Astrology of December 2020: the Great Conjunction in Aquarius

The big highlight of the Astrology of December 2020 is the long awaited and much discussed Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn, just days after the pair enter the visionary sign of Aquarius. This transit happens around once every twenty years. Known as the ‘king-maker’ it brings a significant shift in the governance.

Some astrologers see the passage of these two heavy weights through Aquarius as likely to bring a more heavy handed approach to governance. I disagree. Saturn and Jupiter are not anthropomorphic, they do not have personality. Instead they represent principles at play in the universe, and in our lives. As such, Saturn represents contraction, limitation and structure, whereas Jupiter represents expansion, growth and multiplication.

In Aquarius, these pure principles of Saturn and Jupiter are applied through the archetype of the rebel and the revolutionary. This suggests an opening up of possibilities for proactive change as well as a systemisation of that change. To read more about what that means for the coming decade read my article Saturn in Aquarius: Activists and Visionaries get organised.

The Astrology of December 2020 begins with Mercury moving into the sign of Sagittarius, which will have us broadening our interests and becoming more gregarious, social and interested in the bigger picture. This will be a nice change after the introversion of Mercury in Scorpio! This is followed by a trine from Venus to Neptune on 6 December, a lovely energy that brings compassion and empathy into relationships.

These good relationship vibes are further enhanced by a series of sextiles from Venus to Pluto, Jupiter and Saturn between 10 and 15 December. This suggests passion, openness and commitment respectively, which will all be very helpful as Mercury squares Neptune on 13 December and a short-lived bout of confusion sets in and makes communication difficult.

On 14 December the New Moon rises in Sagittarius. This will be a total solar eclipse, a potent time of new beginnings for anyone who’s chart is triggered, most significantly if you have planets between 20 and 24 degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces).

The day after the New Moon, Venus moves into Sagittarius as Mercury trines Mars and Chiron turns direct after over four months in retrograde motion. Chiron has been in Aries since the beginning of 2019, which represents the initiation of healing in whatever area of your life Chiron is passing through. You can read more about the impact of Chiron in Aries on each of the Ascendant signs here.

Or read our in-depth article Journey of the Chiron archetype: woundedness to healing.

On 17 December Saturn moves into Aquarius, followed by Jupiter on 19 December, just as Venus forms a trine to Chiron. This represents a major shift for humanity as a whole, with a new focus on social justice, technological development and equality.

Then, over the next few days we see a series of conjunctions occur as follows:

On 20 December the Sun conjoins Mercury right at the end of Sagittarius. This is a common event that brings our creativity into alignment with our mind and is a great transit for communication and writing. In this case, with the Sagittarius influence, academic writing will be particularly inspired.

On 21 December Jupiter conjoins Saturn in Aquarius. This conjunction, known as the Great Conjunction, happens approximately once every twenty years. Called the ‘king-maker’, this conjunction historically heralds significant changes in governance. To me, Saturn and Jupiter together remind me of a skilled warrior riding a wild horse. The two must act as one, but they are almost opposing forces. Each must temper the other.

On 22 December Uranus conjoins Black Moon Lilith in Taurus. Ouch! This is revolution catalysed by furious anger. In the sign of Taurus this will likely relate to people’s frustration at the inaction of governments and corporations on the global environmental crisis. We need to change how we engage with our ecology and start treating the Earth with respect as the mother and source of life that she is to each and every one of us.

Unfamiliar with Black Moon Lilith, check out my in-depth article here.

This explosive transit is followed closely by a square from Mars to Pluto on 23 December which is only going to increase the conflict and turmoil, especially as Mercury squares Chiron on Christmas Eve making communication painful and fraught.

Fortunately a trine from Mercury to Uranus and Lilith on Christmas Day will help people talk more positively about their frustrations and need for change, with a focus on creating solutions and positive pathways forward as the Sun trines the pair on 28 December.

On 30 December the Full Moon rises in Cancer. This will be a partial solar eclipse, which will most strongly influence anyone with planets or points between 6 and 10 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn).

The Full Moon occurs as Venus in Sagittarius forms a square with Neptune in Pisces. Venus will also be conjunct the South Node and, with the Nodal Axis currently running between Sagittarius and Gemini, this will create a t-square formation that is likely to lead to some confusion in relationships. Deception may even be an issue, either between two people, or where one person’s self delusion is preventing the relationship from moving forward.

Until next month,
X Faith

PS: I love hearing how you’re experiencing the transits. Share your thoughts on the Astrology of December 2020 in the comments below.

To get started applying this forecast to your own life, grab a free birth chart at astro.com and download my free ebook The Language of Astrology.