Here’s what your December 2024 horoscope predicts

After the shadowy intrigue of Scorpio season, we will all be welcoming the outlandish optimism of Sagittarius – half-horse, half-human, all party-animal – for the holidays. The Archer doesn’t just bring optimism, it practically catapults it across the room. Loud, bold, irreverent, and unapologetically fiery, Sagittarius is your friend who always has opinions (whether you asked for them or not) but also manages to aim for something higher, seeking truth and meaning amidst the chaos.

The Winter Solstice on the 21st marks the Sun’s shift into practical, earth sign Capricorn, bringing a noticeable change in energy. While the tone becomes more serious and grounded, this shift offers a valuable opportunity for reflection and planning, something to embrace as we wrap up the year. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the cosmic timekeeper, and it’s here to remind us that the holidays aren’t just about indulgence—they’re also about reflection. The end of the year is a natural checkpoint, and Capricorn’s disciplined energy helps you take stock of where you’ve been and plan for where you’re headed. It’s not a buzzkill, it’s the pep talk you didn’t know you needed to wrap up 2024 with purpose and step into 2025 ready to build something that lasts.

ARIES

Your ruling planet, reckless Mars, is caught up in a big retrograde all month. This wobbly transit could have you feeling less energetic than usual. Like puberty, a retrograde is an awkward and inherently difficult transit, during which a planet seems to be moving backwards in the sky relative to us on Earth. When Mars goes retrograde—the planet of action and drive—it can feel like someone hit the snooze button on your motivation. The retrograde officially begins on December 6 in fiery Leo, bringing a noticeable shift to your usual go-getter energy. This is your cue to slow down and turn inward. This isn’t about chasing the next big thing, it’s about stepping back to ask yourself how you want to shine. Leo energy is all about creativity, self-expression, and confidence, so you might find yourself reflecting on what truly lights you up. Feeling a little stuck or unmotivated? That’s okay—this is a time to revisit projects you’ve already started and polish them until they sparkle. Think of it as a creative recalibration. Use this retrograde to tap into what makes you feel authentic and bold so you’re ready to shine even brighter when Mars picks up speed again in 2025.

TAURUS

Venus, your cosmic queen, is lounging in your Travel Zone until the 7th, serving up a delicious blend of wanderlust and intellectual curiosity. This isn’t just about booking a flight to somewhere warmer—it’s about leaning into learning, exploring philosophy, and expanding your worldview. If the travel bug bites, go scratch that itch. If you’re more in the mood for staying close to home (classic Taurus), you can keep Venus happy by indulging your mind. Pick up a gorgeous book on something niche and Venus-approved, like experimental typography or avant-garde interiors, and let yourself soak in the beauty from your couch. On December 8, Venus saunters into your Career Zone like she’s wearing sequins to the office. You’re about to own that Christmas party, with everyone, from coworkers to higher-ups, taking notice. This is the perfect time to schedule those networking coffee chats or casually drop your latest win into conversation. And while you’re at it, why not close the year on a high note? Update your resume, prep for that performance review, or finally pitch that big idea.

GEMINI

Your ruler, chatterbox Mercury, is retrograde until mid-month….argh. New Year’s invitations and RSVPs could get delayed. In general, the first two weeks might feel like trying to walk a cat on a leash—awkward, frustrating, and definitely not the time to start anything ambitious. Instead of launching bold new projects, focus on the unsung heroes of productivity: chasing down overdue replies, clearing out that scary inbox, and giving your existing projects a much-needed glow-up. Think of it as cosmic housekeeping—it’s not glamorous, but it’s necessary, and future you will thank you. The full moon in Gemini on December 15 marks a major turning point—and it happens to be the same day Mercury ends its retrograde! This could bring breakthroughs or closures, whether it’s finishing up a long-delayed project or gaining clarity about the next step in an important area of your life. But there’s a twist: the full moon forms a loose square to Neptune in Pisces, adding a dreamy, hazy energy that may blur your sense of certainty. While things will start to fall into place with Mercury going direct, you might still experience some heightened emotions. Don’t worry—trust that any fog will clear with time, and lean into your intuition—it’s a powerful compass during moments like these.

CANCER

The enthusiastic Sagittarius Sun is shaking up your Health, Diet, and Workout zone until the 21st, which means you’re all about that new year, new me energy. But don’t get swept up in the typical Sagittarius tendency to dive into every new trend—whether it’s the latest juice cleanse or that workout that promises a six-pack in three days. Sure, optimism is great, but don’t let it turn into a crash-and-burn routine. Keep it real. You can be positive about your health, but don’t go overboard—remember, excess is where Sagittarius goes wrong. Then, on the 21st, the Sun shifts into Capricorn, bringing a much-needed dose of realism to your Relationship Zone. The Capricorn vibe isn’t about sugarcoating anything—it’s about solid, practical decisions, especially when it comes to love. Are you ready to commit or are you more focused on your career grind? It’s the kind of sober, no-nonsense thinking that will surface around the holidays. Expect some serious soul-searching when it comes to your romantic life, and if you’re thinking about 2025, Capricorn’s grounded energy will help you get a clearer picture. The New Moon in Capricorn at the end of the month will highlight these relationship questions even more—giving you the clarity you need to make decisions with your eyes wide open.

LEO

You know that phenomenon when a wild friend comes to town–and all of a sudden you get all debauched yourself, doing things you don’t usually do? That’s kind of what the first part of the month will be like for you. The raucous Sagittarius Sun transits your Fun zone until the 21st. You and Sagittarius are both big, fiery signs, and when you get together, it’s like Thelma and Louise. Oh, and Mercury (chattiness) will likewise be in the Fun zone all month too (flirtatious maximus). This is all to say, be open to the magic of adventures and hijinks to start the month. Why? Because your outlook gets way hum-drum on the 21st when the Sun shuttles into fusty Capricorn and your Routine zone to close the year. Even writing that sentence is making me yawn. It will be a good time, however, to regroup and get back on track after the party train of early December. Capricorn is very routine-oriented, so health and diet regimens will get a jolt of energy to counterbalance the Holiday splurge.

VIRGO

Quicksilver Mercury, your ruling planet, and the Sagittarius Sun are calling attention to your 4th House of Home and Security for most of the month. Both of these influences are characterised by flexibility. Be open to the prospect of changing things up around the hearth. Is it time to breathe new life into your space? Sagittarius is known for being bold, and its fiery energy may inspire you to go all out with a fun, festive colour that brings new vibes to your home this holiday season. Maybe you’ve been craving a change, but roommates, partners, or anyone else sharing your space has been slow to catch on. Well, with Mercury retrograde in the mix, this is the perfect time to revisit those old ideas and projects you’ve been mulling over. Mercury and Sagittarius together will give you the persuasive charm you need to get everyone on board with your vision and turn those dreams into reality. On the 21st, the Sun shifts into Capricorn and your 5th House of Fun. Capricorn is a conservative sign, but even the Goat likes to get down once a year. Now is the ideal time to throw a dinner party and flaunt the latest updates to your home. Put a tablecloth down, so you don’t have to worry about people not using coasters. Open your heart and home, for he, who cannot in his own house entertain a guest, when abroad will find few to entertain him.

LIBRA

Until the 7th of December, Venus, your ruling planet, is in Capricorn, activating your home sector. While Capricorn may seem like an unlikely match for your airy Libra energy, there are common threads between you. Both of you are cardinal signs, meaning you’re both natural initiators and movers. You also share a love of elegance—Capricorn with its affinity for luxury and refinement, and you with your inherent sense of beauty. This is the perfect time to infuse some old-world charm into your home. Capricorn, ruled by the taskmaster Saturn, is all about timelessness, so Venus here blesses you with extra luck when it comes to antiques or vintage treasures. Look for pieces to enhance your living space or to give as thoughtful Christmas gifts—Venus loves to beautify wherever she goes. On the 7th, Venus shifts into Aquarius, bringing a wave of lighthearted, social energy. You’ll find yourself eager to connect with a wide variety of people—spontaneous coffee dates, finally replying to that group chat, and accepting invites to events you’d usually pass on. Your social calendar will be full, and your networking skills will be sharper than ever. But don’t be fooled—this isn’t all fun and games. There may be some unexpected moments that challenge your usual sense of balance. Two dates to watch. On December 7, Venus teams up with Pluto, and suddenly the vibe shifts. Power struggles in relationships could bubble up, or you might catch yourself obsessing over making a romantic or platonic connection go exactly the way you pictured it. Then, on December 12, Venus faces off with Mars. It’s a big day for socialising, sure—but watch out for tension or drama creeping into the mix. Basically, be open, have fun, but don’t let the weird energy hijack your sparkle.

SCORPIO

Your ruling planet, steroidal Mars, turns retrograde on December 6, signalling a shift: it’s time to move with intention instead of speed. Meanwhile, the Sagittarius Sun is lighting up your Money Zone until December 21, and with expansive Jupiter calling the shots, the urge to spend big is real. Generosity is great, especially during the holidays, but this energy could have you reaching for extravagance when simplicity might serve just as well. On the 11th, dark and twisted Pluto (your other ruling planet) goes conjunct Venus. This is a kind of “Fatal Attraction” transit, so try to keep some distance from your paramours around this time. On December 21, the Sun moves into Capricorn and your Communication Zone, grounding the mood. Capricorn’s no-nonsense energy asks you to get practical and strategic as the year winds down. Whether it’s your wallet, your time, or your words, focus on what truly matters. This isn’t about restriction, it’s about channelling your resources where they’ll have the most impact as you step into 2025.

SAGITTARIUS

December begins with a new moon in your sign on December 1, offering you a chance for a personal reset. It’s a perfect time to reflect on what truly excites you, realign with your goals, and set intentions for the next four weeks. If you’re planning to launch a big idea, make an announcement, or start something new, timing is key. Ideally, wait until after Mercury retrograde ends on December 15, when things start running more smoothly. If you can’t hold off that long, the days following the new moon are still a good bet. With Mars in Leo giving you motivation, you’ll feel inspired to take action. But Saturn in Pisces might slow you down a bit—be it with extra responsibilities or a dose of reality you weren’t expecting. You may find yourself facing some tough decisions or dealing with a heavier workload. Don’t rush; take it one step at a time and trust that momentum will pick up as the month goes on. Then, on December 15, things really start to shift. Not only does Mercury go direct, but a full moon in your Relationship Sector kicks in, amplifying your powers of persuasion. Expect, too, an increased hankering for adventure with the rambunctious Sadge Sun. Use this day to sweet-talk a friend or a cherished beloved to go on some long-desired trip (be it psychedelic or vacation-oriented).

CAPRICORN

Venus (Love and Money) entered your sign last month and stays here until December 7th. While tending to flit and dazzle in other Houses, Venus in Capricorn takes on a much heavier feel. Indeed the Goat (Cardinal Earth) is ruled by serious Saturn, meaning that the ruling planet is freighting Venus with more weight around romance. Venus in Capricorn could have you very much fixated on time and the passing of it (this is the influence of clock-watcher Saturn). You may look back on old relationships to move forward with new ones, intuiting the need to learn from what went wrong in them so as to avoid these mistakes in the future. You are, in the final analysis, eminently practical, even when it comes to romance. The Sun will energise your Selfhood zone for the last 10 days of the month. Given that your sign is connected to business and banking, perhaps now is a good moment to invest in yourself a little, rather than other commodities on the market. This isn’t a spiritual transit, but it is one where you should reflect a bit on your priorities. Create a flowchart to determine where you might better optimise and allocate time and resources for family, friends, and partners. A New Moon in your sign on the last day of the year augurs a good day to start the self-investment cycle for the new year. Your nature loves to plan–make yourself the object of your first business model for 2025.

AQUARIUS

The lively Sagittarius Sun highlights your Friendship zone until the 21st, so this is a social month for you. While your nature fancies itself all technologically savvy and advanced, this transit means no nerding out online, but, instead, meeting up with your crew for fun. As December winds down, a full moon in Gemini on December 15 marks a pivotal moment—and it’s the same day Mercury finally ends its retrograde! The energy leading up to this lunation is high-octane, a period where your calendar may feel overbooked, and your inbox perpetually pinging. With Gemini’s influence, communication is the theme: writing, meetings, brainstorming, and sharing ideas could dominate your focus. Expect breakthroughs or closures, whether that’s wrapping up a lingering project or gaining clarity on what’s next in a key area of life. On the 21st, the Sun moves into stern Capricorn, where your zone of Secrets and Private Affairs gets activated. Here you have a real volte-face–this part of the chart is all introspective. Expect your thoughts to wend their way back over the preceding year, as you prepare for the new rush of 2025.

PISCES

December is shaping up to be a beautiful month for you, Pisces, and you truly deserve it. No sign is more selfless and compassionate than you, but now it’s time to turn some of that love and care toward yourself. The good news? Dreamy Neptune, your modern-day ruler, goes direct in your sign on the 7th, bringing a surge of watery, visionary energy. While other signs may be wrapped up in nostalgic, introspective vibes as the year closes, your stars are urging you to dream big and focus on an expansive future, not a shrinking past. With Mercury and the Sun lighting up your Career zone at the start of the month, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your professional life. Are you truly living your best career? Or is it time to make some bold moves that align more with your artistic soul? As 2025 approaches, are you ready to bet on yourself and take that leap? Your Home zone is also buzzing with energy, which could mean dealing with overbearing parents or managing their high expectations. Ugh, we know. But here’s the thing: It’s time to put yourself first and finish the year strong. Saturn, the planet of boundaries, is still in your sign, so it’s the perfect moment to get serious about setting limits. Whether it’s love, work, or family drama, this is your time to say no and protect your energy from those pesky energy vampires.