December 2024 astrology; Jupiter squares Saturn and Mars retrograde

 

This month the planet of expansion clashes with the planet of restriction. The Jupiter/Saturn square is exact December 24^th. Mars continues it’s retrograde in Leo heating up at the end of the year. Mercury is retrograde until December 15^th, so between the 6^th and 15^th we have two planets that are important in daily life both retrograde.

The Sun transits through Sagittarius and enters Capricorn, the sign of winter. The solstice falls on December 21^st at 3:19AM CST and winter is officially here.

We will experience a New Moon in Sagittarius December 1^th and a Full Moon in Gemini on the 15^th which is the last full moon of the year. We have a rare 2^nd full moon this month on December 30^th in Capricorn. Now, the details.

Jupiter squares Saturn

Jupiter squares Saturn and it will be exact on Christmas Eve 2024, December 24^th. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and Saturn is the planet of restriction and they will clash. Of course we will feel the energy both before this date and after and the planets are actually in orb of each other at this time. The most intense period will be from roughly December 15-mid January, 2025.

While this transit will bring some challenges, it can also offer some creative challenges. In effect this will slow some things down and it will be a time when we have to get real. Saturn is about reality and if something has grown too fast we have to slow it down now either willingly or in some cases unwillingly.

Jupiter is the money planet and it is retrograde so it’s not operating at its best. When Jupiter squared Saturn this past August the US Stock market dropped more than1000 points.

This transit might be compared to trying to paddling a canoe upstream or trying to drive with the brakes on. Money issues may come to the surface, or depending on what is in your chart you may feel the restriction coming from some other area of life. For some, relationships may end at this time, but only if they are not working out already. Any relationship can be affected but if the partnership is basically sound it should withstand the stress.

You may lack inner conviction, or your timing can be off.  It is important to consider these factors.

This transit can represent legal, financial and business problems, and there could be a lack of support, especially if this aspects your personal chart. There could be issues with higher education, moral issues, or indifference. Frustration may build up to the point where something has to give and change occurs at this point. You may have to limit spending on entertainment.

For some this might represent a culmination of business affairs of some type, but Saturn can delay, and restrict.  There could be added responsibilities and pressures in your job during this period, or you could make some kind of change in your job or work.

This transit not only affects us, but the state of the world; revenue can decline or critical exchanges affecting financial affairs of the country can occur or unpopular, hostile legislation may be attempted. This aspect affects the government and sometimes affects royalty. We will see many events around the world occurring with this transit.

New Moon in Sagittarius December 1st

Sagittarius is a positive, upbeat sign ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion. Sagittarius rules the 11^th house of the collective so there will be much getting together and holiday parties. This moon squares Saturn the planet of restriction and responsibility so you could feel unusually tired or facing responsibilities.

Mercury is retrograde

The planet ruling communication and speech turned retrograde November 25^th at 22 degrees of Sagittarius. December 3^rd/4^th Mercury opposes Jupiter as it did on November 18^th. Watch for things getting blown out of proportion although this is not generally negative.

Mercury reaches its ‘retrograde station’ December 15^th when it turns direct. We are not however, out of the woods. This is the point where things can change course again or more information about something could come out or reverse course. The stations are the most important period of the retrograde and this lasts from December 15-18^th. If it aspects something in your chart it is very powerful for better or worse.

Mars turns retrograde

Mars is the planet that rules our action and how we go about things. Mars also rules war, conflict, anger, sex, surgeries, and it rules men in general to name a few. It turns retrograde December 6^th and is in its powerful station until December 12^th. Remember, it is very powerful at 6 degrees of Leo if this aspects your chart.

Mars will retrograde back into Cancer January 7^th, 2025 and will go back to 17 degrees of Cancer before turning direct on February 24^th, 2025. Its direct station will last from February 24^th-March 9^th, 2025.

When Mars retrogrades there is not a comfortable expression of energy and we may feel low energy and be ineffective in our actions. Open conflict can turn into a more subtle type of manipulation. People get angrier and often act rashly. Tension headaches may be more common as can accidents so use care. This is a significant transit and often indicates a cycle concerning something specific that carries through until the end of the retrograde.

Mars in Leo rules the 5^th house of love, friendship and children so all of these matters will be affected, relationships in particular. There will be breakups especially among relationships that are not stable. Misunderstandings can also occur. Since the 5^th house also rules fun and entertainment, there may not be as much of it this year at this time.

The most significant period we need to be aware of is December 25th-January 7^th. Mars begins its 2^nd opposition to Pluto which occurred around October 28^th-November 8^th. This is harsh energy and will be even harsher with Mars’ retrograde.

The peak of this transit is January 2^nd, 2025 but it is volatile the entire period. Mars opposing Pluto represents anger, rage, fights, breakups and it is harsh energy. This is not the time to bring up contentious subjects, push someone for more or start arguments.

This will also concern issues on the world stage. We will see some harsh world events and it is very volatile. It hits the chart of Vladimir Zelensky in a very significant way along with President Biden and VP Kamala Harris in the US. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to look at all of the world leaders but we can expect to see significant events happening around the globe.

It’s also worth noting that between December 6^th-15^th both Mercury and Mars are retrograde. These planets rule our day to day lives so we are going to have to pay attention to keep things straight!

Venus enters Aquarius

December 6^th looks like a very intense day not only because Mars retrogrades but because Venus enters Aquarius. As it enters Aquarius it conjuncts Pluto. This can bring up some deep seated issues concerning sex, money, relationships and obsessions or obsessive feelings. It is possible some relationship or other situations could end at this time. It is likely in terms of world events and news we will see scandals or issues concerning corruption or money. Pluto rules decay, corruption and bullies. This transit will last for a couple of days.

Venus in Aquarius is unpredictable if not changeable as Aquarius is ruled by both Saturn and Uranus, the planet of unexpected change. Aquarius is a fixed Air sign so energy moves more slowly and can be resistant to change. Air signs bring a logical and detached approach to matters and operate from this basis rather than an emotional one. Aquarius is steadfast in terms of protecting individuality and does not change to follow trends, fads or the latest rage unless it is convinced this presents a better opportunity for all.

Words that describe Aquarius include humanitarian, quirky, freedom loving and eccentric. During this transit of Venus we can expect to operate from a more idealistic point of view and put friendships first before romance or love. Communication may not be especially romantic and could seem much more detached.

Freedom is all important to Venus Aquarius. You may not want to be confined or feel too tied down and may be more open to unusual friendships and hanging out with people who are different from your usual social circle. You will be interested in ideas outside the box, forming your own opinions, and more interested in making new friendships with unusual people.

Full moon in Gemini December 15th

The final full moon of 2024 falls at 23 degrees of Gemini on the same day Mercury turns direct. Gemini rules the third house of communication and learning. This moon squares Neptune the planet of illusion and confusion giving us a double Mercury influence as Gemini is rules by Mercury.

With the Moons square to Neptune expect vivid dreams, creativity, compassion in some cases along with spirituality. But this is a transit of confusion and when you add Mercury well, we will need to pay attention to stay on top of things!

Interesting to note this moon falls on Mars in the US chart and squares the US Neptune.  Mars represents men and anger and is in the 7^th house which rules open enemies of the US and Neptune falls in the 9^th house of courts and foreign affairs or people. It will be difficult to sift through the truth at this time about current events,

Winter solstice December 21st

Winter arrives this year at 4:21 AM, EST.  This also marks the Sun’s entrance into the sign of Capricorn.

For centuries winter solstice has been seen as a significant time in various cultures which have held festivals or rituals marking the symbolic death and rebirth of the Sun as this day followed by a lengthening of the days after December 21st.

Capricorn is the sign that rules the 10^th house of the zodiac or work and priorities and during this season we tend to focus on things that are most important.  Capricorn does not provide the light and playful energy like the Sun in Sagittarius. Capricorn is more serious, focused and it is time to get real! Get ready for energies to become geared more toward discipline, structure, resourcefulness and practicality.

Under Capricorn we get down to the basics that allow personal achievement to occur. Now is the time to figure out what you really need, as opposed to what you want in the moment. Should I book that ticket to Maui for the spring, or should I put my bonus into my investment account?

Capricorn is an Earth sign along with Taurus and Virgo. These are the signs that are typically considered reliable, stable and connected to the physical/material world. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of structure, discipline and responsibility. In all likelihood you will find yourself thinking about ambition and growth or success in the material world. We can save the dreams, feelings and ethereal energies for the Pisces season just before spring!

Capricorn isn’t just all about work though; it is about dedication, success, knowledge and understanding of how things can actually work, allowing us to get to where we really want to be. Will we actually act on our plans or just talk about them. Capricorn likes to takes action which leads to concrete results.

The Capricorn season is about discovering who we really are, what it takes to make us happy and what kind of approach we can take to get where we really want to be. This energy transcends work and is apparent in many different phases of life. In other words, this season will show us the nuts and bolts of what it really takes to achieve our true dreams and goals, whether they relate to a corporate climb, or a personal dream to be fit enough to climb Mt. Everest. What your goals are is up to you. Capricorn will help you get there.

January’s Black moon

The 2^nd new moon in a month is called a ‘black moon.’ This doesn’t imply anything dark or negative. You have probably heard of a ‘blue moon’ which is more than 1 full moon in a month. A 2^nd new moon is a black moon which occurs every 33 months. This moon makes no negative aspects in the sky, so perhaps we can close the year out with a little more peace.

Capricorn rules the 10^th house of business, career and priorities and what this does depends on where it falls in your personal chart.

Happy New Year and peace to all!

 

Jupiter squares Saturn 2024-25

 

Jupiter squares Saturn and it will be exact on Christmas Eve 2024, December 24^th. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and Saturn is the planet of restriction and they will clash. Of course we will feel the energy both before this date and after and the planets are actually in orb of each other at this time. The most intense period will be from roughly December 15-mid January, 2025.

While this transit will bring some challenges, it can also offer some creative challenges. In effect this will slow some things down and it will be a time when we have to get real. Saturn is about reality and if something has grown too fast we have to slow it down now either willingly or in some cases unwillingly.

Jupiter is the money planet and it is retrograde so it’s not operating at its best. When Jupiter squared Saturn this past August the US Stock market dropped more than1000 points. This transit not only affects us, but the state of the world.

Saturn and Jupiter squared each other July-August of 2015 in Leo-Scorpio, and then again in Virgo-Sagittarius May of 2016.

In 2015 the aspect coincided with; 

-The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Obamacare and same sex marriage.

-The Charleston massacre occurred

-Rockets were fired from Gaza and the IDF retaliated with attacks on Hamas

-Record breaking heat and rain across the US.

In 2016 the aspect considered with;

- Indian fertility clinic announces that a 70-year-old woman has successfully gave birth to a baby boy

- EgyptAir flight MS804 goes missing over the Mediterranean on route Paris to Cairo

- Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, leader of the Afghan Taliban is reportedly killed by a US drone in Pakistan

The above are only a few of the important events that occurred during these previous transits.

Saturn-Jupiter transits begin anew every 20 years. The cycle we are now in began in December of 2020 when Jupiter and Saturn conjuncted in  Aquarius  and we are now experiencing the next phase of that cycle which is the square; a difficult aspect that tests what we have learned since 2020.

This transit might be compared to trying to paddling a canoe upstream or trying to drive with the brakes on. Money issues may come to the surface, or depending on what is in your chart you may feel the restriction coming from some other area of life. For some, relationships may end at this time, but only if they are not working out already. Any relationship can be affected but if the partnership is basically sound it should withstand the stress.

You may lack inner conviction, or your timing can be off.  It is important to consider these factors.

This transit can represent legal, financial and business problems, and there could be a lack of support, especially if this aspects your personal chart. There could be issues with higher education, moral issues, or indifference. Frustration may build up to the point where something has to give and change occurs at this point. You may have to limit spending on entertainment.

For some this might represent a culmination of business affairs of some type, but Saturn can delay, and restrict.  There could be added responsibilities and pressures in your job during this period, or you could make some kind of change in your job or work.

The late astrologer Andre Barbault connects this cycle with Europe and significant changes there. In terms of the square that occurred during another cycle (March 1984-January 1985) Barbault wrote about the events; “The Transatlantic crisis. In addition to disputes over the GATT negotiations there was deterioration in the relationship between Europe and America; the shadow of protectionism, the gas pipeline affair and the penalizing of European countries.”

If this aspect connects to something in your chart you can expect it to play a major role, depending on what it is aspecting and where in your chart it falls.

While this will certainly affect all of us, we will see many events around the world as well. Retrograde Mars will probably not help and we may see those who take actions that don't pan out well.

 

Pluto enters Aquarius; Here we go!

 

The 0 degree of any planet is known as the ‘world point,’ meaning events occur that we are interested in on a global as well as personal basis. When Pluto changes signs we typically see many events, especially on the world stage begin to shift and change; often in sudden and dramatic ways as soon as the planet enters the sign. Pluto enters Aquarius today, November 19^th for the next 20 years! It will not return to Capricorn for approximately 257 years.

If you have a fixed planet (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius) in your chart at 0-3 degrees you will be affected to a greater degree than others, depending on what else if anything Pluto is aspecting. This will strongly affect those born April 19-23, July 22-26, October 23-27^th and January 20-24. If any of these dates represent your birth date you can expect significant changes throughout the year and possibly over the several days before and after the Sun and Pluto enter Aquarius.

If you are a Taurus born on those dates you could experience major career change. Leo can experience major change in marriage or partnerships. Scorpio will experience change in terms of home/family and Aquarius will experience major personal changes and a change of direction in all likelihood.

The role of Pluto

In astrology, Pluto rules the collective and is very significant in terms of world events and changes, although it is also significant for us on a personal level depending on what it is aspecting in your personal chart.

Pluto destroys and tears down to rebuild. It is supposed to rebuild in a stronger way, although it may not seem like this at the time if you are experiencing a hard Pluto transit in your chart. When a Pluto aspect occurs-positive or negative-it is going to change something, ready or not.

Pluto enters each sign with a bang

When Pluto entered Sagittarius in early 1995, we soon lived through the Oklahoma City bombing just a few months later, along with the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and an end to US President Bill Clinton’s efforts to bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians. It is ironic this issue has resurfaced at this time again, and hopefully Pluto in Aquarius will bring about a solution. The eyes of the world are on the Middle East and it’s hard to know what Pluto will do. Time will tell.

When Pluto entered Scorpio November 6, 1983 a bomb exploded the next day in the Senate Wing of the Capitol, apparently in retaliation of the US’s invasion of Grenada. 1983-84 also saw the rise of AIDS deaths in the US and around the world. This was a significant cycle and changed sex and relationships among other things with the advent of AIDS.

The sign Aquarius

Aquarius is the sign of the collective and the natural ruler of the 11^th house which also rules the collective. On an individual level we may be drawn to certain groups, organizations or philosophies that become important. The downside of this is that we can become too attached to our own ‘groups’ and ideas and fail to acknowledge that others can have good ideas as well, whether in a political or some other sense.

Since Aquarius is co-ruled by Uranus technologies will certainly boom, and we can already see the beginning of this with AI. Personally, I think this represents the future along with many ideas we may not even be able to conceive of at the present. 20 years before the internet boomed few individuals could foresee that it would change the world and society as we know it.

Of course AI has its darker side like misinformation. Society will have to come to terms with this over the next several decades or it will become a force to be reckoned with.

While Aquarius is a sign associated with war, it is also the most Democratic of signs. Democracy will become more important around the globe as ‘the people’ will rise up against authoritarian type rulers and governments during these years. Let us not forget the last time Pluto was in Aquarius the world saw both the American and French revolutions. Neither began overnight or the first week Pluto was in Aquarius, it took time. Hopefully we won’t see this kind of a Revolution again and peace and Democracy can be accomplished or saved in less violent ways.

 While the true ‘Age of Aquarius’ timeline is somewhat elusive and mysterious, with the entrance of Pluto into Aquarius we will certainly feel this is the “Age of Aquarius,” and will be influenced by Aquarian themes such as;

-unexpected and explosive events

-new discoveries and understandings

-new technologies such as AI, but many more along with medicine

-uprisings around the globe associated with restrictions people no longer accept.

-aircraft/spacecraft and new technologies. Have you noticed how the US government has finally admitted they don’t know what UFO’s are. This is only the beginning and if there is ever a time we will discover more it is in these next 20 years with Pluto in Aquarius.

-stronger friendships with a greater emphasis on friends

-Major changes in robotics and potentially human like robots

-More women in positions of power and leadership

 Some of the events that occurred when Pluto was in Aquarius 1777-1798

- Vermont became the first colony to ban slavery (1777) and the Vermont legislature moved to provide full voting rights to African American men.

--The American Revolution was being fought

-France entered the Revolutionary War

-The French Revolution occurred

-US drafts the dollar

-George Washington became first US President

-US Constitution drafted and signed

Pluto in Capricorn; say goodbye

When Pluto entered Capricorn January of 2008, it was followed by the US banking crisis, the harbinger of what was called ‘The Great Recession.” Many lost their life savings and the globe was thrown into financial chaos.

While Pluto in Capricorn has been about big business, patriarchy and plutocrats, Aquarius will be the opposite in the long run. While we have seen the rise of right wing extremism around the world, we will see the rise of the people and the desires of the majority as opposed to being governed by the few or a minority. None of this will happen overnight and it is important to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day and the problems of the world won’t be all solved with this transit of Pluto. We are constantly a work in progress and will remain this way.

‘We are stardust
We are golden
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden’