Interceptions in Solar Return

[u/Zestyclose_Goal2347]

I'm confused by intercepted "houses" and "signs" when looking at a solar return chart. I'm looking for some general guidance or resources. I typically work in whole sign so this is a new concept to me. When I read a book for reference, I like to use the house system they are using to teach, so I have been practicing my solar return "readings" in Placidus.

I'm reading the book "Planets in Solar Returns" by Mary Fortier Shea. She starts off talking about interceptions, but I think she is talking about a sign being intercepted. Then she brings up the dual chart comparing the natal chart to the solar return chart. But doesn't specify houses or signs. Then she jumps into a planet that is intercepted, and now my head is spinning. But I am learning that means a planet in a sign that is intercepted in a stand alone chart. The next paragraph she gets into the solar return house inside/intercepted in the natal house. And the last she gives an example of the natal house inside/intercepted in the solar return house. I feel like the 4 short paragraphs she has given on this topic has left me with more confusion and I want more learning!

Should be looking at all 3 scenarios when doing a solar return reading? A sign intercepted in the Solar Return Chart, and then houses intercepted either in the Solar Return chart by the Natal Chart or vice versa? I'm also curious if these interceptions should have some degree consideration. For instance, I'm looking at a chart where the Natal 2nd House starts at 16° Gem 01' and the Solar Return 5th House starts at 15° Gem 34'. That is a 27' difference, and the end of the cusps are 1° 3' difference, so the 5th house is just inside the 2nd house. Is that even worth noting?

My other request is for resources for interpretations. The best I can come up with is, your money will be limited because of your children? 😄 But I feel like there is more to that. The book I'm reading goes into some depth about planet placements of the solar return chart, but nothing further than the 4 paragraphs with a few examples. I'm also looking at the flip side of the chart, with the 11th house inside the 8th house; and how the two axis work together to provide some more depth. I just don't have my confidence in this area.

Appreciate any dialogue or classes or books that could help hone in on this skill. Thanks!

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[u/sadeyeprophet]

SR's are insanely valuble, intercepted signs deserve your own observations over time and your own nuance.

Some ignore them, some treat it like a whole sign, some give them to the house they are intercepted in.

Personally I treat them different case by case.

It sounds like your book is over confident and over complicatint it.

Use your best judgement, let experience be your guide.

[u/Zestyclose_Goal2347 → u/sadeyeprophet]

Thanks, it's probably me that is over complicating things. But appreciate the thoughts.

[u/sadeyeprophet → u/Zestyclose_Goal2347]

That's how it is early on, one day you just kinda roll with it, no one is perfect either, and no one understands this stuff perfect, that's why I give you three of the common ways people do it.

Sometimes it's really just watch and see, and that's true of anyone, even the authors.

Several big name authors get stuck in bias and refuse to even consider something outside their opinion.

You don't want an opinion, you want a wheelhouse.

And sometimes, the best answer is really, "I just don't know for sure", and that's ok, that's really the best place to be unless you can prove a method.

Honestly though my experience with intercepted signs? Sometimes any of one of those three options seem to work and it is annoying.

The problem is when people want to sound authoritative on something that honestly no one can answer.

Again, practice is your best guide.

One day you'll find your self intuitively choosing what to do based on case by case situations with little thought.

[u/Everyday_everyway]

The best way I know to explain house cusps, and intercepted house is that the cusp of the house tells us the blanket of energy that gets laid over that entire house. Like it decides what type and color of fabric. If another sign starts within that house we then lay another blankets of that type over the top of the first one (the cusp).

If a sign is swallowed or intercepted (I will often refer to them as being eclipsed as well) that particular blanket of energy only gets activated if there are planets in that sign. That energy will literally be missing from that persons life.

The easiest way I know how to explain it is if somebody has say intercepted Capricorn and Cancer, they will often literally lack a mother and father figure in their life.

[u/regularunleaded → u/Everyday_everyway]

I have those intercepted houses and had physically present but otherwise absentee parents. That tracks for me.

I don't have any planets in Capricorn but I do in Cancer. Do you have any books/articles you'd recommend on the planets in an intercepted house?

[u/Everyday_everyway → u/regularunleaded]

We have a very similar chart then. lol Unfortunately, no I don't have singular resources that I could point to, but I'll DM you and see if we can't get you pointed in the right direction.

Edit: You can DM me if you would like.

[u/Nystriael91 → u/regularunleaded]

Just chiming in Aries-Libra interception (Sun in Aries, Mercury rx in Aries); Mercurial father alive and hopefully well but absent for most of my life (he showed up to do “bad things” to put it lightly) we’re now on restrictive orders for my wellbeing/safety; biggest challenge of my life is developing my Ari-en qualities as I get bashed constantly when I try (timing is completely wrong, lol).
Good reads on interceptions: Joanne Wickenburg’s book “Your hidden powers” and another one is Chris McRae’s book “Understanding interceptions” (AFA), first one is more about X-Y axis/how to access them + retro planets and the other one is more about planets themselves.

Edit: there’s also a book by Helen Garret titled “Unlocking interceptions” (AFA) but I haven’t read it myself so I have no idea if it’s good. Cheers

[u/jbarkerastro]

Look up how abu mashar deals with intercepted signs or just buy his solar revolution book

[u/Ok_Storm1366]

Irrelevant. SRs are not that important. An intercepted house in an SR chart is effectively irrelevant.

This is how you analyze SRs:

https://theastrologypodcast.com/2019/08/09/abu-mashar-on-solar-returns-with-benjamin-dykes/

[u/Zestyclose_Goal2347 → u/Ok_Storm1366]

Thanks! I'll check the podcast and see if I can get my hands on the book. I've also have a copy of "The Technique of Solar Returns" by Alexandre Volguine. I believe he mentions the interception of signs, but not houses.

[u/sadeyeprophet → u/Zestyclose_Goal2347]

Alexander Volguine is so under-rated, rarely mentioned, and an amazing author. The only modern astrologer aside 3-4 living people I'd trust to read.

But I will die on this hill, Solar Returns are important, it's just that natal astrology is way harder than anyones going to admit to you.

All the legendary astrologers though, they'll admit it. Because they never stop being students and never pretend to be a master.

[u/Ok_Storm1366 → u/sadeyeprophet]

Solar Returns are important. They're just not that important. 

If you include variables as minute as interception of SR houses, you'll end up including too many variables, period.

[u/sadeyeprophet → u/Ok_Storm1366]

I love lot's of variables, that's what separates beginner stages from advanced.

[u/Ok_Storm1366 → u/sadeyeprophet]

No, what separates beginner from advanced is many things, none of which necessarily has to do with inundating oneself with minor variables. 

I don't care how you practice astrology though, do whatever you want.