The winter season begins on the 21st with the winter solstice as the Sun enters Capricorn [4:21 AM EST]. Influencing the next three months, we may be feeling the impacts from the Jupiter Saturn square and the Mars opposition to Pluto. Life might seem like a pachinko machine with us being buffeted by various push – pulls and liabilities of different slams as we move through the first quarter of 2025.
No matter the intensity of these revolutionary times, there is light at the end of the tunnel as we come into the latter spring period with its promise of renewal, rebirth, a true renaissance.
The 24th of December has Jupiter square Saturn, the second of three such engagements, the first having been back on the 19th of August, the third on the 15th of June of next year. Past issues, old connections could have us taking a walk down Memory Lane. It may seem somewhat Dickensian as we visit ghosts of the past. While our spirits might be diminished by our burdens and our responsibilities, we might also use this time to fine tune our involvements, clear up our messes before the new year, and reflect on where we are now compared to where we were back then. The Christmas holidays reflect the winter solstice in the northern latitudes with the birth of the light in the darkness.
The latter part of December can have us going through extreme mood swings due to the Mercury square Jupiter on the 26th, followed by Mercury square Saturn on the 27th. The Jupiter Saturn square is engaged with Mercury triggering first a sense of irrational exuberance followed by unfounded despair. The liability of extreme emotions cannot be discounted and would suggest we take our time in evaluating whatever we are considering with the recognition that our thoughts and ideas at this time may seem metronome-like with wild swings and consequently the liability of miscues, misjudgments, and misunderstandings. This would not be a time for us to make definitive judgments or long-term commitments.
Some of the collateral damage from the Mercury trigger of the Jupiter Saturn square could be seen on the 28th when Venus squares Uranus. A sudden incident or an unexpected development might create difficulties in our relationships. We may see people from a different perspective and find them wanting in our estimation. Let’s be careful that any hasty actions don’t precipitate consequences beyond recall.
Just as with every season, the season truly begins with the Cardinal New Moon of that particular season. This winter season begins with the Capricorn New Moon on the 30th when the Sun conjuncts the Moon [5:27 PM EST]. Despite the Mars Pluto opposition and the Jupiter Saturn square energy configurations, this New Moon’s signatures offer us the ability to organize and structure our ways forward, so long as we don’t try to rush the river or become willful in our endeavors.
The challenge for each of us is to prevent our ego getting the better of us and determining our course of action. We are in the midst of a paradigm shift that calls for us to be humble, accepting our roles as co-creators with the universe unfolding, and for us to come from spirit.
Just like the winter solstice and the celebration of Christmas, the light is born out of the darkness.
January 1st begins the New Year of 2025. This year of 2025 sees major significant changes. We now have Pluto ensconced in Aquarius. Uranus will exit Taurus and enter Gemini. Both Saturn and Neptune will exit Pisces and enter Aries.
Although numerologically the year is a 9 completing a nine-year cycle, we are also on the threshold of radical changes as we come ever more into the technological revolution.
Like any birthing, there can be labor pains with extreme violent actions and radical swings between expansions and contractions.
On the 2nd of January, Venus exits Aquarius to enter Pisces [10:24 PM EST], a Sign of Exaltation for Venus, where our sense of empathy and compassion are enhanced. We do need to watch our emotions, since we could go through extreme mood swings. Venus entering into Pisces triggers a Stellium in the Mutable Water Sign as Venus joins Saturn and Neptune in Pisces, a Sign ruled by Pisces. The Mutable Sign T-Square is reenforced with the three planets in Pisces square Jupiter in Gemini and square Mercury in Sagittarius. The fourth Element, Virgo, is needed to be harnessed to balance off the T-Square, so it will be essential that we concentrate on specifics and particulars and rational analysis and not be swayed by our emotions or snap judgments.
This early January also feels the influence of the Mars Pluto opposition, exact on the 3rd. Liabilities of people acting out, violent behavior, warlike movements, and atmospheric storm systems could be daunting. We will need to keep in mind the wise saying that ‘we never get more than we can handle’.
Early January is a dynamic time, a time when there might be indications of ‘crash and burn’ scenarios, but also a time when we are able to clean our stables, rid ourselves of the extraneous and outmoded, and focus on what we consider to be the most meaningful in our life involvements.
While the energies might seem extreme in early January, we are being called upon to be a spiritual warrior / warrioress during these times and not succumb to challenging developments. Some people may run around reactively like ‘chickens with their heads cut off’, but we don’t need to participate in the frenzy.
Maintaining a grip on our emotions, acknowledging the paradigm shift moving us into asequential realities, and working with the shifts and changes in conditions and circumstance, we can prove effective and productive in our own transformations that lead to a greater awakening and consequently evolution in our consciousness and an ascension in our being.
We might need faith, even blind faith, in the process, an appreciation that life is evolving as it should [or as it is] and let go of our personal biases and ego projections. Having a grounding force, which could be our personal sanctuary or a good and trusted friend, may help us through the darkness and into the light. Our own perspective can be too attached to our personal projections. Increasingly, it will be important for us to engage non-attachment and avoid judgment largely based upon opinion.
In the midst of the morass of emotions in early January, we could develop a firm foundation to keep us from being swayed by the images, appearances and hype being presented to us, whose intent might be to manipulate and control us.
The Sun sextiles Saturn on the 4th of January, and we may find our way through the maze of presentation to the labyrinth of our own personal centeredness. These times are not for the weak of spirit but rather for those willing to take machete in hand and carve their own path.
It will be important for us to keep in mind that what we see is not necessarily the truth of any matter.
The 6th of January has Mercury square Neptune and Mars retrograding out of Leo and back into Cancer [5:44 AM EST], a Sign of Fall for Mars. Confusion can be rampant at this time. Mercury is in Sagittarius, a Sign of Detriment for Mercury, where our thinking can be so broad that it becomes diffuse. With Mars exiting Leo and back into Cancer, we might not have the same personal pizzazz to assertively move our interests forward. The liability of shifting our disposition from proactive to reactive can heighten the sense of muddle in which we might assume ourselves to be. Let’s avoid definitive decisions right now, since we’re neither feeling strong nor clear.
Mercury exits Sagittarius and enters Capricorn on the 8th [5:30 AM EST]. With Mars out of Leo and back into Cancer and now Mercury out of Sagittarius and into Capricorn, we lose any of the Fire Element. Our thoughts take a serious tone, much of the upbeat, lighthearted quality lost to a more practical approach. We might feel as though we are putting on blinders with our focus restricted to just what is right in front of us.
January 12th has Mars trine Neptune. Mars is retrograde and in the third decanate of Cancer with a Pisces sub-influence. Hoping, wishing, and praying may be our best resource, since any thrust of energy or personal assertiveness might be lacking. Utilizing our home as a sanctuary and drawing on the comfort of family could provide a semblance of support and security during the doldrums of winter.
The Cancer Full Moon on the 13th of January when the Sun opposes the Moon [5:27 PM EST] incorporates Uranus with the Sun trine Uranus and the Moon sextile Uranus. The Cancer Moon conjuncts Mars both of which are in the third decanate of Cancer [Pisces]. Now is a time for us to change things up both in our work life and in our personal realm. The more we can streamline operations, the more productive we are likely to be. We could determine our way forward either in innovative means or a totally different trajectory.
Let’s consider how we might best focus on the truly meaningful and the radical changes we wish to pursue as we more fully embrace the new year.
The two ‘good guys’ of the planetary realm, Venus and Jupiter, square each other on the 14th. Although we may be looking at altering our course of action, it will be important for us not to overdo. Taking things step by step rather than great leaps forward would be suggested as we look to shift things around, make our lives more functional, and operate at our optimum. Let’s avoid the overs, such as overspending, at this time. We may have great ideas as to how to make adjustments, but it might be wise to go step by step. We might also experience a case of things appearing one way, the reality being something different. With the two ‘good guys’ engaged in a challenging aspect; some things may just be too good to be true.
Triggered by the Cancer Full Moon, the Sun opposes Mars on the 15th. A tendency to push forward and get a lot done could also have us glossing over details, neglecting particulars, and spinning our wheels. The challenge for each of us during this paradigm shift is loosening up on our sense of total control over situations. Narcissism and arrogance can be peoples’ undoing as they tend to put on blinders, see what they want to see, and neglect the truth that the universe and asequential reality are far more impactful than they have been before. Humility is called for, a quality often lost in our entitled society.
The Sun sextiles Neptune on the 17th of January. If we stubbed our toes earlier in the week by our willfulness and plunging forward without fully aware of the conditions and circumstance in which we found ourselves, then the 17th could provide us the opportunity of drawing upon our sixth sense, our intuitive faculties, whereby we know by our feelings of things rather than our adamant self-assertiveness. Humility might be engaged or enforced with the ability to understand by an inner comprehending rather than knowing by the rational mind.
The 18th of January has Venus conjunct Saturn. Home and family matters may demand our attention. We might have to make amends for past indiscretions, or we could find ourselves paring down, getting rid of the extraneous to feel less encumbered by our past or our stuff. A strong inventory-taking is warranted, especially since tomorrow begins a step into our future. As the English writer G.K. Chesterton wrote: “Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.”
Mercury sextiles both Venus and Saturn on the 19th, the same day that the Sun exits Capricorn to enter Aquarius [3:00 PM EST]. Now is a time when we can keep our feet on the ground and have our head in the clouds. Stabilizing our base of operations, we can cast our gaze to the far horizons. Old and new may be in play as we choose to build upon rock rather than building on sand. We could draw upon our experience and expertise to move from where we are and where we have been into a consideration of the prospects for our future.
Concentrating on the truly meaningful with a recognition of the transformation each of us has been through allows us to move forward with purpose and commitment to our individual journey. The Sun conjuncts Pluto on the 21st of January. A new day is dawning for each of us, for society, and for humankind.
Increasingly, these revolutionary times are likely to become ever more evident. There will be the eruptions, explosions and implosions that come with radical change. These are times when it is essential for our own peace of mind and well-being to trust in the unfolding, no matter how disruptive or extreme things may seem.
Uranus was triggered by the Full Moon back on the 13th and highlighted again on 23rd of January when Mercury opposes Mars but both Mercury and Mars are in harmonious alignment with Uranus. Mars sextiles Uranus, and Mercury trines Uranus. The signature for this day also has the Scorpio Moon creating a kite pattern chart with the Moon triggering a Water Grand Trine with the Moon trine Mars in Cancer and the Moon trine the Stellium of three planets in Pisces — Venus, Saturn, and Neptune. The Moon opposes Uranus and Uranus sextiles Mars and Uranus sextiles the Pisces planets.
With the three transcendental planets of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto in play during this second half of January, we are asked to rise above our egocentric tendencies, be open to the unexpected and the magic of these times, and work with the energies rather than countering them.
On the 25th of January, Venus trines Mars. Relationships can be more balanced and harmonious as the masculine and feminine energies align. If we would see ourselves as having already gone through a pivot point, now finding ourselves on the threshold of a new age, our internal battles and external grievances might drop away as we accept greater peace with the natural unfolding.
While many fear a dystopian future and point to fear-generating ballyhoo about climate change, food instability, environmental pollution, violent crime, nuclear Armageddon, and the like; the future may bear little resemblance to the past but could actually usher in a golden age. We just need to have faith in the process.
Our faith may seem renewed on the 26th when Mercury sextiles Neptune and Venus sextiles Uranus. Our rational mind and critical analysis can blend easily with our intuition and our sense of knowing without knowing. We are also likely to experience a serendipitous moment of being in the right place at the right time, as unanticipated situations offer us exciting surprises. We shall have incidents that affirm the paradigm shift of asequential reality where things occur in the most unexpected manner and often with little doing on our part.
Mercury exits Capricorn and enters Aquarius on the 27th [9:53 PM EST]. We now have two Stelliums with Mercury joining the Sun and Pluto in the Fixed Air Sign and the Stellium of three planets in Pisces. Aquarius and Pisces are the two most universal Signs and speak of a connection beyond the mere mundane, a cosmic connection to the otherworldly.
On the earth plane, we shall have the advantage of looking to our future with a focus on how we can make our personal lives a better world and, in the process, like a pebble in a pond with its ripple effects, our society to be a better world — idealism in concept realized in practice.
The Aquarius New Moon on the 29th of January when the Sun conjuncts the Moon [7:36 AM EST] begins the Chinese New Year of the yin wood snake. Mercury conjuncts Pluto. The snake is known for its wisdom and precision, and so this year ahead promises a slow evolution as we concentrate on our true purpose, our soul’s destiny. Timing is everything. Transformation can be dramatic and subtle, but the snake does shed its skin which for us in alchemical terms has our base mettle turn into gold.
On the 30th, the Sun trines Jupiter and Uranus turns direct [11:22 AM EST]. With Uranus ruling Aquarius, the shift in motion by Uranus augments the Aquarian energy and the promise of a new age powered by the technological revolution of which we are becoming increasingly aware. We may feel upbeat and inspired as we consider the broad options at our disposal. Relationships might seem idyllic as we appreciate the varied experiences of those people we encounter.
Perhaps we are recognizing that each of us has our own individual journey and are less likely to question or find fault with experiences that differ from our own. On the contrary, we may embrace the quirkiness we notice in other people as a reflection of the multi-diversity of humankind.
We come into February connected more to the otherworldly than to the mundane. A sense of cosmic connection and a connectedness to something far greater than our individual human selves can expand our vision and recognize how thin the boundaries between dimensions are.
The two power packs in the two most universal Signs, Aquarius and Pisces, open the door to phenomena beyond our five senses. It is not surprising that we are gaining a greater awareness of possibilities beyond our mundane perspective with an increasing belief that in our universe we are not alone.
The concentration of energy in Aquarius and Pisces in early February could have some people embracing alternative realities while others put on blinders to restrict their viewpoint to what they see right in front of them. It’s reminiscent of the recent times of lockdowns. I found it fascinating that there were often two different ways of dealing with the restricted movements of the lockdowns. Some people, who no longer had the diversions and distractions of their usual life, worked on themselves, did a lot of internal growth and development, and found avenues in which to express their creativity and their unique talents. Other people cowered in fear, paced the floor, and waited for some other shoe to drop. A similar situation could occur even now. As we experience dramatic changes, there will be those people who feel overwhelmed and anxious as if the world were about to end. Other people will see opportunities in the dynamics of these volatile times to engage an awakening, expansion in consciousness, and an ascension.
Either / or, always our choice.
With Venus conjunct Neptune on February 1st, we could find ourselves appreciating a soulmate connection. Relationships may seem karmic, fated, a sense of familiarity that time would not allow for and as though we had done the dance before with those people — in a different time, a different costume.
Early February can be a highly pleasant period. We do need to keep a grip on our emotions, since we might be easily swayed by our sensitivity to our surroundings, conditions, and circumstance.
Non-attachment to whatever is occurring is suggested, since our perspective regarding what is going on is often based upon subjective opinion rather than the objective reality of the situation.
On the 3rd of February, Mercury trines Jupiter. Conversations can be scintillating with discussions focused on future plans and with whom we wish to engage. Lighthearted and airy ideas could uplift us and make us appreciate that all is right in our world. We do need to watch for overenthusiasm and getting carried away by our good feelings.
A significant connection can be made or reenforced on the 7th of February when Venus conjuncts Pluto. Someone could prove inspirational and supportive to our ambitions. We might feel stronger in our convictions that we’re on the right course and fulfilling our soul’s destiny.
February 9th has the Sun conjunct Mercury and Mars trine Saturn. It would be wise for us to draw upon wise counsel before we move forward with our plans. With Uranus in the backdrop, front and center on the 10th and 11th, we might encounter unexpected difficulties over the next two days. Someone with a detached perspective may be able to highlight the positives and the liabilities of whatever we intend to do. By going slow and evaluating as we proceed, we could mitigate unanticipated problems to our endeavors.
The 10th of February has Mercury square Uranus. My least favorite energy configuration for air travel, this aspect contributes to travel problems, traffic backups, communication difficulties, and troubles with high technology. With the Sun square Uranus on the 11th, these two days could have us facing all sorts of unexpected issues. We might want to have contingency plans for whatever we have scheduled, since situations can arise that force us to change course, alter our schedule, and feel victim to circumstance. While turmoil may ensue, we need to engage the wartime British sentiment of ‘keep calm and carry on’.
Mercury exits Aquarius and enters Pisces on the 14th [7:06 AM EST]. The Stellium in Aquarius ends, and the Pisces Stellium is reengaged as Mercury joins Saturn and Neptune in the Mutable Water Sign. Mercury is in Detriment in Pisces where our thinking becomes based upon moods and emotions and feelings rather than reasoning or critical analysis. It’s Valentine’s Day, so we’ll need to temper our expectations and not fall prey to oversensitivity.
The 18th of February has the Sun exiting Aquarius to enter Pisces increasing the influence of the Pisces Stellium as the Sun joins Mercury, Saturn, and Neptune in the Mutable Water Sign. When it rains, it pours, and we might witness this statement both in intense precipitation and flash flooding from atmospheric storm systems and extreme emotions from personal mood swings. To alleviate the heavy Water influence, we need to keep in mind that we are in process of ending a cycle and not yet at the beginning of a new cycle.
Mercury squares Jupiter on the 20th. Both Mercury and Jupiter are in Detriment being in Signs opposite to their ruling Signs. And both are in Mutual Reception with Jupiter in the Sign ruled by Mercury, and Mercury in the Sign ruled by Jupiter prior to the assignation of Neptune to Pisces. This is a powerful combination and configuration and calls for us to take everything with a grain of salt and not get carried away by exuberance or appearance. This time might have us experience a situation where what we see or what we hear is not what we get. Enthusiasm can be contagious, but unchecked could lead to unwise actions and behavior. Avoid making major decisions or significant commitments under this influence.
The 23rd of February has Mercury trine Mars just before Mars turns direct [9:00 PM EST]. Straightening things around our home and ridding ourselves of the extraneous would help us clean up and clear out. Mars has been retrograde since early December with Mars retrograding back into Cancer, a Sign of Fall for Mars. Both Mars retrograde and Mars in Cancer indicate a weakened Mars with physical energy low and self-assertiveness diminished. With Mars turning direct, we can feel greater physical energy with our physical energy becoming a great deal stronger when Mars re-enters Leo in mid-April.
Mercury conjuncts Saturn on the 25th of February. We are liable to see the half glass of water as half empty rather than half full. We could feel down in the dumps with our thoughts turning negative as we consider all that we don’t have rather than all the blessings we do have. If we would harness our emotions, we would be able to contemplate how to pare down, eliminate high maintenance items, and make our life simpler.
Towards the end of February, on the 27th, we have the Pisces New Moon with the Sun conjunct the Moon [7:45 PM EST] and Mercury sextile Uranus. Impacting the next two weeks up to the Full Moon on March 14th, this New Moon suggests we take a responsive approach, look and listen, and be open to insights and those ‘ah-ha’ moments occurring ever more frequently. The more receptive we are to what is occurring around us, the more in tune we shall be to the transitions and transformations happening during this paradigm shift.
March begins on the 1st with Venus turning retrograde. Venus in Aries is in Detriment with our relationships more about oneself than other people. The idea of ‘what have you done for me lately’ can be ratcheted up as Venus turns retrograde. We shall have to be careful not to damage our connections by being too self-involved or self-absorbed.
The 2nd of March has the Sun square Jupiter and Mercury conjunct Neptune. We might be feeling good about ourselves with a sense of overconfidence. Clarity may be lacking, and we could go through various mood swings. We can feel as though no one understands us and that we are but islands unto ourselves. Having alone time and contemplating on our journey ahead might dampen the mood swings, give us appreciation that each of us has our own individual journey and personal destiny, and that any comparisons to other people have little point to them.
Mercury exits Pisces, a Sign of Detriment for Mercury, on the 3rd [4:04 AM EST] and enters Aries. With both Venus and now Mercury in Aries, we may be feeling ‘spring fever’. We’re more interested in starting things anew than continuing old patterns. Much of our concerns revolve around our own personal interests, and we are unlikely to be shy about expressing our desires.
On the 5th of March Mercury sextiles Pluto. Our thinking may be sharp, our communications concise. Forensic-like, our mind can cut to the core, get to the basics and fundamentals of any situation to decipher what is truly going on. We are unlikely to couch our sentiments in any politically correct manner. On the contrary, we might express ourselves straight to the point with no flowery additions. This is a time for us to consider what is truly important in our life and what we wish to achieve in the days ahead. The future is NOW, and we are looking forward unencumbered by our past.
The Sun trines Mars on the 8th of March. This weekend would be a good time for us to fix up our home with greater intention of getting things ready for our springtime activities. A major clear up and clean out would be a good use of the energy configuration in order to rid ourselves of the superfluous and the irrelevant. Increasingly, we may want to draw upon our optimum with the realization that this year is a year of major transformation. No need for us to throw the baby out with the bath water but rather to take the steps to release ourselves from the ties that bind.
With Mercury conjunct Venus on the 11th of March, we have the thrust to focus largely on what we want to do. We may be looking at the projects we wish to initiate. Far better for us to work out in our mind our future involvements before jumping into starting the journey. Concept before implementation would allow us to ruminate about our plans, fine tune our intentions, and come up with a best practices approach.
The 12th of March has the Sun conjunct Saturn. We may be exhausted by everything that we’ve had on our plate. Many of us live a high maintenance lifestyle with much of our involvements being needless distractions. Cutting back on activities and eliminating unnecessary engagements would provide greater focus on the truly meaningful and might end the constant drain of having too much on our plate and the inability to stop and smell the flowers. Now is a time for us to reflect on what truly works for us and what is only a depletion of our resources — time, monies, energy.
The Virgo Full Moon on the 14th of March when the Sun opposes the Moon [2:55 AM EDT] is a Lunar Eclipse with both the Sun and Moon harmoniously connecting with Uranus. The Sun sextiles Uranus, and the Moon trines Uranus. The suggestion of this signature for each of us is to rid ourselves of those things that are no longer important to us and engage streamlined ways of doing our most significant endeavors. A lesson for each of us during this paradigm shift is to trust in the universe. If we accept our role as co-creators with the universe unfolding and work with the energies rather than trying to force our will upon situations, things can go smoothly and far more effectively.
March 15th has Mercury turning retrograde [2:46 AM EDT], the first of this year’s three Mercury retrogrades. Whenever Mercury is retrograde, Murphy’s Law of ‘whatever can go wrong could go wrong’ is in effect. The two Aries-transiting planets presently, Mercury and Venus, are both retrograde and retrograde in Aries. Much of what we wish to imprint in the days ahead may just have to wait until we come into the spring season. During this three-week retrograde cycle, it would be wise to postpone major purchases or significant decisions.
The winter season ends on the 19th with the Sun conjunct Neptune. Our sensitivity could be ratcheted up with a dose of feeling the need to leave certain things behind before inaugurating the new. We may be ready to step into the spring season, but there still could be old situations we need to complete and bring closure to as we end the astrological year.
Winter 2024-2025… in the dark the light brightens…
