December 2015 horoscopes: Stay sane during the holidays (for once)

Date December 1, 2015

Happy Sagittarius season! I have always found it interesting that when we enter the season with the least amount of daylight (in the Northern hemisphere at least), we come to the sign of Sagittarius. Since this is a sign that never loses perspective, no matter how great the challenge, it suggests that this kind of hope is most possible when we are spending the greatest amount of time in darkness. There’s a simple symbolism in this balance – we find the most hope in the most challenging moments. Because of course, the winter solstice is the point of extreme that marks the beginning of more daylight and warmer days to come. This is why so many holidays around this time celebrate the return of the light and the certain warmth that can be found when it is cold and dark outside.

The new moon in Sagittarius happens on the 11th, and it is a springboard for your hopes and dreams. Believing that it is possible to make them a reality is the most important thing right now; doubt and a lack of self-confidence will stifle the amazing force of possibility. The full moon in Cancer on the 25th carries the perfect theme for Christmas day. It’s about celebration, family, eating delicious food, and being cozy at home. Don’t try to force anything that doesn’t come naturally here, but instead, embrace and accept what is there when you turn to it.

Illustrations by Stefanie Ayoub. Horoscopes by Aerin Fogel. For personal birth chart consultations, visit Aerin’s website.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Dear Aries,

The past few months for you have been spent working on yourself. For you it’s a cycle that’s much like the cycle of the seasons; your attention and energy goes towards yourself, then your attention and energy goes towards others. Rinse and repeat. This process is important because it ensures that you have a balance between yourself and those you care about. It’s time for you to enter the part of the cycle where you make more space for others. And play nice, Aries! Though your actions may seem to ‘do the right thing,’ every war declared is in the name of the ‘right thing.’ Don’t go to battle just to keep up the appearance of how you think your relationships should appear.

Your style this month is about refinement, and tucking in the edges (metaphorically, but also literally, with your shirts and collars and laces). You’re going for classy here, but not extravagant, whatever that means for you. Be careful of power struggles in your relationship on the 6th, because it helps neither of you if one person comes out on top. Take responsibility for your own needs, and play fairly. The theme comes up again on the 10th, but this time with your old temptation for freedom. Freedom does not mean aloneness, Aries. Learn how to funnel the energy of breakthrough into the relationship rather than away from it. You’ll have a mind over matter struggle on the 29th, when you feel frustrated that your actions don’t seem to be getting you to where you know you can be. Use your problem-solving mind to plan your way through this one.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Dear Taurus,

Sharing your ‘me’ time is one of the hardest things you may ever have to learn as a Taurus. Solitude is a golden rite for you at the end of the day, but since it is comfortable and familiar for you to make time for it you rarely need to work on that as a life skill. Making time for someone else and letting them in is more of a growing edge, and it has to do with vulnerability. There’s a certain loss of control you feel when someone gets too close, so keeping them at arm’s length is a defence that ensures you never have to run that risk. Well, Taurus, it’s time to run the risk, otherwise you will always long for the thing (or person) you never really let yourself have.

While we’re on the subject, it’s a good month to buy new underwear for yourself. What would you wear if you were dressed for desire? You’re inspired by your friends on the 10th, and the world in general. Your challenges from the 17th to the 19th might seem bottomless, because in a sense they are, if that’s what you’re focused on. To pull ahead now you must look for the wisdom beneath all of your difficult experiences, and turn that lead into gold. Look for ways that you can help out or give back, because this is not only a service to others but will contribute to your own sense of well-being.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Dear Gemini,

Sudden revelation could strike at any moment this month, especially after the 9th. Trust the ideas that are coming your way, even if they lead you in a different direction, because they are grounded in practicality. The only trick is that everything you’re dreaming up requires a certain kind of commitment from you that doesn’t always come easily. Often when you commit to something, you’re distracted five minutes later by a newer, more brilliant idea. Be very careful to not get distracted right now (read: afraid of commitment) because you’re only cheating yourself.

Your style this month is all about combining beauty and practicality. If you’re up here in the northern hemisphere where it’s getting cold, it could mean investing in a new coat that you love but that is actually warm enough for the heart of winter. In the first few days of the month you may feel anxious about how a relationship will really work with the rest of your life, your career, and your family. The way through it is to communicate your worries instead of bottling them up inside. The 19th is a day to pay attention to your instincts, because they won’t lead you astray. You know what you know, and you’re right about it too, even when you don’t understand it all. A new closeness with family will bring you joy on the 25th, so remember it on the 29th when you’re looking to pick a fight.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Dear Cancer,

In some ways this is the best time of year for a Cancer because the holidays are all about spending time with loved ones, being cozy, and eating delicious food. What more could you ask for? On the other hand, the hardworking part of you is kicking into gear right now and you might find yourself forgoing some extra social offers for time in the office, or a creative project you lost sight of awhile back and are ready to pick up again. Follow the urge, there are great things coming for you in the next few months.

Breathe new colours into your wardrobe this month; replace anything dark and drab with something warm and vibrant, but go for simplicity and subtlety in your jewellery and accessories. You may struggle with feeling powerless from the 6th-10th, as if everything that happens is out of your hands. Do not turn those close to you into your enemies when this happens. Instead, work beside them, take matters into your own hands, and know that it’s always up to you to take charge of your life. If you’ve been struggling with your health (or just general self-care) this past while, take time on the 11th to look ahead at what changes you can make and what steps you can take to get there. The full moon on the 25th is a moment for you to pause and witness the person you have become this past year, and to really celebrate yourself. Does your kindness extend to yourself in the way it does to others?

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Dear Leo,

Part of the Leo nature is to turn inwards a little more around this time of the year. Expansion and contraction, and the inevitable cycle between them, is a law of the universe as we know it. So don’t worry if you find yourself on the contracting end of the spectrum, since you will inevitably feel more expansive in a few months time. Use your inward focus to get creative, to finish projects you started and never stopped, or to start the ones you’ve always meant to but never got around to. Give yourself a healthy dose of self-care, too. Clean your space, move your body, and cook a nourishing meal for yourself.

Get creative with your style this month. Each outfit is a piece of art, and something you should have fun with as part of your self-expression. What would your wardrobe be like if it was a painting? New understanding is possible on the 8th and 9th, but it might mean owning up to some of your own uncomfortable feelings. Put it in context with the bigger picture and it won’t feel so hard. Think before you spend on the 14th, or your money may drain away before you realize it. Sometimes your generosity comes from a place of insecurity. Take responsibility for your health from the 21st on, and if need be, set some new plans in place for your self-care routine. Spending time and money on your well-being is one of the most valuable investments you can make.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Dear Virgo,

Luck, in its many strange forms, has been on your side this past while. You may not have even always noticed it, because it’s been like the soft sand on the beach reforming after each step you take; its easy to overlook, and a simple beauty that can be taken for granted. So let this month be about recognizing the many joys that make up each day for you, Virgo. Let yourself see the practicality of playtime, of exploration, and of curious pursuits. Most importantly, set aside the need to know, for now. Understanding may follow, but for now your heart must lead your mind. How’s that for practical?

Your style this month is about playfulness, too. Buy something warm and colourful and go for a December adventure outside. There’s something particularly wonderful about wearing bright colours in the snow. Be sure to communicate clearly in relationships from the 1st – 4th because there may be things lurking under the surface in what you say that you are not aware of. Your creative force is powerful on the 19th, so follow your sudden urges and impulses and seemingly outrageous ideas. Meanwhile, resist the temptation to point the finger at those closest to you when things feel out of control. There are, again, things lurking under the surface here for you. Share the loving feelings in your heart on the 25th and you’ll feel them come back to you with full force.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Dear Libra,

After recently celebrating another lap around the sun, it’s time for you to pause and reflect on your values. What are the beliefs, possessions, and aspects of your self that you prize most dearly? Why is it that these are important to you, above anything else? Consider, also, whether these are truly your own values or whether you have taken them on from friends, family, or the general tone of society. Don’t be afraid to question, reassess, and possibly let go of some of what has seemed valuable to you, in place of something you discover to be more authentically you.

It’s a good month, too, to sort through your wardrobe and get rid of anything that seemed nice enough when you bought it, but you’ve either never worn it, or you wear it once a year. Keep only what you love, and feel how amazing it is to have a wardrobe only of clothing you love. If you’ve had any concerns about your health, or even if you’re trying to just set a stable routine in place, the 10th is a great time to dream up new solutions. From the 17th-19th, what you need and want for yourself may seem to be at odds with what others need and want. Resist the urge to draw lines in the sand and instead, look a little deeper under the surface. Two seemingly conflicting wants doesn’t have to equal an either/or situation, there is always a third option that will help you navigate your way through.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Dear Scorpio,

December is a time of self-renewal for you. You need not feel bad about taking extra time to rest, to dream, to sit and stare at the wall, or to scrub behind the fridge. It’s as if you’re wrapping up the final details to a phase that is ending, and preparing yourself for the phase that is to come. This takes energy of course, and you’re restoring and conserving yours now. At the same time, you’re yearning for a different kind of social experience that goes a little deeper than how your social life has been these past few years. Follow that – change is on the horizon, and your inner inklings are a great guide to where this change will lead you.

Go outside your comfort zone a little this month with your style, and try something you wouldn’t normally wear. It could be a gender-bender or it could just be a different colour, but either way it’s going to feel unusual and kind of exciting. Take action to bring about change on the 6th, but be careful you don’t cut others down in the process. You are often more powerful than you realize because there’s a force that seems to come out of nowhere. Remember that it’s not about pointing the finger, it’s about bringing change in your own life. Find a balance on the 10th between your day-to-day life in the world and the time you spend on your own in a quiet space. It’s not an either or situation because it’s necessary for you to have both.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Dear Sagittarius,

Happy birthday! This has been, and will be, quite a year for you. You sometimes have a habit of slipping sideways around things, or through the back door, or out the attic window and down the tree in the yard. You know what I’m talking about. Unfortunately, it never helps you in the long run. So right now is the time when you do the hard thing and learn your lessons the real way, with time and patience and commitment. There’s no easy solution but you will find yourself tremendously rewarded and satisfied in the process. You continue, this year, to show up more in the world, and to inch closer to your true hopes and dreams. It’s an exciting time and of course there’s never a dull moment in the life of a Sagittarian.

Your style could use a refresh, to suit the next phase you’re entering. Some extra flare, and a few extra accessories could bring you some much-wanted attention. Say what you mean on the 4th, even when standing in the face of judgment; you speak the truth. The new moon in your sign on the 11th is a wonderful time to set your intentions for the year ahead, and who you want to be in the world. You stand again in the face of judgment on the 14th, but by the 25th, seem more able to speak your truth and know you will be received rather than scorned.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Dear Capricorn,

Contrary to what you might want, or what might feel most comprehensible, there is no deadline for the different phases of your life. You cannot say to yourself that by this day you will be over this person, or by that day you will have achieved that goal. It’s simply not one of the laws of nature. You can, however, take steps along the way that will keep pointing you in the direction you want to go. You can set an action plan in place for reaching that goal, or listen to and process your feelings in order to be ‘over’ that person. This is the way ahead for you, one step at a time, with patience, and without pressure to meet your own expectations.

Don’t be afraid of extra attention your style might attract this month. Somewhere, every Capricorn should own a long, dramatic, sweeping black coat with gloves and hat to match. From the 9th on, you’re able to start speaking up for yourself in a way that hasn’t felt easy to do. It’s as if your words have felt like they spill into a black hole as their leaving your lips, or at least fall on deaf ears. Take courage now to speak the honest truth, and others will be more able to hear you. For the most, part, you seem to be staying out of hot water this month, which is the most many of you can ask for with some of the inherent challenges of the holiday season.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

Dear Aquarius,

This is a time to focus on all your favourite things. Those special dreams for the world and the people living in it that only an Aquarian can dream. Share them, get them out there, talk to your friends and community and get them on board with your ideas. As long as you can hold that ever-difficult balance of striving toward an ideal without expecting absolute perfection, it’s a joyful time for you right now. You continue to feel inspired in your learning and motivated in your work in the world, yet there is also a part of you turning inwards and listening to the quiet inner knowing that pulses like a heartbeat.

This is sweater month for you; keep yourself warm in something that feels beautiful. Cashmere, wool, and cotton are perfect fabrics for you to get cozy in. The first week of the month you speak clearly, and from the heart. Your ideas are electrifying and brilliant right now, so keep a notebook with you wherever you go so you can write them down. You may struggle on the 10th with teacher/student dynamics, or the struggle may just be internal as you try to grasp the bigger picture of something difficult to understand. Calm your anxiety on the 20th by taking time to yourself to quiet the mind. The 25th marks an important change in direction for you. It has to do with how you go about your day, how you communicate, how you live and learn in every minute, and how you present yourself to others.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Dear Pisces,

You are slowly (the normal speed of a Pisces) getting your whole live vision on track. It doesn’t arrive all at once, of course. It filters through in pieces like grains of sand through an hourglass. And you are patiently collecting each one at the bottom of the hourglass. Later, you’ll make a mandala out of the sand, and when you are finished will toss the whole thing back into the ocean like the Tibetan monks. Don’t worry though, that’s later. So while you are getting things on track and reaching for more ambitious goals, remember that it’s all sand in the ocean, and the real goal is about being present and satisfied each step of the way.

Indulge your love of formal wear this month. If you are attending holiday parties, show up in full fur and glitter, or a stiff suit if that’s your way. Go vintage with your finishing touches, too. You are full, also, of passion and longing. It reaches a dreamy peak on the 10th as if you are able to step back from your life and see all of the beauty therein; don’t get too lost in it though, and keep your feet on the ground. On the 14th, and again on the 29th, you are full of passionate and brilliant ideas. It is possible for you to instigate real change in your community, if you are able to stay with your commitments. This is of course an ongoing challenge for you, so know that nothing of you will actually be lost if you stick to one thing. It’s all sand in the ocean anyways!