A Reflective Yuletide
By Catie Cadge, PhD
Welcome to December and the holiday season, Santa Cruz stargazers! We have somewhat of a nostalgic and reflective yuletide in store. At the start of the month, Mercury enters Capricorn. The planet of ideas and communication moves over zodiacal degrees it will return to later in December when going retrograde. Capricorn, among over things, is the sign of time-honored family traditions and a respect for what has come before.
Often at this time of year when the light grows dim and we feel yet another year has gone by, we turn inward and face the reality of winter and old age. I think of the beautiful song, Stella Blue, by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter, “All the years combine, they melt into a dream…” Capricorn wisdom sees through the years. Just think of the image of Father Time and the hourglass and shifting sands. We come to terms with Saturn, ruler of Capricorn, by claiming the passing of time. We celebrate and find friends, old and new, to gather around the fire and warm our bones, despite the cold, dark nights. Mid-month, Saturnalia begins. In earlier centuries, our ancestors frolicked and played, partying to wee hours, and letting everything go!
Ask, what traditions mean the most to you from bygone days of old? Mercury slows down and turns retrograde December 12th at 8°29’ Capricorn. What do you remember as a solid foundation of your cherished past? Capricorn is also about seeing through the years and climbing a mountain to achieve your dreams. When “It seems like all this life was just a dream…” hold onto your visions and goals. Create a strategy this month. Mercury retrograde reenters Sagittarius on December 22nd and turns direct January 1st, right at the start of 2024.
December 3rd, Venus, near the end of Libra, squares Pluto in Capricorn at 28°34’. The next day, Venus enters Scorpio and then, on the 6th, Neptune turns direct at 24°53’ Pisces, after moving retrograde since late June. Look to see where late Pisces degrees fall in your natal chart. Here you have been working on a vision for your life and now it is time to start manifesting. Water signs, Scorpio and Pisces, help us feel deep connection and tune into our psychic side, our intuition. Venus wants intensity of experience and trust and jealousy issues may arise. Make sure your partners know your visions and plans, hopes and dreams. Now is the time to have deep, truthful conversations about your innermost feelings and what needs to be on the table in terms of true bonding and intimacy.
Meanwhile, the Sun continues in Sagittarius, helping to lighten our mood and giving December a joyful and fun-loving vibe. Go to the party! On December 12th, a New Moon in Sagittarius at 20°40’ occurs, 3:32 pm Pacific time. Meditate upon where in life you want to expand and shoot the centaur’s arrow into the clouds. Dream big and try to see ways to shift your ideas, your paradigms of how you see life working. Take the attitude of an explorer, adventurer, pioneer.
Winter solstice happens December 21st at 7:27 pm, when the Sun enters Capricorn. Here comes sunshine. Slowly the light will return. “Dust off those rusty strings just one more time…Gonna make ‘em shine!” Mercury retrograde, also in the sign of sea goat, sextiles (60°) Saturn at 2°23’ Pisces on solstice. It is ok to dream, make some New Year’s resolutions, celebrate the seed percolating within and the hope it holds.
Late in December, we have a perfect Full Moon for sharing good times and warm, loving conversation with our closest friends and family. The Full Moon is in Cancer 4°58’ December 26th at 4:33 pm. Moon makes a lovely sextile to Jupiter in Taurus, slowing down to turn direct on the 30th, and trines Saturn in Pisces. Time to nurture and comfort one another. By the time New Year’s Eve comes around, Mercury, Venus, and Mars all are in Sagittarius, with Mars “out of bounds” at high declination, so we can let the GOOD times roll!! Here’s a toast to 2024!
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! Wishing seasonal bliss and many blessings for everyone!
Catie Cadge is Dean of the Forrest Center for Evolutionary Astrology. Classes and more information: forrestastrology.center. Read about Catie and her work at caraevolutionaryastrology.com.
Images by Catie Cadge
