Adventurous Beginnings & Reflective Reversals: Sagittarius New Moon Meets Mercury’s Retrograde Journey! Collective Horoscope (December 11th-17th)

Dear NightFall Astrology readers,

This week’s celestial dance weaves a complex yet intriguing narrative, marked by a dynamic New Moon and a reflective Mercury retrograde. As we traverse these days, the skies signal a time of bold beginnings and introspective pauses. The New Moon in Sagittarius ignites a fiery enthusiasm for new ventures, urging us to leap forward with vigour, yet tempered by a need for strategic planning and realism. Simultaneously, Mercury’s retrograde journey invites us to turn inwards, encouraging a period of thoughtful reassessment and reconnection with the past.

This dual theme of adventurous initiation and reflective revision creates a unique backdrop for our daily lives. It’s a week where the push for progress meets the pull of retrospection, where our aspirations for the future are delicately balanced with lessons from the past. As we navigate this week, let’s embrace the energy of the New Moon to fuel our ambitions while allowing Mercury’s retrograde to guide us in refining our plans and relationships.

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Join me in exploring what the stars have in store for you, delving deeper into the details of this week’s transits, and uncovering the nuanced messages they hold for each of us!

I. New Moon in Sagittarius:

The upcoming New Moon on December 12th/13th, 2023, occurring precisely at 12:32 AM CET on the 13th in France, marks a significant celestial event, particularly noted for its aggressive and adventurous nature. This New Moon, occurring at 20° of Sagittarius, heralds the beginning of a new lunar cycle, often seen as a time for initiating new projects or ventures. In astrological terms, the New Moon is a period when the Sun and Moon align, offering a symbolic fresh start or a new chapter.

Sagittarius, a mutable fire sign, is known for its association with adventure, exploration, and the spreading of ideas and enthusiasm. This New Moon in Sagittarius suggests a time of heightened eagerness and a drive to embark on new adventures or to push forward with vigour in ongoing projects.

The third decan of Sagittarius, where this New Moon occurs, is especially significant. In Hellenistic astrology, each decan is associated with a planetary ruler, which adds a nuanced layer to the sign’s expression. The rulership of Saturn over the third decan of Sagittarius brings a sobering influence to the typically buoyant Sagittarian energy. Saturn’s presence here introduces themes of responsibility, structure, and the need for careful consideration and planning. It suggests that the adventurous endeavours typical of Sagittarius will require a more disciplined approach during this period. The Saturnian influence may manifest as a call to consolidate efforts, to bring maturity and realism into the pursuit of goals, and to recognise the limits of one’s endeavours.

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This New Moon’s conjunction with Mars adds a layer of complexity to the celestial dynamics. Mars, known as the planet of aggression and conflict, suggests that this period may be marked by heightened tensions or assertive efforts. While this alignment does not inherently signify negativity, it does indicate a period where conflicts could arise or where significant energy must be expended to achieve desired outcomes.

Additionally, the square aspect between Mars, the New Moon, and Neptune introduces an element of uncertainty or confusion. This aspect may manifest as a lack of clarity about the direction of efforts or a tendency to be misled by unrealistic expectations or delusions. It suggests a need for caution in decision-making, advising us to stay grounded in reality as we navigate this energetic period.

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On a more positive note, Venus in Scorpio forming an opposition to Jupiter indicates a period of potential abundance and harmony in relationships. This aspect suggests that despite the challenges presented by other celestial alignments, there is a strong undercurrent of support and positivity, particularly in interpersonal dynamics. The presence of Venus conjunct asteroid Pallas hints at the influence of wisdom, particularly of feminine or creative nature, aiding in the navigation of this period.

Venus’s loose opposition to Uranus retrograde in Taurus may introduce unexpected elements in relationships or financial matters, though the impact of this aspect is not expected to be defining for this New Moon.

In summary, the New Moon in Sagittarius on December 12th/13th, 2023, presents a dynamic and potentially challenging astrological landscape. It is a time ripe for finalising projects and making decisive moves, albeit with a need for caution against overconfidence or misdirection. The period is particularly conducive to activities requiring high energy and determination, such as physical endeavours or completing demanding tasks, while emotional and spiritual undertakings might require more careful navigation.

This New Moon will be felt most intensely by Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces, particularly if you have planets and/or important chart points around 20 degrees of these signs (give or take 1-5 degrees).

II. Mercury sextiles Venus & stations retrograde:

As we navigate through the early days of December, the celestial landscape presents a tapestry of significant astrological events, each carrying its own symbolic significance. From December 9th until the 13th, peaking in precision on December 11th, we observe Mercury in Capricorn forming a sextile with Venus in Scorpio. This aspect suggests a period where communication and relationships may reflect a deeper, more introspective tone.

Mercury in Capricorn, a sign known for its affinity with structure and discipline, engages in a harmonious dialogue with Venus in Scorpio, a placement often associated with intensity and depth in emotional matters. This interaction may be seen as a period conducive to serious, yet constructive conversations, particularly in areas where emotional depth and practical considerations intersect.

On December 13th, Mercury stations retrograde at 8 degrees of Capricorn, a degree that falls within the bounds traditionally associated with Jupiter. In astrology, bounds or terms are specific segments within each zodiac sign, each ruled by a different planet. The bound of Jupiter, associated with expansion, growth, and wisdom, imparts a Jupiterian influence to this retrograde phase.

This retrograde period, set to last until January 1st/2nd, 2024, depending on your time zone, marks a time for reflection and reevaluation, especially in areas governed by Mercury, such as communication, travel, and technology. The presence of Mercury in Jupiter’s bounds during this phase suggests a broader perspective and a more optimistic outlook in these reevaluations. It encourages a deeper understanding and a search for meaning in the typical challenges associated with Mercury retrograde, inviting us to expand our thinking and communication processes.

The concept of the shadow period in astrology refers to the time before and after a planet’s retrograde cycle. It is believed that during this period, the themes that will be revisited during the retrograde begin to emerge. For this Mercury retrograde, the shadow period commenced on November 25th, when Mercury reached 22 degrees of Sagittarius, and will extend until January 21st, 2024, after Mercury stations direct. This extended period suggests a longer duration for reflection and revisiting past issues or projects.

Interestingly, this specific Mercury retrograde cycle mirrors a similar period from December 2016 to January 2017. Reflecting on that time may provide insights into themes or patterns that could resurface, offering opportunities for resolution or a deeper understanding.

During this Mercury retrograde, particularly as it coincides with the holiday season, the focus shifts to revisiting rather than initiating. It’s a period traditionally seen as favourable for reconnecting with old friends, neighbours, and acquaintances. Catching up on correspondence, such as emails, or revisiting conversations that may have been left unresolved, could be particularly fruitful during this time.

Moreover, this period is often associated with the need for attention to detail in practical matters. Repairing electronics, addressing issues with vehicles, or revisiting any form of contractual agreements could be beneficial. It’s a time for review and reassessment, ensuring that everything is in order before moving forward.

Mercury’s retrograde motion back into Sagittarius on December 23rd, a sign where it is considered to be in exile, further emphasises the theme of reflection over expansion. In Sagittarius, Mercury’s usual focus on details and precision may be challenged by the broader, more philosophical nature of the sign. This placement suggests a need to balance the minutiae of everyday communication with a broader understanding of the context in which they occur.

As we approach the end of the year and the beginning of 2024, this Mercury retrograde invites us to slow down and look inward. It’s a time to revisit past conversations and projects, to repair and reassess, and to reconnect with those we may have lost touch with. The retrograde period is not traditionally seen as ideal for launching new ventures or making significant changes but rather as a time for contemplation and careful consideration.

In summary, the celestial events from December 9th to January 21st, 2024, present a period rich with opportunities for introspection and reconnection. The harmonious interaction between Mercury and Venus suggests a time when communication can reach deeper levels of understanding, while the retrograde motion of Mercury calls for a thoughtful revisiting of past conversations and projects. As we move through this period, it may be beneficial to reflect on similar themes from late 2016 to early 2017, providing insights into the patterns at play. This time is an invitation to pause, review, and reconnect, setting the stage for a more informed and considered approach as we move forward into the new year.

This Mercury retrograde will be felt most intensely by Capricorn, Sagittarius, Gemini, and Virgo placements.

Thank you for reading.

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