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. With this cosmic energy at play, 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 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 our cosmic airways, we also have this theme presenting 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 are gifted 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, whereas Capricorn is ambitious, 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, 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. Allow the cycles of our sun, moon, and stars to be a reminder 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, when we take aim, there is nothing we cannot achieve. Plant some ambitious seeds under this New Moon, allow the prospect of these seeds to fill you with wonder and awe. Think big! And then watch how these seeds 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 silver lining – 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 till 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 4- Sun Square Saturn

A potentially challenging day where you may feel tested, prodded, and pulled! Pay attention to what is happening around this time, as it will serve as a guide for where you need to set your boundaries and manage your time and energy levels throughout the month.

December 5- Sun Conjunct Mercury Retrograde

This is a power day in the Mercury Retrograde cycle! Known as Mercury Cazimi this is when we start to see a turning point in whatever miscommunications or inner wisdom Mercury Retrograde is trying to bring to the surface. It is at this point that we may start seeing things with clarity. Just be patient, however, and give things time to reveal themselves. Don’t rush ahead and be extra mindful of your personal belongings- Mercury Retrograde can sometimes turn us into scatterbrains!

December 6- Mars Retrograde

It’s one of the most critical cosmic events of the year! Mars Retrogrades the least out of all the planets, 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 to. 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. You can learn more about this potent cycle here.

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- Sun Opposite Jupiter

The Sun moves directly opposite Jupiter, the planet ancient astrologers considered the lucky planet! Lucky rays may shine upon us, but in the words of Deepak Chopra- “luck is simply opportunity meeting preparedness.”

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 are guided to 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. You can learn more about Neptune Retrograde 2024 here.

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. 12 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. You can also find a 1212 ritual here.

December 15- Gemini Full Moon and Mercury Direct

It’s the last Full Moon of 2024 and it falls in the sign of the Gemini twins. The story goes that one twin was mortal, the other immortal, and together, they create the balance of what it means to be human. 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 18- Sun Square Neptune

Neptune has just stationed direct and is now coming into a tense alignment with our Sun. Any lessons or gifts that the retrograde was supposed to deliver will be brought to the surface now. Trust your intuition and stand up for yourself if something feels amiss. Be mindful not to move through the day with rose-colored glasses. Don’t give the benefit of the doubt unless they truly deserve it.

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 either the longest or shortest day of the year. But, no matter where we are on our great cosmic cycle, we won’t stay here for long! Things are always moving and shifting, and nature is a great reminder of that. Capricorn Season is a time to honor our innate gifts and to celebrate ourselves for all that we are. 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. 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 wounds, and Chiron gifts us with remembering that our wounds can lead to beautiful openings and a deeper authenticity. As it emerges from retrograde, we too, can emerge from some painful wounding of the past. Perhaps we can create space to realize that even though we are wounded, we can still lead a beautiful life.

December 30- Black New Moon in Capricorn

We end the month like 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!

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