CAAE Solar Return Series 2024 to 2026

By Emily Laying

The Canadian Association for Astrological Education was formed in 1993 and in 2023 went through its first Saturn return. That year was marked by the loss of two long-standing members which sent shockwaves through the organization. A difficult time indeed, but a group of like minded members remains, determined to see the organization through. 

Since the CAAE has also recently concluded an annual Solar Return, I thought I would take a look and see how the restructuring is unfolding astrologically. I do not rely on predictive astrology for the most part; I paint the future in broad strokes, allowing free will and circumstance to complete the canvas.

I am drawn to Mary Shea’s Solar Return Series approach. I also believe that change occurs slowly, ideas germinate, grow, and are put into action over time. Mary Shea has recognized recurring patterns of returns associated with the angular, succedent and cadent houses, although she refers to them as Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable. Each series can last up to 10 years and at the higher latitudes they are not always precise. I have myself noted that around the angles discrepancies in the Sun’s position often occur. Working with Whole Sign systems seems to rectify this, but I do prefer Placidus with all its quirks, so I keep these discrepancies in the back of my mind.

I am focusing on 2024 through to 2026, with 2025 being the pivotal year. The pivotal year is explored with a bi-wheel. as well as the standalone chart. The previous and following years are looked at through a wide lens, and are only deep enough to provide context to the current year. 

2024 saw the beginning of a Cardinal series which continues until 2031:

Year      Placement

2024     Sun in the 4th house

2025     Sun in the 12th house ruling the 1st (evidence of the anomaly)

2026     Sun in the 10th house

2027     Sun in the 7th house

2028     Sun in the 4th house

2029     Sun in the 12th house ruling the 1st (evidence of the anomaly)

2030     Sun in the 10th house

2031    Sun in the 8th house (Fixed series begins) 

A look at the natal….

Before beginning any project, it pays to have some familiarity with the standouts of the natal chart. The themes of the natal are often activated by transits or derived charts in ways that are subtle and could easily be missed. Every astrologer develops their own “go to” list of what the overview consists of:

I take Bernadette Brady’s Eagle analogy literally and view the chart from a distance and circle ever closer:

Hemispheric and quadrant balance - Balance above and below the horizon; an active chart with a 1st quadrant emphasis.

Chart pattern - Locomotive, but just misses being a Splash, lots of sextiles though not a Basket either.

Signatures - Cardinal earth, Capricorn Signature

Sun Moon Asc

Sun conjunct the MC in Guaquelin sector: Interestingly enough, natal Sun makes few aspects, but the ones it does make are impactful. The Sun is conjunct the MC, trines the Moon and North node, and sextiles Jupiter in the 12th house. The Moon in Sagittarius in the 2nd house is ruled by.Jupiter in the 12th house, often referred to as the “angel on the shoulder” placement. The blend of Sun/Moon and Asc speaks to an ambitious streak, pragmatic at the core, with an optimism to overcome obstacles. Venus, as the chart ruler resides in the 8th house in Gemini, providing a balance between spiritual growth and intellectual stimulation.

2024 - Setting The Stage

The previous year, 2024, was marked by a Sun and Moon in a Last Quarter Moon phase, indicative of the identity crisis the CAAE was experiencing in real time. 

The Sun in the 4th house opposing the MC and Pluto (both planets conjunct the 4/10 axis), demonstrates the struggle to maintain an identity in the midst of extreme events. The 4th house Sun is harnessing Pluto’s inherent push for transformation to forge a new foundation. Squared by the Moon in the 12th, the need for grounding and building a foundation is amplified by Pluto in a critical degree. 

It is interesting to note that the opposition will affect the entire Cardinal Series until Pluto starts its move out of orb in 2029.

The Moon in the 12th house is trining Mercury in the intercepted 5th house. Since house placement is considered before sign, I feel that, although the Moon and Mercury may struggle to find a way to combine their energies, the trine facilitates; the head and the heart will eventually find a way to work together. These two planets are in Houses of Life after all, that correspond to the fire signs, the energy is there to embrace change.

Mars in the 1st house squares Mercury in the 5th and although lively debate and curiosity abound, this aspect can be a double edged sword. Mars could lead to impatience, indicative of decisions which hinder progress, while on the other hand, Mercury could provide “out of the box” solutions to problems that arise. Venus in the 4th (with the Sun), trining Chiron in the 12th (with the Moon), brings healing and compassion to the tension in the chart, a bridge over troubled waters.

The rebuilding and the need for balance between emotional and objective reactions seem to accurately demonstrate the themes of 2024. 

2025 in review

The Lunar phase is now just about to move from the New Moon to the Crescent Moon, and the rush to change may now be tempered with a more practical approach.

This year also has unique conjunctions. The first being the Neptune and Saturn conjunction in the 9th. Neptune dissolves while Saturn builds, two very different energies. Both planets are in Aries, ruled by Mars, which is in conjunction with the Moon in the 2nd house. Moon/Mars energy is also out of step, rushing towards action reined in by a need for caution. Mercury rules Virgo from the depths of the 12th house, conjunct the Asc, highlighting that identity is strongly tied into a known and defined value system.

In Placidus, the Sun/Pluto opposition resides in the 6/12, with both squaring the MC. This placement of the Sun in the 12th, rather than following the Cardinal series, is the anomaly previously mentioned. In the 6/12 we see the public persona backed by the labours of service and sacrifice. Pluto trining Uranus indicates a unique opportunity for change; air signs in the houses of work also speak to a collaborative approach to achieve transformation.

Biwheel

Here we can see what 2025 brought to the Natal chart.

The Sun Pluto opposition comes to the 10th and 3rd houses of the natal chart. Uranus comes to the natal 8th house, and in critical degree could unearth financial irregularities or reveal secrets.

Solar Return Venus very recently returned to Natal Venus in the 8th, auspicious timing for forging new partnerships, healthy financial investments or managing resources wisely. Solar Return Venus is also within orb to connect the energy of the two opposing conjunction sets by squaring both Mars and Saturn. Mars has also very recently experienced a return. Saturn’s return occurred in 2023, and the organization may still be feeling the effects of that return.

With an overwhelming sense of “the show must go on” the CAAE tackled exam season, a new website and facebook page. This chart speaks to hard work infused with humanitarian purpose, and the determination to see it through. A work in progress, indeed.

2026 - things that go bump in the night….

The 2026 standalone chart is a flipped chart as is the natal. A flipped chart by definition is the opposite of the Natural wheel (Libra on the ASC and does not have intercepted houses.) These charts tend to create retrograde tendencies throughout the chart.

The Sun and Moon are now in a Gibbous Moon phase, a period of perfecting processes and skills. The Sun is once again in its natal position, the 10th house with Pluto opposing from the 4th. Jupiter is conjunct the Sun in the 10th indicating a sense of optimism and purpose. Chiron is squaring the Sun/Pluto opposition from the 7th indicating an opportunity for healing relationships and an ability modify past patterns of behaviour.

The Moon is active in this chart, conjunct the IC, opposing the MC, and squaring the ASC. The Moon is ruled by Saturn in the 6th which could bring tension, with feelings of not being seen, or effort not being recognized.

Mars is trining the Ascendant from the 9th house of new philosophies and approaches. With Mars squaring Venus (the ruler of the ascendant) in the 11th, here is a need to find the balance between the two. New ideas can invigorate the community and strengthen a new identity, although the square can also lead to conflicting ideas. Both are mutable by sign and compatible by house, so compromise is possible.

2026 starts with an optimism and sense of purpose. Keeping the lines of communication open contributes to a positive year ahead.

…in conclusion

Th Sun/Pluto opposition dominates not only these years, but indeed most of the Cardinal Series. Pluto moves out of orb to oppose the Sun in 2029, two years before the next series begins. In the week following the writing of this article, the importance of Pluto and my pondering drew me to the Sabian symbols, a meeting of science and mediumship that we tend to treat more as a novelty rather than science.

The “symbols” were developed in an era when astrology was relegated to the supernatural, the late 1800’s. The discoveries of Pluto and mysterious X-ray technology sparked a renewed interest in an unseen world and astrology got caught up in that net. To me, the symbols and the accompanying texts seem reminiscent of the parables of the “I Ching”, which on their own are excellent tools for meditation.

Looking at Pluto through the lens of the Sabian symbols during these years seems to reflect, in very few words, this very project:

2024 - Aquarius 00°45’

“A secret meeting of those responsible for executive decisions in world affairs”

Keynote - The power to assume responsibility for crucial choices arrived at after mature discussions with those that share this power.

2025 - Aquarius 2°30”

“An unexpected thunderstorm”

Keynote - The need to develop the inner security which will enable us to meet unexpected crisis.

2026 - Aquarius 4°15’

“A Hindu Yogi demonstrates his healing powers”

Keynote - The disciplined use of spiritual energies in restoring the natural harmony disturbed by man’s inharmonic ways to transcend nature through mind.

The CAAE enters 2026 with a new face and a focus on building community. Steps taken now to ensure the flow of communication can alleviate misunderstandings that often slow growth in new organizations. The head and heart not working together is at the centre of most conflicts…let’s meet the challenge “armed with will and determination… and grace, too” (quote from Grace by Gord Downie 1964 - 2017)