Leo, December 2016

Mercury enters Capricorn, one of the hardest working signs in the zodiac, on December 2. Mercury in earthy Capricorn will stimulate the sector of your chart that rules your day job and your responsibilities, as well as your health and habits. Expect to do a lot of talking about these issues this month! But don't expect everything to move full speed ahead: Mercury retrograde begins on December 19.

Everyone knows Mercury retrograde sucks. Don't make any important agreements or sign contracts; communication planet Mercury is not in its right mind during the retrograde. Don't buy anything important (it will probably break) or travel much (delays, traffic, and miscommunications abound). Mercury retrograde is time rewind, reflect, and rethink. Pick up old projects if you feel like you absolutely can't slow down.

Because this Mercury retrograde in Capricorn is activating such a busy, everyday sector of your chart, you can bet your entire routine will be turned upside down. Play with the energy by purposefully taking a new route home from work. Let yourself get lost—it's what Mercury retrograde wants, anyway!

This is also a key time to look at a health concern that you may have ignored for a while or to reconsider your habits. Are you smoking or drinking too much? Is your workout routine working for you or are you just flopping around on a yoga mat, wasting time and money?

Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will also create chaos at your day job. Expect your schedule to get all fucked up and for some miscommunications to go down. Triple-check your work, and, whatever you do, don't use Mercury retrograde as an excuse for being late with your boss. That probably won't be a good look!

Sweet Venus enters cool Aquarius and lights up the relationship sector of your chart on December 7—exciting! Venus in Aquarius is a quirky combination: Venus is charming and social, and Air sign Aquarius loves to bring people together. However, Venus is very affectionate, and Aquarius's aloof vibe isn't exactly cuddly. It's a somewhat awkward combination, but awkward can be cute and endearing.

Anyway, Venus in Aquarius will bring blessings to the partnership sector of your chart, making it easy to connect with others. This won't only play out on a romantic level (but definitely watch out for some new crushes or for a current partnership to sweeten), but in all of your relationships: People will be way more open to compromise and everyone will want to get along!

On December 12, the Sun in Sagittarius will connect with Uranus in Aries, both of which are Fire signs, just like you! The Sun in Sagittarius is lighting up the romance and creativity sector of your chart, while Uranus in Aries is activating the travel and learning section. Later in the month, on December 24, Saturn in Sagittarius will connect Uranus in Aries, activating these same parts of your chart again. But what does it all mean?

It means it's time for you to have some fun. The Sun and Saturn in Sagittarius are encouraging you to be mindful and responsible—but not at the cost of having a good time! Uranus hates being bored, so some exciting surprises are sure to come your way. The vibe is supportive yet stimulating.

A full moon in social Air sign Gemini arrives on December 13, lighting up the friendship and community sector of your chart. Full moons bring drama, so expect some to pop up in your circle of friends. Insightful feedback concerning a creative project could arrive during this full moon, too, as well as some fresh perspective on your love life.

Full moons bring information to light, so watch out for a revealing conversation during this time. Figuring out who you want to be closer to (and who you want to keep at arms length) will be a theme for you mid-month, especially after Mars enters Pisces on December 19. This transit will activate a very sensitive, emotional part of your chart. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac, and when action planet Mars enters this sign, you could find yourself taking the steps needed to end some relationships.

But empathetic and psychic Pisces is also the sign of limitlessness—perhaps you will deepen a connection, taking a relationship to a whole new level! Things will need to become more intimate in your relationships, or else it's time to move on. (Your sex life will definitely heat up—Mars is mega passionate.)

Intimacy won't be all that's on your mind with Mars in Pisces: Some complicated financial situations—perhaps concerning taxes, debts, or even an inheritance—will also come up for you to work with.

One of the most stressful days this month is December 26, when Jupiter in Libra opposes Uranus in Aries. Communication will already be stressful due to Mercury retrograde, and when this opposition hits, tension will be way over-the-top. You can expect to hear some surprising, shocking news.

For your own sanity, It's important to keep an open mind today; however, don't expect everyone to agree on everything. You'll hear some differing opinions loud and clear, and it will leave a lasting impression on you. You won't approach things (or people) the same way ever again.

The winter solstice arrives on December 21 with the Sun entering Capricorn, and a new moon in Capricorn follows soon after, on December 29. Mercury retrograde is pushing you to rethink your everyday routine—what do you want to change? The new moon in Capricorn will bring a new beginning to your work and day job, your health, and your habits!

The month wraps up nicely: The Sun in Capricorn and Neptune in Pisces will connect and create an empathetic, helpful, and creative vibe on December 30. Will this energy carry over into 2017? I hope so. We could definitely use a gentler year. Do something good for someone else at the end of this month—you're already so blessed, being the sign of royalty after all. See you next month!