USA Solar Return 2024: Happy Birthday America?

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A couple of weeks ago, I thought about posting on the USA solar return 2024. And then I decided against it- largely because I’ve already posted on solar returns for Joe Biden and Donald Trump and I’ve posted on the fallout from the debate that put Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy in question. Then, the other day, I woke up to news of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. And now Joe Biden has Covid. So, I thought to myself, I’d better blow the dust off that USA solar return 2024 post…

So here it is. Just one note: before I wrote this post I took a look at the ‘Big 2024 Horoscope’ I prepared in December 2023 – those of you who follow this website will know that I produce an annual forecast about the themes and trends that are going to emerge during the year ahead. In that forecast, I described July 2024 as a ‘revolutionary moment’, where there would be ‘flashpoints’ arising from the Mars – Uranus conjunction. Mars conjunct Uranus is a big deal; they are trigger planets and – in more ways than one – the trigger has been pulled.

Introduction: The Birth of America

You may think that the United States of America needs no introduction, but I feel a little back story is needed here. One of the reasons I’m able to produce this report, is that (unusually) the USA has a clear birth date. The Declaration of Independence was ratified by Congress on July 4th 1776 in Philadelphia, PA. The exact time of the ratification is unknown, but the astrologer Ebenezer Sibly (1751-1799) rectified a chart that is commonly used to define the time the USA was ‘born’, and most astrologers use the ‘Sibly Chart’, as the basis for any forecasting work done in respect of the USA as a single entity.

Of course, there is debate about whether the Declaration of Independence marks the real beginning of the USA – but given the importance of the moment, why not? For me as an astrologer, what is important is what that ‘independence’ signifies: a war was fought to free America from British rule, so the USA is a country that fought for freedom – and that is reflected in its birth chart. It’s also a country born of violence and it’s hard to disassociate violent images (civil war, the ‘Wild West’, prohibition, organised crime, gangsters, racial violence, guns and mass shootings) from perceptions of the USA both past and present.

At the foot of this page, I have linked out to an article that discusses the USA’s birth chart in more detail, but briefly, the USA was ‘born’ with the Sun in Cancer (with an emphasis on attachment to homeland, security and a certain defensiveness), the Moon in independent, idealistic, libertarian and future facing Aquarius and with expansive, wild, freedom loving yet moralistic Sagittarius rising at the moment of its ‘birth’. That triumvirate (to this non-US astrologer) does appear to align with what we perceive as key elements of the US national psyche.

USA Solar Return 2024: The Chart

So, what stands out in the US solar return chart? At first glance, the most notable thing is that almost all of the planets – bar Pluto – are found in the western hemisphere of the chart (houses 4-9). This shows a need for inclusivity and tolerance – and after recent events, I’m sure many people would agree with that. Within that hemisphere, there is a further emphasis on the third quadrant (houses 7-9). This shows a need for compromise and negotiation – again, they are things that seem in short supply.

So, does the solar return chart reflect a national mood with greater accuracy than the press or social commentators would suggest? Let’s take a look at the other chart features:

• Sun and Moon in 8th house, but not in aspect.
• Sun Trine Saturn retrograde in 4th house.
• Moon in Gemini (8th) square Neptune in Pisces (5th) both in anaretic degree.
• Mars – Uranus in approaching conjunction (7th), with Mars opposite Ascendant.
• Scorpio Ascendant with Pluto (3rd) and Leo Midheaven with Sun (8th).
• Unaspected Jupiter (7th).
• ‘Easy’ opposition – Mercury (9th) opposite Pluto (3rd) trine/sextile Neptune (5th).
• Moon (8th) – Pluto (3rd) inconjunct.
• Minor trine – Venus in Cancer (9th) trine Saturn in Pisces (retrograade, 4th) sextile Mars in Taurus (7th).
• Venus is square Chiron (5th) – and Chiron is (of course) conjunct the Great American Eclipse of 2024.

There are also an interesting and important connection between these placements:

• The ‘easy opposition’ is connected via a chain of sextiles to Uranus (7th) and from Uranus to Venus (9th) and thus to the minor trine.

USA Solar Return 2024: The Analysis

To keep things simple, I’m going to look at the Sun, the Jupiter disconnect, the easy opposition, the minor trine – and that important inconjunct (150˚) aspect. The one that changes everything…

USA Solar Return 2024: The Eighth House Sun

The Sun in a solar return chart shows the main focus of the year. With the Sun in the 8th house, this is going to be a year of power struggles. No surprises there as it’s an election year, but there’s more to it than that. The 8th house is existential and the trine from the Sun to Saturn retrograde in the fourth house suggests that this is related to the stability and security of the nation. It’s the Sun’s only aspect, but through Saturn, it’s a theme that ties in directly to the narrative contained in the minor trine (see below).

USA Solar Return 2024: The Minor Trine

The minor trine is comprised of a trine aspect between Venus (9th) and Saturn (4th) with sextile aspects from both of those planets to Mars (7th) as the apex planet. In a minor trine, the apex planet is the key to its expression. So what is the minor trine concerned with? What is going to be expressed through Mars? Let’s break it down:

• Venus (9th) shows a love of freedom and liberty.
• Saturn (4th) is concerned with homeland security and putting home and family first. It’s traditional and conservative.
• So, Venus (9th)trine Saturn (4th) signifies conservative values connected to homeland (4th) and religion or beliefs (9th) and a desire for liberty.

With the apex planet, Mars in the 7th house, those who hold conservative values are likely to fight for them or express them aggressively or assertively during this year. Mars is divisive – you are either for something or against it – there’s no nuance. At best, it leads to vigorous campaigning and at worst, it leads to the kind of violence seen so recently. With Mars conjunct Uranus, violence is likely to be sudden, shocking, explosive and unexpected.

USA Solar Return 2024: Mars Conjunct Uranus

The Mars – Uranus conjunction is perhaps the most critical placement in the USA solar return chart 2024, because it triggers action – and it connects the minor trine to other important influences in the solar return chart, including – ultimately – the ‘easy’ opposition. Let’s break down what how its influence is and could play out:

• Mars (violence, firearms) plus Uranus (shock, surprise) has coincided with the attempt to shoot Donald Trump.
• This same conjunction occurred on January 6th 2021 – so it’s an aspect that has form.
• Its presence in the USA solar return chart 2024 suggests that chaos and violence between opposing factions is going to be a major feature in the USA this year.
• Mars is close to the Descendant – and angular planets are always powerful.
• Uranus (7th) is in sextile aspect to Venus (9th) and that connects the ‘easy opposition’ to the minor trine – in a significant way.

The Mars – Uranus connection to 9th house Venus provides an opportunity for it’s energy to be expressed in ways that are literal and surprising. As I was writing this, news broke about the dismissal of the ‘stolen documents’ case and it occurred to me that Judge Aileen Cannon is literally represented in the solar return chart by the Venus (9th) sextile Mars (7th) aspect:

• Female judge in a legal case (Venus, 9th)
• A divisive figure accused of being a partisan, Trump appointed conservative judge (Mars, 7th)

This is not the only literal representation you will see in the USA solar return chart 2024 – astrology often works that way, as the key players embody the underlying dynamics of the solar return chart. In astrology – and in this solar return chart – all things are connected. Except Jupiter…

USA Solar Return 2024: Unaspected Jupiter

So, what’s up with Jupiter, alone in the 7th house? I want to get away from the idea that Jupiter here is joyous and beneficial for relationships; as ever with Jupiter luck and benefits don’t always match the ideal. For example, in personal astrology this placement is often associated with divorce – and though divorce may be ultimately beneficial to both parties – it doesn’t feel that way at the time. Jupiter is in the house of ‘open enemies’ – and as Jupiter expands where it lands, it suggests enmity is going to be a huge issue in the US during the coming year.

The USA is a country, so relational hostility that leads to divorce is not strictly relevant, but this isolated Jupiter suggests the following:

• A massive ideological, religious or political divide (Jupiter, 7th house) within the country
• As Jupiter rules Sagittarius (2nd house cusp) that also threatens the stability (2nd house) of the union (7th house).

Unaspected planets in a chart send a big message, but its a message that’s often difficult to integrate into whatever else is indicated by the solar return chart – and that’s why it may go unheard or unappreciated. In the context of everything else that’s happening – that’s something to be borne in mind.

USA Solar Return 2024: The Easy Opposition

Let’s move to the ‘easy’ opposition. First: ‘easy’ is a much overused term in astrology. It implies good or positive outcomes, but that’s not always so. Easy simply means that events unfold without hindrance – or at speed . With an easy opposition, the ‘stand off’ between the opposed planets finds an easy outlet via a trine/sextile aspect to a third planet. Mercury(9th) opposes Pluto (3rd) and the outlet planet is Neptune (5th)

In the USA solar return chart 2024, the opposition is between Mercury (9th) and Pluto (3rd) signifies the following:

• Bitterly opposed ideas and concepts of how the nation should be.
• Visceral feelings are opposed to reason.
• Extreme positions and beliefs make it difficult to negotiate compromise.
• Mercury (9th) opposite Pluto (3rd) signifies toxic and destructive public debate.

Unfortunately, the ‘easy’ outlet offers few solutions, as it’s via Neptune (5th) – and here are a few reasons why:

• Neptune represents a collective, illusory mindset susceptible to ‘group think’.
• It’s the planet of cult membership and collective escapism.
• It shows that risks may not be easy to see – or are easily ignored.

Neptune here signifies endless drama and folks love a good show. And this is like a reality TV show. And that brings me to this point: at its heart, this toxic debate is concerned with ‘The American Dream’. Which version of this dream will win?

There is one more thing about this opposition I want to draw your attention towards:

• Mercury opposite Pluto represents Donald Trump (Gemini) vs. Joe Biden (Scorpio).

How does the opposition outlet – Neptune (5th) relate to both of these men? Let’s dig into that:

• Mercury (9th) trine Neptune (5th) makes it easy to sell a dream, vision – or fantasy.
• Donald Trump’s connection with Neptune confirms that he is ‘preaching to the converted’. Issues with truthfulness, fantasy, unrealistic beliefs and ‘alternative facts’ are easy to transmit and difficult to overcome with a trine aspect.
• Neptune (5th) sextile Pluto (3rd) shows a loss (Neptune)of Joe Biden’s capacity to express himself (5th house) as powerfully as he needs to during an election campaign.
• Where both candidates are concerned, a powerful media (Pluto, 3rd) has the opportunity (sextile) to undermine the message, or forces beyond anyone’s control could do the same.

Neptune in the 5th house (the gambling house) suggests that there is a lot at stake for the USA this year – it’s risky and the real risk is that those placing the bets may not comprehend exactly how much is at stake – or are addicted to the glamour and excitement of risk. It’s like ‘going all the way’ without any protection and hoping all will be well. The USA solar return 2024 suggests this is a year in which the most important game of all could be played – and everything could be lost.

USA Solar Return 2024: Joining The Dots…

I suspect none of the above is a surprise, so let’s look at the aspects that feed into this easy opposition – and there is a chain of sextile aspects connecting Venus, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. One thing leads to another and it goes something like this:

• Venus, 9th house, sextile Uranus, 7th house: love of freedom, liberty or religious values divides the nation’s established partnership.
• Uranus (7th) sextile Neptune (5th): an unconventional, charismatic figure exerts influence and inspires a mass following.
• Neptune (5th) sextile Pluto (3rd): a powerful speaker promises good times.

All of that is feeding the current debate – and the battle for the soul of America. Beliefs, rebellion and illusions are providing the opportunity for radical change. Which way will it go?

USA Solar Return 2024: The Eighth House Moon

The eighth house shows a battle between unequal forces, power plays and death – the end of one state of being that must occur before the transition to something else. Another way of describing this house is that life as you know it ceases to exist. The Moon in this house shows that some of the public are good with that – and others are concerned or uncomfortable. Your feelings about change may depend on which side of the debate you are on.

The Moon (8th) is square Neptune (5th) and inconjunct Pluto (3rd) so let’s unpick that:

• The Moon is feeding on repressed feelings and emotions. It’s dark and vengeful. If there’s a dark night of the soul lunar placement – this is it.
• The Moon square Neptune is confused, insecure and isolationist. It suggests that during the year, the USA will have an inward, introspective focus – and a need to heal.
• The Moon inconjunct Pluto suggests that everything has changed – and things may become deeply uncomfortable for some, or take a lot of getting used to for everyone.

And everything changing – and trying to come to terms with that – is the important part. It’s not a comfortable aspect. It involves profound shock. Having to adjust to serious changes in the concept of what constitutes the United States of America. Having to emotionally process – as a country – the loss of whatever you had before – in the most general sense. The Moon represents women, so there is also the implication that there is a profound shift in matters that affect women; are women going to be disempowered, or do women have the power to effect the radical shift indicated by the Moon-Pluto inconjunct? Only November will tell…

USA Solar Return 2024: Summary

So, belated happy birthday America – it looks like the coming year is going to be a challenging one. Here are the main takeaways:

• The Sun: its a year of the great power struggle over control of the nation
• The minor trine: the fight for conservative values or a fight caused by aggressive conservative values…
• Mars conjunct Uranus: a nation divided and at war with itself.
• Unaspected Jupiter: Divorce appears imminent and you need to think about how much that will cost.
• The easy opposition: it’s Trump vs. Biden – a battle between two bitterly opposed ideologies and the future direction of the USA.
• Neptune’s influence: how can I put this – are you really prepared to bet the house?
• Joining the dots: this is how you got here – and it’s your choice which way you go…
• The 8th house Moon: whatever happens, you’re going to have to live with it.
• Women may have more power than they think…

Good luck.

PS: This report was written before Kamala Harris became the Democrat nominee, but all points remain valid!

Sara Shipman, November 2024.

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Further Reading

Sara Shipman | Astrology Books

Donald Trump: Solar Return Chart 2024

Joe Biden: Solar Return Chart 2023

US Election Astrology: Who Will Face Trump in November?

Solar Eclipse in Aries: The Great American Eclipse 2024

The Big 2024 Horoscope: The Year Ahead

I don’t often link out to other articles, but this is an excellent post by Ken Witt about America’s Birthday and the wider discussions about the Sibly Chart:

https://medium.com/@kenwitt3/american-astrology-birth-chart-of-the-united-states-15c0ec5e713

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© Sara Shipman 2024

Picture Credit: Image by Wynn Pointaux from Pixabay