December 2022 Forecast

Venus opposes Mars on Dec 1 as they exchange signs. This could be a passionate tryst, or an argument, depending. Neptune stations direct on Dec 3, at the very end of Aquarius, heralding its eventual exit from Aquarius in the New Year, having spent 14 years in the sign. It's time to dream a new dream. 

Mercury enters Sagittarius on Dec 3, followed by Venus on Dec 5, a sign it began the year with. This means both planets are crossing the divide between watery Scorpio and fiery Sagittarius, a potentially volatile period in business, travel, relations and the economy.

A retrograde Mars opposes the Sun on Dec 8. There is much to rework, with the Sun shining a spotlight on what needs to be redone. The Sun enters Sagittarius on Dec 16, placing it with Mercury and Venus. All these are influenced by a frustrated Mars in Taurus. You may have to approach how you do anything differently, while hoping for something better. 

Mercury enters Capricorn and joins Pluto and Saturn on Dec 27, but only just, as it stations retrograde on Dec 29 and re-enters Sagittarius on Dec 30. The year ends with a major review that continues into the New Year.  

Venus enters Capricorn on Dec 29, finishing the year as it did in 2021, conjunct Pluto in Capricorn. This time, Venus will not retreat into the underworld with Pluto. Instead, it will reemerge in the evening skies with a new look to try on. Some skeletons may emerge from the closet. 
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​Neptune stations Direct Dec 3
This is the last time Neptune will station in Aquarius, before moving into Pisces in February 2023. It will remain in Pisces until 2036. It will not return to Aquarius until 2173.

Whatever area of your life Aquarius represents, you've probably had an ideal situation in your mind's eye for many years now. Now that Neptune is about to leave, it's worth noting what that ideal is, and if it is potentially a reality. It's time to take the rose-tinted glasses off. 

Saturn will move into Aquarius in January and will either make real your dreams, or let you know if it's a pipe dream and unrealistic. It's time to get real about this area of your life and, in doing so, to make real your aspirations. 

But before we get ahead of ourselves, Neptune hasn't left Aquarius yet! And even when it does, it hangs out in the lunar mansion that bridges both Aquarius and Pisces, i.e., Purva Bhadrapada, for another couple of years. It will not move out of this lunar mansion until 2025, when it meets with Saturn in Pisces. And because Saturn and Rahu both rule Aquarius, and Neptune will meet with both of these in the coming years, the picture will not become clear for some time to come. 

Before we get to the revolutions and dissolutions of the current structures, we must go through a couple of years of finishing up the themes of Neptune in Purva Bhadrapada; that is, themes of deception. We must go through a couple more years of being at least a little confused about what is real and what is not. And when there is confusion, it stunts the revolutionary impulse because if you don't know what's what, you don't know where to direct your attention and energy. 

One of the symbols of Purva Bhadrapada is a two-faced man. Neptune here only serves to blurs the lines between truth and falsity all the more. It also reflects themes of life and death, as another symbol of this lunar mansion is the front legs of a funeral bed. 
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At least the Pisces division of the lunar mansion shows less antagonism, despite the bewilderment we must face. Or indeed, because of the confusion that is possible. You're unlikely to argue with someone if you don't know what they're talking about!

​Take the time in December and January to dream your dream, and allow it to come into focus. Some dreams may be brought down to earth, but some may crash and burn. 

​As high as you go is as long as you go.

If you're dreams are undoable, Saturn's subsequent transit here for the next couple of years will let you know through a slow dawning and realisation. But if your dreams are doable, it's time to get to work on them and make them happen. 

My dream is to have my own house (Aquarius is my 4th house). Saturn also rules my 3rd house of initiate, so it will likely test me to make it happen. It will become clear in the coming years if I can make it a reality. 

​​What dream would you like to make real? Look to the signs Capricorn, and especially Aquarius, to see where you can now get real and get on with it. 

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Mercury in Sagittarius Dec 3 - 27
Mercury crosses the gandanta (end of a knot) section of the zodiac between Scorpio and Sagittarius before Venus. This is where the significations of the planets can come undone for a while, as the need to let go of the fear in Scorpio leads to a new hope in Sagittarius. 

No Hope, No Fear.

This section of the zodiac embodies that sentiment more than any other. By hoping or fearing, we are actually not present to what is. Planets transiting this part of the zodiac ask us to let go - into the present moment - and slip between our hopes and fears. 

You how it goes: you sit in meditation and you immediately realise you've been holding onto stress in your body. Recognizing this allows you to let go and relax more into the moment. You may keep a focus on something such as the breath. Yet it's not a tight and contracted focus; rather, it's open and allowing. This allows the present moment to present itself as it will, without resisting what is. 

The mind dwelling on worst-case scenarios in Scorpio eventually lets go and the cork rises to the top, i.e., the mind relaxes and floats to the highest potential in any given moment. There are two important things that happen in that moment of release: 1) you let go of struggle with what is, and 2) you allow the best outcome to arise from any given situation. 

That is the journey from Scorpio to Sagittarius. We may attempt to control outcomes at the Scorpio stage, but ironically, by doing so, we are not allowing the best possible outcome. By releasing our grasp, we can become more at the Sagittarius stage. 
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Venus in Sagittarius Dec 5 - 29
Venus joins Mercury in Sagittarius as it moves through the gandanta section. ​While there may be an initial blip to proceedings, there's a more idealistic expression for both Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius. Yet there are complications, as well. 

Mars looks on from Taurus, Venus' sign, and no longer exchanges, and therefore, no longer co-operates, with Venus. This may push a Mars agenda more forcefully. Yet Mars itself is not going anywhere new and frustrated at having to retreat. We can personally channel such a force for good, for something more hopeful and ideal. 

Use the  backwards energy of Mars, and of Jupiter's forward motion in Pisces, to move forward, and upward, towards something more optimistic, while reworking your route there, finding strength within. 

Venus in Sagittarius reflects a need for a higher perspective as you do so. It channels a higher love, "Down in the heart [and] hidden in the stars above". 
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Mars transits Cancer Division of Taurus Dec 5 - 13
Mars continues to retrograde through Taurus, pulling back from all the recent forceful, forward momentum. It's time to reassess your actions, and to reconnect with things from your past that gave you a feeling of strength and courage. Getting rid of what doesn't work any more is part of the deal. 

Yet December is a bit tricky in that respect, as Mars moves through the Cancer 9th division of Taurus. This reflects an underlying weakness that must be felt. When Mars is weak, on any level, and then is forced to backtrack, it's likely to express itself as a strong reaction. You may lash out in frustration. Or, you may beat yourself up about something.

​Yet you may not be aware of the build up of tension. This is where accidents can occur. Accidents are a way of letting you know you have something to pay attention to, to slow down and reassess. If you are unaware of an underlying tension, you're less likely to manage it. The more aware you are, the less likely you fall into its trap. Yet there's a balance that's needed. Being overly focused on the potential of having an accident can itself create an accident. As always, retrograde planets are all or nothing and require a skillful balancing act. 

December is a month to manage Mars energy, as opposed to push through new agendas. It's a time to find outlets for frustration while you rework certain aspects of your life.  Look to the house position of Taurus to see where you must manage it. If you don't know what that is, simply look at what's not moving forward in your life at this time, despite your best efforts. Include Aries and Scorpio in your deliberations. 

Instead of reacting strongly, respond appropriately. That's the strength of Mars in Capricorn, its exaltation sign. Mars in Cancer wants it, so why not give it. Contain your energy through some activity that allows you to manage the excessive energy that has no apparent outlet.

There's always an outlet available. It just may not be obvious when Mars is retrograde. This is one reason we are seeing more earthquakes, as the earth responds to Mars's retrograde. Sometimes, we just need to step aside and let others have their explosions, without getting involved in their dramas. You probably have enough of your own to deal with. 
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Full Moon in Taurus (Rohiṇī) Dec 8
The Full Moon is conjunct Mars by exact degree. This Full Moon is full of passion, but it just as likely to lead to frustration because of Mars's retrograde. This should not be ignored because there is huge potential for positive change. However, this is only likely if you are willing to redo something, and are open to suggestions. 

It may also help to be open to surprises. Uranus is at the same degree as Mars in its sign, Aries, as Mars and the Moon come together opposite the Sun in Mars' other sign, Scorpio. It's all about Mars for this Full Moon! Managing the outward frustration can be handled with some inner work on yourself. 

If you have a focused practice or meditation that allows the energy to recirculate, then do lots of that. If not, find a way to work with any build up of passion that has no obvious outlet. 

Allow your passions to grow, while finding a healthy outlet that lets you blow off some steam. 

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Saturn leaves Leo Division of Capricorn Dec 14
​Saturn finally leaves the Leo 9th division of Capricorn by mid-month. Saturn moved into this division from the end of August. This has shown the underlying instability in the world. That's because Saturn in Capricorn is in an 'inconjunct' to Leo. They're not on the same page. They don't see each other. 

Leo is not a particularly welcome place for Saturn. At least, Saturn is not at home here. It might be likened to a servant being allowed into the King's chambers, but only if they are there to serve. If they're there to cause a problem, they're out!

Saturn represents the everyday person; Leo, those that lead them. The added complication of having Saturn in Capricorn AND the Leo division is apparent in an underlying tension with leaders and governments around the world.  

Now that Saturn moves on into Virgo, the last few weeks of its transit in Capricorn, and in a trine in Virgo, is more helpful and practical. Long term plans can be implemented by governments and institutions without as much tension, at least. 

You can personally channel this more helpful energy to put in place a practical plan and discipline yourself. 


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Sun in Sagittarius Dec 15 - Jan 14
​The Sun's strength in Sagittarius is its connection to something more meaningful and hopeful. This is Christmas time, of course. It's many times the only time some people see the inside of a place of worship. 

Even if you don't attend a church during the Sun's transit in Sagittarius, it's a time to connect with something that gives your life meaning, and hope.

The Sun shines a light on this for you by the end of December and beginning of January. It does so every year. Look to the sign by house position to see what you can light up and reconnect with. Whatever it is, there's a need to find meaning and purpose in it. 

Many of us reconnect with family members, as the Sun moves through a sign from which we can observe our galactic center. This is our roots in terms of families of origin. 

If you're meeting with family members at this time, remind yourself of this so you can rise above any petty arguments or frustrations. Remember, Mars is looking on from its retrograde position in the sign of family, Taurus!

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New Moon in Sagittarius (Mūla) Dec 23
​The Moon joins the Sun at 7 degrees of sidereal Sagittarius just before Christmas. ​This is the 'root' star sign, from which we can observe the super massive black hole at the galactic centre. This represents our roots from a spiritual perspective. 

A New Moon in Mūla is about reconnecting to our roots from all perspectives. For many, this means reconnecting with family members. For others, it's about reconnecting to a spiritual community or an internal sense of spiritual connection that does not require any outer connection. Actually, the outer bling and family tensions around the holidays can often detract from the true spiritual connection we all share. 

Often, the things that we initially dread, are the things that connect us. Mūla is ruled by the goddess of death, and is one thing we can all say we have in common. 

This New Moon is a time to reconnect with what is meaningful and purposeful in our lives, and to get rid of anything that is not. Death actually makes life more meaningful, giving us a sense of purpose while here on earth.

This New Moon may feel like a preening phase as we head into the Christmas period, a time to cut things out and clear a way forward. It's a time to connect to the truth of our existence, from a higher perspective. You don't need a church to be reminded of this, but sometimes it helps. 

The following lunar month brings us into the New Year and to more possibilities, as we look to a New Year with new hope. It's at the New Moon that we can set our intentions, even if it's simply an intention to focus on what we want and clear ourselves of what we do not. 

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Mercury Retrograde Dec 29 - Jan 18
Mercury enters Capricorn Dec 27, but only briefly, as it will retrograde from Dec 29 and then move back into Sagittarius on Dec 30. If you're planning on travelling around the end of the year or into the New Year, then maybe think twice about it! If you must travel, do pack a lot of patience for a probable extended trip. 

Together with Mars's retrograde in Taurus, we could see many disturbances around business and travel for the New Year festivities. The New Year does not start out smoothly because of these retrogrades. Mars and Mercury continue to retrograde until the second half of January, so the beginning of the New Year is a false start in many ways. Things don't get going until the end of the month. 

By the end of December, things are not going anywhere any time soon. It's probably a great time to reflect on your hopes and dreams for the future, and how you're going to go about reaching these. But the details are likely very sketchy at this stage. 

As Mercury stations close to Venus and Pluto, there are probably more obvious financial and relational concerns to address, so there's no avoiding the issues. They all transit the lunar mansion, Uttarāṣāḍhā, a star sign that is all about austerity. 

As the year ends, Mercury returns to Sagittarius, to reconsider what the ideal situation is. If some things haven't worked out as planned, then what is now possible? Keep an open mind about eventual outcomes. 

Thankfully, Jupiter's strength in Pisces means we can at least connect with something more meaningful, even if the details are not clear. If you don't know how to go about what you know what you must do, you can still at least connect with why you are doing it in the first place, at least until the details make themselves clear by late January. 

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Venus enters Capricorn Dec 29
As Venus enters Capricorn, it meets with Mercury which is backtracking into Sagittarius. As they swap places and come into a 'planetary war' yet again, this time on Dec 29, it will be important to be patient and keep a level head in the lead up to New Year's Eve. 

To add further complexity, Pluto is waiting for Venus in Capricorn. This is probably a rude awakening into the New Year, but it may just as easily hide certain things. We may not wish to face the truth of what is happening in the cold light of day, but if we can, we can unearth all that lay hidden for some time. 

Venus met with Pluto here for the beginning of 2022. As it returns us to these themes, if it doesn't seem fair, it's probably because you are not aware of the full picture, including the hidden Plutonic themes that are likely too disturbing to admit. 

Venus in this section of the zodiac plays a big part in the Ukraine war. Will we see something revealed at this time? Perhaps. But more so, we are likely to have something revealed in our personal lives that we may not wish to. It may be just our bank balance we wish to avoid looking at after the spending of Christmas! Or it may be a fact about a relationship we haven't been able to address thus far. 

While Venus in Capricorn, conjunct Pluto, and as Mercury and Mars continue to retrograde, it is not necessarily a time to make up your mind about any of these things. It is, however, a great time to inquire. 

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Wishing you all the very best for the month ahead. 

Om Tat Sat