December Cosmic Calendar

 

December 1st: New Moon in Sagittarius ~ 1:21am EST ~ 9 degrees Sagittarius

On Sunday, December 1st, a New Moon in Sagittarius will perfect at 1:21am EST. The Sun and Moon will align in conjunction at 9 degrees of Sagittarius, within the first decan of the sign, ruled by Jupiter. This marks an expansive new beginning, setting the stage for fresh adventures. It’s an ideal time to reframe our mindset, embrace more positive thinking, and practice kinder self-talk. The New Moon offers an opportunity to clear away mental fog and reconnect with long-term goals or bucket list items we’ve always dreamed of achieving. The energy of this New Moon is more personal and introspective, so you may find yourself exploring and reflecting over the weekend. What your heart truly desires could become clear, and your inner philosophies may shift to help guide you toward those aspirations. Stay open to adventure, excitement, and embrace a light heart as you navigate change.

December 6th: Mars Rx Begins ~ 6:33pm EST ~ 6 degrees Leo

On Friday, December 6th, Mars will station retrograde at 6:33pm EST, beginning at 6 degrees Leo. This retrograde will last until February 23rd, with Mars traveling back to 17 degrees Cancer. Mars retrogrades are less frequent than those of other planets; the last one occurred from October 2022 to January 2023, and the next one won’t be until January 2027. This retrograde typically slows down external momentum, shifting the focus toward rest, self-care, and more intentional goal-setting. It’s important to listen to your body and take things slower during this time. Pushing too hard or overextending ourselves can lead to burnout, illness, or even accidents. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t accomplish anything over the next 2.5 months or that we need to hibernate (although some of us may feel like doing just that!). We simply need to be mindful of where we direct our energy and passion, being more deliberate in our approach.

The energy of Mars retrograde in Leo will differ from its retrograde in Cancer, so let’s explore what the first phase of this retrograde may look like. Mars will be retrograde in Leo until January 6th, at which point it will move into Cancer for the remainder of the retrograde period. During this first month of Mars Rx in Leo, we may feel shyer or seek external validation before taking action. It could be more challenging to launch projects that require confidence, and moments of frustration or temper tantrums may arise. This retrograde period is particularly intriguing because Mars will be in an on-again, off-again opposition with Pluto throughout. We may experience external conflicts, feel the need to assert dominance, or confront power struggles. Hang in there, and be sure to rest between these intense moments!

December 7th: Venus enters Aquarius ~ 1:13am EST 

On Saturday, December 7th, Venus enters Aquarius at 1:13am EST, where it will remain until January 2nd. In Aquarius, Venus encourages finding freedom in relationships and embracing individuality. We may feel more inclined to connect with others through ideas and shared values, rather than through physical or emotional closeness. Creativity and artistry become more self-directed, making it easier to care less about how others perceive our creations or appearance. In general, we may find it easier to see the bigger picture when putting together an outfit, decorating a space, or composing a song, for example.

Those with natal Venus in air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) and two of the fire signs (Aries and Sagittarius) may particularly enjoy this transit, experiencing a boost in both love and creativity. For those with natal Venus in Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn, or Pisces, the energy is more neutral, neither particularly inspiring nor discouraging. If your Venus is in Taurus, Leo, or Scorpio, this period may require more awareness, as you typically crave greater intimacy and attentiveness than this energy tends to offer.

December 7th: Neptune Rx Ends ~ 6:42pm EST ~ 27 degrees Pisces

Yesterday, on Saturday, December 7th, Neptune retrograde came to an end at 6:42pm EST, with the blue planet at 27 degrees Pisces. The retrograde began in July, and a five-month retrograde is typical for Neptune. During this period, we were called to rely more on our intuition. Things may have felt foggy and confusing, and the more we tried to push aside our intuitive insights in favor of hard data, the more disoriented we could become. With Neptune in Pisces, a deeply spiritual and subconscious placement, it may have been difficult to trust our own feelings. Now that Neptune is direct, we can focus on moving forward and gaining clarity from the external world. However, it's important to continue strengthening our psychic abilities and intuition in preparation for the next Neptune retrograde in May 2025.

December 15th: Full Moon in Gemini ~ 4:01am EST ~ 23 degrees Gemini

On Sunday, December 15th, there will be a Full Moon in Gemini, peaking at 4:01am EST. The Sun will be at 23 degrees Sagittarius, and the Moon will be at 23 degrees Gemini. This full moon highlights the tension between improvisation and preparedness. If you've been striving for perfection, you may find yourself forced into action and having to improvise. On the other hand, if you’ve been trying to “wing it” with minimal information, you may be called out for not knowing enough. We may feel a pull to deepen our research, explore new knowledge, and uncover fresh insights. Social groups will be highlighted, and gossip may be prevalent during this time. Be discerning about the information you're receiving and who you're paying attention to. Manifestations around friendships and education are likely to come to fruition or take shape around this Full Moon. While this is a highly social time, it's important to be mindful of who you're connecting with. The 23rd degree of Gemini falls in the third decan of the sign, ruled by Uranus, suggesting potential for sudden shifts and spontaneous ideas to emerge under these skies.

December 15th: Mercury Rx Ends ~ 3:56pm EST ~ 6 degrees Sagittarius

On Sunday, December 15th, Mercury retrograde will end at 3:56pm EST, with Mercury positioned at 6 degrees Sagittarius. This retrograde period primarily influenced travel, movement, and expansion-related plans. You may have encountered roadblocks, experienced shifts in your itinerary, or faced delays that limited your ability to explore new opportunities. Now that Mercury is direct, these obstacles will begin to ease. Expect canceled plans to be rescheduled and communication issues to be resolved. Those with significant placements in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces may notice improvements in travel and commuting.

December 21st: Sun enters Capricorn ~ 4:20am EST

On Saturday, December 21st, the Sun enters Capricorn at 4:20am EST, marking the Winter Solstice/Yule in the Northern Hemisphere and the Summer Solstice/Litha in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a powerful time of shifts, with heightened spiritual energy. The Sun will remain in Capricorn until January 19th. This period of cardinal earth energy is ideal for goal setting, concentrating on future ambitions, and making steady progress toward your desires. While Mars is currently retrograde and is slowing external progress, we can still move forward by being intentional and focused in our efforts. Capricorn energy encourages us to take calculated risks and take charge of our own destinies. Think of a goat climbing a mountain: though they seem to leap suddenly, each jump is carefully measured to ensure a safe landing. This is the energy we can tap into during this season. On this day, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the shortest day of the year, while the Southern Hemisphere enjoys the longest. As a day of extremes, it's important to find balance. Keep candles burning and embrace the meditative comfort that darkness can bring. Happy Solstice, and blessed Yule!

December 24th: Jupiter square Saturn ~ 4:59pm EST ~ 14 degrees Gemini / Pisces

On Tuesday, December 24th, Jupiter will form a square with Saturn at 4:59pm EST. Jupiter is currently at 14 degrees Gemini, while Saturn is at 14 degrees Pisces. This square has been building over the past week, and its influence will continue through the end of the year. This transit highlights the tension between the opposing energies of Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter is expansive and open, while Saturn is focused and restrictive. We may feel torn between the urge to have fun and escape responsibilities, yet something seems to keep us grounded, making it hard to fully let go. Conversely, if you're trying to stay on task, unexpected freedom or opportunities may arise, disrupting your plans. Stay open to alternative approaches and find a balance between enjoyment and productivity, or strike a compromise between the two. This transit can also lead to overly optimistic expectations about our abilities, only to be met with the reality that we may need to adjust our approach or ask for help. If you're feeling stubborn, particularly during holiday gatherings, this energy can cause friction. Let go of your pride, delegate tasks, and ask for assistance to ensure the best outcome.

December 29th: Chiron Rx Ends ~ 4:12pm EST ~ 19 degrees Aries

On Sunday, December 29th, Chiron retrograde ends at 4:12pm EST, as the dwarf planet stations direct at 19 degrees Aries. This retrograde period began at the end of July. During Chiron retrograde, we are called to focus on inner child healing, often bringing up past memories, thoughts, and dreams. With Chiron in Aries, this healing work may center around themes of confidence, self-expression, and assertiveness. Were there times in your youth when you struggled to be bold or pursue what you wanted? This retrograde likely brought those issues to the surface, offering opportunities to become more assertive and outspoken now. Themes like setting boundaries, pioneering new paths, and embracing independence may have played a significant role during this time. We have seven months before Chiron begins its next retrograde in Aries, so keep these lessons in mind, as you'll have another chance to work through them when the retrograde returns in late July.

December 30th: New Moon in Capricorn ~ 5:26pm EST ~ 9 degrees Capricorn

On Monday, December 30th, the New Moon in Capricorn will perfect at 5:26pm EST, as the Sun and Moon align at 9 degrees Capricorn, in the first decan of the sign ruled by Saturn. This is a quiet, introspective time, ideal for reflection and shedding what no longer serves us, particularly in the areas of career and long-term goals. The timing aligns perfectly with the end of the calendar year, offering a natural opportunity to set intentions for what we want to leave behind in 2024. While Saturn supports long-term planning, it also reminds us that there are no shortcuts; achieving our goals will require steady effort. This New Moon is also a great time to plan for spring gardens or work with indoor plants. As an earth sign, Capricorn encourages us to connect with nature and plant seeds that, with consistent care, will eventually blossom.

December 31st: Pluto sextile North Node ~ 12:33am EST ~ 1 degree Aries / Aquarius

2024 closes with a powerful transit to end the year. On Tuesday, December 31st, Pluto will sextile the North Node of the Moon at 12:33am EST. Pluto, now at 1 degree Aquarius, forms this aspect with the North Node at 1 degree Aries. This is considered one of the major transits of the year, and its influence has been building throughout the last two weeks of December. Its energy will continue to be felt into the first few weeks of 2025. This transit is focused on uncovering hidden truths in order to propel us forward to a new level. We may find it easier to access ambition, intense focus, and confidence, which will help us attract the right people to support our goals. It's an excellent time for building teams, working on group projects, and launching or revitalizing a business. This energy compels us to seek the ultimate truth, often driving us to tirelessly understand things on a deep level. On a global scale, hidden themes may be revealed, bringing to light new plans or ongoing progress. Throughout December and January, it may become more difficult to keep the truth hidden from others.