“Realignment”
by Gery Mews

In the yearly cycle around the zodiac, we have reached the fiery and freedom-loving sign Sagittarius. Archers are the archetypal seekers for meaning and truth. Their view is on the far distance, and they are not so much concerned with the smaller details of everyday living. We need the Sagittarian frequency for formulating our vision and developing long-term goals that inspire us.

The month starts with a New Moon in Sagittarius on December 1. New Moons are times of seeding, when new ideas and intentions are born in the dark. Mercury in Sagittarius is still in its retrograde cycle until December 15.  It marks a period of reflection and review, when we are encouraged to listen to our intuition and refine our focus in the search for new insights. Unresolved issues have to be addressed. The keywords are re-do, re-work, re-think. We may change our way of thinking regarding a particular issue. Our rules around communication are under review. With Mercury retrograding in Sagittarius, there may be opposing views. We could be too dogmatic or self-righteous about our own ideas. Keeping an open mind will be essential for finding good solutions. The peak of this cycle is reached on December 6, when Mercury retrograde conjoins the Sun.

Mars enters its once every 2-year retrograde cycle on December 7. Mars is the planet of drive, motivation and anger and will be retrograde until February 26, 2025. Mars begins its retrograde phase in the early degrees of Leo and then moves back into Cancer in early January.  When Mars is retrograde, the Lord of war is closest to Earth and can bring explosions of conflict especially concerning leadership and supremacy. Leo represents the king, the centre of power. On a more positive note, the outward directed force of Mars moves inside, and we are encouraged to realign ourselves with our most strongly felt purpose. Leo rules also the heart and the inner fire is turned on.  Shifts and changes are possible, as well as endings and new beginnings. Nevertheless, Mars will be in opposition to Pluto in Aquarius during this time (exact on January 3, 2025) giving extra strength and volatility to the fight for dominance and rulership. Aquarius is the sign of the people. Pluto in Aquarius means that the power flows back to the people who stand up against top-down authority of the Pluto in Capricorn era (20o8 – 2024).

Jupiter retrograde in Gemini reaches its opposition to the Sun in Sagittarius on December 8. Jupiterian matters are amplified to do with communication, the media, beliefs and ideological positions. Ideals and visions that are too extreme, that are too grandiose or inflated need to be brought back and reassessed. The enthusiasm for projecting into the future and reaching out for the stars requires a balancing act.  Others who take on a different position or living through different circumstances are requesting to consider their needs as well.

The Full Moon on December 15 occurs in Gemini. The Moon is opposite the Sagittarius Sun and in square with Neptune, the planet of imagination but also deception. We may have to examine where expectations have become unrealistic and where we might keep illusions alive. Jupiter retrograde and Saturn in Pisces are in orb again to form their 2^nd square aspect (exact on December 25. The 1^st square occurred on August 19). Both planets together representing themes around vision and direction, structural changes and major shifts in what guides us as a culture or society. The opening square in a planetary cycle symbolises a crossroad, a turning point, the need for something new to manifest. Since the December Solstice in 2020, when Jupiter and Saturn aligned at zero-degree Aquarius, we have collectively entered the ‘Air Age’. This means that worldviews are transforming rapidly. The rules have changed. The ‘new normal’ is diverse, decentralised but interconnected, creative, uncertain and unpredictable.  Innovative ideas are the new currency. We may use the energies of this Full Moon to focus on our vision for the future (Jupiter in Gemini) and reflect on the values of the past (Saturn in Pisces) whether they still fit into the emerging new paradigm.

The solstice follows on December 21 when the Sun enters cardinal Capricorn and marks the beginning of a new season. The Sun is closely squaring the lunar nodes, indicating that we need to build bridges between the past, present and future. As the old world is dissolving quickly, a new world is emerging in 2025 -2026 as multiple planets change signs writing a new chapter in our collective evolution. “The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must first destroy a world.” Herman Hesse in Demien

Aries:  Mars turning retrograde on December 7 means a shift in energy. It is a good time for reflecting on your motivation and what drives you to do things. A fresh path forward could open with a new vision of the future during this cycle (until 26 February 2025). Challenge your current perspective while realigning yourself with your most heartfelt purpose.

Taurus: Make use of the Mercury retrograde period (until December 15) to question limiting beliefs and old perceptions. Unresolved problems brewing in the dark need addressing. While the external flow of energy is restrained (Mars retrograde), your inner fire is turned on and could easily flare up. It might be best to redirect it towards creative projects that need finishing.

Gemini: The focus during this Mercury retrograde cycle (until December 15) is on your relationships. Find a balance between your desire to grow and evolve with considering the needs of others. During the later part of the month, there is the possibility of something new to manifest when limitations have been acknowledged and beliefs re-evaluated.

Cancer: The focus during this Mercury retrograde phase (until December 15) is on health, fitness and daily rhythm.  Insights about health hazards, may they be work-related, physical or psychological can give the necessary momentum for change and transformation. This is a good time to re-evaluate the area(s) of your life you want to focus on energetically.

Leo: The focus during this Mercury retrograde cycle (until December 15) is on your creative projects, children and romance. You may feel a boost in confidence and start risking new ways of self-expression. Then Mars is retrograding through your sun sign from December 7 until January 7. The way you see yourself and how you want to use your energy is under revision.

Virgo: Your attention is focused on your home life and family relationships during this Mercury retrograde cycle (until December 15). Changes in this area might become a necessity to bring you back to your roots and honour the needs of your deeper self. You may also feel a shift in your motivation.

Libra: You might feel motivated to enter a particular training path or start a writing project. This could be related to the urge of wanting to contribute something significant to the world. Feelings of not having stood up for yourself amongst peers and friends may surface during the Mars retrograde cycle, motivating you in becoming more assertive.

Scorpio: The emphasis is about your financial goals. Changes here could transform your life as you may rethink and reflect upon your material stability. The Mars retrograde cycle might bring up frustration about not advancing fast enough.  Revisit your goals and find out if they still fit. You may find that you have outgrown your own rules.

Sagittarius: Use the Mercury retrograde phase to reflect on how to direct your energy more effectively (until December 15). You may find that structural changes are needed to manifest your ideas and vision. It is an invitation to take charge of your life. A challenge might be to balance personal initiative with the needs of others.

Capricorn: The first half of the month is suitable for some time-out, time to reflect and dream. You may want to retreat and resolve issues from the past before moving forward with the incoming solstice energy (December 21). What needs to dissolve so something new can be built? What is holding you back from making the next step?

Aquarius: Mars is retrograding through your relationship sector while Pluto has just entered your sun sign. If you find yourself arguing more, re-assess how you handle conflict. Observe your unexpressed feelings and how they may attract power struggles and battles for dominance. Make these feelings and dynamics conscious. Tread gently.

Pisces: The focus is on your life direction and career path. Make use of the Mercury retrograde cycle (until December 15) by reviewing your life’s goals and reflecting on your path ahead. Structural changes may be needed to allow your new ideas to manifest. Whatever doesn’t fit any more into your newly emerging world view can slowly but surely dissolve and be left behind.

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