Aries, December 2016

Mars is currently in Aquarius, energizing you to network and hang out with friends. When it connects with lucky Jupiter, some exciting meetings will take place. On the 3rd, Mars and Saturn will help solidify a conversation concerning school, travel, or even writing, and Mars's connection to Uranus on December 6 will find you having some exciting conversations (and acting impulsively!). This is an exciting time for your social life, and you'll be feeling mentally revitalized.

On December 2, Mercury enters Capricorn, activating the fame and fortune sector of your chart—and, whoa, is this month going to be massive around your career, professional goals, and reputation. Will things feel like they're moving forward? Not quite yet: You have a lot of unfinished business to wrap up and things to reflect on. When Mercury goes retrograde in Capricorn starting on December 19, it will really push you to do so.

Mercury retrogrades have a bad reputation. It's not wise to sign contracts or make important decisions during this time, nor is it a good idea to make expensive purchases. Delays and miscommunications will abound, and because this Mercury retrograde will be taking place in the career sector of your chart, it's probably not wise for you to schedule important meetings at this time—unless the meeting is about an issue that's been waiting for attention for a long time. Mercury retrograde is good for revisiting old projects or forgotten conversations.

Sweet, sexy Venus enters friendly Air sign Aquarius on December 7, bringing blessings to your social life and the communities or groups you belong to. Venus is an affectionate energy, but Aquarius would rather converse than cuddle—this is a wonderful time for networking and connecting with friends, and for connecting with your romantic partners on a more intellectual level. Venus is not only the planet of love and beauty—it also rules cash. As Venus spends time in competitive Aquarius, some good news about money will come your way.

A full moon in Gemini lands on December 13, illuminating the communication sector of your chart. Expect some exciting news! Full moons are always emotionally and physically draining (the energy is just so fucking intense), and this one will be particularly mentally exhausting. However, you will leave this full moon with some much-needed information and feeling like you've gotten some things off your chest. A conversation that's been building for a while will finally go down!

Action planet Mars enters dreamy Water sign Pisces on December 19. Absolutely do not operate any heavy machinery under this influence, Aries! Not only will Mercury retrograde in Capricorn bring you plenty of chaos, but Mars in Pisces will be activating one of the sleepiest sectors of your chart. This isn't a time to make any important moves—it's time to rest, relax, catch up on time alone, meditate, or get lost in a good book. Like, literally do anything except for something that could get you hurt (physically or emotionally), Aries.

You're famous for being impulsive, and while I won't waste my breath telling you to slow down, I do want you to trust your gut during this time. Resolutely pay attention to your intuition. Pisces is a very psychic energy, and one of the plusses of having Mars in Pisces will be that your psychic abilities will increase. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and while action planet Mars travels through this sign you might find that you're wrapping up a lot of unfinished business, exploring hidden territories, or uncovering secrets. Whatever sneaky stuff you're up to, do your best to preserve your energy. Now's the time to unwind—soon Mars will be in your sign, and Mercury retrograde will be over, and it will be time to take action!

On December 24, Saturn in Sagittarius connects with Uranus in Aries, bringing you much-needed encouragement and support. You've been dealing with some stress concerning travel, school, or publishing, thanks to grouchy Saturn hanging out in philosophical, adventurous Sagittarius. But electric Uranus is in your sign, and when it connects with Saturn, some unexpected good vibes will flow.

One of the most explosive days of the month is December 26: Jupiter in Libra will oppose Uranus in Aries. Jupiter is the planet of good luck, so having it in charming Air sign Libra has been wonderful for your relationships; however, Jupiter can also symbolize exaggeration and overindulgence, and when it's challenged by explosive Uranus, the vibe will be very confrontational, dramatic, and all-around "extra." Uranus is the planet of freedom, but it also brings surprises, so expect to deal with some shocking revelations during this time.

You'll especially feel this opposition play out in your relationships, and a sudden break-up could go down—or a sudden hook-up! It can go either way, depending on your attitude and whether or not you're spending time with the right people. This astrological transit will be shocking no matter what, but if you've been spending time with assholes things will be especially challenging. If everyone is doing their honest best, you'll be able to get through all the stress and make some amazing compromises.

The Sun enters Capricorn on December 21, joining Mercury in the sector of your chart that rules success and recognition. Even more focus will turn to your career and you reputation, and while pushing things forward isn't advised during Mercury retrograde, the retrograde will end soon enough (on January 8, to be exact). The Sun will also be in Capricorn until January 21, making the first few weeks of the New Year all about your public, professional life.

The month wraps up with a new moon in Capricorn on December 29, which happens to be the same day that Uranus ends its retrograde in your sign. Even though Mercury retrograde has brought conversations to a halt in your career, this new moon is still a wonderful time to reflect on your professional goals and dream about the future—anything is possible right now!

New moons are new beginnings, so reflect on how you want 2017 to look around career. This is a fantastic time for spell work concerning success or recognition—if you're into that kind of thing, Aries!

Uranus is the planet of freedom and invention, and when it turns direct at the end of this month, you'll feel a renewed sense of independence and excitement. You're breaking free from old patterns, just in time for the New Year. See you in 2017!