When there are five or more fixed planets in the solar return chart, this is an indication that change or the lack of change is a major issue during the year. Changes are frequently viewed as all or nothing routines which can intimidate individuals into fostering approach-avoidance issues. One train of thought will emphasize stability and conservative action, while another stresses the fear of being rut-bound. Situations often appear to be either/or combinations with no options in between. Security becomes equated with familiarity even when what is familiar is difficult. A lack of stability is associated with making dramatic changes. In this sense, there is a tendency to accept things as they are and not look for alternatives. Fear of making decisions that would greatly alter your life could keep you immobilized and stuck in stalemated conditions. If you are faced with impending major changes, but refuse to act on pressures and issues that are plaguing you, changes may be forced on you by external circumstances and these changes may be very dramatic.
Commonly, a fixed preponderance indicates you are stuck in the same old situation again, particularly if you are involved in what seems to be a never-ending conflict or a deja vu relationship. The inability to look for alternative solutions to problems manifests as the inability to find new patterns of behavior. Stubbornness and a refusal to compromise are negative personality traits which can be particularly obstructive this year, especially if you refuse to see your own contribution to difficult situations. How easy it becomes to blame others! If only they would give in, give up or make changes for us, clearing the way for our own wants, needs, and ways of doing things. This is an unrealistic expectation. Positively, this is a time to draw on the creative insights associated with the fixed signs, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius, to develop new alternatives which optimize corrective action and change while minimizing instability. There are alternatives to either/or, uncompromising situations for those who are willing to be creative.
If your life is already stabilized, then this is a time for building and maintaining resources. Further acquisitions can be had through creative use of what is already owned or known. It is an excellent time for finishing major projects that require plodding and sustained effort. But if major changes are occurring, this is also a good time to maintain a sense of stability and peace in the midst of disruption.
If no text appears under a heading, it is because you do not have any major aspects
with that planet for this year.
The Sun In The Solar Return Chart
Sun Aspects Neptune
Neptunian aspects to the Sun indicate that the native is growing more intuitive and more sensitive. This sensitivity will eventually lead to a greater compassion for other human beings and a better understanding of relationships. Individuals become less egotistical and more vulnerable during these years, since they are likely to be confronted with their own human frailty or that of someone close. Involvement with alcoholism, drug abuse, martyrdom, dependency situations, and savior-victim type relationships is the more negative manifestation of this aspect. For some individuals, being less egotistical results in an unstructured personality which lacks control, certainty, and direction. More positive manifestations include helping those in need, becoming more intuitive, and growing less concerned with selfish interests.
Sun Aspects Mercury
Just as in the natal chart, the solar return Sun is never more than 28 degrees from Mercury so does not form any major aspects other than the conjunction. Mercury conjunct the Sun indicates that the intellectual mind is actively involved in the goals of the Sun. Reading, writing, learning, and communication in all forms will be important to the pursuit.
Mercury In The Solar Return Chart
Mercury Aspects Neptune
Neptune in aspect to Mercury in the solar return chart suggests working with the less clearly defined psychological drives such as compassion, creativity, and spirituality. Your sensitivity to subtle emotional connections among all people increases your concern for certain individuals in particular and humanity as a whole. You are able to acquire information through intuitive and psychic insights. Dealing with these subtle themes can lead to some uncertainty and confusion in the thinking process. Increased intuitive or psychic awareness can precede the ability to weigh this information for its accuracy. It is sometimes difficult to discriminate between what is really psychic and what is more closely akin to worry, fear, or false hope. It is also difficult to find practical applications for idealistic concepts and inspirations which are represented by this combination. Therefore, stress can sometimes be associated with the more spiritual manifestations of Neptune-Mercury aspects.
Important factual information that you receive during the year may be partial, inaccurate, or vague. Sometimes secrecy and deception play a role. Your normal points of reference for evaluating information may be changing. Without adequate facts, you may be left hanging for most of the year. It may be impossible for you to make a decision at this time or to evaluate your circumstances. You may be easily confused or misled, especially if the information you receive is inconsistent or incomplete. In older individuals, confusion may actually be senility. Neptune's most negative interpretation is a loss of mental capabilities through drug and alcohol use or abuse. This tends to be an uncommon manifestation that is more closely associated with an individual pattern of consistent negative behavior. Most people will not fall into this trap.
Put your trust in the Universe during times of uncertainty. Focus on compassion rather than a search for mundane truth. Understand that in the end, all will be known. Be gentle with yourself when you are not as focused and detail-oriented as you used to be. Mercury-Neptune aspects can indicate a call to the right-brain, creative, artistic, intuitive, and spiritual processes. Go with the flow of consciousness and open to a whole new way of knowing and perceiving.
Mercury Aspects Jupiter
While Saturn-Mercury aspects are associated with pessimism, Jupiter, on the other hand, can imply optimism, and confidence. You may look forward to the future with great enthusiasm. 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 very difficult. You may not be able to honor deadlines and promises you have made if they are unrealistic. The tendency is to overwhelm yourself with too many tasks or projects, too many details to remember. Stress results from these miscalculations.
For some, stress may also result from a lack of congruity between more philosophical beliefs (ruled by Jupiter) and daily experience (ruled by Mercury). You might find it difficult to believe what you see and hear. Situations you are involved in can directly conflict with long-held philosophical, ethical, and religious beliefs. You may not now practice what you once preached. Very narrow minds will steadfastly hold on to basic beliefs which are contradicted by personal experience. These individuals will be unable to make the philosophical adjustments necessary to accommodate new information. Do not allow intolerance and hypocrisy to limit your possibilities. This is a good time to expand your mind. Return to school, join a discussion group or study on your own.
Mercury Aspects Mars
Mars-Mercury aspects suggest an energetic thought process. This can be a time of great mental energy and an active search for knowledge. Your mind should be quick and alert, though not necessarily highly retentive. Learning can be very exciting and self-perpetuating even if you study alone.
What is great for the learning process may not be so advantageous when making decisions. The speed normally associated with Mars may indicate that you are impulsive and quick to jump to conclusions. You may not take the time necessary for careful consideration or thorough research. Instead, you may choose to handle situations with gut-level reactions rather than considered responses.
Mars-Mercury combinations imply assertive ability, but at their worst, these aspects can suggest aggressiveness and great anger. Ongoing conflicts and daily confrontations may occur with very negative manifestations. Those with strong tempers may have trouble controlling their anger. In the heat of the moment, they will say things without thinking about the consequences.
Old unconscious anger and resentment may fuel present conflicts. You may not be fighting for what you believe is right in this situation; instead you fight because you have been wronged in the past. Focusing on angry thoughts and acting out conflicts can be a terrible waste of a good mind. Mars-Mercury aspects show that thoughts can be put into action. Get motivated. Use this time to accomplish many things. Let your experiences teach you along the way.
Mercury's relationships to the other planets in the solar return chart indicates how information is gathered, assimilated and integrated into attitudes that persist for most of the year. How easily this is accomplished, and in what manner, is suggested by the aspects. What you are actually thinking about is indicated by Mercury's house placement. The important thing to remember about Mercury's placement is that it is indicative of a mental exercise only. Alone in a house, Mercury can show mental preoccupation without psychological pain or physical consequences. It suggests the ability to make decisions only, and may not be a clear indication of action in any particular area.