Jupiter (& a Ton of Other Planets) in Gemini

Jupiter moved into Gemini on May 25th, where it will be until June 9th of 2025. When Jupiter transits through a sign, we see the themes associated with that sign amplified and spread. They get bigger and more prevalent. 

Gemini is an air sign that represents duality and communication. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, known as the trickster. I just read Circe by Madeline Miller and loved it. The book features Hermes (aka Mercury) as a character, and the playful and impermanent nature of Mercury is well described in the novel. Hermes is the messenger of the gods. He wants to be amused, entertained, to engage in tête-à-têtes, but he leaves at his liking, coming and going with the winds. In traditional astrology, Mercury can be either a benefic or a malefic planet, depending on certain factors. Again, duality is inherent to its essence.  

With Jupiter moving through Gemini over the next year, we can expect to see advances in communication and transportation technology. We’ll also likely see a continued preponderance of news about air travel. I hope there will be improvements and expansion in air travel, but I also expect that there’s going to be a lot of news and buzz about increasing winds due to climate change, so there will probably be more and more stories about the kind of turbulence that has been so prominent lately. 

Jupiter is technically in its detriment here because Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the sign opposite Gemini. Whereas Sagittarius wants to dive deep into topics and learn everything it can about them, Gemini wants the CliffsNotes. Geminis want shortcuts, tips, tricks, and workarounds. They get both intrigued and bored easily. They’re quick-thinking, questioning, and skeptical. Those with prominent Gemini placements often have a lot of friends and a lot of different interests because they need variety. They’re renaissance people. 

Right now, the sun, Mercury, and Venus are all also in Gemini, giving us a lot of a ton of swift, airy Gemini energy. It’s like a blast of Gemini. The languorous days of Taurus season are behind us. My snake plant promptly died when all these planets moved into Gemini. I decided to give up on trying to keep it alive. And a few hours later I signed up to practice French on Duolingo. That’s Gemini season. 

And coming up on June 6th, we have a new moon in Gemini. So atop all this Gemini energy, the new moon offers a chance to start anew, to make some choices, to put words to our thoughts and dreams. Saturn in Pisces will be squaring the new moon, causing some tension. Saturn is the planet of responsibility, so you may feel burdened and not fully able to do what you want, but write it down anyway. Gemini season is the season of the notes app. 

Based on your rising sign, these are the broad brushstroke areas where you’ll see a lot of focus in the next few weeks, and then more long-term sustained growth over the next year as Jupiter moves through this part of your chart. 

Gemini rising – This is your first house, the house of self. You may be faced with some big choices over the next year which could result in long-term implications, but generally (everything is dependent on your own chart and planetary placements), this is a time of opportunity for you. Ride the wave. You get an extra boost now, and some of that magic will sustain until next June. 

Cancer rising – This is the area that deals with the subconscious and solitude. Dreams will be vivid and if you keep a dream journal, you’ll likely learn a lot about your innermost desires and fears. It’s a good time for planning a solo trip or meditation retreat for sometime in the next year. If you can, spending some time alone will likely be extra restorative and illuminating. 

Leo rising – Gemini is in your house of friend groups, community, and hopes. You may see some more action in this area and find yourself branching out, making new connections, and putting yourself out into the world. Leo placements are social creatures, but you’ll probably feel more social than you already do and reap the rewards to casting a wide net. 

Virgo rising – This part of your chart deals with your public persona and legacy. Most often this is tied to career, so this year you may be presented with some opportunities for career advancement or growth. You could create output that earns you widespread recognition. If you have been wanting to forge a new career path, this would be an auspicious time to take steps to do so. 

Libra rising – The planet Jupiter and the part of your chart where it will be this year share some significations, meaning that you may feel even more of a push toward some of their themes: spirituality, teaching and learning, and long distance travel. While Jupiter is in Gemini, you may take a longer and/or longer-distance trip than you would otherwise, develop a strong interest in another culture or language or religion (or astrology, which is a topic associated with this area of the chart), or enroll in an academic program or begin teaching classes yourself. 

Scorpio rising – For you, Jupiter will be in your 8th house. In traditional astrology, it’s the area of the chart that deals with life and death. More modern significations, though, expand the associations to the things we give to or receive from others. It’s the fruits and the byproducts of our relationships, everything from inheritances, our partner’s finances, and loans, to murkier stuff such as our emotional baggage and trauma. This could play out in many ways. You may get a mortgage or sell your place (when Jupiter was in my 8th house, I bought an apartment). You may get a bigger tax refund than usual that allows you to do something you wouldn’t normally do. Or you could start therapy!

Sagittarius rising – Jupiter is your chart ruler, so when Jupiter moves into a new part of your chart, you (and Pisces risings) feel it the most. There will be a lot of focus on relationships and partnerships this year. It could be that you’re entering a new phase of an existing relationship, or you begin a new one altogether. It could also mean you join forces with someone in a business partnership of some kind. Compromise and collaboration will be heavily featured themes for you with the planets in Gemini. 

Capricorn rising – The transits through Gemini are occurring in your area of work, health, and service, so there will be a short-term heavy focus on these themes, and then as Jupiter continues to go through Gemini for the next year, you’ll see an expansion in this area. It’s a good time to take steps to improve your work habits and your health routines, as the efforts put in now can pay off in the future. This part of the chart also deals with pets, so given Jupiter’s significance, you may find yourself adopting a new furry friend this year. 

Aquarius rising – Lucky you, this is the fun house, the part of your chart that rules joy, creativity, and romance. With so many planets in Gemini, this is the time to start doing the stuff you want to do. Lean into your creativity, and enjoy your sex life. This is also the part of the chart that deals with children, and Jupiter indicates expansion and growth, so just know that and act accordingly, depending on whether you do or don’t want a child anytime in the near future. 

Pisces rising – Gemini is in the area of your chart that is associated with home and family, and Jupiter is your chart ruler, meaning that you’ll likely feel Jupiter’s influence more than most other rising signs. This could be a year where you expand your home base, or focus more energy on your home. It could also be a time when your family grows, or the time you spend with your family increases. 

Aries rising – The area of your chart that deals with your neighborhood and neighbors, your siblings, short-distance/domestic travel, and communication will be buzzing. It’s a variegated collection of themes, so you may see growth or focus in just one of these topics or several. Maybe you find yourself traveling for work or pleasure a lot more than usual this year, or maybe you actually end up connecting with your neighbors in a way that feels enriching and expansive. 

Taurus rising – For you, Gemini is in your house of money and resources. This could indicate growth in income or an expansion or advancement to the way you earn your income. With Jupiter going through your second house, there’s a lot of potential for increased abundance over the next year, which could resonate in different ways. Maybe it’s money; maybe it’s the people around you that you value most.  

Enjoy the intellectual stimulation, and stay safe from the winds! And take all of these horoscopes with a grain of salt. Astrology is entertainment, not fortune telling. 

Uranian Vibes & the Sun-Jupiter Conjuction

“All the other girls here are stars, you are the Northern Lights” – Josh Ritter, “Kathleen”

The aurora borealis was visible for a wide swath of the US last weekend. At least where I was, it was cool-looking to the naked eye, but captured through a cell phone camera, it was pretty spectacular. The geomagnetic storm that allowed the lights to be visible farther south than usual was a very rare event. Did you feel like you were buzzing? It felt very Uranian, which is appropriate given all the Uranus conjunctions we’ve had lately. 

Slow-moving Uranus, the planet of disruption, surprises, revolution, and yes, electricity, has been hanging out in Taurus since May 2018, and in the last month, we’ve had several faster-moving planets meeting up with the big U. First, there was the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in April, which coincided with the proliferation of the student protests against the war in Gaza, and to which we will likely be able to trace other major movements and innovations that have yet to unfold. Then, on May 13th, there was a Sun-Uranus conjunction, which means that individually, we have felt some nervousness or anxiety, got some jarring news, or had some emotional or mental revelations. Now, on May 18th, we get the Venus-Uranus conjunction, which could mean that personally, you learn something you didn’t know about your partner, or you may get some unexpected news about your finances, or something you thought you valued may suddenly shift. 

Right on the heels of the Venus-Uranus conjunction, also on May 18th, there is a Sun-Jupiter conjunction. This happens once a year, when the sun gets to the same place in the sky as Jupiter. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, growth, and success. For those of us with day charts, this is especially auspicious, because the sun is our sect light and Jupiter is our primary benefic. (For those with night charts, the moon is your sect light and Venus your primary benefic. And if you want to learn more about your individual chart, book a consultation with me!)

The Sun represents our identity, our calling, our life force. The Sun is what gives us purpose. The Sun meeting up with Jupiter marks a time for us to think about how we want to expand our sense of purpose over the next year. If you have been horrified by what is happening in Gaza, for example, this is a great time to get active, call your reps, and join a movement. If you feel moved to do something else–writing, going back to school, planting a garden (Taurus always lends itself to the literal planting of seeds)–go for it. This weekend is a ripe time to listen and pay attention to inspiration that crops up. 

Jupiter has been in Taurus since May of last year. You can read my thoughts on Jupiter in Taurus here and check out what this would have potentially meant for you depending on where Taurus is in your chart. However, since Jupiter moved into Taurus after the Sun had already arrived there, and the Sun moves a lot faster than Jupiter, this is the first and only Sun-Jupiter conjunction we’ll get in the sign of Taurus for a while. So, again, really have your feelers attuned to what is moving you and inspiring you, especially as it relates to the part of your chart with Taurus, because the seeds you plant now (it’s Taurus, all the metaphors are gardening metaphors), may blossom into events and outcomes that are especially fruitful for you. 

With the electricity in the air, many of us have felt in our bones that big or new things were on the horizon, and this weekend is when whatever it is that is next for us may become clear. And in a couple days, Gemini season begins! Less planting, more talking. 

As always, take all astrological-based advice with a grain of salt. Astrology isn’t fortune telling, and this post is based on my own interpretations of the planetary movements and what they represent.

New Moon in Taurus

There is a new moon in Taurus tonight, May 7th, at 18 degrees. This new moon is glorious for two reasons: 1) it is supported in rulership and by aspect, which I’ll get into, and 2) it marks the end of eclipse season. 

How was your eclipse season? Every single eclipse does not have world-shaking, life-upending implications for every person. However, if you think back through your life, many of the most unpredictable, wrenching events that have occurred likely did so around eclipses. 

I’ll offer a case from my own life. Libra falls in my 4th house, which has significations of home and family, and Aries in my 10th, which relates to career and public identity. Coinciding with the Libra lunar eclipse, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and my world has changed. This has resulted in shifting things around, pulling up stakes to change my home base, and the importance I place on my work and my public life sloughing away, like skin shed from a snake.

This has also meant that I haven’t been writing or consulting current astrology as much of late, but I know it’s there, a constant, and I see the impact unfolding for me personally. I’m ready for this eclipse season to be over, and with this eagerly anticipated new moon in Taurus, it will be. FINALLY. 

And this new moon is resplendent (figuratively). It’s in Taurus, a fixed earth sign. The moon is exalted in Taurus, meaning that when the moon is in Taurus, it is like a special guest star, with fanfare and a spotlight. It operates with aplomb.

Taurus is practical and deliberate. The energy is slow and grounded. This new moon takes place between Venus and Jupiter, also both in Taurus, and both planets are benefics, which means that in ancient astrology, they were considered favorable (vs. the malefics Mars and Saturn). 

The moon in Taurus is ruled by Venus, which, because it’s in Taurus now, is firing on all cylinders. Taurus is Venus’s domicile (along with Libra), so Venus has no barriers when it is in Taurus. Venusian energy, with its focus on relationships, love, luxuries, and values, is unfettered and prominent with this new moon. 

The moon is also making a supportive aspect to Saturn in Pisces. Saturn lends it some stability, and in earth sign Taurus, this new moon becomes an auspicious time to lay the groundwork for new projects and for working toward our desires. It could be an especially potent time to start new physical routines and to focus on your self and your body. The Saturn aspect imbues anything we start now with some extra discipline, much needed after the chaos that the eclipses and Aries season wrought. 

And because it’s in Taurus, the earth goddess sign, it marks a great time to garden and plant flowers, to buy a new piece of clothing or jewelry, and/or to learn to make a new signature dish or dessert. It’s all about beginning anew with mindfulness. Get out in nature if you can. In the words of English rose Natasha Bedingfield, feel the rain on your skin; no one else can feel it for you.

The new moon inspired me to write again and to do a little ritual, which I also haven’t done in a minute, because of the hope springing from it. And then I wait to see how this personal eclipse story of mine will conclude in March of next year, when the final eclipse of this cycle will occur. The rest is still unwritten.

Full Moon in Virgo

There’s a full moon in Virgo coming up, exact at 7:30 am on February 24th. The moon will be at 5 degrees of Virgo and the sun at 5 degrees of Pisces. We’re already feeling it (along with all the Mars-Venus-Pluto stuff that’s been going on) and will be feeling it throughout the next week. I need to make sure I actually go out and catch a glimpse of it. If you have anything from about 0-10 degrees of a mutable sign (Virgo, Pisces, Gemini, or Sagittarius) in your chart, you’re going to feel the effects of this full moon more than most. (And if you don’t know what’s in your chart, book a reading with me!)

The Pisces-Virgo axis is marked by deep feelings and adaptability. Virgo is an earth sign and way more grounded than Pisces, but it’s still a mutable sign. When changes arrive or are needed, a Virgo can shift gears and recalibrate relatively easily. Pisces, a mutable water sign, is boundless. Virgo is a caregiving sign but can be harshly critical, while Pisces is compassionate and empathetic but can be so caught up in their own feelings that they ignore your needs. They make for an interesting combination. There’s a lot of caring here, but how it manifests can vary.

As for full moons, one occurs when the moon is opposite the sun and fully illuminated, reflecting the sun’s light. It’s the culmination of the lunar cycle, and it represents a time to let go. This full moon is an especially opportune time to release because it’s the last full moon of the zodiacal year! Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and with the spring equinox, Aries season begins, as does the new astrological year. So this is truly about letting go. It’s also the last full moon before the next set of eclipses, so if you’re someone who manifests or does any sort of ritual work around full moons, this is your last chance for a couple months. 

With the moon in Virgo, this means that we may be feeling called to let go of something in our daily routines or our annoyances, our judgments, our critiques. It’s a good time for cleaning the house and sweeping the dust away. With Virgo-Pisces, I think of making a list (Virgo) of the shadow qualities (Pisces) we want to work on. Or cathartically releasing emotions while doing housework or crafting. Cry and knit. Listen to the most maudlin music while you scrub your bathtub. Make a commitment to start a daily yoga practice.

Pisces is associated with the Moon card in the Tarot. I love the Moon card as illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. Even the crustaceans respond to the moon’s power.

The sun at 5 Pisces is also between Mercury and Saturn, both in Pisces, when this full moon occurs, lending some discipline and some thought to it. So while we’re all likely to feel super emotional, it’s a little more grounded (from the Virgo moon + Saturn’s presence) than we’d feel during a Pisces season in another year.

Mercury in Pisces is interesting because Mercury is in its fall in Pisces, meaning that when it’s in Pisces, it’s harder for us to think clearly and connect the dots. Our thoughts and words are more abstract than usual. However, Pisces’s ruler is Jupiter, and Jupiter is in Taurus, another earth sign, so we can tap into the practicalities and realities of where these abstract thoughts and emotions are coming from if we try. 

This is all to say that if you find yourself crying over the next few days, and you ask yourself why you’re so emotional, remember that it’s just another full moon, and it’s during Pisces season, and let yourself ride the waves over the next couple weeks. (The state of the world right now doesn’t help; if you’re not despondent, I’m not sure how.) Over the next couple days, though, if you are in a list-making, task-mastering, cleaning, and clearing zone, the moon is on your side. 

Of course, astrology is not fortune telling, and this is simply my interpretation of what’s going on with the current transits in the sky. Take all of this with a grain of salt, as always.

Pluto, Mars, & Venus Pile Up in Aquarius

Mars moved into Aquarius on February 13th and immediately met up with Pluto. In combination, these two planets are very powerful and volatile, and a conjunction between them can bring fights for power, violence stemming from grievances, and obsessions. The energy is intense, and as I’m writing this, on Friday the 16th, we’re still very much feeling this, but it’s waning. The most useful way to harness the Mars and Pluto conjunction is for us to tap into our bravery to face and overcome our deepest fears.

Now Venus moves in Aquarius today, February 16th, and it also joins with Pluto. Venus-Pluto conjunctions often indicate sexual obsessions, fixations with beauty and/or wealth, and deep, transformative circumstances in relationships. Maybe not the ideal vibe for Valentine’s Day, but it’s a good time for doing some deep soul searching about what you really want and hold dear.

Then next week, fresh off their conjunctions with Pluto, Venus and Mars meet late on February 21st (exact in the early morning hours of Feb 22nd). The Venus-Mars combination is most frequently marked by passion. It’s drive and action (Mars) combined with love and value (Venus). This energy can be very productive. It’s good for going after what we want. Venus and Mars generate magnetism, so we all may be feeling a little more attractive and attracted to others and experiences during this time.

This year, Venus and Mars are conjunct in Aquarius, so it’s an interesting energy. Aquarius is a sign that’s all about the collective, and it’s an air sign, the cold one, so it’s marked by intellectualizing with a cool detachment. It may chill the passions brought forth by Venus and Mars and direct them from being about self-gratification to instead improving the conditions for others. This marks an excellent time to get active about the causes you believe in.

Aquarius Season & the Full Moon in Leo

It’s Aquarius season! As an Aquarius myself, I welcome it with open arms. The punishment of having a birthday in the absolute dregs of winter (in the Northern Hemisphere) is partially mitigated by getting to be an Aquarius, with the joy of being the smartest person in the room and the smug satisfaction of knowing that you listened to that band or were wearing that style or were espousing the tenets of that political movement before it was cool. But it’s coupled with the pain of looking around at everyone else and thinking, “I am truly alone in this world. No one else understands anything.” 

Aquarius is a sign associated with rebellion, revolution, and genius. Not to say that every Aquarius exhibits all these traits outwardly, because every person has a whole plethora of things going on in their own natal chart, but when we look at our geniuses and revolutionaries, it’s not surprising when they have Aquarius placements. Toni Morrison, the greatest American author, had an Aquarius sun, Mercury, and Midheaven.  

It takes the collective a while to catch up with Aquarians, but during Aquarius season, focus gets pulled to what isn’t working and how it can be made better. We see protests. We see organizing. It’s a cliche that Aquarius is about power-to-the-people, but it’s a cliche because it’s true. 

The same day that the Sun moved into Aquarius this year, it was followed shortly by Pluto. Pluto in Aquarius is a big deal. It represents the beginning of a new era, one in which we will likely see the rapid adoption of advanced technology, mass populist movements, and revolutions. I’m hoping Pluto in Aquarius + Uranus in Gemini, coming up over the next few years, will usher in electric air travel (or even better, teleportation). 

The last time Pluto was in Aquarius, we had the American Revolution and the French Revolution, bloody conflicts where the monarchy was rejected, and the Haitian revolution, when the enslaved people of Haiti fought for and won independence from French colonizers. What revolutions will take place over the next decade plus? Time will tell (but some Aquarians are likely already seeing them coming). 

When Pluto is in a sign, it takes about 20 years, give or take, to go through it. We feel it more in the world at large than personally. It’s a vibe shift and the backdrop for big generational stories. I’ve seen a lot on astrology social media indicating that Pluto going into Aquarius will revolutionize something in the individual’s life. I’d like to caution everyone to take that with a grain of salt. Pluto moving through an area of your chart does not mean that you’re immediately going to see transformative things happen to you. Of course, you could, and those who have planets or angle points in the early degrees of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus, and Scorpio may see some huge changes play out over the next couple years. This is why it’s best to get a birth chart reading. Just because Pluto changes signs, it doesn’t herald huge sweeping changes in everyone’s lives right now. Again, it’s 20 years! Most people experience pretty big changes in their lives over a 20-year period, Pluto or no Pluto. 

Anyway. With the sun in Aquarius, we always get a full moon in Leo, and this year it occurs on Thursday, January 25th, and is exact at 12:54 pm ET. This full moon is at 5 degrees of Leo, with the sun at 5 degrees of Aquarius, and it forms a T-square to Jupiter in Taurus, so the usual themes of release that accompany a full moon see some tension with what Jupiter represents: expansion and growth. Ask yourself, how can you use the full moon to shed the stuff you’ve outgrown, in the cool light of the Aquarius sun, to help you grow and evolve? 

At this same time, Mercury is approaching a conjunction with Mars. Our last full moon, in Cancer, was also infused with Mercury-Mars energy, and this time, with the full moon in a fire sign, it promises to be feisty. Tempers may flare. Leo is a campfire, so stoke it with the good stuff, the stuff Leo loves (affirmations! self care!) instead of sharp criticism of yourself and others. In fact, since the full moon is a time for release, maybe it’s your most vicious takes and judgments you want to let go of. Aquarians can be judgmental at an individual level, but they are accepting and understanding at a collective level, so let’s embrace those vibes. This full moon will likely roil some egos in a big way, so best to keep that in mind as you’re dealing with people over the next couple days.

New Moon in Capricorn

On the morning of January 11th, at 6:57 am EST, there is a new moon at 20 degrees of Capricorn. This is the first new moon of 2024. When a moon is “new,” it’s aligned with the sun, and this represents the beginning of a new cycle. 

Given that this is the first lunation of 2024 and it’s in cardinal earth sign Capricorn, which is about practical initiation, this is an excellent opportunity for setting intentions or making your New Year’s resolutions. And because of its positioning in relation to the nodes, currently in Aries and Libra, these intentions may not be just for the year ahead, but more aligned with your soul’s purpose or ultimate destiny. Dream big.

Not only is the new moon in a sign that’s about taking charge and setting plans in motion AND in relationship with the nodes, but there are other aspects at play that make it auspicious for laying the groundwork for what we hope to achieve.

First, both the sun and moon trine Uranus, the planet of disruption, revolution, and change. This means the moon, sun, and Uranus are all lending one another big time support. The intentions you set now could lead to major changes ahead. Or you may get some surprises around this new moon that contribute to your self-reflection and the goals you want to set. All of these guys are in earth signs, which grounds the big shifts and disruptions that come from Uranus. And with Uranus in Taurus, all topics financial would be especially relevant for this new moon.

Concurrent to the new moon, Mars, the planet of action and drive, is also in Capricorn, a sign it loves. And it’s in a supportive trine with Jupiter, the planet of expansion and growth, which is also in Taurus. This is helpful for taking practical action on big plans. And with both in friendly aspects to Saturn, the planet of structure and longevity, concrete plans made now have a good chance of sticking. 

I was going to write up horoscopes for this new moon, but then I thought best not to lead you to focus on one particular area of your life and chart where the new moon occurs over others. This new moon is a good time for setting your intentions to align with your big-picture plans and soul’s desires, so why limit it to one area of your life? 

The astro forecast gets more tumultuous from here on out, especially in the months to come (ahem, April), so this marks a good time for getting your ducks in a row and ensuring your structures are solid for any bumpy weather to come. 

The Solstice and Capricorn Season

It’s the solstice! Fire up the yule log, light the candles, pour the wine, eat the pudding, and listen to the solstice carols. Gods Rest Ye Merry Pagan Folk! In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the longest night of the year, and from tomorrow onward, we get a little more light each day. 

The sun moves into Capricorn on December 21st at 10:27 pm EST, and Capricorn season begins.

The chart for this is lovely. Let’s hope this is indicative of the year ahead. The sun is conjunct Mercury, which is still retrograde and encouraging us to reexamine, reflect, and revise. Both the sun and Mercury form positive aspects to Saturn at 2 degrees of Pisces, which lends some help if we need to concentrate or structure our communication, which may be feeling scattered with the retrograde. Also at the time the sun moves into Capricorn, the moon is at 0 degrees of Taurus, forming a trine to the sun. A trine is an unfettered, supportive connection, so on this day, we have support in aligning our purposes with our emotional and especially our physical (Taurus) needs.

So, about Capricorn. Capricorn is a Saturn-ruled sign. Saturn is the disciplinarian and the authority figure of the zodiac, a slayer of nonsense and excuses. (Saturn = Dorothy Zbornak.) Capricorn is a cardinal sign, meaning it’s a sign of initiation, and it’s an earth sign, signifying practicality and pragmatism.

Capricorn is symbolized as the sea-goat, a mythical creature. Its tarot card is the Devil.

Both of these speak to the complexity of Capricorns. A stereotype of Caps is that they are all business, but that’s not true. Caps can be some of the most hedonistic people out there. It’s the work hard, play hard ethos. 

Characteristics commonly assigned to Caps are that they are hard-working, responsible, driven, motivated. But motivated by what? For less evolved Capricorns, it can be power and status. For more evolved Capricorns, it’s a motivation to honor oneself. 

Astrologer Steven Forrest, in his seminal book The Inner Sky, discusses Capricorns’ truthful state as being purely themselves everywhere, in both private and public. There are no hidden motivations. With evolved Capricorns, what you see is what you get. People with Capricorn placements are comfortable being alone, and solitude is productive for them because the best thing they can achieve is to truly get to know themselves. Katie from VPR and Kyle from RHOBH are both Capricorns. Katie has finally shed that weight that was Tom Schwartz and is living her life, single and with her stellar haircut. Kyle, on this most recent season of RHOBH, talks about how she’s done trying to please others and is going to be fully herself. That is Capricorn evolution! 

Because of the solitary nature of Cap placements, it can make it hard for others to get to really know them. Their embrace of solitude can be confounding. Partners of those with Cap placements may always wonder what’s really happening inside the head and the heart of the Capricorn person. But Capricorns know themselves, deep down, and the evolved Caps lay it all out there with no pretenses, no masks, no need for questioning. Needy people may find and attach themselves to Capricorns because they want someone to tell them what to do (ahem, Tom Schwartz) and Caps take charge, but Capricorns are at their best if they partner with people who aren’t so needy and give them their space to be themselves and do what they want.  

It’s also often said about Caps that they age in reverse. Cue the Dylan. Someone with a Cap sun or Cap ascendant may have a chip on their shoulder when they are young because no one else can do anything right and they are surrounded by idiots. But as they get older, maturity and life experiences help to mellow them out and become more accepting, both of themselves and of others. Can you imagine what Saturnian Dorothy was like as a youth? Probably way more rigid and judgmental, but in her golden years, she’s chilling with her mom and two other weirdos in Miami.

Capricorn season always encompasses the holidays, which is interesting because it starts off with that truly weird and hazy period between Christmas and New Year’s (a ripe time for Capricorns’ hedonistic pursuits). Having the New Year in Capricorn season makes a lot of sense. Making resolutions and taking action to launch new projects are very Capricornian. 

This Cap season, we have a full moon at 4 degrees of Cancer on December 26th. Cancer is an emotional water sign, and this full moon occurs while Mars and Mercury are aligned, so it’s probably going to be very emo. The fact that it’s the day after Christmas, when a lot of us will be spending time with our loved ones, is maybe not ideal, but it could represent a catharsis. It’s a time to release any tension, anger, and stress that came to a head in the days leading up to the holiday, but that’s best done in a productive way (scream therapy or a nice long bathtub cry). You may want to be cognizant to not pop off on your family, partners, co-workers, and friends and tear them to shreds, because with Mercury retrograde, you may really regret what you say and have to go back and apologize later. 

The new moon in Capricorn on January 11th is a little more auspicious, and this lunation is kind of like the real new year, at least when it comes to planting the seeds for what you’d like to achieve in 2024. Mercury will be direct once again and our thinking should be clearer. Horoscopes for that new moon to come in a bit. 

But for now, solstice greetings and glad tidings! Get some rest before the heady work of Cap season ramps up.

New Moon in Sagittarius

The last few lunations (new and full moons) we’ve had have been very intense (that Gemini full moon a couple weeks ago was crazy!), and this upcoming new moon in Sagittarius is no exception (and neither is the full moon in Cancer later this month). 

This new moon, which occurs on December 12th a little after 6:30 pm EST, is fiery. While the sun has pulled away from its conjunction with Mars, Mars is still co-present in the same sign as this sun-moon combo. But with Mars in the mix and not currently making any hard aspects to other planets right now, this new moon is a good one for harnessing our energies and focusing them on our lofty goals and global views (in true Sagittarius spirit). However, the moon is making a hard aspect with Neptune, the planet that shrouds circumstances in uncertainty and vagueness, so you may find it hard to get clarity on what you actually want. 

Venus, now in Scorpio, is currently separating from an opposition to Jupiter in Taurus. Venus doesn’t usually like being in deep, dark Scorpio, but its movement through this sign gives us the opportunity to dive deep into our relationships, face hard truths, and strategize about our finances and our resources. Opposite expansive Jupiter, Venus is a little more powerful and friendlier in Scorpio than it would normally be. 

However, Mercury retrograde looms. Mercury is stationary when the new moon occurs, which means it’s at a virtual standstill. It starts to go retrograde overnight on the 12th/13th. When a planet is stationary, its influence is felt even more than usual, so our communication and our tech activity is going to be very prominent during this new moon. If you haven’t already, you may start to experience the usual Mercury retrograde mishaps. A package I mailed to a friend in Virginia last Monday somehow passed through Virginia on Wednesday and sailed on to Florida. Florida! She ended up getting it, just several days later than anticipated. 

The good thing about Mercury being retrograde in earth sign Capricorn is that there’s a grounded quality to it, so it’s not going to feel a mile minute. Capricorn is a take-charge cardinal sign, so even though Mercury retrograde encourages reflection and reassessment, in Capricorn, you’re likely going to feel hard-pressed and want to forge ahead regardless of the retrograde. Just know that anything you move forward with now will likely need to be revisited again and potentially revised in January. 

To learn more about where this new moon will play out in your chart, read below for your rising sign and your sun sign. 

Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising: You’re renewed at this time. This new moon is an excellent time to harness that energy of renewal and plant seeds for the next year. The Mercury retrograde encourages reflection prior to manifesting anything new, so look backward before looking to the future, but it’s still a good time to think about your goals, your desires, and your dreams. Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, is about the big picture, so mood board or journal your loftiest goals. It’s also a good time to think about a new look, e.g., coloring your hair or zhuzhing up your wardrobe, if you’ve been feeling stagnant and wanting a change. 

Capricorn & Capricorn Rising: New moons generally have us feeling more tired, but this may be particularly true for Caps and Cap risings this time because it’s occurring in your 12th house. Mars’s energy could offset some of the darkness of the new moon, so you may find yourself with some erratic sleep schedules around this time. Rest as much as you can, hydrate, and with the nights getting longer now, use the opportunity for hibernation and self-reflection. Mercury is going retrograde in your sign, so it’s time to get introspective. 

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: This is occurring in the part of your chart concerned with friendships, community, and hopes and dreams. Think about what you’re giving to and getting out of your friendships and your larger networks, and consider whether you should make adjustments. It’s also a good time to spend some QT with your friends. Go to people’s parties, even if you feel out of your comfort zone. You may end up planting seeds and making connections that will be fortuitous down the road, and even if not, you’ll have a good time. Take a tip from one of my all-time favorite Joni Mitchell lyrics and wreck [your] stockings in some jukebox dive.

Pisces & Pisces Rising: For you, this new moon may signal a new career opportunity. Even if no offers or interview requests come your way, you may try to lay some groundwork for career growth through small actions, such as setting a new LinkedIn alert or reaching out to an old colleague that you haven’t spoken to in a while, that leads to a new opportunity. With the Mercury retrograde, reassessment is key, so you may want to revisit your resume/CV and make some edits that are more reflective of where you are now.

Aries & Aries Rising: Have you been feeling some sort of spiritual calling, or a desire to study a topic that intrigues you? Or is the cusp of winter making you get the urge for going? This new moon may have you both seeking deeper meaning in life and craving adventure. Aries folks are impulsive, but this is an apt opportunity for some soul searching. And whatever you embark on at this time, whether it’s going back to school, signing up for a meditation retreat, or checking out international job boards, could influence or result in a new income stream in the future.

Taurus & Taurus Rising: Things may be feeling particularly heavy around this new moon, as it is occurring in an area of your chart that relates to finances and resources, which can be tangible assets, time, or energy, that we receive from others or that we owe. A new moon represents the new phase of a lunar cycle, and with Mercury retrograde, it’s a good time for reviewing not only your bills and spending habits, but also the mental and emotional resources you share with others. Take stock of how you give and take, and make adjustments where necessary or advantageous for you.

Gemini & Gemini Rising: This new moon is occurring in the area of your chart concerned with partnerships. Against the backdrop of your ruler, Mercury, about to go retrograde, it may have you feeling some extra stress or facing some questioning thoughts about your relationship. Reassess the give-and-take of your relationship(s) and make some changes if you feel an imbalance. This new moon could also mean that you are beginning a new phase of your relationship with your partner, or that you’re meeting someone with whom you’ll build a relationship. It could also indicate the beginning of a new phase or change for your current partner; where this will play out for them depends on where this new moon occurs in their own chart. 

Cancer & Cancer Rising: New moon, new routines. For Cancers and Cancer risings, this new moon marks an opportune chance to review your daily schedules and rituals relating to work and your health. Are you slacking off in some area? During this new moon, you should be able to harness the energy of Mars to change it up. If your work life is feeling stale and stagnant, now’s the time to focus on what you can do to switch up and energize it so that it doesn’t feel like drudgery. You’re also primed to assess your diet, your exercise plans, and your sleep schedules and make changes. 

Leo & Leo Rising: If you have kids, this new moon could signify a new phase for them. Maybe they start a new project, make a new friend, learn new things that delight you, or suddenly seem like an adult. With or without kids, this lunation marks a chance to reevaluate your attitudes around joy, fun, creativity, all the good stuff, the stuff that brings you pleasure. Think about how you’re structuring your daily life and how you can carve out space for the stuff you do purely because you like it. Sex? Have it! Wine? Drink it! Painting? Buy new brushes. 

Virgo & Virgo Rising: It’s a good time to reevaluate your commitments to your family and your home and make sure you’re taking enough time for yourself. Striking the balance between what you want to do and what you are obligated to do can be difficult. With your ruler, Mercury, going retrograde, now is the time for introspection and reevaluation. You may also feel compelled to get in touch with your roots, which may involve booking some international travel. Start a new adventure, but just make sure to triple check any reservations you book from now through January so that you can minimize Mercury retrograde-type snafus. 

Libra & Libra Rising: You may have a heightened awareness of your everyday routines and communication at this time, and with Mercury about to retrograde, this is an especially opportune time to reflect on how you interact with the people with whom you surround yourself. There may be some frustrating misunderstandings that occur, or expectations you have of others or vice versa are not clearly stated. Try to be as clear as you can with others and ask for details and specifics from them, so no one is left guessing. Also be conscious that Neptune is going to have people feeling anxious and sensitive, so it’s all about being explicit but striking a balance by also being diplomatic (which, as a Libra, is your forte).

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: The focus of this new moon is on your finances, your resources, and how you make your money. Take a look at your bank account(s) if you haven’t in a while, and consider carving out a dedicated savings account for something you’re striving for. Mercury retrograde is all about those “re” activities, so you may want to wait until January to make any big moves, but this is a great time to review your finances and your assets and think about how to configure or reconfigure them so they are helping you achieve your long-term goals.

As always, horoscopes are for entertainment purposes. so take them with a grain of salt. These are based on my interpretation of the transiting planetary positions. Unfortunately, I cannot predict the future. 

Sagittarius Season and the Full Moon in Gemini

On November 22nd, the sun moved into Sagittarius, so we are now in the swing of Sagittarius season. And in true Sagittarius fashion, this post is very late. 

Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign. As a fire sign, Sagittarius has an inherent need for action, and as a mutable sign, Sagittarius can go with the flow and transition easily. Of the fire signs, Aries is like a spark; Leo like a campfire; and Sagittarius is like a wildfire–traveling, shifting, and ranging.

Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, rules Sagittarius. Jupiter is about growth and expansiveness. This gives Sagittarius its own larger than life quality. Sagittarians are known for being adventurous. They want experiences, they want to learn, to travel, to live life to the fullest. I think of the famous “mad ones” quote from On the Road as distilling the Sagittarian essence (and not surprisingly, Neal Cassady had a Sagittarius moon.)

Sagittarians can sometimes get a reputation for being flakey because once they feel like they’ve fully immersed themselves in something, their desire to learn more about the next thing compels them to move on. Sagittarians are known for their forthrightness, which can sometimes come across as abrasive or uncouth, but a lot of times, it’s charming. Sagittarians are charmers. Sonja Morgan is a Sag.

As soon as Sagittarius season kicked off, because Saturn is at 0 degrees of Pisces, the sun formed a square (an aspect that causes dynamic tension) to Saturn. Then Mars followed shortly behind, moving into Sagittarius on November 24th and also forming a square to Saturn. Mars, the planet of action, wants to goooooo, especially in Sagittarius, and Saturn, the planet of boundaries, wants to pump the brakes, so in the few days around November 24th-25th, we may feel stymied or limited in ways that are incredibly frustrating. This can be especially emotional around the full moon, which occurs at 4 degrees of Gemini on November 27th at 4:16 am EST. 

The Gemini-Sagittarius axis is an interesting one. Gemini is ruled by Mercury, and as an air sign, it’s about quick thinking and talking; Sagittarius is a sign that’s about intellectualizing and philosophizing, so it isn’t as diametrically different from Gemini as some of the other opposite-sign pairings. However, it’s a fire sign, and it’s ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion, so Sagittarius is all about big ideas. Sagittarians dream big and leave the details to others. I once had a boss who said, when describing herself, that she isn’t a workhorse, but that she meets people and comes up with ideas, but she leaves the work to her team. That feels very Sagittarius. Sagittarians can experience Geminis as too micro; Geminis can think Sagittarians are unrealistic blowhards.

The full moon in Gemini, opposite the sun, finds our emotional selves needing to tend to the prosaic details. We want to make to-do lists and find shortcuts. But the sun in Sag causes some tension with this need, as we may have our heads in the clouds, or we may be blowing past others’ need to talk it out and get the necessary info. 

This full moon is also opposite Mars, right on the sun’s heels in Sagittarius, and the sun/Mars and the moon are in a T-square with Saturn. This means that this frustrating Mars-Saturn square that we’re feeling over the weekend causes conflict and tension with our emotional and physical needs during the full moon.

At the same time, there’s a Mercury-Neptune square happening, which adds some extra confusion around this full moon. Gemini is a Mercury-ruled sign, so the moon is answering to Mercury, and in a tense aspect with Neptune, the planet of murkiness, boundarilessness, and confusion, there’s a general fog over everything. We may feel not only frustrated by our limitations this new moon, but we may also not be able to think clearly and understand quite why. Lovely. 

The good news is that after the full moon, the sun and Mars continue to progress past their squares with Saturn, helping things flow more easily. And on December 1st, Mercury moves into brass-tacks, earthy Capricorn, which enables us to focus on getting stuff done. However, Mercury is currently in its retro shadow, and it goes retrograde on December 13th, so get your holiday plans set and your shopping done before then!