This is a quiet month compared to the rest of 2024. The exception is from the 4th to the 8th. During this period, Mars turns retrograde; Neptune stations direct, and Mercury retrogrades in Sagittarius in opposition to Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius. There will be a lot of meaningless chatter, hyperbole, exaggeration, and empty promises. Don’t believe everything you hear during this time. Go on a media fast.
Mercury went retrograde on Nov 27 at 22 Sagittarius. He will remain retrograde this month until Dec 15 at 6 Sagittarius. So, he will spend the entire retrograde time in Sagittarius. Mercury is not happy in Sagittarius. Because he wants to deal with the fine details, but Sagittarius intends to look at the big picture. Look at the house in your birth chart that contains Sagittarius. You may have to redo some things or change your thinking in that area of your life. See the Meaning of the Houses here.
Venus is acting up this month; the women are getting feisty. She meets with Hades on the 7th, opposes Mars on the 12th, and then Squares Uranus on the 28th. Can you finally get some clarity and commitment in your relationships? I don’t think so. Watch these days for relationships to go a little wonky or maybe nuclear.
Highlights for this month:
Note to my Astrology Clients. Use your Planetary Placement and Ascendant sheet to find if you have a personal planet (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, or Mars) or the ascendant within 2 degrees of the degree of the transits listed below. If so, the transit will have a significant impact on you.
Dec 1 – New Moon at 9 Sagittarius in a trine to Mars in Leo. This offers a fresh start, especially for adventure, learning, and exploring new philosophies. This energetic and optimistic Sagittarius moon encourages you to set expansive goals, like traveling or starting new studies. Additionally, a harmonious trine with Mars in Leo boosts your energy, creativity, and courage. This is a perfect time for projects showcasing your talents and leadership skills, encouraging you to take risks and confidently express yourself in fun and creative ways.
Dec 6 – Mars goes retrograde at 6 Leo until the 23rd of February 2025. We might experience a slowdown in the high energy we have experienced this month. This retrograde period encourages you to reflect and revise, mainly how you express your individuality and seek attention. Leo's influence means you'll examine your actions for authenticity, perhaps questioning your motivations or the need for approval. This is a time to reassess your passions and creative projects to ensure they truly reflect who you are. Past issues related to ego or recognition may arise, allowing you to address them with patience and a thoughtful approach. While it's not ideal for starting entirely new projects or making aggressive moves, it's a beneficial time to refine and perfect your work.
Dec 7 – Venus enters Aquarius until Jan 2, 2025. You can now connect with others and appreciate what you have in your life. Your relationships get a refreshingly quirky twist. Aquarius is all about individuality, friendship, and thinking outside the box. This transit encourages you to embrace and love the unique aspects of people, including yourself. Relationships might get more unconventional, favoring intellectual connections and shared visions for the future over traditional romantic gestures. It’s a great time to connect with friends, join new groups, or participate in community projects. You might also be drawn to unusual, innovative, or techy pursuits and hobbies.
Venus conjuncts Pluto at 0 degrees of Aquarius, which can spark intense emotions and transformations in relationships and values. Aquarius adds a flavor of independence and innovation. This conjunction can bring deep changes in how you connect with others and what you find important, possibly shaking up your social circles or bringing intense encounters that push you to grow. It's a powerful time for personal evolution, urging you to reconsider what and who you truly value, with a focus on freedom and authenticity.
Neptune turns direct at 27 Pisces. This will bring a shift in your dreams and intuition. When Neptune is direct, especially in its home sign, Pisces, it boosts our imagination and sensitivity. This period is excellent for connecting with your creative side, exploring your spirituality, or understanding your emotions more intensely. It’s like the fog lifts a bit, making it easier to see where your dreams can take you and how to connect with others more emotionally.
Dec 12 – Venus in Aquarius is opposite to Mars in Leo. This creates a bit of a tug-of-war between the need for independence and the desire for attention. Venus in Aquarius values freedom and quirky connections, while Mars in Leo wants to stand out and be admired. This opposition can lead to tension in relationships, where one side craves space and the other wants closeness and recognition. It's like a dance where both partners are trying to lead. This aspect might highlight differences in how you and others express affection and handle freedom, calling for a balance between individuality and togetherness.
Dec 15 – Full Moon at 25 Gemini. This Full Moon lights up the sky with a focus on communication, information, and social interactions. Gemini loves to chat, learn, and exchange ideas, so this Full Moon might bring a peak in these areas. It's a perfect time for wrapping up projects involving writing, speaking, or studying. You might find yourself more curious and chatty than usual, wanting to share what you know or catch up with friends. This Full Moon could also highlight the need to balance listening and talking in your relationships.
This Full Moon is Square Neptune at 27 Pisces. Neptune mixes clarity with confusion. While Gemini wants clear facts and quick communication, Neptune blurs the lines, adding a layer of misunderstanding or distraction. This might make it tricky to sort out what’s real and what’s not. You could feel more imaginative or day dreamy, but be careful with misunderstandings or getting the wrong end of the stick in conversations. It’s a good time to tap into your creative side but double-check your facts and communications.
Mercury turns direct at 6 Sagittarius. This shows that communications are getting back on track. Sagittarius is all about big ideas and adventure, so as Mercury moves forward, you'll find it easier to express your thoughts and plans clearly. This shift can clear up misunderstandings and bring better flow to travel plans, studies, or any discussions about beliefs and future goals. It's like the cosmic green light for saying what you mean and moving ahead with your big ideas.
Dec 21 – The Sun Enters Capricorn until Jan 19, 2025, marking the Winter Solstice—the shortest day of the year. Capricorn season brings a focus on responsibility, goals, and ambition. It's a time when we feel motivated to get serious about our plans and what we want to achieve. The energy shifts towards being more disciplined and determined. It's like hitting the reset button on your responsibilities, making it a great period to set intentions for the New Year ahead.
Dec 24 – Jupiter in Gemini square Saturn in Pisces at 14 degrees. This sets up a challenge between growth and restriction. Jupiter in Gemini is all about expanding ideas and communication, wanting to explore and learn without limits. On the other hand, Saturn in Pisces brings a more serious tone, emphasizing limits, responsibilities, and sometimes, challenges. This square can feel like you're being pulled between wanting to spread your wings and needing to stay grounded. It might cause some frustration as you try to balance big dreams with practical realities, asking you to find a middle ground between being optimistic and realistic. This square could indicate an economic reset, excess spending leading to shortages.
Dec 25 – Christmas Day - The day is filled with traditions that aim to spread joy and warmth, making it a special time to reconnect with family and friends and share in the spirit of generosity and gratitude.
Dec 28 – Venus in Aquarius in a square to Uranus in Taurus at 23 degrees There is friction between your desires for stability and the urge for something new and exciting. Venus in Aquarius seeks unconventional connections and values freedom, while Uranus in Taurus shakes up what's stable and traditional, especially in relationships and finances. This square might lead to unexpected changes or sudden attractions that challenge your usual way of doing things. It's a time when surprises in love and money can pop up, pushing you to adapt and consider new ways of connecting and valuing what’s important.
Dec 30 - New Moon at 9 Capricorn is like hitting the reset button on your goals and ambitions. Capricorn is all about determination, responsibility, and practicality. This New Moon is a great time to set intentions for your career or long-term projects, focusing on what you really want to achieve in the coming year. It’s a perfect moment to lay down plans that require discipline and hard work, setting the stage for future success.
OUTER PLANET TRANSITS FOR AUGUST 2024:
JUPITER is retrograde this month and moves from 17 to13 degrees of Gemini. Jupiter is the big, fat, happy guy who is expansive in everything. In Gemini, he wants to speak, learn, teach, and write. Look to the house in your birth chart that contains Gemini. For the next year, Jupiter will bring good luck and opportunities in the areas ruled by the house containing Gemini.
SATURN is in Pisces until May 26, 2025. This month Saturn will move from 12 t0 14 degrees of Pisces. Saturn rules your material world and especially your career. If you have the ascendant or any personal planets anywhere from 10 to 16 degrees of Pisces or Virgo, you may be in store for some hard lessons about the issues in the house containing Pisces and or Virgo. Pisces is a creative dreamer. While in Pisces, Saturn, he will try solidifying your dreams and fantasies. On the world stage, Saturn in Pisces can result in our institutions dissolving and the old systems breaking down.
URANUS is in Taurus until April 2026. This Uranus is retrograde and moves from 24 to 23 degrees of Taurus this month. This is the time to break loose and radically change your life. I believe in ‘cooperating with the inevitable.’ If you have Uranus in a challenging aspect to your ascendant or personal planets (21 to 26) degrees of Taurus or Scorpio), go on an extended vacation, preferably to somewhere you have never been. Or make some significant changes in your life. Taurus represents the earth. Expect news about farming, food, earthquakes, volcanos, tornadoes, or other major weather changes while Uranus is in Taurus.
NEPTUNE is in Pisces until 2026. Neptune is retrograde at 27 degrees of Pisces until Dec 7 and will stay at 27 degrees of Pisces all month. If you have the ascendant or personal planets anywhere from 25 to 29 degrees of Pisces or Virgo, , you may lack focus during this time and want to daydream. Beware of a betrayal, a disappointment, and a sense of drifting. Neptune can also bring artistic, musical, and creative expression, increased dreams, and spiritual insights. Watch for inspired films to come out when Neptune is in Pisces.
PLUTO is in Aquarius and moves from 0 to 1 degrees all month. Pluto grinds away at your psyche, bringing up all sorts of complex psychological issues. You should run to your nearest therapist, especially if you have the ascendant or personal planets anywhere from 29 degrees of Capricorn to 3 degrees of Aquarius. Pluto asks what needs to die to be reborn.
Relax, The worst of 2024 is behind us. We may be looking at a global renaissance next year starting in Oct 2025. Stay tuned.
Janet Kane