Which Is Valid: Tropical or Sidereal Solar Returns?
The biggest problem in Astrology is that Astrologers who say the Tropical is right or Sidereal is right have a misunderstanding of the truth. Both types of Astrologers do not understand that one is Earth based and the other is Star based. You cannot mix apples and tangerines regarding Tropical and Sidereal Astrology is the answer. They are two totally different systems and they both work in their own methodology. There are other systems, but we are not going to address them now.
Now, lets get to them bottom of this problem regarding calculation of Natal or Solar Return. Both types of charts need to be interpreted according to the original Earth or Star based system.
Tropical astrology is interpreted upon the connection between the Earth and the Sun along the ecliptic. As the Sun crosses the equator, it is “0 Degrees Declination” twice a year. The Northern crossing is called the Spring Equinox. The Southern crossing is called the Fall Equinox. One being “0 Degrees of Aries” and the other being “0 Degrees Libra”. When they reach maximum of North or South Declination, it is called the Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice. One being “0 Degrees Cancer” and other “0 Degrees Capricorn” Hope the helps you to understand why Tropical Systems are very Earth oriented. Tropical also follows the change in the seasons every year in both Hemispheres.
Sidereal Astrology is Star based and begins with “0 Degrees Aries” in the Aries Constellation in the heavens. The two systems of Tropical and Sidereal are about 1 month apart at this time in history due to the Precession of the Equinox.
In Summary: both systems work if applied to their orientation of either Earth or Star based. It is important not to mix one system with the other in interpretation of the Solar Return Chart. Tropical is interpreted with the Earth and Sun’s movement beginning at 0 Degrees Declination. Sidereal is interpreted with the Constellations beginning at “0 Degrees Aries” Constellation. Hope this helps. Love My Astrology
I personally am a Tropical Astrologer due to my training by some of the finest Astrologers of the 20th Century.
Thanks for their help: Alphee Lavoie, Sophia Mason, L. Edward Johndro, Georgia Stathis, Rick Levine, Demetra George, Eileen Nauman, Kris Riske, Rex Bills, Mary Shea, Richard Nelson, Steven Forest, Jan Spiller, Robert Hand, Neil Michelsen, Liz Greene, Michael Lutin, Brenda Brush, Michael Munkasey, Steve Cozzi and Lois Rodden. There are many more that I met and listen to their lectures at the Astrology Conferences such as the NCGR, ISAR, AFA and the Rosicrucian Fellowship.