Stargazer – astrology for December 2021

This month we will see Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter being visible in the night sky. Also, a solar eclipse in Sagittarius indicates a time for a new start...

Expect breakthrough, change and insight at the Sagittarius new moon and solar eclipse on 4th December. New moons are all about new beginnings and as we prepare to farewell 2021, this new moon offers hope via the optimistic and visionary energy of Sagittarius.

The new moon is aligned with Mercury (communication and ideas) and represents a time to count your blessings. Look to the future and take stock of the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of the past year. We are not going back to the old ways! And it’s up to each one of us to adapt, embrace change, and be grateful for the gift of life.

At a solar eclipse, the moon blocks out the light of the sun for just a few minutes. But when the light returns, everything seems different.

To experience the solar eclipse in its full glory, you will need to travel to Antarctica. However, a partial eclipse will be visible from the southernmost tips of South America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

By the evening of 6th December, the waxing crescent moon can be seen low on the western horizon after sunset. Head outside as daylight fades for some spectacularly beautiful stargazing. The moon will pass by Venus (7th December); Saturn (8th December), and finally Jupiter (9th December). Venus and Jupiter are our two brightest planets. As they are so close together at the moment, take this wonderful opportunity to watch them traverse the night sky.

We’ve all heard of Mercury retrograde and how things can break down or disappear when that pesky planet travels backwards, but what about the other planets? Do they have retrograde cycles too? Well, not as frequently as Mercury, but when Venus and Mars turn retrograde, their effects can be just as unpredictable.

This month on 19th December, the day of the Gemini full moon, Venus will begin her six-week retrograde cycle, an astronomical event which occurs every 18 months. Venus will travel backwards through practical earth sign Capricorn, disappearing from view as she passes in front of the sun. She will then reappear, reborn as the morning star, and complete her backward journey on the 29th January. Those with personal planets between 11º–26º Capricorn, and those with birthdays in January, will be most affected.

As the planet of love and values, Venus retrograde is a time when we re-assess what and who we value. Astrologer Kyle Thomas labelled it: ‘the season of the ex’. Venus also rules fashion and aesthetics – you may notice that during Venus retrograde, many people start home renovations, or completely change their image.

• Compulsive and sudden attraction to someone or something
• ‘Out of character’ behaviour reveals true motives
• Reflection on self-worth and true values
• An instinctive understanding of events and interactions
• Lovers and partners from the past coming back into your life
• Forbidden, secret, or guilty love – breaking social norms and conventions
• Infidelity and jealousy – the dark side of passionate and romantic love
• A cold, hard look at relationships of all kinds, often leading to break ups but also to reconciliation and new, more honest expressions of love
• Understanding what is needed to maintain personal integrity
• Awareness of hidden needs or desires can create emotional turmoil
• Home renovations, and image makeovers
  
  

The December full moon lights up the skies on the 19th in air sign Gemini, opposing the sun in exuberant fire sign Sagittarius. With lucky Jupiter in mix as we head towards midsummer day, there’s a general feeling of optimism and abundance.

But behind the scenes, Venus – in serious and authoritarian Capricorn – is beginning her retrograde cycle, giving this full moon a more sober and introverted tone. Venus’ alignment with transformational Pluto means you could find yourself dealing with uncomfortable truths or difficult feelings, at what is normally a joyous and carefree time of year. If this is the case, know that others are experiencing the same energy and your mood will eventually pass.

This year’s summer solstice and longest day falls on the 22nd December, as the sun leaves Sagittarius and moves into Capricorn. Celebrated in cultures all over the world, the summer solstice is also known as Midsummer Day, Litha, or St. John’s Day.

Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning “sun” + “to stand still”. As the days grow longer, the sun rises higher and higher in the sky until it seems to stand still, marking the longest day of the year.

In the astrological calendar, midsummer day is a very special occasion, with its focus on life, light, abundance, brightness, fertility, joy, and the gifts of nature. Take time out to celebrate this milestone, and have a sensational summer solstice! 

1. Make an early start and pick a beautiful spot to watch the sun rise on the longest day of the year
2. Buy some brightly coloured candles and create an altar with summer fruits and flowers
3. Midsummer is a time for love – plan a night of wild, sensual passion
4. Host a bonfire or backyard party with dancing, music, singing, and drumming. Dance the night away, throw fresh herbs into the fire, and plant wishes for the future
5. Head to a beach, lake, or river, to bathe in the cool waters and celebrate the great outdoors
6. Make a beautiful wreath or garland of flowers to wear in your hair or decorate your home
7. Visit a farmer’s market, stock up with fresh produce, and enjoy a summer picnic or BBQ feast with friends and family

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, re-enters ruling sign Pisces in late December. It will be travelling through Pisces until May 2022, as well as from October to December 2022.

Pisces is a flexible and adaptable zodiac sign, noted for compassion, caring, creativity, spiritual wisdom, and unconditional love. Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces, and both Jupiter and Pisces have an expansive view of the world, and a desire to bring meaning to life. The connection of Jupiter in Pisces brings increased awareness of the amazing creativity and wisdom we all share.

This year’s summer solstice and longest day falls on the 22nd December, as the sun leaves Sagittarius and moves into Capricorn. Celebrated in cultures all over the world, the summer solstice is also known as Midsummer Day, Litha, or St. John’s Day.

Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning “sun” + “to stand still”. As the days grow longer, the sun rises higher and higher in the sky until it seems to stand still, marking the longest day of the year.

In the astrological calendar, midsummer day is a very special occasion, with its focus on life, light, abundance, brightness, fertility, joy, and the gifts of nature. Take time out to celebrate this milestone, and have a sensational summer solstice! 

Pisces loves to help those who are less fortunate. Homeless people, fringe dwellers, the poor, mentally ill, sick, and imprisoned are all ruled by Pisces. When Jupiter is in Pisces, we are more likely to want to help those who face discrimination, and pass laws to support and empower them.

More people will embrace sound and visual healing techniques, along with spiritual healing and energy work of all kinds. Art, music, and drama therapy will become more popular, as will prayer, meditation, the power of love, and world healing.

The compassion brought by Jupiter in Pisces extends to forgiveness of self for past actions. Furthermore, the opportunity to reclaim rejected aspects of the self. Trauma, grief, and past karma can also be released and healed.

Pisces rules all art forms, but especially music. With Jupiter in Pisces, we can expect a surge in creative energy and a boost to arts funding and greater patronage of the arts – dance, painting, poetry, sculpture, music, film, photography, theatre, and literature. Pisces is a romantic, idealistic, and mystical energy. Meanwhile, Jupiter likes to go over the top. Therefore, expect these themes to pop up in books, movies, and music, alongside compassion, forgiveness, and the desire for unity.

Jupiter in Pisces brings divine inspiration and an increase in mystical revelations. As a result, conversations about healing, redemption, and personal connection to God or spirit will become more common. Expect to see more people praying, meditating, attending churches and spiritual circles, or taking an increased interest in esoteric belief systems, personal growth, and the meaning of life. There will be more contact with spirit guides, ancestors, angels, animal totems, fairies, and nature devas. The practice of shamanism could become more widespread.

The shadow side of Jupiter in Pisces is its lack of boundaries, and deceit and delusion of self and others. We are likely to see an increase in fraudulent and corrupt behaviour; a rise in drug use and drug trafficking; people in authority lying and cheating; scamming schemes designed to steal money, and an increase in mental health problems. Watch out for escapism, bending personal philosophies or morals to suit the situation, and unwillingness to face problems or tackle negative situations.

As Jupiter spends one year in each of the 12 zodiac signs, the last time Jupiter was in Pisces was 12 years ago (January 2010 to January 2011) and prior to that, 24 years ago (February 1998 – February 1999). Look back to those periods and see if you can see a theme emerging. How did you expand your horizons back then? What new things did you learn or do? The answers will give you an idea of what’s in store for you over the coming year and how the choices you make now will impact on your future dreams and goals.

Using the solar house system, we can make predictions for Jupiter in Pisces for your star sign:

Aries ~ Good fortune through service, solitude, and spiritual activities
Taurus ~ Good fortune via friends, social life, and networking
Gemini ~ Good fortune in career, professional advancement, and public acclaim
Cancer ~ Good fortune through travel, adventure, study, and expanded consciousness
Leo ~ Good fortune through investments, inheritances, and joint ventures
Virgo ~ Good fortune through personal and  business relationships
Libra ~ Good fortune through balanced lifestyle and putting your affairs in order
Scorpio ~ Good fortune through fun, romance, creativity, children, and pleasure
Sagittarius ~ Good fortune through home life, property, and close family
Capricorn ~ Good fortune through all forms of communication and local community
Aquarius ~ Good fortune through money and material possessions
Pisces ~ Good fortune via vibrant health, and ability to pursue personal dreams and goals