Yahoo Finance December's New Moon and Solar Eclipse Calls for Big Change
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With a lunar eclipse and full moon behind us and the holiday season now in full swing, you'd think the universe would offer us a bit of a respite from dramatic astrological events. But there's a reason eclipses have their own "seasons," and we're still very much in the heart of the last one of the year. And as the first week of December closes out, the final new moon and solar eclipse of the year will occur in mutable fire sign Sagittarius. And although it's a new moon, you could get the sense that a particular chapter of your life is closing, as this will be the final eclipse of the Sagittarius-Gemini series that started back on June 5, 2020.
This intense, ground-shifting moment, which will be exact at 2:42 a.m. ET on December 4th (or 11:42 p.m. PT on December 3rd), is a wake-up call to be honest, open, and ready for curveballs that will inevitably show up now.
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The new moon in Sagittarius nudges you to reach a fiery conclusion.
New moons — which happen when the confident sun pairs up with the security-seeking moon — generally offer the chance to gain clarity around a new chapter you want to write over the course of the next two weeks (up until the next full moon) and next six months (when the corresponding full moon occurs).
And when a new moon is accompanied by a solar eclipse — which happens when the moon casts a shadow on the sun — the intensity of the moment is amplified, underlining your motivation to recognize your truest emotions, stand in your sense of self, and take the initiative to move boldly down a whole new path.
That adventurous, pioneering spirit is magnified by the fact that this particular new moon and solar eclipse is happening in free-spirited, bold, outspoken Sagittarius — ruled by go-big-or-go-home Jupiter. This also means you can expect changes occurring around this new moon to revolve around truth- and knowledge-seeking, long-distance travel, belief systems, and faith.
A conjunction to Mercury highlights communication.
One of the main aspects of this Sag new moon and solar eclipse is a conjunction to messenger Mercury, the planet of communication and technology, which colors how we think and express ourselves. And when it is in Sagittarius, we're more likely to speak in an unfiltered, entertaining, opinionated, and philosophical way.
Jupiter tends to cast a "bigger is better" tone on everything it comes in touch with, so the flavor of the way you speak about your eclipse-driven dreams, epiphanies, and course changes will be far from subtle now.
Uranus spikes nervous tension and even more out-of-the-blue change.
The new moon will also form a quincunx — one of the most awkward angles that can exist between two planets — to Uranus, the planet of sudden change and rebellion, currently moving through fixed earth sign Taurus. This can result in a crackling, electric nervous energy that can have you feeling antsy, anxious, and just generally unsettled. It might also manifest in an incident in which you're pushed to make challenging changes to your everyday life or to switch up your approach to your big-picture goals.
Although we usually think of full moons as the lunar event most tied to losing sleep — thanks in part to the big, luminous celestial body's light at its most radiant — this darker aspect could produce a similar effect, as a result of Uranus. So if you're finding yourself wide awake at 2 a.m., consider that an opportunity to get clear on the changes you would ideally make versus those you feel you're being forced into, and reflect on how you might most productively bridge the gap.
Saturn offers a grounding vibe.
Although we tend to think of Saturn as the Debbie Downer of all the planets, given that it oversees restriction, limitation, and boundaries, it can also bring structure, diligence, and stabilization. Because the new moon forms a sextile to the taskmaster planet, currently moving through Aquarius, you could find yourself centered by a pragmatic game plan. By putting your nose to the grindstone now, ideally in a forward-thinking way, you can even better cope with the changes you're currently — and soon to be — experiencing.
It also bears noting that the energy and themes around this eclipse echo those around the Saturn-Uranus square we've been experiencing all year. The push-pull between the status quo and revolution, foundational structures, and electrifying shake-ups, is coming even more into focus as we approach the third and final square of the year on December 24. Whether you're crossing your fingers that you can take what you know to the next level or move forward in a radical new way, this square should present various challenging — but also potentially eye-opening — moments over the next few weeks.
Here, how this Sagittarius new moon and solar eclipse will affect you, based on your sign. (Pro-tip: Be sure to read both your sun and your rising sign, if you know it. If you don't, you can find it on your natal chart or via this CafeAstrology calculator.)
Aries (March 21-April 19)
With the new moon and solar eclipse falling in your ninth house of adventure, you'll want to take a leap of faith to break free of any restrictions that you feel have been holding you back in both your work and life.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
The new moon and solar eclipse falling in your eighth house of emotional bonds, you'll be stirred to stand up for whatever makes you the most comfortable and supported in your most intimate relationships.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
With the new moon and solar eclipse falling in your seventh house of partnership, it's time to reconcile your personal aspirations and sense of self with any conflicting needs of a S.O., closest friend, business partner — or simply your vision of a one-on-one pairing.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Falling in your sixth house of wellness, it's time to make bold changes to your everyday life and routine. This could bring you more balance and nurture your well-being as much as you nurture others.
Leo (July 23-August 22)
The new moon and solar eclipse falls in your fifth house of romance and self-expression, challenging you to own your pursuit of creativity and the activities that bring you joy and pleasure.
Virgo (August 23-September 22)
Falling in your fourth house of home life, the new moon and solar eclipse brings your focus to your foundations and old emotional wounds, urging you to confront and heal your past so you can more readily embrace the future.
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Because this new moon and solar eclipse falls in your third house of communication, shake-ups might center around siblings or neighbors. You might also experience a dramatic spike in your appetite to learn something new.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
With the new moon and solar eclipse falling in your second house of income, that feeling that you're not receiving well-deserved recognition and rewards on the job could reach a fever pitch, making this a moment to rethink and reimagine how — and for whom — you're offering your skills.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
With the new moon and solar eclipse occurring in your sign, this can be an intense but empowering opportunity to narrow your focus on a big-picture goal. Being true to yourself — and speaking your truth even more than usual — sets you up for the most rewarding result.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
The new moon and solar eclipse falls in your twelfth house of spirituality, urging you to tune into your dreams and intuition more than usual, as they could be a powerful tool for envisioning the path forward.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Falling in your eleventh house of networking, working with a new group or team could be a game-changer for feeling connected and making progress on your long-term wishes.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)
This new moon and solar eclipse is in your tenth house of career, you'll be ready to assert your professional aspirations in a bold new way. Embrace the spotlight, and you'll shine.
