DECEMBER IS SLIGHTLY OPENING THE DOOR OF THE YEAR 2023

We have now arrived at December, the final month of 2022, a year that has passed by so quickly. We have experienced so much, faced many challenges, and navigated numerous ups and downs throughout this year, haven’t we? In fact, the circumstances that greeted us at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, pushing us to take on certain responsibilities and imposing limitations, continued to exert pressure on us intermittently on February 17, June 15, and December 24, 2021. These influences squeezed us into making changes, especially in areas where we were least willing to change. As a result, in 2021, following the challenges and breaking points that began in late 2019 and early 2020, we were forced to make changes in our lives. The more we resisted change, the more intense the pressure became.

For those open to change and new beginnings, this process may have been easier, whereas for those who resisted, it might have been an extremely challenging time. The year 2022, however, was a period of acceptance and adaptation to these changes. Towards the end of 2022, the lunar and solar eclipses signaled the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. They prepared us for the possibly more challenging year ahead—2023—while also assisting us in transitioning into the new 9- and 18-year cycles set to begin. Indeed, 2022 served as a preparatory period for the changes that started in late 2019, equipping us for the trials and adjustments that awaited us in 2023.

In the first week of December, on December 8, we will experience a full moon at 16 degrees in Gemini. This full moon will bring a culmination to the matters we initiated during the new moon on November 24. As we step into December, we will already be feeling the effects of this full moon. Relationships, long-term partnerships, marriages, joint financial matters, legal disputes, commercial agreements, contracts, written or verbal expressions, social media, journalism, press-related issues, education, siblings, cousins, neighbors, and transportation matters will be prominent themes under the influence of this full moon. This lunation carries unexpected developments, which may bring surprises that we did not anticipate.

In particular, we may face dilemmas regarding relationships and financial partnerships. Instead of reacting impulsively and emotionally to such situations, maintaining composure and paying attention to details will be to our benefit. This full moon may bring sudden emotional ups and downs, increasing the likelihood of hasty and irrational reactions. However, with Mercury entering Capricorn on December 7, we will receive support in thinking more rationally, planning our steps carefully, and moving toward our goals in a calculated manner. Whether we prioritize our logic or emotions in decision-making will be entirely up to us. However, making use of this rational approach will work in our favor.

The ever-changing energies in the sky affect each of us differently. The area in which we feel these effects may vary, and our reactions and choices will differ accordingly. Some of us may choose to persevere through difficulties with patience, while others may opt to take the easy way out or ignore challenges altogether. Thus, when we speak of entering a "fortunate period" or receiving what we deserve, it is essential to remember that those who have persevered through hardships and acted with integrity will receive rewards, while those who have evaded responsibility or acted unfairly may face difficulties.

In life, we progress based on our reactions and choices to circumstances beyond our control. The direction we row our boat determines the shore we reach. If we simply lie back and let the current take us, we will have no control over where we end up. Sometimes, we need to row harder, and at other times, we need to recognize when to let go. Astrology attempts to guide us through probabilities and foresight, but the decisions and choices remain ours.

After Mercury moves into Capricorn on December 7, Venus will follow suit on December 10. This shift will make us more goal-oriented in matters of relationships and finances, prompting us to seek seriousness and stability. During this period, issues related to shared family finances may arise, requiring restructuring and planning. Hidden family financial matters or forgotten debts may come to light, demanding our attention and resolution. With Venus remaining in Capricorn until January 3, we will be influenced to adopt a more patient and serious approach in our financial and relationship matters. In terms of career, we will focus on creating solid plans and taking decisive steps. In relationships, we may lean toward traditional values, seeking commitment and security over emotional whimsy. As the Sun moves into Capricorn on December 22, these tendencies will become even stronger.

On December 20, Jupiter, which has been retrograde in Pisces, will end its retrograde phase and transition into Aries, where it will remain for the next 12 years. This shift will open up new opportunities, particularly in career and public visibility. Areas where we previously felt stuck may now see progress, giving us the courage to take initiative. To understand where this energy will manifest in our lives, we can look at our personal astrological charts and the house where Aries resides.

As we enter December, Mars will still be in retrograde, continuing until January 13. Adding to this, Mercury will enter its own retrograde phase on December 30, following a stationary period on December 29. We will begin feeling the effects of this retrograde about a week to ten days beforehand, and it will last until January 17, with lingering effects for another week to ten days after.

Mars retrograde creates difficulties in taking action, bringing a sense of stagnation. It also forces us to revisit unfinished tasks from the past. With Mercury also retrograde, unresolved matters from the past—unspoken conversations, incomplete agreements, and neglected issues—will resurface. Instead of seeing these as setbacks, we should view them as opportunities to complete unfinished business and prevent recurring challenges. Retros are often feared, but they serve as a chance to clean up, correct, and complete what was left undone.

In this process, we may feel stuck, but this is merely an opportunity to wrap up the past properly so that we can move forward smoothly. If we fail to complete these unfinished matters, they will return in future retrogrades, persisting like an unresolved cycle. Thus, it is crucial to analyze past issues comprehensively during retrogrades and make necessary decisions accordingly.

Although Mercury retrogrades occur three to four times a year and their effects are well known, it is still worth mentioning their implications. Mercury governs communication and thought processes, bringing past issues to the surface for resolution. Relationships, old flames, business dealings, agreements, contracts, and matters involving close relatives, traffic, and transportation may all come into focus. This period also calls for heightened caution regarding fraud, theft, misinformation, and misunderstandings.

The first week of December, marked by the full moon, will bring many realizations, unveiling hidden truths and requiring us to confront reality. Staying observant and composed will be crucial. The situations we experience until December 20 will help us make clearer decisions as we move forward.

With all its ups and downs, transformations, and invaluable lessons, we bid farewell to another year. Carrying the wisdom and beauty of 2022 into the promising year ahead, I wish that 2023 brings you warmth, love, abundance, and joy.

With love,

Zeliha Sevinç