Reliable Methods to Assess
Yearly Horoscopes

Indeed, astrologers can use different methods to forecast the years to come.

On this page we will discuss these methods and give our own opinion and comments as well.

So, what methods do astrologers use to assess yearly horoscopes? For your information, we will only look at the most common used methods, not to get overly technical and not to overwhelm you with too much exotic systems that have yet to prove their validity.

• Solar Returns
• Secondary Progressions
• Solar Arc Directions
• Transits

SOLAR RETURNS

A Solar Return chart is a chart cast for the time that the transiting Sun returns to the exact position of the natal Sun.

There are different types of such yearly horoscopes: tropical, sidereal, precessed or non-precessed and returns cast for the place of residence or the place of birth.

Following our own research we use non-precessed tropical solar returns erected for the place of birth. However, if the place of residence on the birthday differs from the place of birth we do cast a solar return for the place of residence as well! In this case we blend the delineations of both solar returns.

In our opinion Solar Returns are much neglected and not well researched and quite misunderstood but one of the most valuable yearly horoscopes. In our forecasting practice, we ALWAYs erect solar returns to look into the future.

There are some very good books about solar returns in the English language, but most of them remain vague. If you want to get to the basics of solar returns, you will have to speak or understand some other languages because there are some other valuable books in French, Dutch or German that give some more to-the-point delineations and information.

Some of our own findings:

• intercepted signs work out in the second half of the (solar return) year.

• Venus retrograde brings the end of some relationships (in a broad sense: this may be a love relationships or just between co-workers or ...).

• when two or more points/planets are posited at the very same degree in a sign, you can follow the outcome anytime a transiting planet is at the very same degree in a sign. Blend the meaning of the planets/points involved to know the outcome.

• A New Moon brings the start of something new this (solar return) year. A Full Moon in the solar return points to the final accomplishment of something.

  If you are a pregnant woman and have a Full Moon in your solar return chart you now know that you will give birth to your last child (it's the accomplishment of the childbirth cycle).

• The solar return Ascendant intercepted in your natal chart brings sorrow, trouble, eventually tears etc. You may feel fenced in and not all what you want will manifest this year.

• the Sun square the solar return Ascendant brings health problems.

• the predominant elemental division of the planets brings the major themes of the year to the foreground.

  For example, if most planets and points in your solar return chart are posited in cardinal air signs (which equals the zodiac sign Libra), expect many new encounters this (solar return) year. Relationships will build the basics of the year for good or for bad.

• exact midpoints (orb 0° 00' in the 45° dial or the 8th harmonic) always work out. This rule never fails.

• if the Moon is void of course, you will "wander", feel lost, till the Moon enters the next sign (at about a rate of 1° = 1 month).

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SECONDARY PROGRESSION

Secondary progressions are a technique in which all the planets and points (Ascendant, MC,...) in a natal chart are 'progressed' according to the key 1 day after birth = 1 year after birth. The planetary positions after birth can forecast what will happen the years after birth. Even if this system is rather 'symbolic' (and often called 'Symbolic directions'), it is a most valuable tool to delineate yearly horoscopes.

Students of astrology should learn to use the system and incorporate it in their forecasting methods.

The degree meanings of the progressed Ascendant, MC, Sun and Moon are extremely important! Then come the degree meanings of progressed Mercury, Venus and Mars.

We don't rely on the Sabian symbols! Instead we go for real "tried and true" and well-researched meanings as propagated by the Muenich Rhythm Theories or the German School for Transpersonal Astrology (Schule fuer Transpersonal Astrologie).

Also, the degree symbolism researched by Helene W. and Willem A. Koppejan is another good source, as well as the ones researched by Sepharial.

Alwyas incorporate these degree meanings when you assess yearly horoscopes!

It's a pity the Indian nadigranthams are not translated into English as these degree meanings are said to be extremely accurate.

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SOLAR ARC DIRECTIONS

Solar Arcs is a method to 'progress' all planets in the natal chart following the key of the motion of the Sun through the Zodiac of 360°. In this system you have to add the increment of the Sun's motion to each point (Ascendant, Midheaven) or planet, 'progressing' them forward or backward (this latter is called the converse progressions).

In Germany, Alfred Witte and -- later -- Reinhold Ebertin have used and propagated this system with much success. Noel Tyl has presented the system in the English language. The system uses midpoints to delineate the charts.

Every student of astrology should learn this system to forecast the future as it's one of the best ways to delineate yearly horoscopes.

We use the system with incorporation of the Hypothetical Trans-Neptunian Planets (Uranian Astrology). This often gives some stunning information you will not find in another way.

Note that our research has convinced us that exact midpoints overpower aspects!

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TRANSITS

Another way to assess yearly horoscopes is to take a look at the transits for the coming (calendar) year. This technique is most often used when an exact time of birth is not available.

A look at the ephemeris for the year to come can indicate the most important aspects/angles that transiting outer planets make to natal planets and points.

Because no specific calculations must be done, the transits are the easiest and fastest way to forecast the future.

However, according to some astrologers transits do not work. One of the reasons lies in the fact that there is disagreement as to the orb to be used and often even the most exact transits do not work out. Why this is so, is not always clear. One of the reasons may be a wrong time of birth, not knowing which transits prevail and are stronger.

Sometimes one has the impression that transits seem to work on another level and should be used together with other forecasting techniques and yearly horoscopes (the progressions for example). In our opinion Transits should always be used with the Progressions.

We at Cosmic Technologies find transits quite revealing. Especially the following transits are VERY powerful:

• position of stationary (direct or retrograde) transiting planets. The EXACT aspects and midpoints tell the story. The position in the natal house of the stationary planet should be taken in consideration too.
• transit of Saturn through the natal houses, especially when they enter a new house.
• reciprocal transits (for example: transiting Mars square natal Mercury and transiting Mercury conjunct natal Mars).

The most powerful transits though, are always the most exact transiting midpoints aspecting natal planets or exact transiting planets aspecting natal midpoints. This way transits are a powerful and accurate tool in delineating yearly horoscopes. The Moon and Mars often have a trigger-function.

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