You have made it to December! Another year is almost done. I hope you are proud of what you have achieved over the last 12 months. I hope you can honor all the ups and downs and celebrate where you are today, even if it’s not where you want to be forever. Sometimes just acknowledging that can help to bring ease. Life is a journey, not a destination. It’s ok if you are not enjoying the view right now; things will shift, you will keep growing, and life will keep moving.
December feels busy as the month opens. We have some bold cosmic energies floating by in the first few weeks, including a fiery Gemini Full Moon on December 7. We also have some amazing Galactic energy to work with too, with the Antares Star Gate unlocked from December 2-4 and the Sun aligning with the Galactic Center from December 18-20.
As we get to the end of the month, the energy around us will begin to slow down, and we will have to make some effort to match its pace, or it may feel a little challenging!
Part of this slowing down energy is due to Mercury, which enters retrograde on December 29, joining Mars, which has been retrograde since October. Both these planets in retrograde together will create some sticky, foggy, and maybe even confusing energy to wade through.
It may be hard to see the path forward, or we may find ourselves stuck when it comes to making decisions. We may feel things come to a halt, including ourselves. This planetary combination can affect our energy levels, making us feel zapped or lethargic. For this reason, it will be important to pace ourselves this month.
Don’t over-commit, and make time for self-care and pleasure! It’s easy to get caught up in the responsibilities and obligations this month brings, but make sure you are also enjoying yourself and doing things that fill you up.
Also, with the incoming retrograde energy from Mercury and Mars, you may wish to have a backup plan in case you are traveling at the end of the month or hosting a large gathering. Once you have some backup or contingency plans in place, go with the flow! Trust the Divine order in all of it, even those delayed flights!
The Solstice arrives this time of year on December 21, which is a celebration of the light and dark that lives within. It is a sacred day, so use it as your marker to bring yourself into alignment. To guide you with this, I am hosting a Solstice Ritual workshop with Dream Oracle, Holly Emmerson. You can find out more here.
Let’s take a closer look at the dates for the month ahead. Don’t forget, if you want to keep up with the Full Moons, New Moons, Eclipses, Retrogrades, and more for 2023, get your Moon Calendar! Available here.
December Astrology 2022
December 1: Venus Opposite Mars Retrograde
Venus has been very active in our cosmic skies these last few months. She is now traveling out of bounds too, which means that her energy can be felt on an exaggerated level. Venus rules over our relationships, not just with others but also with money. We may have noticed themes around this for the last few months now. As Venus aligns opposite Mars Retrograde, her energy will get another boost, poking at any of these themes that have come up for us. By the end of the month, we should also be able to see Venus rising in the evening. Evening star Venus reminds us to love our shadow side. It also puts a focus on self-love and making sure we are returning love to ourselves.
December 2-5: Sun aligns with Antares
This is one of the most powerful and magnetic cosmic gates of the year! As the Sun aligns with the Royal Star Antares, it unlocks strong galactic energies that beam down to Earth, raising our vibration and aligning us with our higher purpose. Antares is said to be the resting place for souls as they leave their earthly bodies and travel to higher realms. In this resting place, souls are reminded of the love they are and the beauty that life has to offer. We can connect with the memory of visiting this place or knowing it exists. We can also reconnect with our soul journey and remind ourselves that we are indeed lucky to be here on this human voyage. Antares is also connected to the heart, it is the heart of the Scorpion and the target point of the arrow of the Sagittarius archer. Stay tuned for more on this incredible gateway and how to work with it!
December 3: Neptune Direct
Neptune stations direct, leaving us with only one outer planet in retrograde. The outer planets, or the planets furthest from the Sun, tend not to affect us as strongly when they retrograde compared to the planets closer to the Sun. Neptune is the planet of illusion, creativity, higher dreams, and unconditional love. When it stations direct, we are reminded to connect with our intuition and to trust ourselves. We may feel a deeper spiritual connection or extra creative on this day. Neptune can sometimes create fog, but as it emerges from retrograde, the fog can clear, allowing us to see things with new clarity. You can learn more about this here.
December 7: Gemini Full Moon
This Full Moon carries some fiery, volatile energy. It is quite heated, and although it is not as strong as the Blood Moon Eclipse we had in November, it could very well trigger the energies we were working with at this time. This Full Moon is aligned with Mars Retrograde, so these themes are likely to be very active at this time. Mars Retrograde can trigger our fears and where we are holding on to heated emotions. We may notice hot-button themes coming up in the world around us or even in our own lives. Mars Retrograde can also influence our energy levels, making us feel extra tired or lethargic. Overall, this Full Moon does carry some heat to it, but we can fuel this energy to work on our passions and to get excited about life again. If you feel you are in a funk or that life has lost a bit of meaning, use the energy of this Full Moon to light your inner fire again. Spend time exploring what makes you happy and what brings you joy.
December 8: Venus crosses Galactic Center
Venus crosses the highly sensitive point known as the Galactic Center. As the name suggests, it is the center of our Galaxy and home to deeply concentrated energy and many mysteries! As Galactic energy can be supercharged, the activation of Venus can help us to expand our heart center and to focus on all that is good in our lives. We may feel extra abundant or find new ways to celebrate the bounties that we have.
December 12: 1212 Angel Number
1212 is a high-frequency angel number that represents wholeness and graduation. As we honor and recognize the wholeness within and celebrate any graduation points, we can raise our consciousness and ascend to higher states of awareness. Seeing 1212 signifies that you are completing a lesson and ready to make it to the next chapter. The move to that next chapter will be more aligned with your soul journey and will take you to higher states of being. You can read more on this 1212 energy plus get a ritual idea here.
December 18-20: Sun on Galactic Center
The Galactic Center contains supercharged energy and many untapped mysteries of the Universe! As the Sun crosses this highly charged point, Galactic energy is beamed to Earth and straight into our cores. Galactic energy can help us feel connected to our star origins and remind us that we are truly the Universe in motion. By meditating and drawing in this Galactic energy, you can feel more expansive and more connected. You can learn more about this energy here.
December 20: Jupiter enters Aries
This is one of the big cosmic shifts of the month. Jupiter enters Aries, where it will remain for most of 2023. The sign Jupiter is in tends to flavor the next 12 months, so it seems Aries energy is where it’s at! You can read your full forecast and horoscope for Jupiter in Aries here.
December 21: Solstice
If you want to dive deeper into the Solstice energies, I am hosting a ritual workshop with Dream Oracle, Holly. We would love to see you there! Sign up here.
The Solstice is a magical time of year when we can honor the light and dark within. In the Southern Hemisphere, the December Solstice brings the longest day of the year, where lightness reigns and the start of Summer begins. It is a time when energy flows in an external direction, and we can focus on what we wish to put out into the world. In the Northern Hemisphere, the December Solstice brings the longest night of the year and the start of the Winter. Energy flows in an internal direction, and we are guided to go within and reflect on our inner selves. The Solstice has been celebrated by many cultures all across the globe. Many of the traditions we celebrate as Christmas, such as decorating pine trees, hanging wreaths, and giving gifts, have been taken from pagan festivals honoring the Solstice.
December 21: Capricorn Season Begins
The Solstice coincides with the Sun’s move into the earth sign of Capricorn. Capricorn is represented by the Sea Goat, which has the ability to climb the tallest mountains and descend to the bottom of the sea. Climbing with only two legs and swimming with only a tail is difficult, but the more the Sea Goat persists, the more opportunities and the greater vantage point it will have. The Sea Goat reminds us that no matter our circumstances, there is a way forward. By preserving and believing in ourselves, we can make it happen! Use the earthy energy of Capricorn Season to believe in yourself, especially when it comes to your goals. Your Capricorn Season horoscope is coming soon.
December 23: Capricorn Super New Moon
Capricorn Season begins with a New Moon, enhancing its ability to bring fresh energy our way. This Capricorn New Moon is the second New Moon in a row to fall at 1 degree. Interestingly, the next three New Moons also follow this trend, making all the New Moons from November to March at 1 degree! These synchronicities are rare, so they always feel like a sign from the Universe to pay attention. One is the number of new beginnings, and New Moons are the beginning of a new lunar cycle, so this idea of starting something new and welcoming new beginnings is definitely magnified! Chiron, the asteroid known as the wounded healer, is active under this Capricorn New Moon, which is fitting, seeing as it stations direct the next day. Stay tuned for your New Moon forecast!
December 23: Chiron Direct
Chiron has been traveling retrograde since July but will now station direct, amplifying its energy. Chiron is known as the wounded healer. It represents the wounds that will forever be a part of our identity. Chiron reminds us that it is in our power to take our wounds and turn them into powerful portals of healing, not just for ourselves but also for others. You can learn more about this Chiron Retrograde here.
December 29: Mercury Retrograde
The final Mercury Retrograde of the year takes place in the sign of Capricorn. Mercury is the planet of communication and our thought processes, so when it stations retrograde, we tend to feel a little foggy, confused and can have a harder time articulating how we feel. This, however, is only to challenge us to shift outdated thought patterns and to get clearer on what we really wish to communicate. Mercury also rules over travel and electronics, so we can sometimes experience issues in these areas too. Many people fear Mercury Retrograde, but it is important to honor it as a natural rhythm and cycle of the Universe. Mercury is known as the Messenger of the Gods, and usually, when we experience mixups and mishaps while it’s in retrograde, it very well could be a higher message for us! Usually, once Mercury stations direct again, which will happen on January 18, clarity will follow. With Mars being retrograde simultaneously, this Mercury Retrograde may feel particularly intense.
