tea party on the moon

We all have our unique ways of preparing for the New Year. Some people make wishes exactly at midnight, while others start the year with ambitious plans for the first few weeks.

But let’s be real—12 months can’t carry the exact same energy for everyone. If they did, every single wish made at midnight would come true. Yet, in reality, that’s rarely the case. The reason lies in personal energy. Your true energetic year doesn’t start at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Instead, it begins on your birthday and is known as the “Solar Return.”

The Solar Return is your personal “new year.” It kicks off on your birthday and spans 12 days. Each of these days symbolizes a foundation for a specific month in the upcoming year. The experiences and intentions you set during this period have a powerful impact on what unfolds in the months ahead.

Fun fact: the term “Solar” comes from Latin, with the root word “sol” meaning “sun.”

In other words, the Solar Return period can be seen as a time to lay any foundation you desire for your life when approached thoughtfully. These 12 days offer a chance to:

• Reflect on your goals and desires,
• Shift your approach to life, relationships, and work,
• Enhance your quality of life,
• Move closer to realizing your dreams.

During these initial 12 days, it’s crucial to tune into yourself and set the groundwork for the year you wish to create, building a strong base for the future you envision.

The “12 Mini-Months” Principle

Each of the 12 days of your Solar Return can be viewed as a mini-month. For example, if your birthday is on March 5th, the first day would influence the period from March 5th to April 4th, the second day from April 5th to May 4th, and so on. This doesn’t mean the entire month will mirror how you spend each Solar day exactly. However, each day sets the tone, mood, and energy for the following 30 days.

The Solar Return period is an opportunity to infuse your future with the intentions you desire. It’s a powerful tool for self-improvement and personal growth, helping you not only to enhance your general state of being but also to move closer to your cherished dreams.

Calculating the Solar Return

Many people assume that the start of their Solar Return aligns exactly with their birth time. However, this isn’t entirely accurate. The Solar Return begins at the precise moment when the Sun returns to the exact position it held at your birth. This may coincide with your birth date and time, or it could vary by several hours or even days.

Interesting fact: The timing of the Solar Return shifts each year due to Earth’s imperfect orbit around the Sun.

The location where you spend your Solar Return also plays a key role, as different regions have unique astrological characteristics due to geographical differences.

To calculate your personal “mini-year” period, you’ll need the following information:

• Exact birth date and time,
• Place of birth,
• Location and year of the Solar Return for the calculation.

Astrological software can automatically calculate the Solar Return by inputting these details, providing you with the exact start and end dates of your individual year.

To calculate your Solar Return—the exact moment the Sun returns to its natal position—you can use various online astrological tools. Here are some options:

1. Astro-Seek’s Solar Return Chart Calculator: This tool allows you to compute your Solar Return chart for any year and location, providing insights into your personal year ahead. Horoscopes
2. Astrostyle’s Solar Return Calculator: By entering your birth details, this calculator generates your Solar Return chart and offers guidance on how to interpret it for the upcoming year. AstroStyle
3. Astrotheme’s Solar Revolution Calculator: This application computes your Solar Return chart based on your birth information and the location where you’ll spend your birthday, highlighting the astrological climate for the year. Astrotheme

These tools can help you determine the precise timing of your Solar Return, enabling you to align your intentions and actions with the energies of your personal year.

For instance, for someone born on March 21, 1998, at 2:45 PM in New York City, the Solar Return in 2024 would begin on March 20 at 2:57 PM. The difference between the actual birthday and the Sun’s return to its natal position is nearly a day. Without knowing their Solar Return, this person might miss a critical day for setting intentions for the upcoming year. This is why it’s recommended to calculate your personal year at least 2-3 weeks before your birthday.

12 Days, 12 Months, 12 Houses — What’s the Connection?

As mentioned earlier, the 12 days following your Solar Return set the foundation for your personal year. Each day correlates with a specific astrological house, sign, and month:

• Day 1: 1st House, Aries, 1st month after birth
• Day 2: 2nd House, Taurus, 2nd month after birth
• Day 3: 3rd House, Gemini, 3rd month after birth, and so on.

Each day of this personal year corresponds to a specific house in your natal chart, influencing a particular area of life:

• 1st House — Self (personality, destiny, appearance),
• 2nd House — Resources (income, assets, financial stability),
• 3rd House — Communication (relationships, education, social connections),
• 4th House — Roots (family background, home life, social environment),
• 5th House — Hobbies (leisure, enjoyment, creativity),
• 6th House — Work and Health (career, well-being, personal growth),
• 7th House — Relationships (marriage, partnerships, competitors),
• 8th House — Transformation (wealth, crises, life and death),
• 9th House — Intellect (higher knowledge, travel, spiritual pursuits),
• 10th House — Ambitions (career, social status, aspirations),
• 11th House — Social Life (friends, social networks, shared interests),
• 12th House — Inner Self (secrets, subconscious, hidden challenges).

For instance, the energy of the first day will shape aspects like social standing, self-esteem, and confidence. How you manage the second day can influence financial health and career growth.

If, on the second day, you make impulsive and costly purchases, this may create financial strain for the year ahead. Similarly, spending the 4th day alone and withdrawn could affect family harmony and relationships.

In the case of the Solar Return, the phrase “How you start the new year is how you’ll live it” holds true—simply apply it to the 12 days of your personal astrological year. Each day is an opportunity to set a positive tone for the corresponding area of your life.

The Importance of the 12 Days Before Your Solar Return

The Solar Return influences both directions:

• 12 Days After your birthday lay the groundwork for the year ahead, like the foundation of a house, impacting the stability and longevity of what you build.
• 12 Days Before your birthday help you reflect on the past year. This period is like the roof of a house: without completing it, you can’t move forward to build a new structure.

It’s wise to start preparing for your Solar Return 12 days before your birthday. During this time, events may surface that shed light on the rightness or missteps of your past decisions.

For instance, if you changed jobs during the year, you may gain insight into that choice during these 12 days. Challenges at work, tension with colleagues, or lack of motivation could signal a misalignment, while praise, new projects, or renewed energy might affirm that the decision was right.

Interesting fact: In the 12 days leading up to the Solar Return, many people experience fatigue, illness, or low energy. This “reset” is a natural part of recharging for the year ahead.

During these 12 days, focus on:

• Resolving any lingering matters,
• Reflecting on the past year and practicing gratitude,
• Cleansing yourself emotionally, mentally, and physically.

If possible, observe a fast or abstain from a harmful habit before your new personal year begins. For instance, you might quit smoking for these 12 days. This physical cleanse helps you enter the year with renewed vitality and clarity.

How to Welcome Your Solar Return and Prepare for It

Let’s dive into the essentials of preparing for and celebrating your Solar Return. The first and most important step is calculating the exact start of your personal year. Ideally, this should be done several months in advance to allow time for thoughtful preparation, ensuring you can make the most of the coming year.

Once you know the precise date and time of your new personal year, you can move on to the second step: choosing a place to celebrate. Modern astrology suggests that by adjusting the location of your Solar Return celebration, you may influence certain aspects of your year. However, general guidelines usually suffice:

• Current Location: If you live in a certain city, like Paris, and don’t plan to travel, celebrate your Solar Return there. If you’ve always dreamed of celebrating by the sea, go for it! Choose your location based on your current plans or situation, without attempting to forcefully change it.
• Calm and Sacred Atmosphere: It’s recommended to meet the exact moment of your personal year as a “sacred event.” Even if you plan a lively party later, try to spend the Solar Return moment itself in peace, harmony, and quiet. Ideal practices include meditation or connecting with your inner self.

Creating the Right Atmosphere

On the day of your Solar Return, astrologers suggest:

• Wearing Sun Colors: Dress in shades like gold, yellow, or orange to reflect solar energy.
• Sharing Sweetness: Treat as many people as possible with sweets or other treats to spread joy.
• Avoiding Candle-Blowing: Skip blowing out candles to avoid symbolically “extinguishing” life energy.

While it’s best to spend the Solar Return moment in calm and harmony, the following day should be filled with joy, socializing, and energy. Meet with friends, spend time with loved ones, or call family members if you can. This combination of peaceful reflection and joyful celebration helps set a balanced and positive tone for the year ahead.

How to Spend the 12 Days of Your Solar Return

The 12 days following your Solar Return are essential for setting intentions and laying the foundation for your personal year. Each day corresponds to a specific area of life, influenced by the astrological houses. Let’s go over how to approach each of these pivotal days:

1st Day of Solar Return

Do: Take initiative and focus on self. Avoid: Letting others dictate your actions or suppressing your feelings.

This day is all about individuality and confidence. Present yourself at your best, focus on personal goals, and aim to stand out. Consider speaking publicly or sharing something important online to set a confident tone for the year.

2nd Day of Solar Return

Do: Enjoy life and manage finances wisely. Avoid: Impulsive spending.

This day governs financial stability. Reflect on how you use your resources, ensuring they serve you well. Treat yourself, enjoy comforts, and if possible, make thoughtful investments in your well-being.

3rd Day of Solar Return

Do: Indulge in hobbies and personal interests. Avoid: Gossip or idle talk.

Dedicate this day to passion projects or creative pursuits. Begin a new hobby, start a blog, or take a course. Focus on activities that bring you joy and steer clear of unproductive conversations.

4th Day of Solar Return

Do: Spend quality time with family. Avoid: Isolating yourself.

This day emphasizes emotional connections and family values. Engage in family traditions, revisit cherished memories, and consider creating a new family tradition.

5th Day of Solar Return

Do: Embrace creativity and celebrate. Avoid: Hiding your talents or being overly modest.

Celebrate this day with a lively event or indulge in creative projects. It’s a time to shine and bring a festive atmosphere to your surroundings.

6th Day of Solar Return

Do: Prioritize health and wellness. Avoid: Giving in to unhealthy habits.

This day is about self-care and precision. Make plans to improve your health and wellness routines. Focus on anything that positively impacts your well-being, from refining daily habits to tackling health issues.

7th Day of Solar Return

Do: Nurture relationships. Avoid: Ignoring loved ones.

This day highlights partnerships of all kinds. Spend quality time with a partner or loved one, or visualize your ideal partner if you’re single. Strengthen your bonds with others.

8th Day of Solar Return

Do: Face fears and accept support from others. Avoid: Risking recklessly or accepting dubious offers.

This day calls for inner transformation and embracing change. It’s an ideal time to make life-altering decisions or take a bold step forward, like changing jobs or addressing a longstanding fear.

9th Day of Solar Return

Do: Invest in intellectual growth. Avoid: Wasting time on mindless activities.

The day is for learning and personal development. Consider meeting with mentors, reading, or even traveling. If you follow a spiritual path, spend time in meditation or visit a sacred space.

10th Day of Solar Return

Do: Focus on career goals. Avoid: Engaging in work that brings negativity.

Evaluate your career and make adjustments if needed. Use this day to assess whether your work aligns with your long-term goals and make plans for professional changes if necessary.

11th Day of Solar Return

Do: Explore financial growth and innovative ideas. Avoid: Passively following routines.

This day is about embracing innovation, especially in finances. Promote your services, brainstorm business ideas, or network with like-minded individuals. Securing income on this day is a great omen.

12th Day of Solar Return

Do: Embrace spirituality and self-reflection. Avoid: Giving in to temptations.

The final day of your Solar Return focuses on introspection, spirituality, and closure. Engage in meditation, spiritual practices, or finish any tasks you’ve been delaying. It’s a day for solitude and meaningful reflection, connecting you with your inner purpose.

Each of these days is an opportunity to shape your year consciously. By focusing on specific intentions for each area, you build a solid and purposeful foundation for the year ahead.

The 12 days of your Solar Return are more than just a symbolic period; they’re a unique chance to set the tone and direction for the year ahead. Each day aligns with a specific area of your life, from self-confidence and financial stability to relationships, health, and spirituality. By consciously engaging with each day’s theme, you can build a solid foundation for growth and fulfillment. Embrace this period as a time for intentional reflection and action, shaping not just your year, but a more aligned and empowered self. As you step into this personal new year, remember that each small, mindful decision in these 12 days is an investment in the person you aim to become.