Solar Returns Explained ~ The Astrology of Your Birthday & One Year of Astrology with Alisa ✨

This week’s episode feels a little extra special.

Because Astrology with Alisa is officially one year old 🎉 — and what better way to celebrate than with a solar return.

In this episode, we explore solar return charts — your personal birthday chart that maps out the energy of your year ahead.

Through a real-life example from my own chart this year, I walk you through how to look at your Sun, Rising sign, Ruling Planet, and Moon… and how these shifts can change the way a year feels — from pushing forward to learning how to receive.

But this episode also marks something new…

✨ I’m officially launching my Solar Return Birthday Card ✨

What started as something I created for family has turned into a custom, beautifully designed astrology keepsake — one you can come back to all year long.

You can order one for yourself… or gift it to someone you love.

You can order your Solar Return Card here:
 👉 Solar Return Card | Astrology w Alisa

Or shop on Etsy:
 👉Personalized Solar Return Astrology Birthday Card – Digital PDF Download – Custom Zodiac Chart Reading Gift - Etsy

💛Thank you for being part of this first year of Astrology with Alisa.
 Your support, messages, and connection mean more than words can express. 💛

✨ Free Moon Sign Self-Care Guide ~ my gift to you!✨
Get your personalized guide at
Astrology with Alisa | Moon Sign Guide

✨ Solar Return Card✨
Order your custom card at
 👉 Solar Return Card | Astrology w Alisa

Or shop on Etsy:
 👉Personalized Solar Return Astrology Birthday Card – Digital PDF Download – Custom Zodiac Chart Reading Gift - Etsy

🎁 Digital Gift Cards
Astrology readings are now giftable!
Gift Card | Astrology with Alisa

✨ Book a reading ✨
Book Online | Astrology w Alisa

 🌟 Astrology with Alisa was selected by FeedSpot as one of the Top 100 Astrology Podcasts on the web!
You can explore the full list here:
https://podcast.feedspot.com/astrology_podcasts/

Connect With Me!
Instagram @astrologywithalisa
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Transcript

You guys — today’s episode feels a little special. Because this week… is the one-year anniversary of this podcast. Can you believe it? A whole year! And this week I got some news that completely blew me away. This podcast is featured in Feedspot’s Top 100 Astrology Podcasts. And not just barely making the list — but solidly right in the middle of it. I could not be more proud or thankful, and that is because of you. Because you listen. You share. You reach out. And that connection… means everything to me.

So — Astrology with Alisa is having a birthday. Which means… there’s also a solar return to celebrate. And in honor of that — this week's episode is all about solar return charts! Or what I like to call — your birthday chart. Because this chart is cast for the exact moment the Sun returns to the same place in the zodiac down to the degree and minute where it was when you were born.

The Sun stays the same, but everything else can change — including the date itself. Because of that pesky leap year day, your solar return could be on your birthday, or it can be a day early or a day later. I always get a kick out of people's reactions, especially family members, if their solar return chart is a day early or late. They think I got their birthday wrong before they realize what's really happening.

So a solar return chart is like your natal chart — unique to you — but focused just on the year ahead, bringing fresh energy and offering you a new focus for the upcoming year. A solar return chart will never replace your natal chart. Your Sun is your Sun. Your Moon is your Moon. Your Rising is your Rising. For life. That foundation doesn’t change. But… your solar return chart adds a layer. It gives you the vibe of the year, and you can work with this energy very consciously if you want to.

You don’t have to, of course — just like all things astrology… the energy is there whether you engage with it or not. But personally — I think it’s magic to have that awareness.

So when I look at a solar return chart, there are a few main things I pay attention to. First — what house is the Sun in? Because that shows where your life is lighting up this year. Where your energy is going. Where you’re being asked to show up. The Sun stays in the same sign — so the house shift is what matters most.

Then I look at the Rising sign, because that can shift the vibe of how you meet the world that year. Your tone. Your approach. Your overall lens. And with that — I look at the ruling planet. Because wherever that planet is… what house also becomes a major area of focus. It’s like a secondary spotlight. And really — that planet becomes your ruling planet for the year.

Then I look at the Moon. What sign is she in? What house is she in? Because wherever the Moon is — that sets your emotional tone for the year. What you need to feel safe. To feel grounded. To feel like yourself.

Then I zoom out. I look at the solar return chart side by side with the natal chart. What’s the same? What’s different? Are there clusters of energy anywhere? I'm talking about stelliums of course. Are there more planets on the left side of the chart or right side? Am I pushing this year — or receiving more? What about planets above or below the horizon? Is it a more outward year? Or is this a quieter, more introspective year?

So — as always — let’s talk about how this shows up in real life. Just like this podcast is celebrating its solar return, I also just had a birthday this past weekend. And I really enjoyed looking at my own solar return chart. I thought I'd share it with you all to bring this to life.

So— in my natal chart I’m an Aries Sun, Capricorn Moon, and Capricorn Rising. Ruled by Saturn. So naturally… very work oriented. Driven. Structured. But this year — my solar return Sun in Aries moved into the 5th house, which is the house of creativity, joy, play, and honestly… just having fun.

And on top of that — my solar return Moon is in Leo. So now this year — I’ve got this double emphasis on creative expression, joy, and following what lights me up. Now don’t get me wrong — I’m still a Capricorn Moon. I will always default to work. But this year's energy is asking me to shift that a little. To consciously choose more play. More creativity. More heart-led energy. And I can already feel myself leaning into that, even in how I’m showing up here.

Now my Rising sign this year is Scorpio, so there’s a little more depth, a little more intensity in how I approach life and in the way others see me. And when I follow the ruling planet for the year — I look to Mars, which is in Pisces in my 4th house. So there’s this softer… more emotional… more inward focus around home, family, and internal space.

Now my natal Mars is in Aries — very direct — but solar return Mars in Pisces… not so much. So that will be an interesting shift for me this year in the way I take action.

So then — when I put my solar return chart next to my natal chart… one thing really stood out to me. Almost all of my planets shifted to the right side. Which is really interesting because natally… I’m very left-side dominant. Meaning — I’m a doer. I make things happen. But this year — the energy is asking me to receive more. To allow things to come to me instead of forcing them.

And honestly… that’s a completely different feeling. One that's pretty foreign to me. But one that I'm already starting to trust a little more.

So this is how I use solar returns as a way to understand what kind of energy I'm working with this year, and why certain things feel stronger… or softer. Some years you'll find you come out of your shell. Other years you pull inward. And a solar return chart is a really fun — and acccurate — way of helping you understand why.

So — one of my favorite ways to celebrate a birthday is with a solar return. For years, I’ve been doing these charts for my family and friends, and talking through the details casually over dinner.

Earlier this year, a few days before my stepson Shane’s birthday, he sent me a text and said, Alisa, I can’t wait to see my chart. And that’s when it clicked. What if this wasn’t something I just talked about? What if I turned this into something a little more lasting? Something he could take home and come back to throughout the year?

Because let’s be real — a quick conversation over dinner isn’t something you can really revisit later.

So I created the Solar Return Birthday Card. A beautifully designed, custom astrology card made for your birthday year — with a personalized reading inside that explains the key planets, houses, and themes shaping the year ahead.

The idea was born on Shane’s birthday — and has really taken shape since. I found myself refining it with each family birthday that came after — tweaking the design, adjusting the details, making it better each time.

And now — after working on it over the past few months — as a way to celebrate the solar return of this podcast… I’m so excited to finally share it with you.

It’s now live on my website, and also in my new Etsy shop. I’ll leave links to both in the show notes — so you can easily find them.

You can order one for yourself, or for someone you love. And there are a few different options depending on what you’re looking for. You can receive it as a digital version — something you can access right away. Or as a printed keepsake that’s mailed to you — something you can hold onto and come back to throughout the year. Or you can choose both.

And there’s also an option to add on a personalized audio recording — where I walk through your chart and share a few deeper insights beyond what’s included on the card.

It really is such a meaningful gift — especially for anyone who loves astrology… or is just starting to explore it.

And honestly — I’m a big believer in treating yourself on your birthday. So this could be something really special to gift to yourself, too.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m so excited about this card — and about this year I’ve been here with all of you, talking about astrology, sharing my passion.

And truly — thank you. For being here. For listening. For being part of this first year. It means more than I can put into words.

As always, I love and appreciate you all. Thanks again for listening. Take care — and I’ll see you next time.