Ready or not, December is here, and 2025 is on the horizon! As Senior Editor and the acting manager for The Evolving Astrologer magazine, I’ve been neck-deep in reading year-ahead predictions. Of course, I have thoughts of my own, and I’m delighted to share them with you in a webinar on Mon, Dec 23.
December is complicated.
Dec 1 - 7
The New Moon occurred today, just after midnight, at the 10th degree of Sagittarius. This is a bold and enthusiastic beginning; you may feel ready to launch. Unfortunately, the astro-weather around this lunar cycle isn’t terribly supportive. Reviewing your plans, double-checking assumptions, and rounding up support would be wise.
After the Moon is reborn, it immediately heads into a tense square with slow-it-down Saturn. The Moon moves on quickly, and while it may feel discouraged, the next interaction is with go-go-grow Jupiter. But this month, Jupiter is impaired and not offering the wisest counsel. It may point in the wrong direction, or in multiple directions. Now confused, the Moon bumps into back-tracking storyteller Mercury and no longer knows what to believe. All of this happens on Sunday, Dec 1! The initial burst of New Moon clarity and fire may fade quickly.
Over the week, the Sun negotiates the same interactions the Moon has on Sunday. Mercury also squares Saturn and opposes Jupiter this week! That’s kind of how the month goes, as the Moon and Mercury reactivate the Jupiter-Saturn square in later weeks.
Neptune, the master of imagination, illusion, and delusion, is creeping slowly for a couple of weeks, contributing to the potential for misdirection. As much as you may feel the urge to act, there is a high potential for misinformation and miscommunication. The whole week is eventful, but keep an eye on Thurs, Fri, and Sat.
- Mercury’s cazimi is Dec 5. This is the midpoint of the retrograde cycle when Mercury is purified by the Sun. That may bring some clarity or inspiration. Mercury Cazimi is always an excellent day to review and purge paperwork (make sure you really don’t need it!)
- Mars turns retrograde at the 6th degree of Leo on Dec 6.
- On Dec 7, the Sun opposes Jupiter, Neptune turns direct, and Venus enters Aquarius to meet Pluto and the asteroid goddess Ceres.
Venus is the first planet to encounter Pluto now that it’s firmly in Aquarius. This triple conjunction (Venus-Pluto-Ceres) has a weighty feel, like a negotiation on the world stage.
Dec 8 - 14
On Wed, Dec 12, Venus opposes Mars. This happens yearly, and I don’t usually pay much attention to it. This year is different. Venus-Pluto-Ceres in Aquarius are opposite a retrograde Mars in Leo, and the Moon sweeps through Taurus, making a square on both sides. A loud, angry Mars challenges the unusual alliance that formed last week.
The metaphor that comes to my mind is an intervention scene, where cool-headed family and friends confront an abusive addict. Drama and disruption are “in the air” as we head into the Full Moon, and Mercury slows way down to turn forward.
Dec 15 - 21
The Sun is the major player this week, squaring Neptune on Wednesday and entering Capricorn on Saturday for the Winter Solstice. In good news, Mercury’s retrograde is over, Neptune is moving forward, and a friendly Venus trine Jupiter aspect is on Dec 19. (Be sure to scroll down for Golden Hours!)
Dec 22 - 31
On Tuesday, Dec 24, Jupiter and Saturn form an exact square (90-degree angle) for the 2nd time. The first happened when Saturn was retrograde on Aug 19. This time, Jupiter is retrograde. After both have changed signs, they’ll do this again in June 2025, with both in direct motion.
Mercury acts as a messenger between the two, opposing Jupiter on Thurs and squaring Saturn on Fri, again! The Moon gets involved on Friday as it passes over Mercury in Sagittarius, while Venus makes a square to eccentric Uranus. Meanwhile Mars is inching backward in Leo and getting closer to the exact degree of opposition with Pluto, that won’t perfect until January 3. This isn’t likely a year when the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a peaceful lull.
I wish that information and communication would be more reliable now that Mercury is direct, but things may only move faster. Astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo talks about a “72-hour rule,” which means to wait 72 hours before acting on new information, especially if it ignites strong feelings. That’s probably a good guideline for the whole month. Peace on Earth starts with you and me, and the decisions we make every day.
Golden Hours
All times are CST.
Wednesday, Dec 18 evening The Moon in Leo makes aspects to Venus and Jupiter during the Sun-Neptune square. This is fun and party-like, or it's a perfect time to indulge in your favorite holiday music, film, or dance performance!
Thurs, Dec 19 The good vibes linger as Venus in Aquarius trines Jupiter in Gemini. This social aspect is good for camaraderie, pleasantries, and business.