And just like that, it’s December. (Insert shocked emoji face here!) See what’s in store during this final month of 2016 with a general overview right here, and click into your sign below for a more in-depth forecast by our star-gazing columnist Christie Craft.

The world grows darker and colder in the Northern Hemisphere in December, and as a result our human family is drawn closer together in solidarity under the stars. Despite differences in views or life experience, our intimate connections and shared similarities in the human condition breathe essential life into our most important relationships, ultimately weaving a useful web of support to be called on when we need it most.

At the top of the month, Mercury, quicksilver ruling planet of communications and technology associated with Gemini and Virgo, will stake his claim in serious, business-minded Capricorn on December 2. Making headway on important business agreements and legal negotiations are set to excel for most signs during the first weeks of December, especially for Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces. Air signs Libra, Gemini, and Aquarius, along with fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sag) might meet difficulties mustering the patience to move slowly through a crucible of details.

Days later on December 7, Venus, the goddess-planet ruling romantic love, physical beauty, material luxury, and carnal pleasures, will shimmy into worldly Aquarius, throwing our relationships on an unexpected path. Aquarian energy is electric, strange in its eccentric, offbeat methods of expanding our social reach and developing unexpected friendships. All 12 signs will see the value in a diversified social group this December, cultivating an atmosphere of conviviality, teamwork, and camaraderie at work and play.

A glorious full moon in gregarious, affable Gemini on December 13 is bound to bring a hotly anticipated conclusion to an emotionally charged disagreement or event, either at work (all earth signs), home (Cancer and Scorpio), with family (Pisces), or your love life (air and fire signs). Mars, the fiery, red planet associated with action, victory in battle, and direct assertiveness will match up with cool-headed, spacey Pisces in an unlikely duo on December 19, forcing all signs to take a new tack, replacing aggression with peace, love, and understanding. Nothing can be taken by force when Mars is in Pisces, requiring more inner strength than brute persistence in remaining calm and peaceful in the fight. Signs like Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, and Pisces will have an easier time with this new strategy, in contrast to the sharp frustration likely to mount in fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sag), as well as for Gemini, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Aquarius.

Mercury, that tricky aforementioned dictator of communication and tech, will turn back time and enter his retrograde sleep from December 19, 2016 to January 8, 2017, demanding that all signs pump the brakes and come to a full stop before the calendar turns over into another year. Negotiations, litigation, and contractual agreements must be put on pause until mid-January 2017, along with any forward-moving progress on important projects. Take a mental vacation (or an actual one) during these weeks. Carve out plenty of time for meditation and reflection—most of us will be ending the year with a pensive, thoughtful aura raising compelling all 12 signs to assess our progress and reevaluate our most precious personal goals and values.

Warm friendships and family time will provide the ultimate respite from your own mind during the holidays, particularly with a new moon in cozy Capricorn on December 29. Balancing your studying and scheming with human contact is essential during the Northern Hemisphere’s darkest hours of the year. Besides, you never know what brilliance friends and relatives might fire off during festivities. With so much good cheer and joy flowing freely, there’s no limit to what universal lessons you could absorb. What you learn now could be the missing keys to elevating your life to its pinnacle of potential in 2017. Cheers!