December 2024 Astrology Forecast – Not Quite Quiet

It’s December – Sagittarius Season melds into Capricorn. The light – I’m being Northocentric here for the moment – wanes to its lowest point. The energy withdraws, and we intuitively know that it’s not time to press forward: After the holidays, we say, or I’ll get to it in the New Year, but we kind of know it’s about the light and how the Sun isn’t making much of showing these days.

This year, we may have to wait a little longer than usual to feel the energy returning. That’s because Mars – the Cosmic Warrior and general energy principle – is going retrograde. He’ll turn around in early Leo on December 6th and stay in reverse gear until February 23rd in the middle degrees of Cancer. Mars retrograde isn’t a great time to begin new projects in general, and it’s considered an especially bad time to start a new job (guess who’s starting a new job on January 20th), a new sexual relationship, or an exercise/sports program. Of course, we’re talking about ten weeks – not including the shadow periods on either side – so we may have to dive in and bend the retrograde rules a bit. The problem tends to be that things start off with a bang and then fizzle rather quickly, but like all retrogrades the actual effects are unpredictable.

Speaking of retrogrades, Mercury is backpedaling in Sagittarius from the beginning of the month (starting on November 25th) to December 15th. In Sag, Mercury doesn’t bother much with the facts and tends to rely on belief-based notions. The retrograde may call to task folks who’ve been up on the soapbox, but it might also give them a pass. Take a look at what’s being said around the 4th through the 7th, and then again on the 26th and 27th, as the Cosmic Messenger aspects both Jupiter and Saturn, perhaps revising messages from late November (if you can keep track of such things).

The usual Mercury retrograde caveats apply, but be especially careful when it comes to ordering things online, and particularly any electronics. This retrograde could make for some mischief in the holiday shopping season.

Use the Sagittarius New Moon, on the 1st, to set long-range goals around travel, higher education, and Big Picture things.

The time between the 4th and the 7th is especially charged. Not only does Mars station to go retrograde – an edgy energy – but the Sun and Mercury square Saturn, and then the Sun goes on to oppose Jupiter, while Neptune stations to go direct. At the same time, Venus enters Aquarius and meets with Pluto. It’s a combination of high energy and fuzzy thinking, with plenty of incitement to action just as Neptune asks us to stop and dream. It’s a great time for escape and fantasy, but very poor for practical decisions.

Venus’ passage through Aquarius – until January 2nd – is nice for the holiday season, especially when connecting with groups of friends. However, just as she enters the sign she meets with Pluto, which could be a rough start to her time in the sign. Within groups, the question could be ‘who’s in charge?’ or someone could find themselves on the outs with friends or associates.

Mercury stations to go direct at the Gemini Full Moon on the 15th. The combination of Mercurial uncertainty with full moon lunacy could result in some issues. Once again, there’s high energy but a lack of clarity and potentials for miscommunication. Three days later, on the 18th, the Sun squares Neptune, so all of mid-month has a feel of uncertainty and potential for confusion. If we were to back off of our usual routines and demands for progress, it might be a nice time, but that’s a big “if.”

The Sun enters Capricorn – the Winter Solstice – on December 21st at 4:20a EST (9:20 GMT). From here, Sol begins the long climb up towards Cancer, the light increasing just a little every day.

Jupiter squares Saturn on the 24th, so look to the days around that to get some signals about how the Jupiter/Saturn cycle that began in late 2020 is playing out. What ideals and ideas that began around that time are being tested and revised now?

Venus squares Uranus on the 28th. Although this is a tense aspect, the two planets are in each others’ signs, what’s called mutual reception, and this greatly mitigates the tension. Socializing in general, and relationships in particular, would benefit from breaking out of routines. How can we accept changes and personal freedom while still getting what we need from friendships and partnerships?

The year ends with the Capricorn New Moon on the 30th. For the last week of December, we’re at the low points of both the solar and lunar cycles, perhaps feeling the energy drawn inwards more than at other times of the month. We’ll begin the New Year as the energies just begin to wax stronger – but don’t plan on rushing into 2025 at full speed.

Have a Happy Holiday Season and a Great Start to the New Year!