Spring! What a glorious season when everything is in full bloom with a radiance of colorful wonders. The season of Transformation, when that which was in darkness, comes into the Light. When the Sun enters the Sign of Aries that is the start of Spring in our northern hemisphere. In ancient times, people of many different origins celebrated a festival of Spring.

For example, the Jewish people merged their Spring festival with the deliverance from hundreds of years of slavery in Egypt into what is known as Passover. Jesus last supper was Passover. He honored his Jewish heritage at the time of his Earthly life's end. A fact that many don't want to acknowledge. It's an example of when religious ideologies become more important than God, with people not loving their fellow humans.

Easter commemorating Jesus resurrection occurs as the first Sunday after the first Full Moon, after the Sun enters Aries.

We are here to learn with our hearts. If God suddenly appeared before you and asked you to do something, what would it be? And, if God asked you to change something in you, what would it be? God is ever present, if we would only realize the presence. So many are looking for a numinous experience, (example: Moses and the burning bush) to reveal to them what they are here to do and learn. Everyday can be a numinous experience if we could truly understand that our karmic lessons are conveyed to us daily through people and events. Everything is happening for a purpose, your growth.

Some people get more lessons, are here to grow more. I remember doing a reading for a particular woman, and as the information was coming forth, a picture formed of her Soul asking God to give her the opportunity to learn this lesson, that lesson, a multitude of lessons so she could clear up any unfinished issues. Her Soul was asking this before she was born. Her life is one challenge after another. She now understands what it is about, and is handling it so much better and is also doing Solar Return Birthday Trips.

We each make agreements before we come in, often times forgetting what it's like to be in a human form. So different than a Spirit form.

I utilize an invaluable Natal Secondary Chart based on the original Arabic Parts, which are actually the Egyptian lots. Together with the Natal Primary Chart, these two charts together reveal your Destiny Direction, your lessons, your tests and blocks as well as your abilities and potential. One of the key purposes of this kind of work is to maximize your potential.

Many of you have seen my T. V. show on the Natal Secondary Chart, the original Arabic Part Chart and have asked for more information on understanding this chart. It's similar to photographing a picture of you. The first picture, a front view of you, is equivalent to your regular Natal Chart, your Primary Chart. Then, if I photograph a profile picture of you that is similar to your Natal Secondary/Arabic Part Chart. Both pictures/ charts are you and give a much deeper understanding of you. You essentially have two Planets of everything. Two Moons, two Venus, etc. Your Secondary Moon is actually the Part of Fortune and your Secondary Venus is the Part of Love and Marriage. All the Primary Planets have a Secondary position, and are Arabic parts/Egyptian lots. These “points, you interpret just as you would a Planet, because they are Secondary Planets unique to you. They go into their own Chart, which has a Rising/ascendant Sign as well. It's sort of like looking at a lamp when understanding the two rising/ascendant Signs together. The Primary rising Sign is the lampshade, and the Secondary rising Sign is the light bulb that illuminates the lampshade.

I was stunned when I first saw my Secondary Natal Chart. It explained so much that was there that hadn't been revealed in a Primary Chart. Both are necessary. It is also so important to make sure that the charts are drawn up using the Equal House System, the oldest known system in Astrology. By the way, it is only with the Equal House System that you can get the Natal Secondary Chart as well, as it is derived from a set of equal 30º houses erected on the Ecliptic.

What is your mission in life, the key thing you are here to accomplish? How many of you know what it is. How do you figure it out, know for sure it's not your ego telling you, or a poor sense of self-worth that won't let you believe that is the thing you are here to do. How do we truly know?

I can think of only one tool, other than a numinous experience like Moses and the burning bush. It is your Astrological charts. The only true map of your Being, that shows the way. Its all right there if you have a gifted map-reader, to see it. Not just anyone can read a map. Because someone studies Astrology, it's not enough. Astrology is like any other field, there are experts and others who don't know what they are doing. Reading charts at a Soul pattern level is a gift, only a few can do this.

I am booked several months in advance and it always amazes me that some people will wait until a crisis and then contact my office wanting to schedule a session with me right away. Most individuals don't wait till a crisis to focus on understanding themselves and their Life.

A key tool to assist you to align with your mission is Solar Return Birthday trips.

Amazing that even just after September 11, the majority of my clients still went on their Birthday Solar Return Trips. Almost no one wanted to give up a better planetary layout and a better personal year. The fascinating thing is that currently the majority of the Birthday locations are turning out to be in the United States or the western hemisphere, naturally. You can also request that your Birthday location be limited to U.S.A. Solar Return Birthday Trips can make a big difference in one's Life. There are also many people who naturally year after year, have good Solar Returns staying home. However, now and then comes a huge glitch and disaster occurs by not taking a trip.

The key is always getting your Birthday chart checked out in advance; making sure it's okay to stay home on your birthday.

Now, let me make this perfectly clear, taking a Solar Return Birthday trip does not get rid of your karma, doesn't change the things you are here as a Soul learning and it doesn't get rid of your Cycles. What it does change for the year is what areas of your life, the planetary Cycles will be playing out in and how you will learn.

Your Yearly Solar Return Chart based on the Planetary hand being dealt on your current birthday reflects the courses you will be taking on learning your Soul lessons, the Soul lessons revealed in your Natal Charts. It is really like going to school. Let's say you are here to get a degree in a particular area. There are requirements to attaining that degree such as learning a foreign language, taking a math course, etc. You can decide which language, which math course etc. to take and also when to take it during the allotted time frame. The Solar Return Birthday Chart is like that. You can elect to take a course in relationship, economic and financial matters, career and professional conduct, etc. You can pretty much choose when you want to work on a particular course simply by being in a different city for a few days at the time of your birthday.

How does this happen? A chart is a circle divided into twelve equal sections called houses. Each section/house represents a different area of life. For example, the 10th house represents career, the 7th house represents intimate relationship, and so on. The planets are situated in these different houses in your Solar Return Chart, showing what is going to occur.

A Solar Return is calculated for the day, month, time and place (latitude and longitude) of the Solar Return. The PLACE of the Solar Return is where you are physically at the exact time of the Solar Return.

Now, if you change where you are, the locale (latitude and longitude) at your next Solar Return, your coming birthday, then you actually alter your Solar Return Chart for the year and consequently what is going to occur in your life.

Let's take a look at the Solar Return energies as mirrored by the Planets in the Solar Return Chart. This is a brief but key synopsis.

The Sun reflects the main area of focus for the year, illumining your desires and the results of your desires.

Example- The focus of the Sun in the 10th house is on career and success, a great placement for those who desire recognition and validation.

Jupiter reflects the area of Life where things come easier and an area of protection.

Example- My clients say that when they've had Jupiter in the 10th house of career, they made more money that year than with Jupiter in the 2nd house of money.

The Moon reflects in the Solar Return Chart, your area of vulnerability and insecurity. A fluctuation in that area of your Life in direct proportion to your emotions about it.

Example- The Moon in the 2nd house of money is rough as it brings up one's fears and insecurities about money. Not a time to invest in the stock market or a new business venture because the fear factor can affect one's well being.

Venus reflects the gift you are given for the year; what you so easily attract.

Example- If you are having health problems, placing Venus in the 6th house of health is so supportive. Or wanting to attract a mate, Venus in the 7th house is wonderful.

Mercury reflects so much of what your thoughts are focused on. Also, important communications related to that area of the Solar Return Chart.

Example- Mercury in the 7th house of marriage often brings a marriage proposal your way.

Pluto brings up the shadow side of the area of life where it is placed in the Solar Return Chart; where you need to transform your attitudes. Shadow meaning what you are unaware of that needs to be brought into conscious awareness.

Example- Pluto in the Solar Return 4th house is the most intense place to have it. It is transformation on a gut-wrenching level. This placement is usually too difficult for most people. The feeling is like being under a heavy rock.

Mars reflects what you are assertive and aggressive about; where you are willing to take a stand, fight for what you want. Also, the area of annoyance and probable discord.

Example- Mars in the 11th house of friendship denotes anger toward a friend or friends, as well as a greater clarity of what you define as friendship and who truly is your friend. A good placement to let go of friends who truly do not have your best interests at heart.

Saturn is your karmic area of the Solar Return Birthday Chart. You reap what you have previously sown in this particular arena. It also necessitates taking greater responsibility for that area of your Life and not putting the blame on others.

Example- Saturn in the 2nd house of money is a difficult placement unless you are wealthy; too many trials and tribulations around money. Never start a new business venture with this; it won't succeed.

Neptune reflects an area of healing, unfinished business; where you may be deluding yourself; where you need to take off the rose-colored glasses.

Example- Neptune in the 7th house of relationship is not an ideal time to get married. There is a susceptibility to get swept up in a romantic illusion.

Uranus assists in breaking up limitations, conditionalities and freeing you. Can bring sudden changes.

Example- Uranus in the 12th house of the subconscious and hidden workings of the mind can assist in breaking up self-sabotaging patterns. This placement is a great renovator. Uranus in the 6th house of health is dangerous unless well aspected.

The Yearly Eclipses for the Solar Return are crucial, as their nature can be dramatic change. It makes a big difference if an Eclipse is on the North Lunar Node side, which is a more positive factor, or, if the eclipse is on the South Lunar Node side, which is more a minus factor. (The Solar Return Chart does not put in a symbol for the Eclipses; you need to know where they are.)

Example- One of my clients who designed her own Solar Return Chart herself (without my assistance) didn't realize she'd have a Solar Eclipse in her house of health. She looked at the Chart and saw there were no planets in the house of health. She totally forgot about the Eclipse. She had health problems the entire year.

The Solar Return Part of Fortune is singly the most important factor in the Chart. Depending on its house placement, it can be dangerous or advantageous. It reflects what is going on under the surface that you are totally unaware of, forces at work that by the time you know about it; it can be too late. There is a solution; to put a planet on to protect it, to bring it out into the open. It is the one factor in the Solar Return Chart that no matter where you go in the world for your birthday, it will still stay in the same section of the chart (house). However you can alter the Sign it is in and the degree as well as other planets relationships to it. I could write a whole book on this one factor alone as there is no written work on this anywhere.

Example- The Solar Return Part of Fortune in the 6th house of health means something is going on in your body that you are unaware of and, unless there is a planet on top of it to bring it out into the open, by the time you become aware of what's going on in your body it can be too late.

Years ago a client of mine got concerned when she saw the Part of Fortune in her boyfriend's Solar Return Chart. She attended one of my Solar Return Workshops and was aware of what this meant. Her boyfriend was a doctor, the picture of health. He ate right, jogged, etc. He felt fine. Because there was no planet on top of it to bring what was going on in his body naturally out into the open, she insisted he get everything x-rayed. He thought she had flipped. She said she couldn't be in a relationship with him because she'd be beside herself with worry. So, he went and got everything x-rayed. They found a spot on his pancreas that by the time he would have experienced symptoms, it would have been too late. They operated immediately. It saved his Life. There are so many other stories I could share about how risky this placement is.

Now don't panic. A lot depends on how the Part of Fortune is aspected. It is a good idea with this placement to get a thorough medical check up. So far, knock on wood, all my clients who have had this placement and gone on a Solar Return Birthday Trip to a location that put either Venus or Jupiter right on it remained healthy.

Now, let me make it perfectly clear, a Solar Return Birthday Chart Location cannot save you. It is the foundation of your Life for 1 year, from birthday to birthday. However, if you have an Eclipse or difficult planets in the 6th house of health, the odds are against you staying healthy. It is a good rule to support your house of health as best planetary wise as possible.

Solar Return Birthday Location trips are a very powerful tool and should only be done by an Astrologer who is an expert in Solar Return Birthday Location Charts (many are not). Now, because of the way the planets are aligned, the best Solar Return Birthday Location Chart is still difficult. There are no easy routes during this time frame. But, you do have a choice in where you want to play this stuff out in your Life. Truly, Life doesn't care how we learn our lessons, just that we do.

How does one go about changing their Solar Return? First I must do your Life Evolution Analysis, before I can start shifting your yearly planetary energies and creating the design of your Solar Return Chart. Then you must reflect on what you would like to experience in your life for the coming year and what you really want to focus on. Solar Returns can augment career opportunities, facilitate bringing a love relationship into one's life, accelerate personal transformations, etc. Next, a chart is drawn up for the Solar Return on your upcoming birthday for the city in which you live. (This can be done months in advance of your birthday.) This shows the planetary patterns you have to work with. Following that, a different chart is drawn up with these planetary patterns placing them in the arenas that are more in tune with what you choose. Sometimes this works out so you get the areas of your choice, other times you simply go with the best planetary shift possible, given the planetary positions you have. Ultimately a chart is designed for you that reflects the most harmonious way in dealing with the planetary energies for the year.

Now to our current collective Cycles. We are having one of the most powerful and long Moon and Solar Wobbles ever. The energy starts coming in as soon as May begins, though technically, the 7^th of May is the official beginning. This Moon and Solar Wobble will go through all of May and June till July 4^th. This one is truly a humdinger, because of the Planets involved with the Moon and Solar Wobble. In addition, we are having a Mercury Retrograde and three Eclipses as well during this Moon and Solar Wobble.

The center of this Moon/Solar Wobble is at 18º of Gemini conjunct Saturn, in opposition to Pluto in Sagittarius and on the intense Solar Eclipse occurring in June at 19º 54 of Gemini. Mars, the great stirrer upper and reflector of collective violence and anger, will be in the Sign of Gemini for part of the Moon/Solar Wobble. It will re-trigger the Sagittarius Solar Eclipse, which is still in effect all year, as well as the coming Gemini Solar Eclipse. Mars will oppose Pluto.

The energies will be even more intense worldwide and areas of unrest will escalate into greater violence and aggression.

May is also the time when Saturn exactly opposes Pluto. As stated in my previous newsletter, this is the Cycle of major war going on in the world. We are already in a war and this Cycle reflects even more conflicts occurring. This Cycle of Saturn/Pluto began last August. Every time we have a difficult Cycle between Saturn and Pluto, we get into a major war, unless world and religious leaders do everything to choose peace. The United States Mars is at 20º 57 Gemini, so it is being triggered by the Solar Eclipse, conjuncted by Saturn and opposed by Pluto. This Cycle of the Eclipse on the United States Mars will be going on through June of 2003! The Pluto Cycle will last longer. Mars is how we deal with anger and aggression.

This Gemini Solar Eclipse, Saturn and Pluto are all triggering President Bush's Destiny factor as well as his Uranus. May and June are a time when he will need to be extra careful and take greater precautions with his safety.

If all these Cycles aren't enough, we also have Mercury going retrograde in Gemini on May 15^th at 11:50 a.m. Pacific time, until June 8^th, at 8:12 a.m. Pacific time.

Also, a Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius at the Full Moon on May 26th, and another Lunar Eclipse in Capricorn at the Full Moon of June 24^th. I truly hope you got your 2002 Cycles tape to better prepare you for all these energies. We still have a few tapes left.

The Planetary Cycles do not cause these things to happen. They act as spotlights bringing out what already exists into the open.

On a deeper level, we each need to ask ourselves why we are on Earth at this time. It is a challenge to not give into fear, to not allow the outer chaos to knock us off balance, to remain calm and trust the ultimate outcome. Because, as the saying goes, it is the darkest before the dawn. We, as a human collective, still at this level of development, require crisis to get us to the next level. Every era of war has ushered in a tremendous transformation. What a terrible price to pay and some day, we as a human collective, will get to transformation via a different route, simply perhaps by getting a sense that it's time to change, and we do. I know individually since it is individuals that make up the collective, we still require personal crises to propel us to change.

What do you keep telling yourself you need to do, and don't? It seems we still require wake up calls.

May we each do our best to listen to our inner Soul messages and put them into motion. Valuing and Loving ourselves enough so we don't need wake up crises.

In Love and Truth,

P. S. Thank you for all your letters and E-Mails expressing your appreciation for the T.V. shows, and the Website. It would be wonderful if it could air everywhere. My T.V. show schedule is posted on my Website.

© Signe Quinn Taff.