December brings a bit of haywire energy and confusion, but generally seems to have a lot of blessings in store for us.
November might have been very intense for many people… Talking to friends, I realized that so many of us were dealing with anxiety, spirals of guilt, feelings that felt heavy and ugly.
The world was also under fire. My words will fail to accurately portray the level of horror and trauma that the people of Gaza have gone through, and I hope for relief, in the form of ceasefire and end of occupation. This is a moment for us not to check out but to ceaselessly bound ourselves to cause of liberation for all people.
The astrologer Rick Levine described the time of Sagittarius as the openness of the winter sky. I’m paraphrasing, but the trees drop their leaves, and finally, you can see far out. Here in Tokyo, we can start to see Mt. Fuji, as the dry cold air sharpens the sky. I have faith that this month we will get some of that relief through clarity, although it won’t necessarily translate into fast-track motion and problem solving.
One big theme of December that reasserts the importance of consideration is Mercury Retrograde. In 2022, Mercury also went retrograde in December, and it mapped along with a tide of Covid spreading around in Asia. This year, it makes a similar movement, turning retrograde on the 13th, boding some complications for the latter half of the month. A day to watch during the retrograde period is the 22nd-23rd, when the Sun conjoins retrograde Mercury at 0 degrees of Capricorn before Mercury promptly re-enters Sagittarius. This day signals a shift, new considerations come to the fore.
Interestingly enough, the Sagittarius New Moon also happens on the 13th, just as Mercury stations. The main signature of this new moon is generally positive, as Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter are happily configured. It might be a time for positive communications. However, the Sun is square Neptune here, and reality might be a bit hard to keep a grasp of. Don’t get too swung over by sweet talk that you say yes to things you don’t actually have the energy for.
The other lunation of the month is the Cancer Full Moon on the 27th, which is also generally auspicious. The Sun trines Jupiter in Taurus, so there is definitely the possibility of celebration and recognition, but there is also some combative energy. I could see people being a little too blunt, hurting others feelings. Or you saying something as a joke, but instead it ends up offending everyone. On the more fortunate side, you might have to deal with communications that sound like a lot but don’t mean anything. Theme is absurdity.
As for the holidays, Christmas this year has the opportunity to be romantic and fantasy-driven. Because the moon has some distant difficult configuration, you might be juggling some stress low-level in the background, but it will ultimately be centered on opening your heart to acceptance.
On the other hand, New Year’s Eve aligns with Jupiter station direct, and we enter a new page in grounded joy and pursuits. New Year’s Day, however, is sobering. You might feel better taking the day to clean and organize files, than in indulgence. The astrology comes together to reinforce the message that we are turning a new page and entering into a new season.
I’ll be back in touch at the end of the month with a forecast of January ~ have a great month!
Get a reading for 2024 and see what’s coming up for you~ Figure out how to best channel your energy this next year and where to keep your eyes open for opportunities.
Horoscopes (please read for rising sign first, but sun sign may also fit)
Sagittarius:
Self-presentation might be a bit loopy, but you are aligning your heart and your body. The root (home) is where you want to find the missing pieces. There might be some rearrangement of your bank account.
Capricorn:
You’ve been in this cocoon - butterfly state for around a decade, slipping to transcendence and back to wing-melting goo, only to go for seconds, third portions on a your hero’s journey. Like a seal, dipping in and out of the water, this month asks why you exist in half-states in many different doorways, and where would you be seated at home and not just seated on the road.
Aquarius:
What’s going on? What exists / what is there? Questions of coming into being, questions of losing form. I imagine that you will be undergoing an investigation of what is there, because the There Is requires your engagement. Groups and friends might be the source of some drama or at least some loud fanfare.
Pisces:
It’s not feasible to put up appearances, but you must know this very well with Neptune in your first house since 2014. Instead, Neptune puts on appearances for you, most of which pass through you without any effort on your part. In December, you will have to engage public life strategically, possibly make a statement or take an action that speaks on you and your values. This might not be easy because the you that exists in public is watery, transparent, and hard to grasp. You’ll have to negotiate a compromise between personas, images, and even beliefs.
Aries:
For those that are travelling, there is a risk of some things being not as smooth. Without being a doomsayer, I would recommend carrying more secure bags or packing any liquids more tightly. If some of you are travelling for work, I recommend you also leave extra time for any snafus. This month will bring a sense of surrender, but it could be a deeply satisfying one, if you take care to pay attention to your surroundings.
Taurus:
Friendships, group alliances, and community as a whole might feel a bit tense this month, mainly because where you stand with things and how you feel might be a bit unclear. Don’t get upset too quickly because the information you hear this month might not be totally accurate or contain the whole story. Things will clear up a bit more in the new year.
Gemini:
For Geminis especially, I would pay attention how you talk to your boss or someone in authority, or with a collaborator and partner who you will work together with in facing a bigger entity. There might be negotiations you will have to regularly revisit. Excuse the practical bend to this month’s message, but I suggest recording messages or getting things down in writing. It will make any financial or business contracts easier to deal with in the new year.
Cancer:
If you are doing big travels this month, I do advise you to watch out for your health. Don’t overstrain yourself and pack good shoes. For those who are not travelling, there is still the call in this month’s astrology to really devote in your own personal care. The Cancer Full Moon might be a sweet time to be with friends, but watch out for sharp knives, hot water, and your temper anywhere.
Leo:
The possibility of new joy, connections, and play time make themselves known, and all you have to worry about is getting too lost in your dreams. There is no limit to what you can imagine, but there is actually a bit of inner work that is tying you down to the desk. This month, you experiment with the ineffable when you allow these dreams to occur without speaking them out loud.
Virgo:
This month, you’ll look at home from a different perspective. Although home is a topic that sticks with us throughout our entire life, this month presents a new angle for you. Because of Mercury’s retrograde movement, these contemplations on home may be mixed with the topic of children, creativity, and fun and games. After this month, you’ll be rejuvenated and feel more grounded that you have been able to establish the landscape around your desires in key areas in your life.
Libra:
Mercury retrograde this time around is about more local or familial concerns. You may be considering how certain ways of relating with others dysregulates you and may even cause you to feel ill. For some of you, you may need to schedule more alone time for yourself. For others, if being alone makes you anxious, this is a time to take proactive steps to find a new way of being alone that are less scary. Around December 10-12 might present better than usual circumstances around money and resources.
Scorpio:
This month, there is a possibility of some financial conundrums mixed with communication snafus. You need to account for how much you are putting out versus taking in. There is a lot of abundance in your world with Jupiter in your 7th house, but you have to see if all the channels are connected, so that you can actually redirect what is coming into your life through the areas that require nourishment.