Solar Arc Directions

Author: Alison Price   –   Published: September 2025

Solar Arc Directions

This time I’m chatting about one of astrology’s most intriguing forecasting tools, solar arc directions. Once you get your head around them, solar arc directions are simple to use, accurate and can add real depth to your astrology forecasting practice.

Combinations

Personally, I find that solar arc directions really come alive when combined with transits. The blend offers a fuller and more nuanced picture of what is unfolding in someone’s life.

Client’s Charts

That said, I want to be clear and that when I’m working with clients, I never rely on just one technique. I weave together a variety of forecasting tools including transits, lunations and eclipses, the graphic ephemeris, solar arc directions, secondary progressions, and solar return charts. Each one adds a different layer, and together they create a richer interpretation and insight on more levels. And just to get an idea, the diagram below shows how I segment my time when forecasting.

In this article, we’re going to focus on solar arc directions, exploring how they work, why they matter, and how you can use them to pinpoint key turning points and life shifts.

• Read more on Forecasting Techniques

Podcast

Solar Arc Directions

Listen to our recent podcast episode about solar arc directions.

Symbolic Forecasting

Directions

Solar arc directions are one of the two main symbolic forecasting techniques in astrology the other being secondary progressions. They are called symbolic because they do not represent an actual astronomical motion of the planets, like a transit does. Rather they give a symbolic measurement of time applied to a natal chart.

Progressions

The solar arc directions technique, or directions for short, is closely related to secondary progressions. Both techniques use symbolic time measures to move the natal chart forward and reflect the unfolding of your life events.

Differences

The key difference is that in solar arc directions, all the planets and chart points are advanced at the same rate as the Sun’s annual motion (about one degree per year). This makes the technique simple, easy to eyeball, consistent and easy to apply across an entire chart.

Stand Alone

Solar arc directions can be used on their own as a stand-alone predictive method but not usually. However, I find them most effective when combined with transits. Transits describe the current positions of the planets in real time, while solar arc directions show symbolic growth and inner development. Together, they provide both an inner timeline and an outer trigger, creating a fuller picture of potential life events.

Layering

This layering of solar arc directions for psychological themes and growth, transits for outer events allows astrologers to offer rich, multi-dimensional forecasts. For example, a solar arc direction may suggest a significant internal shift, and a transit to the same planet or point might correspond with the actual external circumstances that bring that shift into shart focus.

Development of Solar Arc Directions

History Timeline


Astrological forecasting techniques have evolved steadily over centuries, with different astrologers refining and adapting the practice of directions. Solar arc directions, as we know them today, did not appear fully formed instead they grew out of a long tradition of experimenting with symbolic time measures. 

Below is a timeline of key contributions:

Ptolemy: Primary Directions


Claudius Ptolemy outlined the earliest known system of symbolic directions in his Tetrabiblos. Primary directions move the planets and points of a birth chart forward in time at the same rate the Earth rotates (roughly one degree per year of life). This became the foundation for later timing techniques.

Maginus: Secondary Progressions


Maginus expanded on earlier methods and popularized what became known as secondary progressions, where each day after birth is taken to represent one year of life. This method gave us astrologers a new symbolic way to examine life unfolding.

Naibod: Naibod Arc Directions


Naibod introduced a refinement known as the “Naibod arc” which is based on the average daily motion of the Sun (59’08” per day). His approach adjusted the primary direction system, offering a more practical way of timing events. 

Placidus: Solar Arc Directions


Placidus brought the system closer to what we now call solar arc directions. His work symbolically advanced all points in the chart by the same arc as the Sun’s movement, creating a unified and simplified technique. This laid the groundwork for modern solar arc forecasting, where every planet and point is moved forward at the solar rate which is about one degree per year give or take. Solar arc directions are now widely used in modern astrology for their simplicity and reliability in predictive work.

Solar Arc Directed Sun

Progressed Sun = Directed Sun

The solar arc directed chart is based on the secondary progression method of day-for-a-year.

The progressed Sun is always at the same position as the directed Sun.

A solar arc directed chart is calculated by taking the position of the day-for-a-year transiting Sun and moving all the planets and points the exact distance (in degrees and minutes) forwards as the Sun. All the directed planets move forward the same distance as the solar arc directed Sun.

Solar Arc Directed Chart

How to Calculate a Solar Arc Directed chart

• Find the position of the natal Sun.
• Find the position of the progressed Sun.
• Find the distance between natal Sun and progressed Sun in degrees and minutes. This degree number is the current solar arc.
• Move all the planets and points the exact distance (in degrees and minutes) forwards as the progressed Sun.

The Sun’s Daily Motion

Speed

The transiting Sun travels through 360° each year, but it does not move at the same rate each day. The speed depends on the zodiac sign the Sun is transiting. This can affect the solar arc direction calculations.

How far the Directed Sun Moves

Here are some approximate values that the directed Sun will move over the course of your liufe.

• Age one month old = 05′.
• Age one year old = 60′ = 1°.
• Age forty years old = 40°.
• Age seventy-five years old = 75°.

Equal Openings

Arcs

An arc is part of the curve of a circle.

Planetary Arcs

The degree amount between any two planets in your natal chart is known as an opening.

Solar Arc Length

Each year you will have a wider opening solar arc. At some point, your solar arc distance will equal these planetary openings from smaller to larger openings.

One Hit Openings

For example, if you have a gap of 25° between your Moon and Jupiter, the meaning of these two planets will be triggered when your solar arc distance equals the opening between your Moon and Jupiter of 25°, which will be at age twenty-five. These planetary openings will be important years in line with the urges of the two planets involved.

List Your Openings

It is useful to list all your openings, planet pairs and degrees ahead of time. Not everyone has the same gaps in their natal chart nor has the same pairs of planets at the edges of the gaps.

The Sun’s Orbit

Movement and Speed

During the course of the year the Sun moves slightly quicker through Capricorn each day, and slightly slower through Cancer. The distance travelled by the Sun in fifty years may be slightly more, or less, than fifty degrees on the zodiac. It depends on your Sun’s sign at birth if it is initially moving slowly or fast.

Sun’s Movement

• The transiting Sun travels 360° in 365 days.
• The Sun does not move the exact same distance each day.
• The Sun’s average speed is 59′ a day

Age and Your Solar Arc

The older you are, the longer your solar arc will be. If you are twenty-five years old your solar arc will be around 25°. If you are seventy your solar arc will be around 70°.

Retrograde

There are no retrograde movement in solar arcs as all the planets and points move forward through the zodiac.

The Sun’s Movement

One Day per Year

If we use the yardstick of one day per year of life, then someone aged fifty years old will have their chart moved 50° forward through solar arc movement. Just by looking at the natal chart you can make a judgement surrounding possible events through the simple movement of solar arcs.

Example Ascendant

Any planet 15° above the Ascendant, in the natal twelfth house, will reach the natal Ascendant, by solar arc, in fifteen years. This will ignite the person’s personality, self and ego.

Example Midheaven

Any planet 21° to the right of the Midheaven, and therefore in the natal ninth house, will conjoin the natal Midheaven at around age twenty-one years by solar arc. This will stimulate the urge for status, career and reputation building.

Rectification with Solar Arcs

Birth Time

It follows that life-changing events can be closely timed to a solar arc planet conjoining one of the four angles. The conjoining planet will affect yourself (Ascendant), your marriage or life partner (Descendant), your career and public standing (Midheaven) or your family and home life (IC). If you know of specific years when something occurred in line with the meaning of an angle then you can adjust the natal ascendant to suit. In this way using solar arc direction to help find a correct birth time is invaluable.

Arc Length

Directed Ascendant Calculation

The directed Midheaven is calculated as per the planets, but the directed Ascendant is calculated in another way. With the directed Midheaven degree, simply refer to the Table of Houses for the natal place of birth to find the directed Ascendant.

Interpreting Directions

There are some unique features of solar arc directions:

• Solar arc directions only occur once in a lifetime.
• The solar arc directed chart is not interpreted as a standalone chart, it is always referenced back to the natal chart.
• Solar arc directed aspects between the planets are the same as the planetary aspects in the natal chart.
• The solar arc Ascendant/Descendant axis can form new aspects with the planets.
• The solar arc Midheaven/IC axis can form new aspects with the planets.
• You need to thoroughly know and understand the natal chart in question before you attempt to interpret the solar arc directed chart.

Solar Arc Directed Chart

Interpretation Sequence

Solar arc directions are interpreted by comparing the solar arc directed chart to the natal chart. Typically, you will cast a bi-wheel with the natal chart in the middle and the solar arc directed chart on the outside.

Interpret in the following sequence:

• Solar arc directed angles changing sign.
• Solar arc directed angles changing house.
• Solar arc directed planets changing sign.
• Solar arc directed planets changing house.
• Solar arc directed aspects to the natal chart.
• Solar arc directed contacts to the Aries points

Angles

Directed Angles Changing Sign

What to note with the solar arc directed chart’s angles:

• The Ascendant and Descendant will change signs in pairs.
• The Midheaven and the IC will change signs together.
• The polarity of the Ascendant will change from negative to positive or from positive to negative depending on the signs.

Directed Ascendant changing Sign

• There will be a new directed chart ruler.
• Your personal outlook will change.
• People will begin to see you in a new light.
• You give off a different first impression.
• Your face and looks changes over time.

Directed Descendant changing Sign

• Your approach to relationships changes.
• The way you relate to others begins to be different.
• People do not respond to you in the same way as before.

Directed Midheaven changing Sign

• Your public status changes.
• Your career may take a new path.
• The world views you in a different light.
• Your reputation aligns to the new sign.

Directed IC changing Sign

• Your private life changes.
• You view your family in a new light.
• You review the foundations of your life.

Directed Angles Changing House

Directed Houses

In a year when a directed angle axis changes house it will be a focus on the affairs of those houses. You will become more oriented to the areas of life suggested by the house and there will be a spotlight on the natal ruler of that house.

Directed Ascendant conjoined the 2nd house cusp

This occurs at around age thirty depending on the size of the natal first house.

• You begin to look for stability and form.
• The get urge to settle down.

Directed Ascendant conjoined the 3rd house cusp

This occurs at around age sixty depending on the size of the first and second houses.

• You slowly begin to appreciate your siblings and neighbors.
• You may wish to revisit your childhood neighborhood.

Directed Ascendant conjoined the IC and 4th house cusp

This occurs at around age of ninety depending on the size of the first quadrant.

• You focus on the end of life and your twilight years.
• You begin to return to your family.

Directed Midheaven conjoined the 11th house cusp

This occurs at about age thirty depending on the size of the tenth house.

• You reach out and build a career network of friends and associates
• You begin to appreciate those who have stood by you

Directed Midheaven conjoined the 12th house cusp

This occurs at around age sixty depending on the sizes of the previous houses.

• Your outer life becomes more contemplative.
• The pace of life may begin to slow down.

Directed Midheaven conjoined the Ascendant

This occurs at about age ninety depending on the size of the fourth quadrant.

• You begin to return to your initial loves and accept your personality
• This can be a time of starting a new chapter in life

Extend Yourself

Solar Arc Directions: Angles

Referring to your natal chart:

• Find how many degrees there are from your natal Ascendant to the next sign.
• Find how many degrees are there from your Ascendant to the 2nd house cusp.
• Note what date your next solar directed Ascendant sign change will be.
• Note what date your next solar directed Ascendant house change will be.
• Note when and which sign your solar arc directed Descendant will enter next.
• Note at what ages did, and will, your directed Midheaven change signs.
• Note at what ages did, and will, your directed Midheaven change house.

Extend Yourself Further

Solar Arc Directions: Angles Interpretations

For your next forthcoming Ascendant sign change (above) please do the following:

• Write a few sentences on how this could manifest in your personal life. Mention the new chart ruler, polarity and element change (100 words).
• Explore how your solar arc Descendant sign shift is likely to be expressed through your meaningful personal relationships (100 words).
• For your next forthcoming Midheaven sign change, write a few sentences on how this could manifest in your life. Through status, career or reputation. Mention the polarity and element change (100 words).
• Explore how your solar arc Immum Coeli sign shift is likely to be expressed through your family, home life and roots (100 words).

Author Bio

Alison Price: Professional Astrologer

Alison helps you uncover your individual creativity and lead a fulfilling life using your own astrology. She shares her wisdom from the heart with a touch of humor. She offers Consultations for everyone and Coaching for Aspiring Astrologers.

If you’d like to get in touch with Alison, you can reach out to her via email at starzology@gmail.com.

More Articles

If you enjoyed this post, you may like some more astrology related articles from our blog.