lover might be away much of
the time or previously committed to someone else.
On the other hand, the lack of definition or commitment could be totally
confusing to you. You may not understand your lover's reservations and a sense
of vagueness or mystery could surround your interaction. Conversely, you might
be the one to want to keep things loose. In any case, guarantees are not given.
Part of the problem might be your tendency to idealize the person or romance
you are involved with. If your judgment is clouded, lovers can appear more
attractive, attentive, or spiritual than they really are. Eventually these
misconceptions lead to disillusionment. In the most negative situations, you
are attracted to someone because one of you needs help and expects to be saved.
Savior-victim relationships tend to be one-sided, with one person giving all
while the other wants to receive.
If you have children, or deal with them daily, they can be a great source of
insight and calmness. On the other hand, they might depend on you for
direction, appearing lost when left to their own devices. This can be a time
when children seem slightly out of character, acting up more than usual,
especially at school. Or they might be extremely quiet. In either case, your
extra sensitivity should be used to draw them out. Compassionate interchanges
can help you to better understand them, their needs and their abilities.
Spending quiet times with children can be mutually beneficial. This is a time
when parents traditionally tend to sacrifice their own needs for the special
needs of their children.
Increased sensitivity can also be channeled through creative or artistic
projects, if you are so inclined. You might become aware of new subtleties in
self-expression and design. New methods will focus on more delicate techniques.
Aesthetic appreciation and insight also increase.
The power of this placement lies with a psychological
understanding of the workings of the unconscious mind as it relates to verbal
communication. It is especially important to observe consistencies and
inconsistencies between unconscious complexes and conscious thought patterns.
Communication during the year is not intended to be one-dimensional, since what
is meant is probably more important than what is said. Those who continue to
focus their attention solely on conscious thought or word will lose insight
into themselves, others, and what is really being communicated. New
understanding gleaned from discussions is now meant to include psychological
awareness. In order to grow and learn, one must begin to catch any
discrepancies between what is actually said and body language or action taken
by the person making the statement. Eventually one will become sensitized to
most unconscious messages, whether obvious or not, consistent or inconsistent.
This is not the time to deal with superficial discussions of the cocktail party
variety. You will need to talk at length and in depth about important and
"gutsy" topics. It is during these conversations that the unconscious
complexes are most likely to manifest. Since it is sometimes difficult to
obtain objective insight during conversations with family members and friends,
this might be a good time to see a counselor or join a support group.
Power lies in the underlying message which is meant to program the listener to
respond in a particular way. Words have power; however, it does not lie in the
words themselves, but rather in the total message that is meant to be expressed
and responded to. Sometimes the words are meant to reinforce a message and at
other times they are meant to directly contradict the intended message. In any
case, power and understanding are gained every time communication is truly
understood. Perhaps an example might make this concept clearer. Suppose you
wish to travel alone for the first time in your life and you plan a long
vacation overseas. Part of the purpose of your trip is to overcome your fear of
being by yourself. Your roommate of many years may respond in several ways. If
he or she is truly happy for you and wishes to see you grow in self-confidence
and control, the verbal messages you receive will be very supportive and the
body language consistent. If he or she feels neglected or angry about not being
invited to come along, you can receive very negative messages about your trip.
Manipulative tactics or even threats may be used. If he or she is not in touch
with unconscious anger and disappointment, but verbally appears to be positive,
supportive messages sprinkled with warnings and fears about traveling alone may
be the order of the day. In each of these possible scenarios, the underlying
message conveyed by your roommate affects you psychologically by either
augmenting or undoing unconscious complexes associated with independent travel
and aloneness.
Fatedness can be a product of the unconscious mind. What you do not know or
cannot face about yourself can control your behavior. Free-willed choices can
result from the conscious, rational mind working with the unconscious mind to
bring understanding and consistency to both facets of thought. Enlightenment
leads to freedom of movement, and during this solar return year, power over
destiny is closely associated with power of thought. Positive ways to increase
your understanding of the unconscious include studying psychology (and body
language), joining a discussion group, or regularly writing down your feelings
and thoughts. Without this kind of focus, some individuals will still naturally
move toward psychological awareness, but it may take an ongoing disagreement to
do so. Practicing a positive technique may help you to avoid conflict
altogether.
In manifestations involving conflict, manipulations associated with power
struggles over intellectual concepts, behavior, or decisions might take place
on a daily basis. Someone can be intolerant of your new ideas or obsessed with
an antiquated line of reasoning. Negotiations and discussions will not be
straightforward since unconscious complexes will complicate communications.
Power plays and psychological ploys are common. Gossip may be a problem and you
must be mindful of your reputation. Spiteful comments, whether truthful or
fictitious, can be used to undermine your effectiveness. It may be necessary
for you to stubbornly adhere to your own convictions in order to prevail or
survive.
As the year progresses, it will be more and more obvious to you how the
unconscious plays a role in everyday life situations. You will become aware of
how you are being manipulated and how you, in turn, manage to manipulate
others. The interpretation is not meant to appear one-sided and the
manifestations of your own unconscious mind play a major role in the learning
process. Personal complexes surface along with obsessive and/or compulsive
tendencies. Although you are striving for a greater understanding of your own
emotional and unconscious attitudes, at times you might feel more controlled by
them than in control yourself. Major developments during the year might result
from an unconscious need to undermine conscious decisions. Life may make a
fated turn. It also becomes increasingly easier to dwell on one issue and allow
it to rule your life, thoughts and moods. This is especially true if you are
angry. Repressed anger can cause you to lash out at inappropriate times and for
insignificant reasons, with reactions overtaking rational thoughts, fears
dictating responses. A mind this receptive to stimuli may be so strongly
influenced by another as to be subject to control by that person. This is why
awareness of communication is so important if one is to retain power over self.
In very negative situations, mental stability is questioned and therapy is
indicated. Counseling intervention or consultation is common with this
placement.
This is a great year for intense learning situations, even if the subject
matter is not of a psychological or emotionally introspective nature. Any field
of interest can stir a compulsive need to learn. During this period, you will
not be satisfied with superficial explanations. You will strive to know and
understand the underlying principles.