It’s been a lot, but 2023 is almost in the rear-view mirror. Mercury retrograde arrives just in time to keep the holiday season interesting (from 13 December). Travel plans and logistics could be especially impacted by this one, but planning can help mitigate the drama. Foresight is everything, so travel like an astrologer and plan for things to be a little chaotic. Pay a little bit extra for the ticket that will make it easier to get on the next flight, allow for extra time to get to the airport and don’t commit to anything that feels like it hinges on every single transfer coming together seamlessly. Reframe your detours as taking the scenic route—you never know what you might encounter off the beaten track.

I always recommend reading for your rising sign rather than your sun sign. You can find out your rising sign by casting your chart here. Want to learn more? Check out my new book The Astrology Of You: Finding Love, Creativity and Soul Purpose In Your Birth Chart or find me on Instagram at @emma_vee.

You’re on fire this month with your ruling planet blazing through Sagittarius, daring you to expand your horizons and take off to far flung places at a moment’s notice. It’s thrilling, but with Saturn also in the mix, keeping a sense of realism close to your heart will help you avoid overextending yourself. When Mercury goes retrograde (13 December), work politics could ramp up. If you’re not interested in getting involved, keep your mouth shut. It’s probably not worth the drama.

Tip: Pay attention to your dreams and intuitive hits around the 6th and 7th of December when your intuition will be bang-on. 

After weeks of intense vibes with the most important people in your life, things are looking up this month. As the mood with your partner (or significant other in your life) begins to cool, there’s a sense of spaciousness that should feel like someone’s turned the pressure valve down. Celebrate by going to ground for a few days, especially before the Solstice (22 December). 

Tip: Mercury retrograde looks especially tricky for travel between 13th and the 22nd so plan for extra downtime between connections if you’re flying overseas.

Ready to lighten up? With Sagittarius season in full swing (until 22 December) life feels just a little bit less grueling on a personal level this month. With your relationship sphere (until 22 December) in focus, having fun and expanding your sense of perspective will soothe the soul. Get away for the weekend with someone who makes you want to take the path less travelled. Keep plans loose and enjoy the adventure.

Tip: Your creativity and imagination are on lock around the 6th and 7th—the perfect opportunity to pitch that big, crazy idea at work.

It’s time to get that heart rate moving! After weeks of intense emotional terrain, life is shifting gears. Momentum, optimism and a desire to do something different become the framework in the lead up to Christmas. Make the most of it by planning something fun, new and exciting into your everyday routine. It doesn’t have to be expensive or lavish; something as simple as taking a different route to work can help bust you out of monotony. 

Tip: Channel your sense of abundance into something altruistic and foster a plant—or a puppy—over the holiday season.

Did someone say sequins? With Sagittarius season (until 22 December) in your sights, there’s (fairy) lights at the end of the tunnel and your annual season of yay (other than Leo season, of course) has arrived. Shake off the funk of intense family drama that dominated last month by scheduling some just-for-the-hell-of-it excitement. Competitive sport, clubbing, a long lunch with the girls—whatever spells fun to you, go do that.

Tip: Don’t be surprised if the ghost of Christmas hook-ups past comes a-calling after the 22nd. 

What do you dream of? If you’ve been drawn into drama, especially with family, the major key-change this month is a cosmic cue to step back and immerse yourself in domestic bliss. Rearranging furniture, painting a feature wall, maybe setting your sights on a big move in 2024—the possibilities are endless. Let adventure, optimism and decisiveness guide you and allow yourself to believe things just might work out after all.

Tip: Hold fire on committing to major plans until next month when your ruling planet (Mercury) goes direct.

The big cash questions that may have been keeping you up at night finally feel a little less confronting this month with Sagittarius season signalling a bright new mood. Celebrate the shift away from intense (potentially catastrophising) thoughts about cash by incorporating some adventure into your every day. Start a new Netflix show, plan a trip close to home or take a totally impractical but utterly fabulous car for a test drive. Reframe uncertainty as a stepping stone to freedom.

Tip: Revisiting a childhood pastime, book or movie (Twilight, anyone?) delivers all the feels after the 22nd. 

Your astrology looks a whole lot less hectic this month with Sagittarius season focusing your attention on money. A somewhat relentless dynamic with a person (or several) close to you eases, as the sun ignites a new perspective. With the ruminating weather subsiding, a change of scenery, or even just a new outfit, could act as a circuit breaker.

Tip: Celebrate Venus moving into your home sign (5 – 30 December) with a big-ticket treatment or beauty product.

With your home season in full swing (until 22 December) you should feel connected to a sense of lightness. If you’ve been feeling like you were trying to swim in quicksand, rejoice there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Mark the shift by doing something frivolous, fun and a little bit left of centre—the more spontaneous, the better. Mercury retrograde (13 December onwards) will be especially hazy for Sagittarians so be extra careful signing dotted lines. 

Tip: Cross your Ts, dot your Is and if you’re not quite sure whether or not it’s a good idea to send that email, sleep on it before you click ‘send’ until Mercury goes direct on 5 January.

Party season may be here but for Capricorns, the first three weeks of December are your most introspective moment of the year (until 22 December). After a potentially intense November, your nervous system will appreciate some time out of the spotlight. Stepping back, saying “no” and resting when you can, will serve you well. Tread extra carefully between 13th and the 22nd when Mercury retrograde looks especially mischievous for Capricorn folks.

Tip: Consider a tech detox, or at least limited screen time, in the lead up to Christmas. 

Good news for Aquarians: after an extra intense month in November, the energy shifts. You’ll be ready to kick off your shoes and cut loose. Grab someone you equate with good times and do something spontaneous, especially the first week of December. Once Mercury goes retrograde (13 December) make the most of the energy by reconnecting with old friends. Watch you don’t go too overboard, especially around Boxing Day, when you could put your foot in it without meaning to and/or realising.

Tip: Practise mindful speech especially with friends and workmates after the 13th when Mercury retrograde makes miscommunications trickier than usual.

On your mark, get set…exhale. With the moody, introspective waters of Scorpio season behind you, connecting with your inner sense of joy, playfulness and adventure should feel much easier. That’s good news for you, especially at work where the sun will be focused (until 22 December). It’s all good fun, but remember Mercury retrograde has a habit of forcing you to go back and revise things before you can really get things moving next year.

Tip: Take job offers or OTT offers from friends with a grain of salt until Mercury goes direct on 5 January.