By Debra Infante
December is always a significant month of introspection, letting go, and rebirth. Mars, planet of action, is retrograde all month, and aspects the Sun, Mercury, and Venus. The Sun transits the pivotal gandanta degrees of Scorpio and Sagittarius, followed by the winter solstice on December 21, 2022, creating an opening for deeper self-awareness and change. Saturn is completing its three-year transit through the sign of Capricorn. Mercury goes retrograde at the end of December, a time of review.
Mars is retrograde the entire month of December in the fixed sign of Taurus and goes direct on January 12, 2023. While Mars is retrograde it influences the signs of Leo, Scorpio, and Sagittarius. If you have planets located in any of these signs, you will be more affected by the Mars retrograde energies. This means that things may be stirred up or don’t move forward as planned. Let go of living your life as a reaction to the external stimulus that we all experience in modern life. Hopefully, we are learning to deal with our frustrations and inner conflicts in a more enlightened way, with grace and an open heart. Access your inner courage and put your energies into life-giving actions.
Mars retrograde aspects the Sun, Mercury, and Venus this month. On December 7, Mars retrograde in Taurus will oppose the Sun in Scorpio at 21 degrees. As both Mars and the Sun are in fixed signs, watch for increased stubbornness or feeling that you are at war with yourself. Use this fiery combination to uncover a greater sense of inner courage and esteem.
Next, Mars retrograde aspects Mercury at 19 degrees in Sagittarius on December 15, indicating a time to be more discerning in conversation, communications, and travel. We may be more critical, or quick to take offense, so practice calmness. On December 19, Mars retrograde aspects Venus, planet of relationships, at 17 degrees Sagittarius, that brings passionate energy, but can also bring unexpected frustrations with others if our needs are not met.
The Sun takes its yearly journey through the gandanta degrees of 29 degrees Scorpio and 0 degrees Sagittarius on December 15 and 16, 2022, which is always followed by the winter solstice on December 21. This is a time to let go of “old karmas” or misunderstandings and embrace a new, and more evolved outlook in our world. The winter solstice is a wonderful time of renewal and regeneration during this sacred time of year. Connect with family and friends and express your gratitude and generosity.
Take some quiet time to set meaningful intentions for the coming new year.
Saturn, the slowest moving planet, is ready to shift signs next month on Jan 12, 2023. This month while Saturn finishes its final weeks in the sign of Capricorn that began on January 23, 2020, consider how you have integrated the lessons of this major transit in the past three years. Saturn is a planet of truth, discipline, and neutrality, and while in the earth sign of Capricorn, we have all gone through major difficulties that have demanded effort, hard work, practicality, and focus. Have you also incorporated the higher aspects of Saturn that brings deeper insights into your life, along with the qualities of equanimity and inner stability?
At the end of the month Mercury goes retrograde at 0 degrees Capricorn on December 29, 2022 until January 18, 2023. Mercury is retrograde in Capricorn only a day, then moves back to the sign of Sagittarius on December 30, 2022, where it retrogrades from 29 degrees to 13 degrees of Sagittarius. Mercury retrograde is a time to be mindful and clear with your words, what you put in writing, and with any travel plans. As this Mercury retrograde period begins at the end of the year, this is a great time for reflection, introspection, and meditation.
Debra Infante is a practicing Vedic astrologer and teacher. She began her studies of Vedic astrology in 1995, and was certified by The American College of Vedic Astrology as an approved teacher (Level I) in September 1999. She has taught Vedic astrology to the students in the yoga teacher trainings at 7 Centers Yoga in Sedona, AZ from 2002 to 2020. Debra can be reached at (928) 639-0623 or dinfante108@gmail.com for astrological consultations by phone or in person. Contact her to receive her monthly Vedic astrology article. You can also find her at http://ayurveda-sedona.com/yoga-and-vedic-astrology/about-vedic-astrology/
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