December 2025
From the Darkness, Into the Light
December arrives with a distinctly lighter tone, lifted by the Sagittarius Stellium. With the Sun, Mars, and Venus all moving through the sign of the Archer, curiosity expands, horizons widen, and optimism begins to rise. The collective mood feels more adventurous now — less preoccupied with shadows, more inclined to look outward and upward, confident that something promising lies beyond the familiar.
On December 2nd, Venus sextiles Pluto, adding depth to interactions while softening their tone. Encounters may take on unexpected meaning. Conversations, connections, and cross-currents from different cultures or viewpoints remind us that life is broader than our immediate circumstances. The cosmos nudges us toward inspiration from unfamiliar sources, suggesting that fresh vision often comes from outside our ordinary frame of reference.
The Gemini Full Moon on December 4th [6:14 PM EST] amplifies this theme. The Sun in Sagittarius opposes the Moon in Gemini, calling for balance between our instinct to explore and our obligations close at hand. Under this lunation, the temptation is to scatter energy in too many directions. The wisdom lies in weaving together the far and the near, integrating the global with the personal. For the United States — a nation often inwardly focused — this Full Moon encourages a widening of perspective, a reminder to remove blinders and think beyond our borders.
December 6th through 7th brings the final recurrence of the Water Grand Trine that has pulsed since August. Mercury acts as the trigger, trining Jupiter in Cancer on the 7th and Saturn in Pisces on the 8th. Thought deepens, guided by intuition and shaped by memory. Jupiter broadens perception; Saturn grounds it. This is a moment to draw from emotional intelligence and craft foundations that can support future growth.
Yet almost immediately, clarity meets resistance. On December 8th, Mars squares Saturn — a classic clash of momentum against limitation. Impatience rises, tempers flare, and those acting rashly or arrogantly may find themselves blocked by unavoidable realities. Even the best-laid plans may falter if pushed too forcefully.
The tension escalates on December 10th, when Mercury again opposes Uranus, one of the most disruptive configurations for communication and travel. Technical glitches, miscommunications, and detours abound. On this same day, Neptune turns direct [7:21 AM EST], adding haze to the already scrambled signals. The combination of Mercury–Uranus chaos with Neptune’s fog is akin to navigating a storm at sea: direction unclear, bearings unsteady.
Fortunately, the skies begin to clear on December 11th. Mercury trines Neptune just before leaving Scorpio to re-enter Sagittarius [5:40 PM EST]. Intuition pierces the fog. What logic cannot yet define, inner knowing reveals. With Mercury now joining the Sun, Venus, and Mars in Sagittarius, the Stellium strengthens, amplifying enthusiasm — yet also increasing the risk of diffusion. Mercury in Sagittarius, a Sign of Detriment, may chase too many possibilities at once. Optimism abounds, but discernment is essential.
On December 13th, Mercury sextiles Pluto, empowering communication and sharpening insight. Words carry influence; conversations shape direction. Futures can be articulated with clarity and conviction — though the danger remains of promising more than can realistically be delivered.
This amplified optimism crests on December 14th, when Mars squares Neptune. Action may accelerate without direction. Blind faith can lead to missteps. The temptation is to mistake dreams for destiny. A moment of reflection is not only wise but necessary.
Stability returns on December 15th, when Mars exits Sagittarius and enters Capricorn [2:34 AM EST]. In Capricorn, Mars is Exalted. Its fire becomes disciplined, structured, and goal-oriented. Enthusiasm is now channeled into persistence; impulse becomes strategy; determination gains endurance.
Yet the cosmos tests that resolve immediately. On December 16th, the Sun squares Saturn, slowing progress and flagging confidence. Responsibilities demand attention, calling us back to what remains unresolved. Movement is possible, but only through steady, patient effort.
The Sagittarius New Moon on December 19th [8:43 PM EST] reflects this polarity. The Sun and Moon conjunct Venus — yet square Saturn and Neptune. Spirits are high with holiday cheer, but anxieties pulse beneath the surface. Enthusiasm and uncertainty compete for dominance, producing moods that swing between hope and heaviness. The New Moon urges discernment: joy is real, but it must not float untethered from reality.
On December 20th, the Sun squares Neptune, challenging clarity. Whether we see the glass as half full or half empty becomes a matter of choice. Victimhood whispers, but empowerment remains accessible. This is often when news of loss surfaces, reminding us of life’s fragility amidst celebration.
Autumn ends on December 21st, the day of the Solstice, as Venus squares Saturn. Old connections may resurface — memories, messages, or news highlighting our past. Not all revelations are comforting; some remind us of struggle, limitation, or unresolved threads. Yet the Solstice, the longest night of the year, is the moment when light is reborn. Even amid the turbulence of this paradigm shift, seeds of renewal take root beneath the surface.
Winter begins on December 21st at 10:03 AM EST, as the Sun exits Sagittarius and enters Capricorn. In northern latitudes, daylight reaches its shortest point. From here, the light grows — slowly, steadily — until the summer solstice in June. Light is born in darkness, and the season honors the re-emergence of clarity and hope.
As winter settles in, even amid celebration, a more contemplative tone prevails. Despite holiday lights and social gatherings, reality makes its presence known. We may look beyond the glitter and glimpse the stark contours of what still needs attention.
On December 24th, Venus squares Saturn just before leaving Sagittarius to enter Capricorn [11:26 AM EST]. Old connections may reappear, reminding us of where we have been and who we have been. Disappointments or revelations in relationships may expose inflated expectations or misplaced sentiment. Perhaps we are witnessing the narcissistic tendencies of someone significant in our life — or acknowledging how such patterns have shaped our own past choices.
The Venus entry into Capricorn forms a Cardinal Earth Stellium as Venus joins the Sun and Mars. The tone becomes serious, a contrast to the seasonal gaiety. Practicality rises, yet the risk is leaning toward pessimism — seeing only limitations rather than the opportunities quietly forming beneath them.
On December 30th, Mercury squares Saturn. As the year draws to a close, we may feel relieved that 2025 is ending, yet uncertain about what 2026 will bring. Instead of succumbing to apprehension, this is a moment to consciously redirect thought toward new possibilities. We are concluding a nine-year cycle — 2025 equals 9 [2 + 2 + 0 + 5] — and stepping into the first year of a new cycle in 2026 [2 + 2 + 0 + 6 = 10 = 1], a 1 year in the 9-year cycle. New beginnings await.
December 2025 — from the darkness, into the light.