As we move through the final month of 2024, our hearts may be in a reflective mode thanks to Mercury and Mars being retrograde in unison. We may feel the busy pace of the season too exhausting this year and find ourselves seeking comfort in a slower and more relaxed end to 2024.
Mercury and Mars retrograde together can create a general sense of sluggishness, lack of motivation, and a feeling of climbing uphill. We would be wise to take it easy, not take on too much, and prioritize self-care. December can be a stressful month for many with holiday planning, travel and family plans, but if you needed any excuse to keep it low key this year, these two retrogrades are a good one!
While we do have Mercury and Mars both slowing down, we also have sense of wrapping up the past. Issues that we have been dealing with for the last 6 months may begin to settle or resolve. We may start to realize the bigger picture or begin to see new truths. This will especially kick into gear as Neptune stations direct on December 7.
December is also a special month as we experience with a Black Moon. This occurs when we have two New Moons in the same calendar month. December 2024 opens with a Sagittarius New Moon on the 1st and ends with a Capricorn New Moon on the 30th.
New Moons represent new beginnings and the start of a new cycle, so it seems we will be welcoming something new in the month of December. We may feel a burst of inspiration or fresh energy flowing our way, or we may decide to plant some new seeds for the months ahead.
Sagittarius is an adventurous sign, so we have some adventurous ambition on our side when it comes to creating new goals and laying new paths. Use this energy to your advantage by setting intentions on each of these New Moons, and watch how those seedlings sprout as we move into 2025!
December also brings the Solstice on the 21st, a powerful day for our life-giving Sun. On this day, we celebrate the light. Whether experiencing the darkest or the lightest day, we are reminded that life always flows in cycles.
As we wrap up the year, perhaps it is worthwhile to honor the cycle you have journeyed. Even if you are not happy with where you have landed or if 2024 has brought some incredible struggles, this, too, is just part of the whole. Remember that nothing stays the same for long and eventually, just like our Sun, we will enter a new phase of being.
Here are the key astrological dates for December 2024-
November 30/December 1- Sagittarius New Moon
We welcome our month with a new lunar cycle, a reminder that it is never too late to begin again. The adventurous and playful energies of Sagittarius will help us to make our mark. Represented by the arrow of the archer, Sagittarius reminds us that when we put our mind to something there is nothing we cannot achieve. Plan some new ideas under this New Moon; allow the prospect of these ideas to fill you with wonder and awe. Think big! Then watch how these ideas take hold in the New Year. This New Moon also falls directly opposite the planet of optimism, Jupiter, so wherever you have found yourself at this point in your life journey, look for the positive aspect – you will most certainly see it!
December 2-4: Antares Stargate Portal
Antares is known as one of the four Royal stars and during this time period, the Sun conjuncts with Antares, activating its energy and beaming it straight into our beings. Antares is known as the heart of the Scorpion, and this energy can open our own hearts. We may be feeling more abundant and creative. We may be feeling more compassionate and supportive towards ourselves and loved ones. In some cultures, Antares is considered the resting place for souls after they depart their bodies and make their way to the afterlife. It is under the energy of Antares that they can weigh up their regrets, triumphs, and memories. We don’t have to wait until we are on our way to the afterlife to do this. Take some time under this Star portal to reflect on the course of your life. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to call? How can you use this energy to bring yourself into a state of peace with all that has unfolded?
December 4- Retrograde Mercury Opposite Jupiter
Mercury has been retrograde since November 25, and now it aligns directly opposite Jupiter. Jupiter can expand whatever it touches, and as Mercury Retrograde is linked to miscommunications and delays, we may be experiencing our fair share of these today! Mercury Retrograde however, is also a highly intuitive time, so we may find our intuition peaking. Trust your instincts, especially when it comes to the timing of your life.
December 6- Mars Retrograde
This is one of the most critical cosmic events of the year! Mars is the smallest planet, so it is definitely one of the most consequential retrograde cycles we can experience. Mars Retrograde helps us to redefine how we are choosing to spend our energy. It can adjust what motivates us and help us to reorganize and reprioritize what we choose to give importance. Mars Retrograde can create a sluggishness when it comes to our motivation and feelings of energy, but this is all part of the re-harmonization process. Mars will begin its retrograde in Leo before making its way back into Cancer. Both of these zodiacs are very heart-led, so we may find our focus on matters of the heart. Mars Retrograde through Leo will focus on self-love and our authenticity, whereas Mars Retrograde in Cancer will turn our attention to our home and family lives. Mars will remain in Retrograde until February 2025.
December 6/7- Venus Conjunct Pluto
Venus moves into Aquarius where it will align with Pluto. This planetary duo can bring up power struggles in our relationships, but can also boost the intensity. If you want to get your way, focus on your feminine powers.
December 7- Neptune Direct
Neptune ends its retrograde, bringing clarity and new insights our way. Neptune Retrograde can open our third eye and help us to access portals of higher dimension with greater ease. Now that it is stationing direct, we can work with the transmissions we have already acquired. Chances are, some new information may have come to light, or perhaps we are now able to see the world or a situation in a different way. This is a day to honor our authentic selves and to trust our intuition.
December 12- Venus Opposite Retrograde Mars and 12:12
The two cosmic lovers rest on opposite ends of the zodiac. It is time for them to go their own separate ways before returning together again. How can you use this symbolism in your own life? Venus and Mars on opposite ends of the zodiac wheel can help us to balance our masculine and feminine. We may find that the feminine presence of Venus helps us to slow down and savor what we have achieved instead of reaching for more.
It is also the 12th day of the 12th month, giving us the number code 1212. Twelve is a powerful number of completion. Sometimes it is only at the end that we are able to understand the whole and to see the bigger picture vision. Hold space for these ideas on this day.
December 15- Gemini Full Moon and Mercury Direct
It is the last Full Moon of 2024 and it falls in the sign of the Gemini twins. We are both a soul and a body and during our time in this earthly realm, it is our job to honor both sides of the equation. The Gemini Full Moon also represents a powerful point of completion and endings. If there are things you want to do away with and not bring into 2025, this is the perfect time to set those intentions.
Mercury also stations direct on this day, allowing our minds to move into a new clarity. Pay attention to what messages come your way at this time, as they are likely divinely inspired.
December 19- Venus Trine Jupiter
A beautiful planetary duo! This harmonious combination of planetary energy will shed good fortune on this day! This is a great day for creative projects, socializing, and shining bright! Make use of this day by doing something you love.
December 21- Winter Solstice/ Sun enters Capricorn
Welcome to Capricorn Season and the Solstice! Here, we celebrate the longest day of the year. But, things are always moving and shifting, and nature is a great reminder of that. Capricorn Season gives us resilience and determination for the next yearly cycle. It is an ambitious sign that can give us the stamina to make it through the holidays and into another year!
December 27- Venus Square Uranus
Venus square Uranus can be a potentially volatile combination triggering unexpected events. Perhaps use this as an excuse to have a low-key day where you are able to focus on the things that you really wish to do. Instead of saying yes or trying to please others, please yourself!
December 29- Chiron Direct
Chiron ends the year with a power move! Chiron stationing direct represents a new turning point when it comes to finding peace. We all have emotional traumas, and Chiron gifts us with remembering that working to heal these can lead to beautiful openings and a deeper authenticity. As it emerges from retrograde, we too, can emerge from some painful event of the past. Perhaps we can create space to realize that even though we have scars, we can still lead a beautiful life.
December 30- Black New Moon in Capricorn
We end the month as we began it, with a New Moon! The second New Moon in a calendar month is known as a Black Moon. This is perfectly timed with the start of the New Year and is a great way to set intentions for the new chapter ahead. Capricorn is a very ambitious sign, so set some big goals for yourself- you may just surprise yourself on what you can achieve!
Try to stay in gratitude, stillness, peace, love, bare feet on the ground, feeling the Oneness of all living beings. Can you blend with the animals, the trees perhaps, and feel what they are feeling? This sense of merging or morphing will be using Neptune energy well, as long as you stay grounded. This energy is excellent for boosting your creativity and your spiritual practice, so meditate, do breath-work, listen to sacred music, paint, write, sing, dance . . . and imagine that you are breathing in love, and breathing out love. Take care of yourself.
MANY BLESSINGS, JULIE REEVES,