Understanding Lunar Returns #
The Lunar Return is a chart cast for the exact moment each month when the Moon returns to its natal position. This chart, valid for approximately 27.3 days (one lunar cycle), reveals the emotional themes, needs, and rhythms for the month ahead.
While Solar Returns map your year, Lunar Returns offer a finer-grained view of your monthly emotional landscape—useful for understanding shifting moods, relationship needs, and optimal timing for different activities.
What is a Lunar Return? #
Every month, the Moon returns to the exact degree it occupied at your birth. This moment creates a chart that describes the coming lunar month—from one return to the next.
The Lunar Return chart works alongside your natal chart and current Solar Return:
- Natal chart: Your lifelong emotional patterns
- Solar Return: This year’s themes
- Lunar Return: This month’s emotional focus
Lunar Returns are particularly useful for:
- Understanding monthly mood shifts
- Planning emotionally significant activities
- Working with your natural rhythms
- Monthly self-reflection practice
How Lunar Returns Work #
The Chart Itself #
A Lunar Return chart is calculated for:
- The moment the transiting Moon reaches your exact natal Moon position
- The location where you are at that moment
Because the Moon moves quickly, the time of your Lunar Return shifts each month. It might occur in the morning one month and late at night the next.
Reading the Lunar Return #
Key factors to examine:
- Ascendant Sign: The overall emotional approach for the month
- Moon’s House Position: Where emotional energy is concentrated
- Aspects to the Moon: What the Moon is “talking to” this month
- Planets on Angles: Especially conjunctions to Ascendant or IC
- Connection to Solar Return: How this month fits the year’s themes
The Lunar Return Moon #
The Moon is always at its natal degree in the Lunar Return—that’s what creates the chart. But its HOUSE placement changes monthly, rotating through different life areas.
The house containing the Lunar Return Moon shows where emotional focus and nurturing needs will be concentrated:
| House | Month’s Emotional Focus |
|---|---|
| 1st | Self-nurturing, emotional self-expression, personal needs |
| 2nd | Security through resources, comfort, self-worth feelings |
| 3rd | Emotional communication, connections with siblings/neighbors |
| 4th | Home and family, deep emotional processing, roots |
| 5th | Creative emotional expression, romance, joy, play |
| 6th | Emotional health, work feelings, service, daily emotional routines |
| 7th | Relationship emotions, partnership needs, emotional balance |
| 8th | Deep emotional transformation, intimacy, shared vulnerabilities |
| 9th | Emotional expansion, meaning-seeking, adventure feelings |
| 10th | Public emotional expression, career feelings, recognition |
| 11th | Friendship emotions, group belonging, hopes and wishes |
| 12th | Solitude needs, spiritual emotions, release and letting go |
The Lunar Return Ascendant #
The Ascendant of your Lunar Return sets the emotional tone and approach for the month:
| Ascendant | Month’s Emotional Approach |
|---|---|
| Aries | Direct emotional expression, initiative, independence |
| Taurus | Steady emotions, comfort-seeking, embodied needs |
| Gemini | Talking about feelings, variety in emotional life |
| Cancer | Deep nurturing, sensitivity, home-centered emotions |
| Leo | Dramatic feelings, creative expression, warmth |
| Virgo | Analyzing feelings, health-emotion connection, service |
| Libra | Relationship-focused, seeking emotional harmony |
| Scorpio | Intense feelings, transformative emotions, depth |
| Sagittarius | Optimistic feelings, emotional freedom, adventure |
| Capricorn | Controlled emotions, responsibility focus, maturity |
| Aquarius | Detached observation of feelings, unusual emotional needs |
| Pisces | Flowing emotions, spiritual sensitivity, compassion |
Aspects to the Lunar Return Moon #
What planets aspect the Moon in your Lunar Return significantly colors the month:
Moon-Sun aspects: Relationship between emotional needs and vitality/will
Moon-Mercury aspects: Thinking and feeling connection; communication about emotions
Moon-Venus aspects: Love and emotional needs; pleasure and nurturing
Moon-Mars aspects: Emotional energy and action; potential for emotional intensity
Moon-Jupiter aspects: Emotional expansion and optimism; generosity of feeling
Moon-Saturn aspects: Emotional discipline and maturity; potential challenges
The Fourth House in Lunar Returns #
Because the Moon naturally rules the 4th house, this area of the Lunar Return chart deserves special attention:
- Planets in the 4th: Strong home and family emphasis
- 4th house ruler’s condition: Shows the foundation of emotional security
- Aspects to the IC: Impact on your inner emotional base
A well-supported 4th house suggests emotional grounding is available; a challenged 4th house may indicate inner work is needed.
Interpreting Your Lunar Return #
Step-by-Step Approach #
- Note the Ascendant sign: This sets the month’s emotional tone
- Find the Moon’s house: This is your primary emotional focus area
- Check aspects to the Moon: These color your emotional experience
- Look at the 4th house: Your emotional foundation for the month
- Consider angular planets: These are especially influential
- Connect to your Solar Return: How does this month fit the year?
Monthly Rhythm #
Lunar Returns help you work WITH your emotional cycles rather than against them. Some months favor:
- Outward expression (Moon in angular houses)
- Inner processing (Moon in water houses)
- Social connection (Moon in air houses)
- Practical focus (Moon in earth houses)
Practical Uses of Lunar Returns #
Planning: Schedule emotionally significant events during supportive Lunar Returns
Understanding: When a month feels particularly intense or challenging, the Lunar Return often explains why
Timing: Use the Lunar Return as a monthly reset—set intentions aligned with its themes
Self-care: The chart shows what kind of nurturing you need this month
Lunar Returns and Emotional Growth #
Each Lunar Return offers an opportunity for emotional development:
- Challenging aspects point to emotional work available
- House emphasis shows where life is asking for emotional presence
- The Ascendant suggests what emotional approach will serve you
- Angular planets reveal what’s up for integration
The Lunar Return isn’t something happening TO you—it’s a map of your monthly emotional terrain.
Working with Lunar Returns #
At each Lunar Return: Note the chart and set an intention aligned with its themes
Throughout the month: Return to the chart when emotional questions arise
At month’s end: Reflect on how themes manifested
Over time: Patterns emerge as you track multiple Lunar Returns
Generate your Lunar Return chart with our birth chart calculator.