The Zodiac Dispatch: December horoscopes

Zodiac Dispatch

In this month’s column, astrologer and member Clarisse Monahan explores Sagittarius’ ruling planet, Jupiter. It brings generosity, luck and good cheer to the holidays

By Clarisse Monahan    Illustration by Milena Bucholz

After the intensity of Scorpio’s dark reign last month, fun-loving Sagittarius (half horse, half human) gallops into the cosmic fray, ready to party for the holidays. Ruled by Jupiter, our most benefic, generous and lucky planet, Sagittarius season is ultimately about the ways we can express magnanimity to others. 

While everyone will be feeling more good cheer under the Archer’s eternal hopefulness, Pisces, Leo and Aries will benefit most this season. Whatever your sign, if you find yourself with an urge to travel to Vegas for fun or to donate time to a local charity, tip your cap to the influence of Sagittarius.

Zodiac Dispatch

SAGITTARIUS
As mutable fire, you are the most hot and cold of the signs. Don’t be hot and cold on yourself, though, this season. With the Sun lighting up your sector of ego and identity, it’s time to shine. Like your ruling planet, benevolent Jupiter, you work best when you uplift those around you. Paradoxically, your best self is selfless. With this in mind, beware of the shadow version of Sagittarius, which can be overly opinionated and self-centred.

CAPRICORN
Venus (love and money) has been coasting in your ego zone since 5 November. At the same time, conservative Capricorn makes Venus more serious; easy thoughts of romance instead become considerations on marriage and commitment. On the 19th, Venus goes retrograde in Capricorn and will begin a 40-day transit. The last time this happened was in 2013, so it is somewhat rare. Venus retrogrades could have you looking back on past love with pangs of nostalgia. You may also start re-assessing relationships; is it time to be more committed?

AQUARIUS
The focus this month is on friendships, as the Sagittarius Sun warms up your BFF sector. Sagittarius season is about optimism and giving, so this is the perfect time to go beyond your somewhat distant nature and be there for your crew. With Mercury (communication) co-present in the friend zone, don’t be surprised by fiery speech in support of those closest to you. Belligerent Mars also joins your friendship sector on the 13th. This can make you more competitive with friends, or give that warring spirit to stand up and fight for them and their interests.

PISCES
You and Sagittarius share the same ruling planet, generous Jupiter, meaning this season benefits you almost as much as the Archer. While Sagittarius is more extroverted, you are more introverted. Jupiter’s generosity can act through you in the form of more private forms of compassion towards others. With this in mind, the Sagittarius Sun is lighting up your career sector. In what ways can you show some sort of compassion to co-workers in the next month? There is also a full moon in your home sector on the 18th, suggesting a good date to close out a project around the house in time for the holidays.

Zodiac Dispatch

ARIES 
You are cardinal fire, meaning you initiate projects, plans, and relationships. As the initiator, you also tend to have some control issues – you want to be the one in charge. Sagittarius is mutable fire; it’s able to adapt, transform, and change with ease. This season, learn from your fellow fire sign and try to be less domineering about some things. Easier said than done, but with the Sagittarius Sun lighting up your sector of higher learning and knowledge, maybe now’s the time to school yourself in some lessons on the tao of being flexible.

TAURUS
Your ruling planet, Venus, is transiting your sector of learning, spirituality, and travel this season. On the 19th, it goes retrograde for 40 days. Unlike its brother, Mercury, Venus only goes retrograde once every 18 months. Retrogrades are times to reassess and reconsider. In your case, it will call you to reflect upon spirituality, long-distance journeys and their relation to love. You may be feeling more retrospective or attuned to hidden motives. You might also feel the need for something more out of a relationship – spiritual bonds rather than fun attachments. 

GEMINI
Sagittarius season is all about partnerships for you, with the Sun, Mercury and Mars hanging out in your relationship zone. Communicative Mercury, your ruling planet, will be extra energised to talk through any issues related to commitment, while the optimistic Sagittarius Sun will have you feeling positive about where said commitments are heading. Be aware, however, of malefic Mars joining your relationship sector on the 13th. It can add a sharp edge to the way you communicate with your nearest and dearest. You have a big and bold full moon in your sign on the 18th – expect information to come to light that you may have been waiting on.

CANCER
Sagittarius season infuses life with fun and adventure, which is good news as your humdrum routine, diet and exercise sector is being activated by the Sun. This could mean more fun workouts – and more optimism that all of your training is paying off (don’t worry, it is). Keep the full moon on the 18th as a day to check in on your mental self-care. The moon is hanging out in the deepest and most private part of your chart.

Zodiac Dispatch

LEO
As the holidays approach, you might have the best placement this Sagittarius season, seeing that the Sun will be energising your areas of fun, creativity, and entertainment. Sagittarius brings the spirit of giving, so don’t be surprised by the urge to host get-togethers over the next few weeks. Because your creativity sector is also being activated, you might be inspired to do something out of the ordinary with friends and family. The full moon on the 18th marks a perfect day to bring your plans to fruition with a party among your besties.

VIRGO
Perhaps more than any other sign, you love the order and cleanliness of crisp bed sheets neatly folded. But with the loud Sagittarius Sun lighting up your home sector this season, you may want to make some bold changes around the house, if only for the holidays. On the 18th, a full moon in your careers sector suggests the best day to wrap up work projects for 2021, so you can look towards the new year with a clear head. 

LIBRA
The big transit for you to be aware of: your ruling planet, Venus (beauty, love, and money) goes retrograde on the 19th in your home sector. Venus retrogrades are times to reassess our relation to things – in your case, issues connected to the heart. Do you need to give more love to your home and the people in it? Another theme this month: the Sagittarius Sun is highlighting your sector of siblings and communication. Give them a call, go out, and have fun.
 
SCORPIO
Your money sector is being highlighted by the adventurous Sagittarius Sun, and on the 13th, reckless Mars (your ruling planet) also joins your cash zone. The advice: be careful with your funds, because Mars and Sagittarius together love to splurge on impulse buys. On the 11th, dark Pluto, your other ruling planet, goes conjunct Venus. This is known to bring feelings of obsession, so make sure you don’t overly text your crush that day. And don’t worry if they’re not texting you back – they’re probably just busy shopping for holiday gifts for you.

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