During December’s darkly deep days, do you ever feel like a little mole running from point to point, reaching for light and warmth? This annual time of slowing down to frozen stillness marks the final calendar month of autumn, our passage into winter. Yet, a fire stirs in our belly as this month begins.
The festive Leo Moon aligns beautifully to Motivating Mars
and the Sun in Sagittarius December 1st and 2nd, a Friday and
Saturday. This first weekend of December
is terrific for all holiday events, shopping, and creativity. After the really tough slog of 2023, we feel
light hearted and JOYFUL. There is an
air of optimism and hope which has been absent until recently. Bring
on the JOY, sparks this cosmic alignment.
Traveling together in sagacious Sagittarius for the better
part of December, the Mars-Sun duo prompts our adventurous side, to explore, to
learn, to understand. Sagittarius rules all manner of
education, whether arduous academia or the school of hard knocks. There is an expansive, don’t fence me in, I’ve gotta be me- I’ve gotta be free, energy now
of searching for the truth, the veritable meaning of life. We’re on a quest, a journey perhaps
spiritual, existential, an actual long-distance trek, or all of the above. We may not know the destination; and for
some, that’s as exhilarating as it is worrisome.
We know individually and collectively we cannot stay put or
stay the same; and to even try to will feel like swimming against a stiff rip
tide. Ask yourself: is stubborn resistance really how you want to
spend your energy? Instead, what does it
feel like when you flow rather than fight?
Better to flow with the strong current, enhanced by an
in-flux of water energy now. On Tuesday,
December 5th Valuable Venus shifts into psychological Scorpio, aligning
with Saturn; while the very next day, spiritual Neptune turns direct
motion. The tide of our lives is
turning. Our intuitive spidey senses
tingle and sharpen. We feel what is accurate, honest, right-on.
Especially with any relationships. Even
if others claim that you are wrong, this is not the time to ignore your gut
instincts. If you need evidence or proof
of your intuition’s accuracy, ask for a sign.
Then listen, watch, wait for it.
Pay attention to song lyrics, repeating messages, dreams, animal
messengers, and more. Each sign points us to what we already know way deep down
in our heart center: that we must follow
our own personal truth now, to harken toward our most authentic path. To do otherwise would be to lie. Three
planets in water signs clarify and distill, clear up any confusion; while
Mars-Sun in fiery Sagittarius demand honesty, that we honor the law, be it the
law of our own soul path, earthly legal parameters, or cosmic and karmic laws.
As above, so below.
The quest for truth, honesty and freedom are emphasized by
the New Moon in Sagittarius on Tuesday, December 12th. All New Moons mark beginnings. December’s New
Moon is especially potent as Motivating Mars joins the Sun-Moon duo. Mars drives the point home. We are held to account. Are you skating by, following someone else’s
idea for how you should live? Or are you
honoring the law of your spirit, answering the call of your heart and soul?
The same goes for the literal law. Any on-going or outstanding legal matters
move forward now. Courts of law will be
especially busy. Watch for key rulings
to be handed down at mid-month. Some may
feel radically exposed, like they’ve been caught red-handed, or with their
pants down. You have nothing to fear if you are living above board. But for those trying to skirt the system,
guess again.
Underscoring Accountability with a capital A is
Messenger Mercury turning retrograde in austere Capricorn, happening on the day
after the New Moon to boot! Capricorn
rules the great, cosmic ledger, spelling it out in black and white: you either did it or you didn’t; you either
have it or you don’t; you either are or you are not. There is absolutely no fudging answers
now. Pure integrity and honor are
required.
If you haven’t played fair and square, thought you could get
away with something, this planetary combination has other ideas for you. The Sagittarius Mars-Sun-Moon troika holds
court, trial by jury while Messenger Mercury is the enforcer, hands down the
verdict. You will have until the end of
the month and year to sit with the outcome and reflect: how
could I live more truthfully, soulfully, honorably?
On a far more mundane, day-to-day level, please note:
do your holiday shopping early, before mid-December. This is not the holiday season you want to
wait until the last minute to purchase gifts. If you missed Black Friday deals, take advantage
of any pre-holiday sales during the first ten days of December before Mercury
turns retrograde on the 12th.
This includes purchasing any electronics, phones, tablets, laptops OR
booking travel plans. Book flight,
hotel, and auto reservations in early December.
Otherwise, this is one time Mercury’s retrograde comes at a
relatively convenient time. As we
approach the winter solstice and the holiday season, life shifts into low
gear. We naturally turn inward during
the colder, darker months. Their onset
encourages the RE words indicative of Mercury’s retrograde: reflection, reclaim, renewal, rebalance,
refresh, return, restore, review, relax…
Slow down and gather yourself in during the second half of
December, from the 12th through New Years Day. Conveniently, Mercury turns direct motion on
January 2, 2024 as we kick into overdrive, back to work, life and school. Until then, though, watch your words, give
others the benefit of the doubt, and practice patience navigating the notorious
snafus and technical glitches that are the hallmark of Mercury’s reverse gear.
We wade into the darkest hours of the year, marked by the
winter solstice on Friday, December 22nd. The Sun enters responsible
Capricorn, joining Mercury, with both aligning to Jupiter and the Taurus Moon,
infusing highly constructive energy. Pay
attention to messages and announcements this holiday weekend, especially as we
approach the Full Moon on Tuesday, December 26th.
Gathering together, the family-oriented Cancer Full Moon
reminds us of what is truly important in a world filled with so much
uncertainty. Loved ones, whether blood
related or chosen, our health, home, prospects for a brand new year ahead, are
indeed what matter most now. Reconnect
to all that fills your cup, gives you joy, and sparks gratitude.
Just a few days later on December 29th, Valuable
Venus shifts into Sagittarius joining Mars and Mercury. We seek answers, ideas and people who expand
us. Anyone or thing that feels
constraining or limiting just won’t do, stand or last very long. The planetary power trio is greatly
emphasized by Jupiter’s turning direct motion two days later on the 31st.
Rest assured this shift is most
definitely divinely timed rather than coincidental. The ruler of Sagittarius and planet of
learning, education, travel, prosperity and growth, Jupiter points us toward a
fresh slate.
We bear witness to one of the most significant shifts in the
history of mankind now: a collective
heart opening. We chose to live during
this time. While the old ways are
devolving now, endlessly rich possibilities abound if we dare to look around. Are you excited or intimidated by the
opportunities ahead in 2024? Be sure to
align with what can be, rather than what once was.
Of Special Note:
Two astrologers are better than one! Fellow astrologer Jill Jardine joins me on Mystical Messages podcast to share our 2024
astrology forecasts. We break down the
first six months of the year ahead. The episode drops Friday, December 15th
on Google, Apple and Spotify.
