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Time zones can play tricks on us. Paradoxically, a Sagittarius New Moon on November 30 at 10:21 pm PST is the starting signal for the month of December, occurring on December 1 for most of the people on Earth. The archetype of Sagittarius conveys the long-distance journey, life as an adventure, reaching high and wide for dreams which may seem out of reach. However, several cosmic characters stand in our way of realizing our current goals. This New Moon forms a square to restrictive Saturn. A willful Sun-Saturn square on December 4, followed by a Venus-Saturn semisquare on December 5 and a Mercury square Saturn on December 6 can place challenging walls between us and our desired destinations. Additionally, Mercury is still retrograde in Sagittarius until December 15, requiring us to reconsider previous decisions and review our current plans. Once Mercury turns direct, it still revisits its square to Saturn one additional time on December 26, forcing us to face the weakest links in our thinking, even if we were previously sure of our conclusions. And, sitting in the background, but gaining resonance all month, the second of three world-influencing Jupiter-Saturn squares reaches perfection on December 24. The first of these was on August 19 and the final will be on June 15, 2025. This long-term cycle pits Jupiter’s expansion against Saturn’s contraction. It is the source of progressive versus conservative thinking, more versus less, and yes versus no. As uncomfortable as this every-ten-year square is, it’s necessary to keep things moving like the biological peristalsis that moves food through our colon.
Meanwhile, pushy Mars is slugging along during the first few days of December until it stations on the 6th, beginning a retrograde phase that continues until February 23, 2025. The angry red planet is closer to Earth during this time, stirring up impulsive actions and exacerbating ego conflicts. Managing our reactions will be of primary importance as it takes more effort to keep our tempers in check. Vulnerable Venus enters unconventional Aquarius on December 6 and conjoins secretive Pluto in a deep dive into the shadows of our desires. The pursuit of love is not simple but connects us with the mysteries of the dark.
Thankfully, there are bright spots during the month that give us hope and sustain our spirits. Messenger Mercury trines mentor Chiron on December 1 and December 30, beginning and ending the month with healing words that lead to constructive conversations. An exciting Venus-Uranus tine on December 2 exposes our hearts to unexpected possibilities that may be outside of our normal realms. The Sun’s trine to Chiron on December 10 offers more opportunity for soothing that which ails us. The Sun opposes optimistic Jupiter on December 7, boosting our confidence as we face Pluto’s underworld and shine the light of awareness on our demons to overcome the power they can otherwise exert. The Gemini Full Moon on December 15 activates our curiosity and illuminates all forms of communication, enabling us to use information to combat destructive beliefs. And a lovely Venus-Jupiter trine on December 19 reminds us that the expression of heartfelt love can heal many wounds. Exercising our creativity and cultivating joy are simple acts of resistance to doom and despair.
The Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere on December 21 at 1:20 am PST is the astrological force behind the magic of the holiday season, no matter your religious affiliation. The darkening of the light on the longest nights of the year is a consistent reminder that the rebirth of spring follows the cold of winter. The somber Capricorn New Moon on December 30 at 2:26 pm PST is accompanied by the looming opposition of impulsive Mars and obsessive Pluto that is exact on January 2, 2025. Although this fiery aspect can accentuate conflict, there is the potential to take the high road that leads to long-term resolution. December’s energy is an astrological mixed blessing that can be tricky to navigate. However, as always, widening our perspective and operating from a place of empathy softens the hard edges of reality. May this season bring us love where there is hate, understanding where there is disagreement, and faith where there is fear.
And, as always, think cosmically and act locally.
~ Rick Levine
*TIME STAMPS*
00:00 Start
00:28 Opening
0:03:47 Harmonic Aspects Winner
0:04:57 Upcoming Events
11:54 Dec 1st
14:30 Dec 2nd
15:48 Dec 4th
16:25 Dec 5th
18:27 Dec 6th
22:12 Dec 7th
24:10 Dec 9th
25:22 Dec 11th
25:56 Dec 12th
27:42 Dec 13th
28:00 Dec 14th
28:15 Dec 15th Full Moon
30:00 Dec 17th
32:30 Dec 18th
33:22 Dec 19th
34:12 Dec 21st Solstice
36:24 Dec 22nd
36:58 Dec 23rd
38:00 Dec 24th
41:25 Dec 25th
42:18 Dec 26th
43:11 Dec 27th
44:18 Dec 28th
45:00 Dec 29th
47:05 Dec 30th New Moon
48:20 Monthly Wrap-up
49:00 Farewell
50:55 End
