As we end the year, the December astrological outlook comes with restless energy. Thankfully, Alex’s final forcast of 2024 includes some knowledge about some alternative wellness products to consider to rebalance your emotions during this holiday season. Here’s what’s ahead:
DECEMBER: RETROGRADES ENDING
The final month of 2024 has arrived, and with it comes two New Moons, and two planets (and one Asteroid) ending their retrogrades. A new solar season ushers in with the Winter Solstice, and several messages reverberate through the horoscope.
TWO NEW, ONE FULL MOON(S)
The first transit, as well as the last, are both Lunations, both New Moons. Occurring on Dec. 1 and Dec. 30 respectively, each of these New Moons occur on either side of a waxing or waning moon. Wedged in time between the Full Moon before and after a New Moon are the First Quarter and Last Quarter Moon, which form a 90-degree angle to the Lunations. That means a little extra tension for the Pisces and Virgo Moons this month.
Dec. 1’s New Moon takes place in distance-traveling Sagittarius. The Moon’s Sagittarian expressions are deeply spiritual and could come with spontaneous or responsive experiences. Confronting discomfort and limitations in a growth-oriented way can widen our perspectives. This is a great time – especially since Mercury remains Retrograde in Sagittarius at this point in the horoscope – to utilize a journal to unleash thoughts and express your feelings.
FULL MOON in GEMINI: DECEMBER 15th
A Gemini Full Moon takes place Dec. 15, bringing with it a restless, all or nothing attitude. Full Moons are about completions, and the timing is right to proceed with sealing some deals. Neither of these are Gemini’s strengths. Gemini does have strengths in making natural connections with others, but can fall a little short when it comes to refinement. This Full Moon may feel a little all over the place. Mindfulness meditation and body scans are highly advised.
Gemini rules over the peripheral nervous system, which in the background of all our biological chaos, controls involuntary bodily functions, relays information, and controls muscle movement. Several terpenes have been found to be effective in antinociception, aka blocking nerve pain. These include geraniol, linalool, alpha-humulene, and beta-caryophyllene. Luckily, these are some of the easiest to source terps in Ohio’s medical market.
NEW MOON IN CAPRICORN: DECEMBER 30th
On Dec. 30, A New Moon occurs in Capricorn, a little over a week after the Sun ingresses into Cardinal Earth’s domain. This is the least “comfortable” position for the Moon as it’s at a 180-degree angle from its home in Cancer, Capricorn’s opposite. Both sensitivities and standards could become heightened around this energy – so transactional relations won’t cut the cake. Accountability could come up in relationships or in moments of personal reflection.
The cyclical nature of the Moon will be activating lots of emotions this month. Emotional wellness requires a complex approach, but the most supportive part of that puzzle for medical cannabis patients is the endocannabinoid system. Products that balance and calm the body and mind can be particularly therapeutic when dealing with chronic conditions.
Whether using products with psychoactive effects or not, Ohioans fortunately have access to the benefits of both cannabis in state dispensaries and hemp-derived products that can be purchased in retail stores. However, our legal rights to these products could be in jeopardy due to SB326. Read more about that in our MedicateOH article published yesterday.
RETROGRADES START, STOP, CONTINUE
The second transit of the month occurs on Dec. 6 when Mars Stations Retrograde in the sign of Leo. A Mars Retrograde can feel a little sloppy, especially for those whose own Mars placements engage with this transit directly. During this Mars Retrograde, prioritize vitality-boosting behaviors, terpenes and foods for support.
Sativa-dominant strains were always said to give a “boost” but it’s the terpenes like limonene, pinene, and terpinolene that you find in these strains that are really said to energize. You might addd some heady flowers like Klutch’s Pacific Cool or Butterfly Effect’s Super Lemon Haze to your rotation.
Mercury Stations Direct at 6 degrees of Sagittarius mid-month, on the same day as the Full Moon in Gemini. Though offering some benefits ala fewer tech disruptions, this is the lesser noteworthy of the progressive reversals this month.
On Dec. 7, Neptune Stations Direct at 27-degrees of Pisces. Neptune has been wading through the final degrees of Pisces, but will remain there through 2026. Look at your chart and locate the final degrees of Pisces – any placements there? You will most certainly be feeling this transit if so. Chiron, an Asteroid and not a planet, also Stations Direct this month. This occurs on Dec. 29, and feels relevant to mention as this ends a retrograde that began on July 26!
Uranus continues its retrograde in Taurus and Jupiter its retrograde in Gemini this month.
DECEMBER PLANETARY INGRESSIONS
Only two planets make real progress this month, Venus on Dec. 7 when it shifts into Aquarius and the Sun on Dec. 21 when it enters into Capricorn. Venus in Aquarius has a wild, queer and eccentric allure to it. Normally a more free-spirited version of Venus emerges in the sign of Aquarius, but as Pluto recently made its way back into Fixed Air, things are less chill. If you’re in a relationship and can’t get some space, or if you’re single and looking to forge deep bonds, this is a great time to flex your boundaries while laying claim to what you really want. Wellness is all about self care, and weaving in new products and experiences for a topical cannabis massage could be just what you need this month. You can find Holistic Hammock’s Drew Evans or one of a half-dozen alternative wellness healers at our Women’s Cannabis & Wellness Expo this Saturday in West Chester, Ohio.
WINTER SOLSTICE: A TIME TO BRING MANIFESTATIONS TO LIFE
There’s something special about Cardinal Signs, and I don’t just say this as a Libra myself. The beginning of each zodiac’s solar season marks the start of a new season for us. When it’s the Sun’s time to move into Capricorn’s domain, we experience the Winter Solstice. Though it’s happening amidst some of the year’s coldest weather, it marks the return of warmth, aka the Sun. This is a period of hope, renewal and prosperity. This Winter Solstice and start to Capricorn season occur just over a week before a New Moon. This is an ideal time to bring intentions to life through real manifesting work – however that looks for you.
Enjoy some mulled cider or treat yourself to an infused cannabis beverage, and cheers to a new year ahead!
IT’S WRITTEN IN THE STARS THAT YOU JOIN US: UPCOMING EVENTS WITH MEDICATE OH
MedicateOH has two opportunities for folks this month to connect with our community and continue their cannabis education. As mentioned above, we’re so excited to present our Women’s Cannabis & Wellness Expo in West Chester, Ohio this Saturday, December 7th. It’s free and will give people a chance to come see and sample wellness modalities from across alternative medicine. Register here.
On Wednesday, December 18th, join MedicateOH and Columbus Botanical Depot for our Health Fair & Holidaze Gift Market. Connect with fellow canna-nerds, enjoy a presentation, and shop local vendors for your gift-gifting needs. Register here for that.
Want to get involved in your local cannabis community in 2025? Follow MedicateOH’s new Meetup group for our upcoming events.
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