December Horoscopes
Where you lead, I will follow…or will I?
We are already in Mercury’s shadow (the part of the sky it will retrace while it is retrograde) and will dance backwards with Mercury while it retrogrades starting December 12th through January 1st. Let’s stay with this dancing metaphor for a moment. Most people are used to leading the dance that is Life - making decisions, directing movement, feeling some sense of control. When Mercury goes retrograde, that illusion of control shatters as you find yourself in the role of follower and subject to the delays, glitches and mishaps that Mercury’s retrograde often incites. The key to being a successful dance partner is willingness. Be willing to take direction, be flexible, accept and adapt to the situation at hand as it is, not as you wish it would be.
Mercury starts its retrograde journey in Capricorn, a sign that is known to have a plan and desires predictability and structure to enact that plan. Around the solstice on 12/22, the Sun and Mercury meet each other and trade places. As the Sun moves in Capricorn, Mercury dances back into Sagittarius, a mutable fire sign that moves and shifts depending on the information it has had time to contemplate. This moment is called “cazimi,” a term that means conjunction with the Sun but sounds much more mystical. It is the halfway point in Mercury’s retrograde cycle and this shift back into Sagittarius brings an AHA moment, a revelation about your role in the dance with life. For here is the underlying Truth: the leader is only as effective as the follower’s willingness. So who really holds the power?
The Sagittarius new moon happens the same day that Mercury stations retrograde on 12/12. This is a potent day to commit to unlearning and embrace the unraveling backwards journey of Mercury’s retrograde from the beginning. Broaden your perspective—read history and nonfiction written by folks outside the US and Europe and let your mind change shape. Sagittarius is often characterized as being dogmatic or zealous once it arrives at its Truth but there is still that changeable quality to it. Fire flickers and is constantly shapeshifting - set your mind on fire.
I’m hosting another New Moon Astro-Ritual class on Zoom
Tuesday 12/12 at 7pm PST
Suggested donation of $27
I want to learn more about Sagittarius through ritual, sign me up!
For those of you who gather with family later in December, expect emotions to run high as folks try to convince one another of their own worldview while talking past one another. The Cancer full moon arrives on December 26th and is coupled with Mercury and Mars meeting up and tag teaming a square to Neptune. Full moons always bring emotions to the surface and put a big, lunar spotlight on them, especially the Cancer full moon when the moon is in its home turf. Whenever Mercury the messenger and Mars the warrior meetup in the sky, expect heated exchanges and defensiveness. I imagine Yosemite Sam and his tagline: “Thems fightin’ words!” (Some unlearning I need to do - unpacking the influence of a short, hot tempered, trigger-happy, pioneer cartoon on my young psyche) Meanwhile, Mercury the Messenger and Mars the Warrior are in their own tug-of-war together with the Fog aka Neptune. Whenever a planet squares Neptune, as Mercury and Mars are both doing during this full moon, expect confusion, exhaustion, anxiety, disillusionment, and maybe even amidst all that, a spiritual breakthrough? It would be wise to apply the lesson of Mercury’s cazimi around this time - your willingness to follow gives power to the leader. Detaching and disengaging from fights that nobody can win will help you maintain your power instead of giving it away to the loudest person in the room. If you do engage, detach from the outcome and use curiosity to balance the Sagittarian impulse to be right and the sole bearer of Truth.
Here’s your ‘scopes! Written for your rising sign, you can read for any of your placements
Sagittarius
It’s your time to shine and show the rest of us how to integrate new information gracefully. Your hunger for knowledge is bound to increase towards the end of the month when it becomes apparent that you are indeed missing some of the facts. The full moon emphasizes what you’ve inherited and how you share that with others. Is that story really something you want to pass on to others? Or is it time to reinvent it or just lay it down to rest? What is remembered lives and this month invites you to feel into those stories living in you.
Capricorn
There’s a lot going on behind the scenes and this time of year always has you craving more alone time despite the endless invitations to socialize. It’s ok to honor your curmudgeonly impulse to stay home. You may even realize that you are much less grumpy when you do venture out. This Mercury retrograde invites you to slow down and listen to those quieter voices within you, the ones who speak in your dreams and whisper in those moments while your body is on autopilot. You’ll have an opportunity to share these insights next year but for now you get to listen.
Aquarius
This December brings lots of buzzing in your social circles, which only grows louder as the month wears on. The start of Mercury’s retrograde invites you to quiet down and listen to the still voice within, there’s a message for you to bring to your people after the solstice on 12/22. This message is inspiring to some and agitating to others. How they react is not a reflection of the message or you, the messenger. The full moon on 12/26 spotlights your health and daily routines. Any changes you made over the summer are starting to show, do you like what you see?
Pisces
You don’t have to pressure yourself to come up with anything new to say this month. In fact, you can use this Mercury retrograde to meaningfully review the year as it relates to your calling and Work in the world: what did you learn and what are you proud of? We can all learn from your lessons so lean into that humility and talk about what did and didn’t go well. The new moon on the 12th brings an opportunity to plant a seed in this part of your life. What would you like to learn about your profession this coming year?
Aries
Mercury will retrograde back into the part of your chart that involves long distance travel. So, if you have plans to get on a plane or go on a cruise this month, expect delays, triple check your itinerary, and bring more of the essentials just in case. The other passengers could be extra rowdy too, especially at the end of the month. The full moon on the 26th spotlights your home and family. It’s a great time to get extra cozy and watch something nostalgic that everyone can agree upon to mellow the other transits going on that day.
Taurus
The Sagittarius new moon on the 12th gives you an opportunity to plant the seeds for how you want to show up in your collaborations over the next 6 months. Where do you want to invest your precious resources of time and money? Mercury’s retrograde will ask you to assess whether your beliefs are aligned with your investments. It’s time to put your money where your mouth is, or rather divest your money from what your mouth speaks against. The full moon on the 26th puts the lunar spotlight on your relationship to the land where you live, spend some time listening to your non-human neighbors.
Gemini
This month highlights the connection between your resources and relationships as Mercury retrograde has you assess where and with whom you are investing your time. Pay attention to your energy, who drains you and who enlivens you to be around? You love a friendly debate and to play devil’s advocate for funsies, but your debate partner is taking you more seriously than that. What starts as something playful for you may take a sudden and surprising serious turn around the full moon on 12/26, so be mindful of your words. They do have more impact than you realize.
Cancer
Mercury’s retrograde and rendezvous with Mars this month inflames an old conflict with a coworker. Miscommunication is highly likely, especially around the last week of December. The stress from the situation could also literally inflame your body as well so tend to your sweet, sensitive self. The full moon on the 26th has you feeling all the feelings! Your emotiveness helps others get in touch with their feelings so let it all out.
Leo
What creation lies within you, waiting to be born? The Sagittarius new moon on the 12th beckons your attention and intention towards all the activities that bring you joy. If there’s a hobby or craft you’ve forgotten or been neglecting, Mercury’s retrograde is a great time to revisit it with fresh eyes. The full moon on the 26th lights up the most private part of your chart, its ok to take some quiet time to yourself if it all feels like too much.
Virgo
This time of year usually lights up your home and family sector and 2023 adds an extra dash of chaos to the mix. Misunderstandings abound, especially as your ruling planet Mercury goes retrograde on the 12th. As someone who likes order, clarity and efficiency, this month brings lessons in rolling with the punches and acceptance of what is. The full moon on the 26th amplifies your social networks, remember that you have many allies to call on for support if the homefront gets too overwhelming.
Libra
Getting around town and doing errands and holiday shopping proves to be extra challenging for you this month. Watch out for road rage and parking lot drama, you may even be the source of it! Towards the end of the month your affable nature turns to anger in the relative privacy of your car. The full moon on the 26th shines a light on your work in the world so go ahead and talk up your big wins this year!
Scorpio
This month heightens your awareness around your possessions and Mercury’s retrograde is like a game of hide-and-seek with your stuff. Objects reappear that you didn’t know were missing and everyday items don’t seem to stay in their regular storage place. The same could happen with your money so be mindful about those bank balances. The full moon lights up your desire to expand your horizons, whether that’s through the printed page or planning a far off adventure. Let your mind wander.
