Christmas is just around the corner. Time to celebrate the solstice, embrace the winter and the New Year to come. I have had some wonderful Christmases and some sad ones. Everyone does. It’s life. Some of us are blessed with large families, children, presents, dinner and Christmas cheer. There are many who are not. Some are facing poverty, illness or the loss of someone close to them. Some are very lonely, and Christmas is the worst time for them. If you are in that sad place, I hope you can get through it, have a glass of wine, and then do a small kindness for someone else. One day the small kindnesses will add up. I hope that you will be comforted and find love.
Note the bird’s nest in the picture. This brings good luck, happy family life, fertility, protection from above and new beginnings. I found this one on the ground several years ago. It is extremely delicate and fragile. I save it in a jewelry box. I added the little golden eggs inside. I put it in my tree every year. Until it falls apart!
The Winter Solstice, on December 21, is the closing of a cycle and the beginning of the next. It is the shortest day of the year, and winter is officially here. Seeds and roots lie dormant until spring. As I told you last year, this is a good time for fasting (or a more conservative diet), after the holiday celebrations. In earlier times people went hungry during the lean winter months. In some places fasting became part of the ritual. Today, many of us are overweight, let’s face it, partly due to being stuck inside during the pandemic. We could all use a fast.
Venus stations Rx in 26 Capricorn on December 19 until the end of January. Don’t get married and don’t have beauty treatments or plastic surgery until after that. Review your relationships. Some of you may take a hiatus from dating or socializing. We all need to be alone sometime. Capricorn is a rather serious place for Venus anyway. This is important: Venus will station in conjunction with Pluto, which adds an element of intensity. Some people, especially the cardinal signs, will experience deep emotional involvement, control issues or frustration in relationships. Since Venus is stationing (sitting still), the effect will last a few months instead of just a few days. But be patient. This too shall pass.
On December 13 Mars arrives in Sagittarius, a very good place for Mars. Fire sign people (Sag, Aries, Leo) will benefit especially. On December 29 Jupiter arrives in Pisces until May, with a period in Aries and then Rx into Pisces at Halloween. Jupiter co-rules this sign along with Neptune which is still here as well. The exact conjunction is in April. It could be a very romantic spring for some of you. Spiritual and creative inspiration are increased this year. There is serendipity and good luck from out of nowhere. This transit is very good for the water signs.
Celestial Almanac: Sagittarius New Moon December 4, Gemini Full Moon December 19. ECLIPSE ALERT: On December 4 there is a total solar eclipse, during the daytime for the east coast, but only visible over Antarctica (South Pole) and the tip of South Africa. We won’t see it this time.
Read on for the December forecast. Eat, drink and be merry now for tomorrow we diet. Happy holidays!
The Winter Solstice is usually a favorable time for your career and public life. You get a lot of attention, a good annual review, a bonus or promotion. Venus Rx may reflect negatively on things but it may just be a fallow period. There may be a conflict between your marriage and career. But cheer up, Mars in Sagittarius is good for you in many ways. Travel and adventure are favored. Your health is good and you have lots of positive energy, so go out and have fun.
You may travel more this month with the Sun in Capricorn. Venus Rx suggests you should hold off on real estate transactions or new financial enterprises. It’s nothing bad, just wait until about February. Because of Uranus there may be unexpected events, surprises, but of an exciting or positive nature. Around New Year’s Eve and early January. While Mars is still in Scorpio, there is a focus on marriage and relationships. Work on issues and bury the hatchet.
Watch the lunations this month. At the New Moon a relationship may begin or take a new turn. At the Full Moon, there is a crisis, climax or conclusion. You may declare your feelings for each other. Business activities and communications are also favored. A project is completed. When Mars moves into Sagittarius this puts additional stress on marriage and one-to-one encounters. It could mean a confrontation, or it could be something romantic and exciting.
It is a good time for socializing while Mars is in Scorpio. Then the Winter Solstice puts the spotlight on marriage and relationships. It could be romantic for some of you but tread carefully. You may look back and see what you accomplished or what needs fixing, either with yourself or things in general. Read what I said above about Venus Rx, which is in your marriage house. There may be strong emotions involved. Either you or your partner may be too possessive. If single, you might meet a new lover when Venus stations direct in late January.
While Mars is in Scorpio you can finish projects at home. You can get a lot of work done. Mars in Sagittarius is great for Leos. A happy, energetic influence. You get lots of calls and invitations. Christmas parties, carol singing, children’s activities, hiking and sleigh rides. Watch the New Moon and Full Moon this month. If starting a family is in your plans, children could be conceived now. This is a productive time for artists. Creativity and romance are favored.
Mars arrives in Sagittarius on December 13, your house of family and the home fires. The New Moon and Full Moon are also important this month. There are changes in your job, career, or home life. Nothing bad, just more excitement than usual. At work, there is new management or confrontations with higher-ups. At home, people are visiting, moving in or leaving. There may be a conflict with family members or more activity in general, such as holiday gatherings or reunions. Just focus on having a good time!
As with the other cardinal signs, the Winter Solstice is an important turning point during the year. One cycle ends, a new one begins. For you it is focused on home life and family. Get in touch with those who are far away. Celebrate the holiday at home. Move the furniture and redecorate. With Venus Rx, just take things easy. Try to get along better with those you live with. Don’t let anyone boss you around. Wait until February to pursue new relationships.
While Mars is still here, keep busy and finish projects. Take care of your health. When Venus stations on top of Pluto you may experience strong emotions. There may be obsession or control issues in relationships. You may be blocked from expressing your affections, or separated from a loved one. The influence may go unnoticed, but Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, is an intense and passionate sign. Perhaps you could channel your passions into a good cause.
When Mars arrives on December 13 here you will get a terrific jumpstart. This is a high energy period for Mars. You are in good physical shape and your outlook is optimistic. Travel and expansion are favored. Take a trip. Generally, it is a very positive period, unless you have nothing constructive to do, then you might get into trouble. Enjoy food and alcohol in moderation. Read about Gemini and the lunations which involve your sign. While the Sun is still here, you are in the spotlight, so enjoy it.
Generally this is a feel-good period with the Sun here, but you also have Venus stationing Rx with Pluto which puts a spin on relationships and your emotional state. A lot depends on the picture in front of you. Are you married, are you happy or not, are you single and looking, etc.? A relationship could become an obsession. You might want something you can’t have. Don’t let your partner control you, and vice versa. Under this aspect, people tend to seduce or manipulate others into giving them what they want. For the lucky few, a deep spiritual love could develop at this time.
There isn’t much change in the aspects for you this month. Sit loose in the saddle of fate and enjoy the holidays. You should be used to having Saturn here by now. Chop wood, carry water. Take things slowly, be patient with others. Jupiter is about to pack up and leave, on January 29. Count your blessings. You have learned a lot this year. While Mars is still in Scorpio, keep things moving at work. Stay on the boss’s good side. This pays off in the future.
While Mars is still in Scorpio, travel is favored. When he moves into Sagittarius your career is favored and you feel more ambitious. With the Winter Solstice, Venus Rx and Pluto in Capricorn there may be some changes in your social circles. Friends come and go. Someone may try to control you or take advantage of you. You don’t need friends like that. Keep your eyes open. When Jupiter arrives on January 29, a happy and fortunate period lies ahead.