The Week Ahead (12.11.23 through 12.17.23)
On the New Moon in Sagittarius, Mercury Retrograde, and profound presence.
The Astrology Forecast
Hello, friends! How is Venus in Scorpio treating you? Have you experienced any perspective shifts related to your relationships or your value system? As we navigate the end of the year, Venus’ celestial influence will continue to invite you into depth and transformation.
This week’s planetary transits catalyze profound reflection. With a New Moon in Sagittarius, Mercury going retrograde, and Neptune’s cosmic connections, you’ll meet your unfettered desires and also be forced to slow down. You’ll feel compelled to make strides towards to your goals and also pause to consider your past. You’ll want to circumvent reality and also be confronted with your time-sensitive responsibilities. Courage, honesty, and thoughtful self-tending are guiding pillars as we journey through this week.
On Tuesday, December 12 at 6:32PM ET, the Sun and Moon meet each other at 20° Sagittarius, forming an electric New Moon. The Sun is all about visibility, while the Moon houses our innermost feelings and sensitivities. So when these luminaries link up in the sky, we have the opportunity to partake in a profound emotional check-in. In the sign of Sagittarius—associated with expansion, adventure, freedom, and philosophy—this particular lunation invites you into dream exploration and spiritual growth.
While this may sound like an idealistic invitation, it’s not without its challenges. Mars—the planet of action, determination, and confrontation—has been in close contact with the Sun for the past few weeks, and continues to impact this New Moon. While Mars’ energy is inspiring and motivating, it can also be abrasive and overbearing. At this point, you’re probably feeling a bit rubbed raw or overworked. Neptune—the planet of fantasy, mysticism, and illusions—is also a major player in this lunation, forming a square to the Sun and Moon. Under Neptune’s escapist tendencies, you may be tempted to write off your responsibilities and slip into the mindless world of reality TV or social media scrolling.
However, the presence of Chiron and the North Node create an atmosphere of hope and purpose amidst our exhausted state. Chiron’s connection to the New Moon reminds us that nurturing our sense of adventure and envisioning better futures can be incredibly healing, while the influence of the North Node inspires us to consider which dreams are in alignment with our long-term goals.
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While Sagittarius is known for being optimistic and care-free (and we can certainly enjoy this energy!), the New Moon wants us to dig deeper: We’re called to bring more awareness to our fantasies so that we expand our horizons in realistic, intentional ways. If you’re willing to acknowledge whether your dreams exist as a respite, or if they genuinely speak to your ambitions, then this Moon can help you make strides towards bringing your soul's desires to the material realm. As you approach the narratives held within your heart, ask yourself, Which ones can you let go of? Which ones do you need to keep as sources of comfort and coping? Which ones do you want to bring into the physical world? Confront your feelings around why you might be scared to do so. Tune into your inner wisdom. Remind yourself of your power and agency.
Once you’ve identified what you want to materialize, use Sagittarius’ adventurous spirit to take the first step towards it. Sagittarius doesn’t like getting bogged down in the details, so don’t overthink it. Let your sense of passion and exploration guide you. Have the courage to broaden your horizons in unexpected ways.
Join us in the Constellation Club tonight (Monday, December 11) at 8PM ET to discover what this energy means for you. We’ll be performing a bespoke manifestation ritual tailored to this potent lunation (replays available!).
On Wednesday, December 13 at 2:09AM ET, everyone’s favorite transit graces the celestial stage—Mercury begins its infamous backwards dance at 8° Capricorn. Mercury is the planet of communication, cognition, local travel, and connectivity, while disciplined, resourceful Capricorn is associated with materializing dreams and building things that last.
As with all Mercury Retrogrades, you can expect to experience annoying miscommunications, travel delays, tech malfunctions, and social media mishaps. But this Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn has a much more profound message to disseminate over the next few weeks, before entering Sagittarius on December 23. While it spins backwards through the sign of the sea goat, you’re encouraged to let go of wishy-washy ways and get serious about the information you’re accumulating, what you’re choosing to communicate, and how you’re connecting with your local community. Consider whether your Mercury-related habits and behaviors are *actually* serving your best interests. Note that this Mercury Retrograde will not reward rash decisions or thoughtless dialogue. As you navigate the next few weeks, prioritize meaningful conversations and be prudent with the information you’re giving and receiving.
Ultimately, this Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn encourages you to reconceptualize your goals, gain perspective on how you process data, and update your organizational systems accordingly. In other words, this transit wants to help you find greater structure and clarity so that you’re in a better place to materialize your dreams. We’ll be sharing Mercury Retrograde horoscopes for paid subscribers later on this week—If you’ve been considering supporting The Curiosity Report, now is a perfect time to join for just $5!
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On Saturday, December 16 at 10:43PM ET, the Sun at 24° Sagittarius forms a square to Neptune at 24° Pisces. We got a taste of this dynamic during Tuesday’s New Moon, but now it’s realizing its full potential. When Neptune—the dreamy planet related to the endless expanse of the sea—forms a tense relationship to the Sun—which aims to be clear and consistent (we know the Sun will rise and set everyday)—things can get a little muddy. Neptune scatters the Sun’s light in all directions, casting a grand illusion that creates an atmosphere of confusion, doubt, and overwhelm.
What’s more, both Sagittarius and Pisces tend to escape when things get weird. Sagittarius flees from discomfort by chasing after exciting adventures and pursuing its passions, while Pisces detaches itself from reality through consciousness-altering means, like getting lost in moody music, binge-scrolling on TikTok, or taking mind-altering substances.
Regardless of how they escape, they are both escaping something. On this day, consider what your something is. What are you trying to circumvent? What are the consequences of willful avoidance? Can you ever really escape what you’re running from? Or will it eventually find its way back to you?
Under this celestial influence, you’re faced with a decision: Do you choose to escape, or will you come face-to-face with your reality? It’s safe to say that we’re all feeling a major sense of overwhelm, so I don’t blame you for wanting to check out. Especially in the midst of the holiday season, you’re probably planning to play hooky for the rest of the year, but there’s still important work to be done.
Find the strength to choose presence over escapism. Remember that challenges are not meant to contain you, they’re meant to guide you. Dealing with obstacles head-on is a necessary component of the self-actualization journey. In grappling with sticky situations, we’re given the opportunity to level up and ultimately find greater freedom. Cultivate the bravery to wrestle with your anxieties and approach your reality with maturity. If you chose to take on the challenge of being present, there’s some pretty incredible creative potential ripe for the taking (I mean, Neptune is the planet of dreams and fantasy, after all!). You might be surprised by the inspiration and liberation you discover just beyond your fears.
In Constellation Club, we’ll be performing a dynamic manifestation ceremony to celebrate the New Moon in Sagittarius. Join our Coven Meeting TONIGHT (Mon, Dec 11) at 8PM ET. Can’t wait to see you there! (P.S. replays are available!)
Card of the Week
Slow Down (from Sara Stasi’s Air Mail Oracle)
Well folks, if you need another reminder that Mercury Retrograde begins on Wednesday, this is it! Oftentimes mystical messages are just so literal—it makes me chuckle.
The invitation to slow down is especially apt during this Mercury Retrograde, since it occupies the Saturn-ruled sign of Capricorn. Saturn is associated with maturity, elders, and taking your time to do things right. Saturn encourages us to cultivate self-discipline and delay immediate gratification in service of our long-term goals and sense of stability.
The archetypal influence of Saturn implores us to reflect on our big-picture plans. Where are you heading, and why are you heading in that direction? Do you need to pause and refuel? Which resources do you need to conserve (e.g. time, money, energy)?
This week, make a conscious effort to slow down. Be incredibly present with what comes up—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Contemplate the ways in which you can safeguard your longevity, and don’t be afraid to stop and smell the proverbial flowers.
Slowing down allows us to both cultivate gratitude for what we have, and gain clarity on our goals for the future. You don’t need to rush anything right now. Simply be in the present moment, and open your heart to the wisdom that emerges when you’re able to acknowledge what is (not we should be).
During tonight’s Coven Meeting in the Constellation Club, Sara Stasi—the creator of the Air Mail Oracle—will guide us through a channeled collective reading tailored to the New Moon. Sara is a practicing medium, tarot reader, and deck creator who aims to support individuals and communities in their spiritual growth. Join us tonight to receive her wisdom!
Aliza’s Mommy Updates
Katrin connected with Aliza to learn about her first week of motherhood and new-born Talula.
What has surprised you most about the first week of motherhood?
I’m surprised by how intense it is to recover physically from such a monumental life event while simultaneously being thrust into full-time care-giving for a newborn baby.