December 2023 Astro-Highlights: Dynamic Shifts and Hopeful New Beginnings!

December unfolds with dynamic shifts, injecting much-needed hope (and a little chaos) into our year-end narrative! 

The month begins with Mercury entering the practical and strategic sign of Capricorn, where we’ll gain a little momentum before it stations retrograde in a couple of weeks, bringing an extra dose of confusion to the usual Mercury retrograde mishaps and miscommunications!

Venus enters passionate Scorpio on the 4th and takes on the intensity of this Fixed Water sign. Navigating love and money will have its ups and downs this month, including the potential for controlling behavior or jealousy.

Mysterious Neptune quietly stations direct on the 6th, but don’t be fooled! Neptune is quite active this month, heightening compassion and creativity AND creating confusion and delusion with squares to the Sun, Mars, and Mercury!

The Sagittarius New Moon on the 12th trines the North Node and brings a hopeful moment of renewal despite a mysterious and foggy square to Neptune.

Quickly following the Sagittarius New Moon, Mercury stations retrograde in a beautiful trine with Jupiter, giving us a brief but necessary pause to reflect on the big picture and review and revise our plans for the new year.

On the 21^st, the Sun enters traditional Capricorn, infusing our lives with a more profound sense of duty and spiritual obligation, just before Mercury dips back into Sagittarius on the 22nd and stays in a prolonged square with Neptune, reminding us not to make decisions in haste under this murky energy.

The final days of December are extraordinary, with a Cancer Full Moon on the 26th that nurtures the soul and brings much-needed rest and emotional fulfillment.

Venus enters Sagittarius on the 29th, boosting our desire for fun and brightening our outlook on relationships and finances. 

December concludes on a very positive note as Jupiter stations direct in Taurus, amplifying feelings of gratitude and abundance.

Energy Most Positive for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn

Taurus and Scorpio, you will have Venus and Jupiter in your respective signs opposing each other this month, bringing luck, positive feelings, and the potential for too much of a good thing!

Cancer and Capricorn, the nurturing Full Moon in Cancer is especially beneficial for your signs, bringing satisfying culminations to your year’s end and feelings of gratitude and contentment. 

Mixed Energy for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Aries, Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Pisces

Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces, even though your signs are challenged this month by Mars’ and retrograde Mercury’s squares to Neptune, you are supported throughout the month by aspects from the Sagittarius New Moon, the Cancer Full Moon, Jupiter, and Venus!

Aries, Leo, Libra, and Aquarius, your signs are positively impacted by the Sagittarius New Moon. Still, you may find the time around the Cancer Full Moon to be a bit too emotional!

Maximum Intensity for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Sagittarius, Capricorn 

Sagittarius, there is much focus on your sign this month with a New Moon square Neptune and Mercury retrograde returning to your sign to, you guessed it, square Neptune again! Luckily, your ruler Jupiter in Taurus is making helpful connections to protect you from too much chaos. 

Capricorn, we enter your beautiful season this month, which always puts the focus on YOU! But with Mercury stationing retrograde in Capricorn this year, there is extra significance!

December 1, 2023: Mercury Enters Capricorn

December 4, 2023: Venus Enters Scorpio

December 6, 2023: Neptune Stations Direct at 24° Pisces

December 12, 2023: New Moon at 20° Sagittarius

December 13, 2023: Mercury Stations Retrograde at 8° Capricorn

December 21, 2023: Sun Enters Capricorn

December 22, 2023: Mercury Re-Enters Sagittarius

December 26, 2023: Full Moon at 4° Cancer

December 29, 2023: Venus Enters Sagittarius

December 30, 2023: Jupiter Stations Direct at 5° Taurus

Mercury Enters Capricorn

Exact on December 1, 2024 at 7:31 am MST

Active from December 1 through December 22, 2023

When Mercury moves into the realm of Saturn, it instills disciplined and goal-oriented thinking. Communication tends to become more reserved, and we tend to keep ideas and aspirations close to our chest until we can develop a solid, long-term plan.

In a few weeks, Mercury will go retrograde in Capricorn, eventually retreating back to 22 degrees Sagittarius where it will square Neptune for a second and third time. This transition suggests that while Mercury was in expansive Sagittarius originally, we might have envisioned grand plans for the upcoming year. However, with Mercury in its detriment in Sagittarius and in a square with Neptune, it's very possible we lacked clarity, overlooked essential details, or over-promised ourselves in some way.

As Mercury moves through conservative and responsible Capricorn before returning to Sagittarius, we gain a more realistic perspective, allowing us to rein in our expectations and make necessary revisions to our plans.  

Venus Enters Scorpio

Exact on December 4, 2023 at 11:51 am MST

Active from December 4 through December 29, 2023

After the reprieve of her own sign of Libra, Venus, the planet of peace and harmony, now enters Scorpio, yet another challenging place to be. Venus in Scorpio is at detriment and under the rulership of Mars, the planet of aggression and division.

In Scorpio, Venus adopts the depth and passion of this Fixed Water sign and becomes more brooding and intense concerning romantic connections. We may feel a little more possessive of our partners or jealous of others with the romantic relationships we wish we had. On a positive note, we may find ourselves magnetically attracted to our partners or mysteriously pulled to someone new and wanting to dive right in.

This transit will have its ups and downs. Venus will first oppose Jupiter in Taurus, and although this is a challenging aspect because it's the two Benefic energies, the challenges may lie in something being too much of a good thing.

Venus will later oppose Uranus in Taurus, bringing an intense desire for more excitement within our relationships. This transit will undoubtedly bring a few shocking twists within partnerships or financial situations!

Neptune Stations Direct at 24° Pisces

Exact on December 6, 2023  at 6:22 am MST

Active from December 6, 2023 through July 2, 2024

Mysterious planet Neptune stations direct today in its home sign of Pisces. As it holds still in the sky, it heightens all of our senses, making us more malleable and attuning us to the subtle energies all around. Neptune Direct is when our compassion, intuition, and creativity come back online, and a natural response may be to prioritize our spiritual health. 

Although Neptune is no longer retrograde, it is holding still in the sky and bracing to square off with the Sun and Mars in Sagittarius. Neptune in a square is powerful in its ability to disorient us by altering our reality without us even noticing until after the aspects have dissipated. Be careful what you believe or take action on throughout the time of these squares. We are most definitely not seeing the truth of something.

New Moon at 20° Sagittarius

Exact on December 12, 2023 at 4:32 pm MST

Most active from December 7 through December 17, 2023

Hope lights the way as a new lunar cycle begins in the buoyant sign of Sagittarius. As we wind down 2023 and direct our focus toward a new year, a glimmer of excitement brews within as we ponder the boundless potential that lies in the months ahead. The past few months have posed many challenges as we navigated eclipses and several heavy outer planetary activations, making this New Moon feel like a beacon of light by contrast.

The New Moon in Sagittarius squares Neptune in Pisces, and although a challenging aspect, Neptune has a mysterious way of being a soothing yet hazy balm for the soul. Clarity most certainly eludes us when Neptune is in a square. We can get lost in a fantasy under this configuration or be accused of being "checked out" or wearing “rose-colored glasses.” But Neptune works in strange ways and other positive alignments at this time reassure us it's ok to let our imagination run wild, to trust in the unknown, or to believe in magical possibilities. Human beings simply aren’t designed to carry the weight of the world all the time.

The first of those positive alignments is the New Moon’s trine to the North Node in Aries, which tells us that this temporary walk in faith is vital for our journey ahead.

Adding to the hopeful nature of this New Moon is Jupiter, the ruler of the Sagittarius New Moon, opposing Venus in Scorpio. The two Benefic planets in opposition encourage us to loosen up and relish in life’s pleasures. With Jupiter and Venus aligned, there's always the risk of overindulgence, but fortunately, Jupiter is sextile to Saturn in Pisces adding a grounded and disciplined energy to the mix.

This New Moon in Sagittarius is a time to embrace hope and optimism and savor life's joys knowing these lighter emotions fuel our progress just as much as challenge. The New Moon is a beautiful time to set goals for the area of life ruled by Sagittarius while keeping in mind that we are not seeing a full picture. Allow yourself to let go, to visualize and dream big, while remembering that "there is nothing impossible for those who will try."

Mercury Stations Retrograde at 8° Capricorn

Exact on December 13, 2023 at 12:09 am MST

Active from December 13, 2023 through January 1, 2024

Mercury's next retrograde cycle is upon us! This upcoming retrograde cycle promises a blend of energies, beginning with Mercury stationing retrograde in a trine to Jupiter and concluding with a conjunction to Mars and square to Neptune. As we traverse this cycle with extended connections to Jupiter and Neptune, profound contemplation on life's bigger questions awaits us. This retrograde will be a period for reassessing beliefs and scrutinizing the purpose behind our actions.

Mercury retrogrades are a time to review recent projects and occurrences and assess where we may have gotten ahead of ourselves. Having transited the enthusiastic sign of Sagittarius in recent weeks and square Neptune before, perhaps we bit off more than we could chew under that transit. The retrograde shift into Capricorn provides an invaluable opportunity to decelerate, meticulously scrutinize our endeavors, and strategize a more deliberate path forward.

As always, Mercury retrogrades are a time to slow down, be mindful of communications, and make necessary revisions in the area of your life where this transit occurs.

Sun Enters Capricorn

Exact on December 21, 2023 at 8:27 pm MST

Active from December 21, 2023 through January 20, 2024

The Sun Enters the determined sign of the Seagoat and marks the Winter Solstice, the darkest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the day with the most light in the Southern Hemisphere! Despite the common practice of waiting until January 1 of a new calendar year, astrologically speaking, THIS is an optimal day to set intentions for the year ahead.

Capricorn is a complex energy that is known to be driven and hard-working. However, what is often left out when describing the Cardinal Earth sign of the zodiac is the reflective and spiritual nature of Capricorn. 

As the Sun transits this Saturn-ruled sign, we may find ourselves more introspective, reflecting upon our long-term sense of purpose, the bigger goals we have for our lives, and the deeper meaning of our traditions. We honor our sense of duty as human beings to leave the world a better place with the Sun in Capricorn, thinking not only of ourselves but those we will never meet who follow behind us.

Mercury Re-Enters Sagittarius

Exact on December 22, 2023 at 11:17 pm MST

Active December 22, 2023 through January 13, 2024

Mercury retrograde dips back into the later degrees of Sagittarius, and immediately enters a prolonged square with foggy Neptune. Ideally, Mercury retrogrades are a time to revisit and revise. However, during this portion of the retrograde it may feel like things are going a little haywire. We are not thinking clearly with Mercury square Neptune and its best to put off important decisions and projects til after Mercury goes direct and moves back into Capricorn.

If you have to move forward with something, make sure you read and understand the fine print. Triple check anything of importance before signing off or pushing send. 

It’s likely we’ve overlooked crucial details during Mercury's initial transit through Sagittarius. Reflecting on significant events, communications, or projects from the past weeks is beneficial, as these aspects require a fresh perspective.

Full Moon at 4° Cancer

Exact on December 26, 2023 at 5:33 pm MST

Most active December 21 through December 31, 2023

HOME is where the heart is, and this Cancer Full Moon is taking us there!

The Full Moon is in its cozy abode in the sign of Cancer, making a gentle trine to Saturn in Pisces and a friendly sextile to Jupiter in Taurus. Simultaneously, Venus is in sultry Scorpio, forming a dreamy trine to Neptune in Pisces. This Full Moon NURTURES the soul.

With beneficial aspects from Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and Neptune, we can bask in contentment, embracing the present moment and the company we keep. 

With a trine to Saturn, the sentimental Cancer Full Moon imparts a sense of stability and steady growth that instills genuine satisfaction throughout this time.

As Jupiter stations to go direct in the coming days, the abundant nature of the Great Benefic in the sign of Taurus is amplified throughout this time as well, casting its influence over the final days of December.

A sextile to Jupiter brings opportunities to express the maternal nature of this Cancer moon. We may delight in cooking or caring for others and cozy moments with our loved ones.

Venus trine Neptune brings a dreamlike quality to this Full Moon, creating an atmosphere conducive to relaxation, romance, appreciation of our blessings, and a deeper, more intimate connection at the level of the soul.

Mercury continues to square Neptune as it stations to go direct in a few days, which adds to the dreamlike nature of this Full Moon. It's important to come back to reality before sending important messages or finishing any tasks to minimize potential errors and miscommunications.

Venus Enters Sagittarius

Exact on December 29, 2023 at 1:23 pm MST

Active from December 29, 2023 through January 23, 2024

Good news for love and relationships! Venus leaves her detriment today and enters Sagittarius's warm and generous sign. Venus in Sagittarius makes us much more optimistic regarding our relationships and financial situations. With Venus in Sagittarius, we want to feel free. We value travel and expansive experiences and thirst for more philosophical or spiritual connections. 

However, it takes a few days for Venus to warm up to the fiery energy of Sagittarius. Upon entering this Mutable Fire sign, Venus spends a few days in its restrictive square to Saturn in Pisces, which is likely to feel cold and a little lonely. With Venus square Saturn, this brief transit is a serious time to adhere to a budget and consider our long-term goals in money and relationships.   

Jupiter Stations Direct at 5° Taurus

Exact on December 30, 2023 at 7:40 pm MST

Active from December 30, 2023 through May 25, 2024

What a beautiful and symbolic way to end 2023! Jupiter standing still in the sky enhances the optimistic energy of the Great Benefic, coinciding with a period when many are celebrating the conclusion of a strange and challenging year. Jupiter stationing direct is likely to be a transformative moment when our perspective undergoes a significant shift, and the circumstances in our lives begin to feel promising again.

Jupiter is now embarking on its final journey through the Fixed Earth sign of Taurus, which won't happen again for another 12 years! Jupiter's forward motion ushers in a period of abundant blessings and external growth in the area of life that Taurus occupies. This transit will peak in April 2024 when expansive Jupiter aligns with liberating Uranus in this Fixed Earth Sign! You still have ample time to harness and maximize this beneficial energy before Jupiter transitions into Gemini in May!

Written by Stephanie Weiss, edited by Heather and the Astrology with Heather team