Customer Reviews

Transits And Solar Returns; A New System of Analysis for Two Ancient Methods

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Being a Professional Astrologer and writer myself, I found this to be one of the best books I have reasd in sometime on the subject of Solar Returns.
I strongly recomend it to anyone with an interest in this area.
The read was easy enough for the student to understand and yet would hold the interest of any professional as well.
Well done, 5 stars!!
CS, Tucson Az

I had not heard of this author prior to purchasing this book. As I understand it, he is thought to be one of the best Italian astrologers with years of experience.
Now, about the book. The thing that I liked was that he doesn't mince his words. Good is good and bad is bad. Yes, "bad" very often signifies psychological growth and he mentions that, but this doesn't prevent it from being unpleasant. So, he seems to have a traditional mentality towards astrology. I like that.
The good things however end here. Transits, in my opinion, is by far the most unreliable predictive method. Yet, half of the book is devoted to them in the usual cookbook manner. Mr Discepolo seems to indirectly agree about the unreliability of transits, since in many of his example charts at the end of the book he says something like "by transits alone, no astrologer could have predicted such a horrible year...". However, this didn't stop him from delineating even the Sun transits. Useless.
The most important part of the book is, naturally, not his average interpretation of transits, but what he says about solar returns. He says that if the SR (solar return) ascendant falls in the natal 12th, 1st or 6th houses, you are going to have a terrible year, an "annus horribilis" as he calls it. About the 12th house, he says that although there have been some nasty stuff associated with it, no one has demonized it before him. That's not true. If he were familiar with traditional astrology, he wouldn't be saying things like that. Apparently, he is not.
We can understand why a 12th or a 6th house year can be a problem, but what about the first house? He doesn't offer any explanation. It is so, because experience has shown it is so, that's what he says. But when you come up with a discovery like that, you have to make changes in your astrology. You have to change perhaps your delineation of the first house. Are we to understand that the natal first house is not bad, but the SR 1st house is? If so, why?
What he doesn't say, but other authors have done so, is that when the SR Ascendant is the same as the natal Ascendant, this promises a year to remember. But, whether that's for good or for ill, it depends on the natal chart itself. It's as if this is a year when your natal chart can show its potential. Mr Discepolo, however, seems to treat solar return charts as stand alone charts. He doesn't make any connections between the natal chart and the SR chart, only when it comes to transits.
Now, I've had some 12th and 6th house returns, but I can't recall anything out of the ordinary happening. Ah, he says. Those returns are worse for old people. But when somebody is 80 years old he doesn't need a 6th house return for him to have health problems. These problems come with age.
He goes on by saying that you will also have an "annus horribilis" when there is a stellium of planets in the 12th, 6th and 1st house of the Solar Return chart. So, three more possibilities for a terrible year. But he is not quite finished yet. A terrible year is also promised when Mars is in the 12th, 6th, or 1st house of the SR chart and, of course, when the Sun of the SR Chart is in these houses. Six more possibilities. You can also have a year of bereavement when the Sun is in the 11th house. Why this is so, he doesn't explain. If he had thought about it, he would have realized that the 11th house is the 8th from the 4th. Death (8th) of family members (4th). Now, I'm not saying that you should worry, I'm just trying to give an explanation, because he doesn't feel the need to do so. Furthermore, a 10th house year (SR ascendant falling in the natal 10th house) can also be a problem. Not to mention angular malefic planets (judging from his example charts) in the SR chart. OK, what this boils down to is that half (or perhaps more) of your solar return charts will have one of the above. So, half our life is going to be terrible. It doesn't matter if you have a wonderful birth chart, Mr Discepolo doesn't care. As he points out, bad things happen much more often than good ones.
What he does is find the "index of risk" of the year, based on an algorithm that he doesn't disclose, and warns the client. But what areas of life will be affected? He doesn't know. Anything is possible. It doesn't matter that it's a 6th house year, your health may be fine, but you can get a divorce or get arrested. All it matters is that his index of risk is high, even though (judging again from his examples) sometimes it isn't and people still have horrible years, which of course means that their birth data is incorrect. So, if you are a practicing astrologer, read the first few pages of the book where all the rules are laid out, don't read the rest because no explanations are given and then tell your client that he is going to have a horrible year. Nothing further. If they refuse to pay you, give them a copy of this book.
Wait! He does more than warn his clients. He sends them away from home so that the houses of the SR chart change and cease to be a problem. But where does he send them, I wonder? He has to avoid the natal 6th, 12th and 1st houses, Mars and stelliums in the same SR houses, perhaps avoid the 8th house because it is tricky, avoid the 4th/10th house axis because of angularity, avoid the 11th house because of bereavement. There's not much left, is there?
To sum up, this is a book from an arrogant astrologer, who probably has no idea what he is talking about, but refuses to learn because he believes he knows everything already. A dangerous book.

As of this writing, I realize that I'm the first person to give this book a four-star rating. Seven reviewers behind me all gave it five stars, but there are just one or two minor details that prevent this book from getting a full five stars.

There is no shadow of a doubt that Ciro Discepolo is an accomplished and knowledgeable astrologer. That goes without saying. "Transits and Solar Returns" is a monumental effort, being one of the few books in astrological literature today to thoroughly examine the intricate individual meanings of both transits AND solar return planets in the houses and by aspect.

However, the one-star deduction mostly comes with the personal attitude he displays in his writing style. He appears to be very condescending at times and overbearing. For example, take a look at his descriptions for Mars in the 1st, 6th, and 12th Houses (or the Ascendant lying in those houses of the natal chart, more specifically). He completely brandishes those placements as negative and something to be avoided, when in fact, you should NOT take those descriptions seriously at all!

For example, I have Mars in the 12th House in Scorpio for my 2012 Solar Return. I will be in Los Angeles at that time going for my Ph.D., and it is during that specific year (beginning around my birthday of Sept. 24th, when the new school year begins) that I will start my Ph.D. research. Wouldn't Mars in the 12th House in Scorpio here clearly indicate vigorously pursuing an activity behind-the-scenes with something research-oriented? YES. It does not indicate "general troubles in every field of life, or one specific and very serious harm." Also, for 2013 and 2014, I have Mars in the 6th House for BOTH those years (in Leo and Sagittarius fire signs, respectively). I will still be in the research phase of my Ph.D. education, or just about to start writing my thesis and making those results public (which if I do make them public, it will be with great enthusiasm, as indicated by the Mars fire sign placements). I really don't see how this would relate to a serious health condition at all. I mean, sure, maybe my Ph.D. education could mentally tax myself, but in my case, that's highly unlikely.

Overall, Ciro needs to infuse a more psychological take of astrology with (what appears to be) his more empirical and fact-based approach. His book is only second to Mary Fortier Shea's "Planets in Solar Returns: Yearly Cycles of Transformation and Growth." If you want the best interpretations for Mars in those three houses, read her! She's got the real answers there.

Other points worth mentioning: I feel that Ciro's inclusion of those example charts is just filler material. That many examples are very unnecessary. Also, with regard to "The Index of Risk for the Year," you could only find that out with a specific software package. Why can't you also find that out manually by yourself? Mr. Discepolo should create a methodology whereby the reader or astrologer could assess certain aspects, positions, placements, etc. for each solar return year and tally up those values (given by Ciro in a table of sorts) to find the Risk Index. I think that in his next edition (which there should be one), he should consider adding this idea into the text.

While there is good information here, I wanted something that felt empowering to read. I want to work with the energies of my solar return. I believe that having the ascendant in the sixth house is neither positive nor negative but that it is a complex of energies that are being worked with for the year. Some combinations take more finesse than others but I for one don't want to be motivated by fear to travel on my birthday. I want the combination of energies to support my endeavors, not to be labeled good or bad.

This is definitely the Bible of Solar Return Astrology, pure essence of this field. One could read this book only and manage to understand what the Solar Return is and how it works. The information is very concentrated and stresses on the most important elements that should be regarded in a Solar Return chart.

The genius of Ciro Discepolo consists first of all in his ability to extract the 33 essential rules of the Solar Return. No other astrologer before has ever had either the courage or the ability to even name a few DON'Ts that should be considered in making a Solar Return.

All the previous work on this subject talks only about how the individual grows and evolves with every Solar Return that passes over, no matter if bad or good. Traditional Astrology doesn't care about the individual's agony through the carousel named "life". It is just fine with them to talk about "the great developmental cycle". We are tired of all this beating about the bush and pampering of the bad celestials or of the astrological aspects.

Ciro Discepolo gives straight answers and directions. No doubt "Transits and Solar Returns" is a revolutionary book that highlights what should be truly considered in any Solar Return. From now on, we have the Guide that shows exactly which path to follow when we forecast and what is really important. There is no point in stressing on how a Mars in a fire sign could make our actions or activities more direct or energetic, since this Mars lies menacingly in the 12th house of the SR. Thus, we could expect to be robbed, attacked, injured in accidents, suffer complicated surgeries, etc. This is the great error of the Traditional Astrology: it concentrates too much on the details and looses the essential. Why should we fill pages on how a Solar Return Ascendant in Taurus makes us more practical, predictable, drawn to arts or willing to start a business, since it lies gloriously in the 12th house? It is like buying an ice-cream just for its color and not for its taste.

The 33 rules presented in the book definitely are the pillar of Active Astrology. I noticed on blogs and in some reviews, that many argued about the most important rule of the Solar Return: 1st, 6th and 12th houses together with Mars are extremely damaging when highlighted. I have to confess that, after reading the book, I made all the Solar Return charts that me and my family had by now, just to see if it applies. I was amazed. The rule is very true.

Ciro Discepolo clarifies that "Anytime we face a disgrace in our life, at least one of the 3 malefic houses (1st, 6th,12th) is involved in the SR!" and not the other way round as it has been speculated (Anytime the 3 houses are involved, we face a disgrace). Well, to me, bad things happened every time I had Mars or the 3 houses highlighted. I even noticed that the disgrace and damage is even higher when at least 2 of the 3 malefic houses are empowered.

I would like to give a few examples. In 1994, when I was 8 years old my parents gave me a cute little kitten as a pet. I loved her so much and played all day with her. One day of this horrific year, while I was playing, I mistakenly stepped over the little kitten's head and she died in my hands. All my tears and cries were not enough to help her. I was in shock for a few months after seeing the blood and dead body of my beloved friend. It was a terrible accident that marked me for life. Looking at the Solar Return chart, I see the Sun, Venus, Mercury and Saturn in the 6th house and the AS in the dreadful 12th house. Venus didn't have any benefic power and was not able to protect the 6th house of the pets, while facing the 2 bad sectors, 6th and 12th.

Another example would be the death of my grandpa, my mother's father. My mother had a very serious argument with her father a few weeks before he died. She didn't speak to him anymore and couldn't forgive him for the things he had said. At the same time, he had suffered an ulcer surgery that weakened him a lot. He eventually ended up in hospital. She decided and went to see him, but with a casual attitude. The last image of her father alive was him staying at the window of the hospital and waving his hand to say goodbye. After grandpa died, she suffered a great shock and fell into depression. She didn't have the time to say "I forgive you, father". The image of her father waving his hand at the window of the hospital still appears now in her dreams and hunts her. She knew that his waving meant "I'm sorry", but she couldn't wave back at him. The AS of the year (2004) lied in her 12th house. Jupiter in the 1st house simply couldn't have the power to create a positive year. With all that, Traditional Astrology still argues that anytime Jupiter is in the 1st house, the year is benefic. To turn the page to another disputed rule, guess how my SR looked for 2004? The Sun was in my 1st house (burdensome year) and AS in the 4th (family). To complete, the AS of my sister was in the 11th house (mourning).

I will give another example that proves the 1st house is a malefic sector in the SR. I was 14 when I was accused unjustly by some envious school mates, of placing chewing gum on the chair of a teacher. Even some colleagues that I considered friends of mine, lied and showed their hate towards me. A great pressure was unfairly put on me and had to bear a lot of malicious attitudes. It was a very treacherous year that marked my personality and development in a damaging way. I had a stellium in the 1st house of the SR, together with the Sun.

I will end the list of examples with the story of a friend of mine. My friend had a very bad year in 2010. He confesses to have had in fact the worst year of his life: he was fired from work, his girlfriend left him, the owner of the apartment where he stayed with rent ended the contract and his beloved grandma which he loved and trusted even more than his parents, died. His grandma had raised him. His AS for that year was in the 10th natal house and the Sun formed a stellium with Mercury and Saturn in the 1st house of the SR.

I have so many examples that prove the authenticity of the 33 rules. My examples only, would fill hundreds of pages. What I need to say, is that these awful years, somehow, expand their damaging influence over many years ahead and, sometimes, even manage to spoil the great things we achieve with many efforts during years. The evil events usually mark us so bad that we never recover. So, where is the evolution or the spiritual development that the Traditional Astrology is talking about?

"Transits and Solar Returns" of Ciro Discepolo is a very precious book that needs to be read carefully. There is no need to judge the rules and try anxiously to repel them when it is obvious that they work perfectly. They are, after all, the scientific result of a lifetime research in practice, not just in theory. Time will prove that the Active Astrology practice is the only one able to offer straight answers and predictions for our future. This is just the beginning of this New Era of Astrology.

The books of Ciro Discepolo contributed to my training as an astrologer. These are books of research and consultation that should be taken when you have a passion for astrology. The student of astrology has much to gain from the knowledge of Ciro. In 1996, when I was studying in Italy, I found for the first time a publication of Ciro. Since then I've been following the printed publications, online publications and blog. Today I am a professional astrologer in my country and I am still amazed at what I'm learning from this renowned astrologer.

This is an excellent book for learning solar return and transit, no fancy theories, just practical guidelines based on years of field experience. If you are new to solar return and transit like me, I highly recommend this book. I was able to utilize and apply some of the concepts in the book right away. I tried it out on my own charts and my friends' charts, it could not be more accurate. It is a must have for anyone who is looking for an easy to understand book to begin their learning on the topic.

This is an excellent book for Astrologers wanting to learn more about transits and solar returns. The Author explains everything in plain simple terms and is a top class Astrologer. Any Astrolger would learn a lot from this reading. I will certainly be reading more of his work, as I have gained a lot from this.

This is a breakthrough book by a master astrologer that is destined to become a classic. Straightforward rules and well documented by examples, Ciro Discepolo steps the reader through the basics of solar return analysis. But what makes this book exceptional is the author's understanding and clear communication of prioritization - of looking first to the natal chart and transits that year before selecting a solar return location. For instance, in a year in which Pluto is square to the natal sun by transit and other difficult configurations are present it would be unwise to select a solar return with the return sun in the 10th house. The bipolar nature of planets would likely fall to the side of infamy rather than fame because of the detrimental transits. Under strongly difficult transits a quiet and balanced solar return would be more positive than one that is highly charged. That understanding alone is well worth the price of the book and too sadly absent from some other solar return books.
This text also specifies the meanings of each planet in each house of a solar return and the cautions. For example the sun in the solar return 4th house typically signals residence or real estate concerns in the coming year. However if relevant strongly charged and challenging aspects by transit are also occurring "the overall reading of the simultaneous transits and of the solar return itself is detrimental, this combination may be considered quite dangerous, in fact it may announce your hospitalization..." p. 330.
Ciro Discepolo also maintains a free website for calculating the risk index of any chosen solar return to support the self selection process. [...]
For the serious student of astrology who wishes to use solar returns as a practical tool to improve their life this book is a real treasure.

I have been studying astrology for several years and having read and studied a myriad of authors from different schools (including Arroyo,Greene and Barbault), I regard this book as an impressive feat - the product of decades of in depth studies on the subject by the author who can be regarded as one of astrology's great figures.

The book is a highly informative treatise on transits and solar returns. The reader is transported on different planes of astrological interpretation - one can learn great things from this book but I would not recommended it for the faint of heart. Ciro's intellectual integrity does not falter-the astrological journey for the reader is a very challenging one as is life, but Ciro's approach is a constructive one - knowledge can help us to ride through the storms-and the effects of various planetary positions may be contained by following his method of analysis. A total hit with the more experienced and less experienced student of astrology.