'It’s assumed that contacts to both the Nodes (particularly the South Node) and the Vertex feel like ‘fate’ is playing a hand. It’s assumed that both the Nodes and the Vertex axis give us those ‘aha’ moments, those rare, often once-in-a-lifetime meetings that stir us with feelings of forever (at first). They cause us to believe that the ‘one and only’ really exists–it must, because we’ve never felt this way before.

Study on Mercury influence on 1303 Grandmasters chess player charts. Now looking on Mercury angles with other planets and asteroids.

'I prefer to think of the Solar Return Chart in the same way I do the Natal Chart, which is that it does not determine outcomes or destinies in an inflexible way, but instead serves to highlight the ENERGIES available to you in the form of opportunities and/or frustrations that we can choose to take advantage of and navigate to the best of our abilities.  We are not victims to fate, but living, conscious beings with power to direct our lives by the choices we make.  In this post, I would like to focus at how to interpret your own Solar Return (SR) chart with a mind towards

Contradictions- that’s what this aspect is all about. The moon conjunct ascendant is a sign of emotional tension in a person; longing to be close to people, but keeping them at arm’s length out of fear. Distant and reserved on the surface, but burning to be social and feel included in life. People with the moon on the ascendant wear their heart on their sleeve and yet will hold back from any emotional demonstrations until they really sense the other person feels the same way (whether in romance, friendship, or simply mutual admiration).

So often in consultation with clients, I have found that the ruler of the Ascendant — its sign, house and condition — highlights an important storyline, an important thread that weaves its way throughout life development. Many times it allows the astrologer within minutes (if not seconds) to get right to the crux of the matter, to the heart of a very relevant theme within a client’s identity development.