Our astrologer, De Rui, tells us all what to expect as we wrap up the year
The energies riding into a new month are those of wide-eyed exploration. The New Moon in Sagittarius in the latter part of November was a call to discover new sources of optimism and what to put faith in, as well as who can expand our horizons. With Mercury and Venus joined together for the past three weeks – and for the next several to come – social interactions are easy-going and well-lubricated. People, including ourselves, seem to say the right thing at the right time and exchanges can truly be a joy. For the most part, the interest and understanding we feel from others is quite genuine, and communication can be open-ended without too many agendas.
Past the first ten days of December, an element of strategy comes into play. As planets move into Capricorn, circumstances may force us to choose between what to do and who to see. We may need to be more selective about the return on our time investments. On December 8, a Full Moon joining with Mars, exactly halfway through its retrograde, forms an emotionally volatile portal—a time when suppressed anger or resentment from the past can no longer be held down, and confrontations quickly ignite. Trust that your own emotions are valid at this time and that anything coming to a boil is healthy in the long run.
Read more: How to Make the Most Out of Mars Retrograde 2022
The middle two weeks of December facilitate more humble learning from those close to home and integral to our day-to-day lives. Energy comes now, not from absorbing big ideas, philosophies or making an impact on the world, but from participating on a much smaller scale (neighborhood gossip, sibling updates, local events) that can give a certain buzz and dynamism to even the most mundane kind of lifestyle. The December 21 Winter Solstice is a good time to gather with those in your immediate vicinity and to participate in shared rituals.
A new cycle begins on the December 23 New Moon in Capricorn. As another year winds down, we are going to be taking stock of how far we have come and what we have yet to build. Often there is no greater factor involved in shaping our legacy than our spouse/co-pilot/partner-in-crime, both in terms of their support for us but also in what their personal ambitions are for their own life. Planetary alignments to the marriage asteroid Juno indicate a good time to hold your significant other close as well as to put your joined forces to use. If long-term goals aren’t clear, Mercury entering its final retrograde of the year on December 29 sets just the right tone for contemplation and deep reflection.
The Month by Sun Sign
Aries
This is potentially an expansive time of year, with plenty of kindred spirits and good people to share fun, adventure, and inspirational experiences with. Around the Full Moon on December 8, the mood music changes a bit, as your whims take you in different directions. After the first week of the month, others can voice their criticisms more openly, even if they don’t mean anything personal. Try to see it as helpful rather than hurtful. With more friction in the air, a passing flirtation with a new person in your orbit is possible. Planning for the long term may not always be appealing but a golden window of opportunity opens up after the December 23 Full Moon to take your future more seriously.