The 2021 Overview is ready for pre-order. Click here. December Birthdays click here for a special offer.
**********************************************
We are here, finally, at the last month of the most tumultuous year in living memory for many of us barring those who lived through WWII. While astrologers anticipated that 2020 would be a history maker, I don’t think any of us were fully prepared for what was to come. This year has challenged all of us in many different ways and has changed our perceptions of what is “normal”.
Mercury starts us off by entering Sagittarius on December 1. After spending an extra-long period in Scorpio, no doubt we’re more than ready to get our heads back into the light. Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign associated with the idea of expanding our horizons. Whilst Mercury can struggle with a multitude of options in this sign, we are at least thinking in a more optimistic way. However, sometimes we need to watch the tendency to brow beat as Mercury in Sagittarius can become moralistic when working in shadow. Bluntness can also cause friction.
Despite some of the challenges of the eclipse, there is a sense of onwards and upwards though. Venus joins the Sun and Mercury in Sagittarius on December 15 where she delights in the warmth of friendly connection and appreciates a no strings attached approach to relationships.
The fact that the U.S. Electoral College will cast its official certification of the next president on December 14 has many people anxious. But with the truth-telling eclipse in Sagittarius, veracity will reign over disinformation and gas-lighting. Solar eclipses bring distinctive fresh starts, while Lunar Eclipses (such as the one on November 30) mark endings.
This is a sigh of relief as Venus moves from Scorpio's intensity into the sign of optimism and expansion on December 15. Venus in Sagittarius brings a sense of idealism, optimism, hope, where ethics and morality plays a huge part in the equation. Venus entering Sagittarius is an arousal to contribute. It is the allure of taking a role in decisions that will shape your personal life. Be cautious though, Venus can play fast and loose with love and money while in Sagittarius. Make sure you have Christmas budget and stick to it!
The pace only picks up from here and doesn’t slow down for the rest of the year. Two major outer planets, Saturn and Jupiter, will end long treks through cautious and restrictive Capricorn and move into Aquarius on December 17 and 19, respectively. It’s been quite a long spell of this limiting energy, as we’ve learned Capricorn lessons on delayed gratification, following rules and accepting unavoidable boundaries, like “sheltering in place.” Aquarius is the sign of hopes and humanitarian ideals, giving rise to major innovation in technology and society. This is truly the start of the “Aquarian Decade,” in my opinion, as Pluto will enter Aquarius in 2023 for the first time since 1798.
On December 20 Mercury moves into sensible Capricorn. When Mercury is in Capricorn, the earthy side comes forward, courtesy of its Virgo rulership. While Mercury is here, we view the future through practical eyes and are mindful that unless we lay a solid foundation for our vision, we will not be able to build upon it.
Read Me: December 2020 Horoscopes for all the Signs
Not only are these planets moving in tandem, but on the Winter Solstice on December 21, these two giants will align at the exact same degree, the closest they’ve been since 1623. From our vantage point on earth, they’ll appear as a single bright star. This also ends a long spell of Great Conjunctions in earth signs (the last one was in Taurus in 2000), as we move into air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) for the next 150 years. Jupiter’s action is to expand, Saturn’s is to contract, so in their meeting they have the ability to complement one another. Saturn cuts down on Jupiter’s tendency towards excess, Jupiter encourages Saturn to let down walls and break out of limiting constraints. All this activity will be focused on Aquarius, the sign associated with groups, networks, friends, social media, technology, science, politics, progress, advancement. Whilst Saturn in Aquarius may represent a ‘new normal’ as we come to terms with the pandemic, we also have the potential here for big developments that perhaps are born from the restrictions we have lived under. There is a sense that a new infrastructure is being created under this influence, one that may pave the way for Pluto’s transit of Aquarius beginning in 2023. Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius presents the possibility of significant new advancements in society although the progress is likely to be slow and methodical due to Saturn’s influence.
The Sun’s entry into Capricorn on the same day also blesses this opening of new cycle in human history with even greater significance. This is the winter solstice, the shortest day and the longest night. Symbolically then, this ancient festival of Yule is about the return of the light after a long period of darkness. Capricorn derives much satisfaction in completion and accomplishment. Capricorn wants tangible results, knows what is feasible and what is not, and is most comfortable working within an established framework and known boundaries or limits. There's a serious tone about this time of year because it's when we look for new hope in a time of darkness.
The moon will be in steady, traditional and comfort-loving Taurus on Christmas. If you can’t be with your family this year (except on Zoom), you can still make the recipes and carry on the conventions that help you feel connected. With clever Mercury and inventive Uranus forming a flowing earth trine Christmas Day, you could have an aha moment about your 2021 goals and intentions. Capture your ideas in writing so you don’t forget them.
The grand finale is a full moon in homey Cancer on December 29, opening up our feelings right as an emotional 2020 comes to its closed. This is the second Cancer Full Moon we have experienced this year. The first one was an Eclipse, which occurred back at the start of January2020. The energy of this Full Moon is not as strong as the Eclipse, and indicates the turning of a new page. But luckily, by New Year’s Eve, the Moon will be in festive and joyous Leo, putting us in celebratory spirits.
As this tumultuous year comes to a close I wish all of you Happy Holidays and a kinder and gentler New Year.