December 2024 Horoscopes
Written by Christie Craft
Photography by Luke Gram
It’s horoscope time! Check out what’s in store for you this month by reading through the larger themes of these December 2024 horoscopes, then finding your specific sign below.
In Russian folklore, the heroine Vasilisa the Wise (or, the Beautiful, in some tellings) is sent to gather fire from the ancient and fearsome forest witch Baba Yaga, who invites the young Vasilisa into her famously chicken-legged home to gift the inexperienced maiden a flaming skull of wisdom. After many bizarre and tumultuous trials, that is. Looking at December’s astrology is like assessing Vasilisa’s fairytale tribulations, full of the delicacies of managing fire.
Truth-seeking is the foundation of the month’s unfolding, established by a Sagittarius New Moon on December 1st. Whether warmed by the glow of truth or burnt by its ruthlessness, the images and illusions revealed carry long shadows. Our internal fire becomes unpredictable when Mars turns retrograde on December 6th, ushering a period of strange focus and exhaustion lasting through February 2025. You may feel totally extinguished in one area of life as a savage and destructive burn consumes you in another. The only reasonable response is surrendering to the flames as the forest to a wildfire. Sitting it out in physical solitude and brisk workouts can be reasonable responses to a Martian temper tantrum, which almost always carries a somatic weight.
Mercury stations direct on December 15th, working out a knot in the month’s strained muscular system. A Gemini Full Moon occurs on the same day, lending dynamism to thought essential for problem-solving and logical empathy. A second New Moon in the month—commonly called a “black moon”—winds down the year on December 30th in the sign of Capricorn. This is a surprisingly forgiving lunation honoring careful planning and rootedness as the keys to sure-footed success.
December Legend:
December 1: New Moon in Sagittarius
December 6: Mars turns retrograde in Leo
December 7: Venus enters Aquarius, Neptune turns direct in Pisces
December 15: Full Moon in Gemini, Mercury turns direct in Sagittarius
December 21: the Sun enters Capricorn
December 29: Chiron turns direct in Aries
December 30: New Moon in Capricorn
Find Your Sign
Aries - Opting Out
March 21 – April 19Rather than the intense pressure instinctual to your sign, a Sagittarius New Moon on December 1st encourages you to approach difficulty with a light touch. On December 6th, Mars—your ruling planet—turns retrograde, ushering in a period of creative withdrawal. Solitude and silence will be a healing catalyst through February 2025, essential for evaluating how you’re spending your time and energy. False urgency and drama have no place in your world.
Mercury stations direct on December 15th alongside a Full Moon in Gemini, giving grace to tense conversations. Setting boundaries is straightforward and respectful. By the end of the year, you’re ready to put your head down and focus on your career. A superb New Moon in Capricorn on December 30th highlights many advancement opportunities.
Taurus - Mind Over Matter
April 20 – May 20Managing debts may feel like a stressful crucible when a Sagittarius New Moon puts you to the test on December 1st. Mars turns retrograde on December 6th, bringing simmering family tensions to a boil. Drained by the demands of home may push you to the verge of throwing in the towel and giving up entirely. Walking away is a good idea, but only temporarily. Personal time-outs, workouts, or brisk winter walks in the solitude of nature are ideal for moving stress out of your body.
Mercury retrograde ends on December 15th alongside a Gemini Full Moon, releasing a pressure valve in your financial issues. Every ounce of stress relief is essential this month, affecting your ability to see eye-to-eye with those closest to you. A Capricorn New Moon finishes the year on December 30th with a practical reminder to embrace a “mind over matter” attitude on mounting life challenges.
Gemini - Growing Up
May 21 – June 20In with the beneficial relationships, and compost the rest. A Sagittarius New Moon on December 1st breathes new life into your partnerships, strengthening each into a lasting commitment. Disputes with neighbors may boil over when Mars turns retrograde on December 6th. Through February 2025, try to diffuse aggression with an enormous grain of salt.
An emotional glow-up is in store on December 15th, thanks to a Full Moon in your sign occurring the same day Mercury retrograde ends. Whew! Your maturity is aspirational and could lead to new leadership roles. The month ends with a Capricorn New Moon on December 30th, delivering solid financial opportunities to eliminate or better manage lingering debt.
Cancer - Lock In, Tap Out
June 21 – July 22This month, you’ll need to place firm but loving boundaries on yourself through good habits like sleep hygiene, sound food choices, and limited screen time. A Sagittarius New Moon swoops in on December 1st to support your efforts. Anchor into those nourishing routines when Mars turns retrograde on December 6th, throwing a flaming monkey wrench into your finances. If you are in a financial crisis, you’ll have an opportunity to resolve your dilemma through February 2025.
Mercury turns direct on December 15th, releasing mental pressure and helping you think clearly. A Full Moon in Gemini occurs on the same day, which could strain your mental health to exhaustion. This is a red-letter day to turn on airplane mode and tap out from the world.
Leo - Downshift
July 23 – August 22December is a time to downshift and look deeply at the love present in your life with respect and gratitude. A gorgeous New Moon in Sagittarius on December 1st sets the stage for pursuing pleasure for pleasure’s sake. However, romance competes with the heavy gravitas of Mars turning retrograde in your sign on December 6th. Through February 2025, your mind will turn over long-held goals, reevaluating them in the greater scope of your life. Exhaustion could set in, compelling you to stay close to home with the people you love and cherish the most—and that’s perfectly okay.
Mercury turns direct on December 15th alongside a dynamic Full Moon in Gemini. Your quietness might pique the interest and concern of close friends who may reach out to check on you. December 30th’s New Moon in Capricorn helps you reconsider wasting your energy on drama and unhealthy behaviors.
Virgo - Hermit Era
August 23 – September 22Your idea of what makes a home nurturing and secure may be up for a change this month. On December 1st, a Sagittarius New Moon disrupts your sense of domesticity and may have you toying with the idea of relocating. Mars turns retrograde on December 6th, pushing you further into a wintery hermit mode through February 2025.
Mercury turns direct on December 15th, smoothing out disagreements and confusion at home. A Full Moon in Gemini also occurs on December 15th, lighting up your career sector with glittering news. The month ends with a Capricorn New Moon on December 30th, making space for new romance in your life. However, new opportunities are only possible if you leave the house!
Libra - Graceful Endings
September 23 – October 22Talk is cheap as far as you’re concerned, and a Sagittarius New Moon on December 1st emboldens you to lead with that energy all month long. Your tolerance for drama and infighting will be below zero once Mars stations retrograde on December 6th. With your energy zapped, draining or unsubstantial friendships fall from the tree like rotten fruit.
Sanity returns to your efforts at communication once Mercury retrograde ends on December 15th. A fabulous Full Moon in Gemini occurs that same day, encouraging dynamic optimism in how you think about the many endings you’re experiencing this month. Cycles of death only make room for the birth of new life. On December 30th, a New Moon in Capricorn ends the year on a grateful, family-focused note.
Scorpio - Higher Self
October 23 – November 21Progress is present, but setbacks may feel more prominent this month. Hang in there—on December 1st, a powerful New Moon in Sagittarius could be the financial game-changer you’ve been praying for. Mars turns retrograde on December 6th, complicating the ebb and flow of your career. Bold epiphanies could strike, shifting your motivation from abandoning one path for more aligned professional aspirations. December through February 2025 may not be the moment of major victories just yet, but take heart, Scorpio: Your higher self leads the way.
Money matters become less confusing once Mercury stations direct on December 15th. That same day, a Gemini Full Moon occurs, supporting your earnest efforts to manage debts and bring substantial clarity to your financial future. A Capricorn New Moon on December 30th encourages you to tell the truth in conversations and storytelling. Honesty is one of your best attributes.
Sagittarius - Dynamic Evolution
November 22 – December 21December is a crisp, clean sheet of paper in a new notebook, but you might not see it to believe it until mid-month. A New Moon graces your sign on December 1st, setting the stage for a fresh reinvention in your identity or interior life. Indeed, your spiritual compass is shifting in a new direction, with Mars turning retrograde on December 6th. The period through February 2025 could feel like a “Tower” moment, with many of your faithful philosophies burning up to make room for a new framework of thought. Get curious, let it be, and embrace the adventure of self-knowledge.
Mercury stations direct in your sign on December 15th, granting supreme clarity in forging ahead with whatever is stirring in your brilliant mind. A gorgeous Gemini Full Moon also occurs on December 15th, enhancing your confidence in partnerships. A Capricorn New Moon on December 30th delivers an incredible financial opportunity that could be the icing on the cake of this dynamic month.
Capricorn - Upgrades
December 22 – January 19You’ve got your work cut out for you this month, Capricorn, and it may be quite mentally exhausting at times. On December 1st, a Sagittarius New Moon practically demands you turn out the lights and take some time for yourself throughout the month. When Mars turns retrograde on December 6th, you’ll begin working on critical corrections in your money management that endure.
Managing your health and wellness becomes more straightforward when Mercury stations direct alongside a Gemini Full Moon on December 15th. A New Moon in your magnificent sign on December 30th kicks off a season of personal rebirth. Whatever work you’ve done on yourself internally will soon be reflected in your material reality—you deserve this upgrade.
Aquarius - Close Company
January 20 – February 18Your social cup runneth over this month, thanks to a New Moon in bubbly Sagittarius on December 1st. New friendships and group affiliations are the season's gift, but watch out for overspending. Mars turns retrograde on December 6th, which may reveal some secrets in your partnerships. Whatever your long-term goals are, it’s apparent peace is your priority.
Mercury stations direct on December 15th alongside a stunning Full Moon in Gemini, harkening a period of deep intimacy and true love. The year ends quietly, with a Capricorn New Moon occurring on December 30th. A simple New Year’s Eve with a handful of loved ones and an early bedtime might be just what you need to ring in the New Year.
Pisces - High Value
February 19 – March 20Opportunities to expand in the professional sphere simmer undetected until mid-month. Inklings of change bubble up to the surface on December 1st with a Sagittarius New Moon prodding you to get cracking on furthering your career. There’s something serious about this desire to go further and do better. Despite wanting to work harder, you’ll need to tread lightly with becoming exhausted and potentially burning out, especially after December 6th, when Mars turns retrograde.
Mercury turns direct on December 15th, bringing a satisfying flow state to your focus at work. A Full Moon in Gemini occurs that same day, bringing a bold ending to a domestic affair. You’ll likely ring in the New Year surrounded by your nearest and dearest, as a New Moon in Capricorn on December 30th brings a tight focus to those you trust and value the most in your social circle.
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