We’re almost at the end of 2024 and things will continue to feel intense as the Mars retrograde cycle unfolds into next year while opposite Pluto. There may be many surprises to come as Mars goes retrograde and throws unexpected spanners into the works. But there are also plenty of opportunities for positive transformations and breakthroughs this month.

You can prepare for the exciting astrology of 2025 with a copy of Astro Journal 2025, available from Amazon and direct from me at Payhip. A big thank you to those who have already bought their copy – I hope you’re finding it helpful and are busy planning the year ahead!

On 1st December the New Moon in Sagittarius is in a T-square opposite Jupiter and square Saturn and trine Mars. This lunation feels optimistic and restless with a desire for freedom to explore both mentally and physically. Jupiter increases your optimism and expansive feelings but you may need to watch for overconfidence, although Saturn should help to keep your feet on the ground. There’s great potential for an inspired new beginning in the Sagittarius part of your chart if you make productive use of this energy.

Mercury is retrograde in Sagittarius in the same T-square opposite Jupiter and square Saturn, while also squaring Neptune. You can rethink your beliefs and come up with lots of new ideas supported by the optimism of Jupiter and realistic focus of Saturn. Neptune may create confusion and distorted perceptions but can also open your mind to visionary ideas that you can put into creative work.

Venus is in Capricorn conjunct Pluto and taking a practical and realistic approach to relationships and finances. Pluto intensifies your need for stability and control and this could become compulsive or trigger power struggles over money. But you can also discover hidden gifts and resources by transforming your values and desires.

Mars is in Leo with an abundance of playful energy and willpower that you can use to carry out your desires with flair and creativity. The opposition from Pluto intensifies your need to assert yourself so you may need to count to ten if somebody annoys you. But there’s so much positive energy in this moment that it would be a shame to spoil it by getting into an unnecessary fight.

On 6th December the inferior conjunction of the Sun and retrograde Mercury becomes exact in the T-square opposite Jupiter and square Saturn, while also sextile the Aquarian Moon. This is the point in the Mercury retrograde cycle to gather inspiration and make intensions for the changes you need to make when Mercury stations direct later this month.

Make the most of this time using the Mercury Retrograde Workbook available here!

With the Sun and Mercury in Sagittarius you may have lots of ideas and plans but could become overwhelmed by possibilities or overlook important details. Jupiter boosts your optimism for the future and Saturn helps to structure your thoughts and keep them grounded in reality. The Moon offers an objective and detached perspective that may help when making your plans.

However, Mars is hours from stationing retrograde and isn’t moving so don’t take action on your plans yet! Mars stations retrograde while opposite Venus conjunct Pluto and trine Mercury retrograde. The days around the station may bring surprises or a drop in energy or confusion about what you’re doing. This is your cue to reassess your goals and how you assert yourself.

This could be a tricky retrograde thanks to the opposition from Pluto which may intensify your feelings and push things to extremes. Mars in Leo can turn nasty when backed into a corner and there could be aggressive outbursts and violence, powerful shadow projections driven by fear, and intense sexual energy that needs careful handling.

All this passionate energy can be worked with consciously and channelled into creative work and self-transformation. You can tear down and destroy anything that no longer works in your life so it can be regenerated and renewed. This will lead to a rebirth when Mars stations direct next year.

Make the most of this time using the Mars Retrograde Workbook available here!

On 15th December the Full Moon in Gemini is in a T-square with Neptune which increases your idealism and imagination. You may feel restless with a desire for knowledge and meaning but could struggle to keep track of details or become lost in wishful thinking and daydreams.

Mercury is about to station direct so there may be a sense of anticipation as you prepare to put your new ideas into action. Mercury forms a trine to Mars which energises your mind but with both planets retrograde you may want to think before you speak or tweet. This aspect is part of a Grand Trine with the north node and a Kite focused on the south node, making this a good time to let go of any ideas that don’t pass the realism test of Saturn.

Venus is now in Aquarius while opposite Mars and trine Jupiter and looking for friendship and equality in relationships. Jupiter adds a feeling of abundance and love that you want to share with others and it may be a good time for a party, although Mars could increase the possibility for conflict if what you want doesn’t match your values.

Later on 15th Mercury stations direct in Sagittarius while in the Grand Trine and sextile Venus. This is the moment to act on your plans as Mercury returns from the underworld eager to share what he has learned. The square from Saturn is fading fast but it may help to steady your mind, while the trine from Mars eases the flow of communication. However, Mars is still retrograde and hot-headed so think things through before taking action.

On 21st December the Solstice sees the Sun in Capricorn square Neptune and the nodes bringing your attention to the need for order and working towards practical goals and ambitions. Neptune may undermine this by dissolving the structures you build, creating confusion or disillusionment with worldly goals. But it also increases your imagination and compassion making this a good time for spiritual or creative work.

The Virgo Moon is pinned into a tense Grand Cross opposite Saturn and square Mercury opposite Jupiter. This energy can be channelled into productive ambitions but may feel unstable and changeable. There may be conflict between your feelings and thinking and the intuitive leaps of Mercury may overlook important facts. Jupiter could provide too many ideas and endless talking may drain your energy.

But if you can resist self-indulgence, you can make many practical and imaginative improvements to your life. Doing something useful and constructive will help to overcome anxiety and you could succeed in giving form to your vision of the future. This is supported by the Jupiter Saturn square which becomes exact for the second time this year on 24th December.

You can also use the energy of the Grand Trine with Mercury, Mars and the north node to relieve some of the tension of the Grand Cross and get your ideas flowing. However, Mars retrograde is still afflicted by Pluto so could be unpredictable.

Finally, on 30th December the New Moon in Capricorn is sextile Saturn continuing the focus on self-discipline, responsibility and working towards practical goals. This is a good time to begin a new project or enterprise but you may also see results in work that you have already begun.

Mercury is still in a T-square opposite Jupiter and square Saturn which inspires new ideas and possibilities, opening your mind to the future. You may feel optimistic and confident and willing to test your imagination and creative ideas against reality and turn them into something useful.

Venus is square Uranus which may bring unpredictable changes and a desire for freedom in your relationships. There may also be sudden expenses or erratic finances that force you to be more flexible in your approach. Meanwhile, the Mars Pluto opposition continues to transform your will and by working with the passionate energies that are aroused you can develop greater self-understanding and improve your relationships.

Here’s a breakdown of the month by date:

• 1 Dec – New Moon at 9° Sagittarius
• 2 Dec – Mercury retrograde trine Chiron, Venus trine Uranus
• 4 Dec – Mercury retrograde opposite Jupiter, Sun square Saturn, Venus sextile Neptune
• 6 Dec – Sun conjunct Mercury retrograde at 14° Sagittarius – inferior conjunction, Mars stations retrograde at 6° Leo
• 7 Dec – Mercury retrograde square Saturn, Venus enters Aquarius, Venus conjunct Pluto at 0° Aquarius, Sun opposite Jupiter, Neptune stations direct at 27° Pisces
• 10 Dec – Venus sextile true North Node, Sun trine Chiron
• 12 Dec – Venus opposite Mars retrograde
• 13 Dec – Mercury retrograde sextile Venus
• 15 Dec – Full Moon at 23° Gemini, Mercury stations direct at 6° Sagittarius
• 18 Dec – Sun square Neptune
• 20 Dec – Venus trine Jupiter
• 21 Dec – Sun enters Capricorn (Solstice)
• 23 Dec – Sun square true North Node
• 24 Dec – Venus sextile Chiron, Jupiter square Saturn
• 26 Dec – Mercury opposite Jupiter
• 27 Dec – Mercury square Saturn
• 28 Dec – Venus square Uranus
• 29 Dec – Chiron stations direct at 19° Aries
• 30 Dec – New Moon at 9° Capricorn
• 31 Dec – Pluto sextile true North Node, Mercury trine Chiron

Note: these dates are for GMT/UT. Check the details for your time zone at Astro-Seek where you can also look at the charts for all the alignments.

Looking ahead to next year, Mars retrograde opposes the Sun at the peak of the cycle on 16th January and remains opposite Pluto until 22nd January and stations direct on 24th February 2025. Make the most of this time with the Mars Retrograde Workbook available here!

And remember to get your copy of Astro Journal 2025 which includes interpretations for all the major transits and monthly delineations that go into much more detail than in this post. It’s available in paperback, Kindle, and EPUB. Here are the links:

• Astro Journal 2025 – Amazon (Paperback and Kindle)
• Astro Journal 2025 – Payhip (EPUB and PDF)
• Retrograde Workbooks – Payhip (PDF)

Happy Astro Journaling!

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