Full Moon in Taurus - December 4
Retrograde Jupiter Re-enters Gemini- December 5
Mercury Transits Scorpio – (December 6 – 28)
Mars Transits Sagittarius-( December 7 – January 15)
Sun Transits Sagittarius-( December 15 – January 14)
New Moon in Sagittarius - December 19
Full Moon in Taurus – December 4
December opens with bold, grounded energy as an exalted Full Moon rises in Taurus on December 4. The Moon becomes fully illuminated at 19 degrees Taurus directly opposing the Sun at 19 degrees Scorpio. Mars and Venus, also positioned in Scorpio and flanking the Sun, infuse this moment with themes of power, strategy, diplomacy, and emotional depth.
The first week of December feels like returning to a familiar storyline, but now with a clearer sense of how things may ultimately unfold. In many places, this Full Moon will rise exactly as the Sun sets, marking the start of several key astrological shifts. Jupiter retrogrades back into Gemini on December 5, Mercury enters Scorpio on December 6, and Mars moves into Sagittarius on December 7.
This Full Moon brings clarity about where to refocus energy after weeks or months that may have felt heavy or challenging. Saturn’s direct motion encourages release where clinging has become habitual, replacing the retrograde tendency to repair rather than remove. The strong concentration of planets in Scorpio indicates that insights come from deep internal reservoirs, urging careful planning and meaningful connection. The Moon in Taurus reminds us that emotional sensitivity, nourishment, and relationships are essential sources of beauty and sustenance.
Retrograde Jupiter Re-enters Gemini – December 5
On December 5, Jupiter and the Moon both enter Gemini, closing the brief Jupiter-in-Cancer preview that began on October 18. That window may have revealed new possibilities or opened emotional and intuitive doors. With Jupiter’s return to Gemini, those experiences now become motivating reference points for the months ahead. Jupiter remains in Gemini until June 1, 2026, making this a period of learning, teaching, studying, and developing mental mastery.
Jupiter stays retrograde until March 10, 2026, pausing at 21 degrees Gemini. This retrograde period feels exploratory, encouraging the revival of unfinished ideas or the testing of new approaches to clarify the direction forward.
Jupiter’s return to Gemini also renews its mutual aspect with Rahu in Aquarius, creating mental stimulation, innovation, and noticeable activity within all air signs through May 2026. This influence makes it easier to let go of rigid forms in favor of imaginative or unconventional solutions. It may also require revising plans, reconsidering schedules, and approaching 2026 with the understanding that both personal and collective blueprints are evolving.
Mercury Transits Scorpio – December 6–28
As December begins, Mercury has just turned direct after a period of revisiting and correcting misunderstandings in late Libra. Entering Scorpio on December 6, Mercury encourages deeper analysis, clearer observation, and a willingness to look beneath the surface. Daily experiences take on the tone of lessons, revealing information that guides personal growth.
With Jupiter retrograding into Mercury’s air sign of Gemini just as Mercury leaves Libra, and with Mars exiting Scorpio the following day, Mercury and Venus remain in Scorpio to sort, refine, and cleanse energetic and emotional themes throughout the month. What begins as a mental brainstorm may evolve into a surge of creative intensity. This is a natural time to seek privacy, reflect, write, sketch, and plan quietly, even without full clarity.
Mars Transits Sagittarius – December 7 - January 15
As Mercury enters Scorpio, Mars steps ahead into Sagittarius on December 7. The Sun soon follows, and the narrowing distance between the Sun and Mars sets up a combustion that becomes exact on January 4, 2026. Venus also reaches exact combustion on that same day. Something significant is likely to surface around this date, as multiple planets gather in Sagittarius while standing opposite retrograde Jupiter and under Saturn’s aspect from Pisces.
The mutual aspect between Mars in Sagittarius and Saturn in Pisces is particularly important. This combination creates immense pressure and potential, capable of extraordinary productivity when aligned, but equally capable of conflict when intentions diverge. Beyond December, Venus, Mercury, and Mars stay tightly clustered around the Sun, moving through the combustion zone. Rather than viewing combustion only as weakening, it can be understood as a merging of planetary expression with solar purpose, offering an amplified and purified sense of direction. This period encourages running desires, ideas, and actions through the filter of truth and spiritual integrity.
Sun Transits Sagittarius – December 15 - January 14
As the Sun steadily approaches Mars, he leads the planetary entourage into Sagittarius beginning December 15. Venus follows on December 19, and Mercury joins on December 28. Jupiter’s return to Gemini strengthens his aspect to all air signs and to Sagittarius, which is his own fire sign. This brings renewed enthusiasm, momentum, and philosophical expansion through May 2026. Saturn’s presence in Pisces also casts structured attention on Sagittarius, Virgo, and Taurus. When Saturn and Jupiter both emphasize a sign, that sign becomes a focal point of simultaneous growth and discipline.
The winter solstice occurs on December 21, when the Sun reaches 7 degrees Sagittarius, aligned with the Galactic Center. From this point, the Sun begins its northward journey, gradually increasing daylight. The combination of the Sun’s forward-looking Sagittarius placement, Jupiter’s guiding aspect, Saturn’s stabilizing influence, and the cluster of inner planets creates the tone for crossing from 2025 into 2026. This is a time to reorganize, clarify priorities, redistribute energy, and move forward with what is manageable and meaningful, even if not every detail is clear.
New Moon in Sagittarius – December 19
On December 19, the Moon joins the Sun at 5 degrees Sagittarius, closely observed by Saturn at 2 degrees Pisces. Venus and Mars flank the luminaries, with combustion shaping the energy. Venus crosses the boundary between Scorpio and Sagittarius shortly after this New Moon, symbolizing renewal and restoration after recent intensity.
This New Moon encourages stillness, introspection, and the creation of inner space to receive fresh insight. Under the combined influence of retrograde Jupiter and direct Saturn, themes of breaking, releasing, and regenerating come into focus. As Venus enters the scene, harmony begins to emerge from recent disruptions, suggesting that scattered pieces may start forming recognizable patterns.
Arriving on a Friday, Venus’ day, and occurring just before the solstice, this New Moon resonates with themes of purification and preparation. It signals that new growth awaits, but that genuine renewal requires honest separation from what no longer serves.
Venus Transits Sagittarius – December 19 - January 12
Shortly after the New Moon begins its waxing phase, Venus crosses the spiritual gandanta zone into Sagittarius. This transition symbolizes moving into a new level of responsibility, faith, and emotional maturity. Venus governs personal connection and the ways individuals merge into families, communities, and societies. Her arrival in Sagittarius, already filled with planetary energy, strengthens the desire for heartfelt communion and meaningful relationships.
As January begins, Venus moves alongside Mercury, enhancing communication, business, and collaborative exchanges. Her proximity to Mars brings passion, creativity, and dynamic partnership. When Venus travels with the Sun, the balance between personal needs and collective wellbeing becomes more important, especially in negotiations or relational dynamics.
Mercury Transits Sagittarius – December 28 - January 16
On December 28, Mercury becomes the last planet to cross the gandanta gap and joins the Sun in Sagittarius. The year ends with Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the Sun gathered under Jupiter’s retrograde influence and Saturn’s watchful structure. The Sun resides in Sagittarius every year at the turn of the calendar, but this particular grouping of active inner planets creates a sense of cautious optimism and renewed motivation. The last time this same combination appeared at the New Year was in 1994.
Retrograde Jupiter tempers excessive hope, urging thoughtful planning, while Saturn cautions against impulsive commitments. Yet the inner planets and the Sun still call for movement and forward effort, reminding us that progress must continue even when conditions are uncertain. Despite limitations or external challenges, this period reinforces the truth that each person remains a powerful creative force, capable of shaping life with intention, clarity, and heart.
