December 2023 Cosmic Snapshot
December is the month of “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back”. Astrologically speaking it is “Two Planets Forward (plus Chiron) and one Planet Back”.
My feeling about December is that it’s an “almost” month-we are almost ready for things to shift, it’s almost time to make a change, start a project, do the thing-but we are not quite there yet.
As we head into the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere the light outside darkens and we are called to turn inward, warming ourselves with the heat of our inner fire. It is within that we gather the information we need to alchemize our lives, transforming the old into the new.
Along the way our cosmic allies come to the rescue-offering moments of guidance, respite, resolution and healing.
First up is Mercury-the speedy planet of ideas and insights moves into Capricorn on December 1, shifting our thoughts to the longer term. The winged messenger in the sign of the Sea Goat allows us to communicate with practicality, shaping our verbal connections with earthy, realistic vision.
December 3rd Venus in Libra makes one of her 2nd to last squares to Pluto in Capricorn. Love, pleasure, resources and values come into a place of tension with the transformative power of our changing reality.
This is Venus in Libra’s last aspect before she moves into Scorpio on December 4th-Pluto is Scorpio’s ruling planet, so the Venus/Pluto square acts as an initiation gateway through which Venus walks before descending into the depths of Scorpio. We encounter Venus throughout the rest of 2023 as the dark goddess-initiating us into the power of our shadow. Our relationship healing arises from the depths of our raw emotion, allowing ourselves to value our true feelings as they arise.
On December 6th, Neptune will go direct in Pisces after spending over 5 months retrograde. Neptune has a watery, ephemeral nature, mysterious and hard to grasp or understand with logic. Neptune is the part of us connected to the spirit realm, to magic, imagination and dreams. Retrograde, in its home sign of PIsces, Neptune has asked us to dive deeply to the bottom of our oceanic waters. Each of us has our own way of touching the divine and some, as they seek connection with god/goddess-get lost in Neptune’s shadow: fantasy, illusion, addiction.As Neptune moves direct in the last decan of Pisces, there is an opportunity to become more aware of how we delude ourselves that we are separate from divinity. We can gain understanding around the ways we choose to escape from a deeper awareness of our connection with the mystery.
December 9th Venus in Scorpio opposes Jupiter in Taurus, reactivating the eclipse degree from October 28th. On this day we can reconnect with the themes of that eclipse time with our heart and values. We may feel stretched or blocked as we try to express these emotions in a physical, embodied form. The opposition also brings the possibility of greater healing through feeling whole and complete in ourselves. Issues of self-esteem or insecurity can be brought to the light of day to integrate and release.
December 12 is both a New Moon in Sagittarius and Mercury goes retrograde in Capricorn-is the future headed in the direction we thought it was? Has our vision changed? The messenger god says: “Do your ambitions give your life meaning? Are you sure? Over the next few weeks, I will bring you new information that may ask you to adjust your goals, reformulate your plans and change your path up your own personal mountain. All in service of a life of meaning, adventure and greater expansion and growth.”
December 20th-Today as Venus in Scorpio opposes Uranus in Taurus, we get the Venus version of the astrological terrain we experienced back in November when the Sun, Mercury and Mars in Scorpio all took turns opposing Uranus in Taurus. Reach back in your memory to that time-what was happening inside and out? Today you can bring love, respect, value and beauty to the stand off between Scorpio and Taurus. Life (Taurus) is changing (Uranus). How can you grieve the life that is ending (Scorpio) with love (Venus)? What does it mean to bring beauty and grace to your shadow in the face of uncertainty? In what ways is it possible to be connect and appreciate how you are awakening and becoming more authentic in your values and resources?
December 21-Winter Solstice-Sun into Capricorn
The Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is initiated by the Sun’s movement into Capricorn. Winter Solstice 2023 stands out because the Sun will transition out of Sagittarius and into the sign of the goat, while simultaneously forming a conjunction with Mercury retrograde at 0 degrees of Capricorn. When Mercury joins the radiant heart of the Sun, it is known to be “Cazimi” or in the heart of the Sun. Mercury’s powers are amplified, purified and strengthened as we enter the gateway of the Solstice light and the rebirth of the Sun.
Crystalline quartz visions can emerge as you navigate your way up the mountain of Capricorn season. Alignment with your inner elder is possible as this planetary relationship strengthens. Because Mercury is still retrograde it is not yet the moment for outward action or articulation of your awareness, instead focus on your own knowing, gathering information from within for the journey ahead.
December 22nd-Mercury moves back into Sagittarius retrograde
Today we return to a Sagittarius mindset, amplifying our mental perspective to cast a wide net into the ocean of awareness. This final week of the Mercury retrograde is shaped by an opportunity to learn and explore, broadening our knowledge base with wisdom that is rich with meaning.
December 26th-Chiron direct and Full Moon in Cancer
Chiron moves forward at 15 degrees Aries as the Full Moon in Cancer illuminates our tender hearts. The maverick, wounded healer, mentor known as Chiron brings a new direction to the celestial landscape. Featuring the courage, self-confidence and trailblazing superpowers of Aries, Chiron trines Mama asteroid Ceres in Sagittarius-harmonizing the possibilities for adventurous growth. With the Moon sextile Jupiter (Stationary) in Taurus and the Sun forming an earth trine to Jupiter, we experience the last lunation of the year as both deeply vulnerable and ripe with potential for sustainable growth.
December 27th-Mars square Neptune
The fiery enthusiasm of Mars in Sagittarius clashes with the ethereal dreaming of Neptune in Pisces. Mars introduces a spark of passion to Neptune’s deep waters, will a steamy collaboration result? Or does the potential for this fire and water meeting fizzle in a puff of smoke?
December 29th-Venus into Sagittarius
The goddess of connection dons a fiery gown, entering 2024 filled with the faith and optimism of Sagittarius. Love is the best religion and Venus in Sagittarius helps us preach a gospel of connection, crossing borders of separation to find common ground.
December 30th-Jupiter Direct
The far reaching, expansive reach of Jupiter begins to turn outwards as the largest planet in the solar system turns direct as the Gregorian Calendar year of 2023 comes to a close. Jupiter has been retrograde since June of 2023 in the sign of Taurus-directing our growth inwards. There has been an opportunity to go within and explore our values, personal comforts and connection to the earth. From December 30th onwards we can begin to bring our new awareness out into the world and manifest from this place.
