As we head toward a 2024 that promises exciting changes for Ohio’s cannabis industry, our astrology expert Alex gives us a preview of what to expect in her final horoscope of the year. With Mercury Retrograde coming back into play, learn what products might be useful for your December.
The coming month echoes a transit that took place last December—Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn. Also up this month are the Winter Solstice which marks the start of a new solar season (can you guess which?), and two planets Station Direct. Though it is the end of this calendar year, we are not yet at the end of the Astrological year.
MERCURY RETROGRADE INTO THE NEW YEAR, AGAIN
On the first of the month, Mercury moves into Cardinal Earth sign Capricorn. Since the planet Mercury moves at a speed similar to that of the Sun transiting the zodiac, it’s typical to see the planet here this time of year. Mercury will make progress through the degrees of this sign until December 13 when the planet begins to Retrograde. Ten days later on December 23, Mercury moves backward to Sagittarius.
This marks a significant difference from the Capricorn Retrograde of last year, which kept the planet in Cardinal Earth until January. Now, we will instead start the new year of 2024 with Mercury in Sagittarius. Though we will, once again, begin a new year with Mercury Retrograde.
Within Mercury’s astrological domain, we see themes of friendship, communication, community, coordination, movement, and mental stimulation. Capricorn brings a steady energy to soothe Mercury’s highly activated persona. Sagittarius, though, is quite stimulating and inflating with ideas, drawing inspiration from curiosities and eagerness to learn.
TERPENES TO SOOTHE ANXIETY
The most recommended terpenes for soothing an overactive (anxious) mind are Caryophyllene, and Linalool, both of which are quite easy to find in Ohio cannabis. I have really enjoyed both the “Calm” Chem Brulee and “Harmony” Apple Tarts strains from Farmaceutical RX, both packed with these terpenes – and more.
On the other hand, if you’re seeking more mental stimulation than a heavy Indica strain offers, I recently tried Riviera Creek’s Wild Cat, and really enjoyed it. I don’t normally reach for strains like these because of my tendency towards migraines. But during the busiest time of the year, it makes sense for me to reach for a more uplifting flower. Best of all, this strain also features Caryophyllene, which I like.
Read more about terpenes here.
NEPTUNE AND JUPITER STATION DIRECT
On December 6th, Neptune Stations Direct after being Retrograde since June 30. During any and all Retrogrades, a planet travelings “backwards” giving us the opportunity to revisit, recalibrate, reorganize, re-anything that needed a second chance. Since Neptune is the planet of high spirituality, this could certainly have been a time where spiritual practices became disrupted.
Pisces is the zodiac constellation where this retrograde took place, the corresponding sign to Neptune (and in older practices, Jupiter too). Pisces, a water sign, has Mutable Energy, making it changeable, malleable, effervescent. What makes it so magical also makes it vulnerable.
Did you know some terpenes in cannabis offer anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-viral support? It’s true! Humulene is one of these, offering not only antibacterial but anti-inflammatory (the root cause of many illnesses!) and analgesic benefits. I really enjoyed Kynd Flower’s Ice Cream Mintz and Red Velvet Cheesecake strains which offer this beneficial terpene.
Rather than exasperating vulnerabilities during an already stressful season, practice boundary work with yourself. A superior challenge for Piscean, Neptunian personalities. Meditation is a perfect way to get started with this work. Whether with a guided meditation or sounds of nature, a meditation practice will be positively encouraged by Neptune in Pisces.
Jupiter also stations direct this month, on December 30th after a short Retrograde in Taurus. This is the planet we associate with doing things big, and in the sign of Taurus at the holiday season, this can be a time to overindulge. Pace yourself and stay present. You may even find it helpful to write down and reflect on what medicine is most useful. Our MedicateOH writer Mary Alleger produced this very handy Entourage Effect Journal for patients to document their medicinal experiences.
NEW MOON AND FULL MOON OF THE MONTH
A New Moon in Sagittarius takes place on December 12. This fiery New Moon is loosely Conjunct to Mars, increasing the passion and wildfire energy. This New Moon will also Square Neptune in Pisces, which will no longer be Retrograde at that time. Generally, a Square from Neptune is recognized as a transit that muddles things, makes them confusing. When planets Square, they form a 90-degree angle to one another. Astrologiclaly, this is a tense point.
With the Moon, Sun, Mars, and Neptune all involved in a Mutable Fire lunation, this has the potential to be a highly activating transit. For those with placements in Sagitarius, Gemini, Fire, or Mutable signs, there will be some point over the course of the days surrounding this New Moon that your placements could become activated. Activated could mean irritability, exhaustion, energy boost, or sensitivity based on your birth chart and horoscope.
On December 26, a Full Moon in Cancer takes place. The Moon is domicile in Cancer, meaning this is the spot in the zodiac the Moon is most “at home.” Expect big emotions with this lunation. After all, Cancer is most in-tune with feelings, and Full Moons are all about “releasing” energy.
You may find a strain that takes you by surprise this month actually jives with the activating transits. Klutch’s Orange 43 is a 70 percent indica-leaner, but most say it hits as a sativa. It might be one to check out if you like a Caryophyllene-Limonene-Myrcene kind of profile.
WINTER SOLSTICE AND A NEW SOLAR SEASON
On December 21, the Winter Solstice takes place at exactly on the day that the Sun moves into Capricorn. During this Solstice, the Earth tilts the Northern Hemisphere furthest away from the Sun. This year’s Solstice coincides with the Sun’s ingress into the Cardinal Earth zodiac.
There’s something to be said about the characteristics of Capricorn as a zodiac sign. As the solar season where the Sun is at the greatest reach of the Earth, it makes sense why words like cold, distant, patient, and restrictive often are used to describe Capricorn.
Cardinal signs are considered progress builders, makers, connectors, planners, networkers, and self-starters. While that can take shape differently depending on individual humans, the zodical energy represents beginnings. Cardinal Earth marks the beginning of winter. Bitter cold, far from the Sun, but beginning a new chapter. This is a time to set intentions and benchmarks for success, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Maybe even setting up some goals for cannabis investing? Here’s a recent story we wrote about how you might do that.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR
Venus sails through two zodiac signs this month, ingressing into Scoprio on December 4 and then Sagittarius on December 29. Outside of the holidays, MedicateOH wants to give you a few more dates to put on your canna-calendar this month:
- Tuesday December 6th, 8 p.m., Cincinnati Medical Marijuana Meetup at Madtree Brewing RSVP
- Wednesday, December 7th – Ohio’s Adult-Use Cannabis Program signed into law. Learn how to advocate before then, and follow MedicateOH for updates.
- More events updated continuously at https://medicateoh.com/canna-calendar/!
Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about MedicateOH’s upcoming events in 2024.
Check out our previous 2023 Ohio Cannabis Horoscope stories here. We hope you’ve enjoyed our 2023 Ohio Cannabis Horoscope series! Additional astrological guidance can be found at https://www.theperryroseacademy.com/
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