Week 52: December 2022 Week 5, The Week Ahead Horoscope

Mercury stations Retrograde this week, returning back towards Venus, further developing the plot with this Mars Retrograde. The New Year awaits at the end of the week, welcome 2023!

Introduction

I am very excited to bring you the final edition of the Week Ahead Horoscope for 2022. I sincerely thank everyone for joining me on this journey through each month, each week, and down to each day in the astrology. This has been my first officially year forecasting the entire year of astrology and there are officially 4,000 people subscribed on the newsletter. Without your support, this newsletter would not be possible, so thank you very much for allowing me to share this with y’all. If you have a review, some thoughts, or ways this newsletter has impacted your relationship to astrology, or just navigating life, I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment down below, or if you have a personal anecdote you personal information you’d rather not have in this form, consider emailing me at astrobymax@gmail.com.

Additionally, I am preparing my Year Ahead Forecast for everyone with a special guest (will announce soon) so you can expect that sometime by the end of the week. We’ll be doing a brief overview of the transits for 2023 and what you can expect to come in the coming year. This will be in a audio/video format available on my Youtube Channel.

I am also excited to be announcing my 2023 Consultations, which will be released by sometime this week. I have some new offerings that I am bringing to the table, and fine tuning existing offerings. Every year, I like to do an annual update where I keep everyone up to date on what I’m focusing on in my practice, how its changed, and what I will be looking at in consultations moving forward since every client brings me towards learning something new about this cosmic clock. If you’ve purchased a consultation with me in 2022, you’ll get access to a special discount code as a thank you for your support. My work hours are going to change a little bit since I will be anticipating a new job in the coming year, so for now my schedule will be somewhere from 4 PM ET to 7-8 PM ET. If you need different hours to adjust to your timezone please let me know (again at astrobymax@gmail.com) and we can work something out from there. I’ll send an update with more details on this sometime this week. You can visit my website clicking the button below.

---

Monday, Dec 26th

[1:19 PM ET] The Moon conjoins Saturn at 21º54’ Aquarius

On Monday, the Moon will be moving towards a conjunction to Saturn throughout the entire day. The Moon representing the body can show us feeling worn out, tired, exhausted, and feeling lots of strain or labor that weighs heavily upon our body. After the weekend, this brings a more sobering and grounding approach to how we start our week. Saturn makes us more aware of our limitations, boundaries, blocks in our road, and asks us to take a pause and restrain our action for the day. The Moon with Saturn can also turn our attention towards elders, older people, the deceased, ancestors, and the past, seeking wisdom and knowledge from them since the Moon will be in reception with its domicile lord, Saturn, making the conjunction and seeking the favor from this planet. Saturn was also the domicile lord of the New Moon in Capricorn, so this conjunction brings an activation of the events of the New Moon on Dec 23rd. The Moon as a messenger, a revealer, delivers some serious news either about a rejection, some door closing, and something that brings melancholy, sorrow, and seriousness. Saturn puts our minds towards work, labor, and responsibilities on throughout the day on Monday as this will be the last aspect that takes place today.

Tuesday, Dec 27th

[2:33 AM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Pisces

[12:33 PM ET] The Moon in Pisces sextile the Sun at 05º55’ Pisces

[6:53 PM ET] The Moon in Pisces square Mars Retrograde at 09º48’ Gemini

On Tuesday, the Moon will leave Aquarius and enter into the Mutable, Water sign Pisces. Turning our minds away from the harsh, sober, reality into the dreamy, imaginative, and intuitive realm of Pisces, fluctuating, fluid, and ever changing entering into a mutable sign. The Moon encounters a sextile to the Sun as the first aspect for the day, which brings a nice moment of recognition, affirmation, and boost of confidence to start off this lunation cycle. The sextile between the Sun in Capricorn emphasis the Saturnian aspect of responsibility, determination, and persistence in action combined with the visionary, dreamy, and expansive nature of the Jupiterian ruled sign Pisces. However, after this sextile passes, the Moon will encounter a harsh square with Mars who is retrograding through Gemini. Our capacity for growing beliefs and dreams are stifled and suddenly interrupted by an erratic, unstable, and volatile Mars who brings contradictions in knowledge, communication, and speech in Gemini. This interaction between the Moon and Mars can spur fights, conflict, and confrontation as these planets are in a harsh aspect with each other. The Moon is in their triplicity in a water sign, significant of gaining support from friends and allies, to be able to provide a level of safety, protection, and nourishment to manage the hardships this Mars brings in Gemini. This square can make us feel emotionally irritated, agitated, and frustrated as the Moon squares a malefic planet. It is advised to exercise more restraint as Mars can bring a level of impulsiveness when connected that can lead to accidents and bring harm towards others.

Wednesday, Dec 28th

[6:24 PM ET] The Moon in Pisces sextile Venus at 23º35’ Capricorn

[7:43 PM ET] The Moon in Pisces sextile Mercury at 24º20’ Capricorn

On Wednesday, the Moon in Pisces will be moving away from this harsh square from Mars previously, and today brings a much chiller vibe as the Moon will then make a sextile over towards Venus and Mercury. Planets in trines and sextiles are in agreement and harmonize with each other, and the Moon with Venus is always indicative of friendship, union, alliances, agreements, and romance while Mercury brings matters of communication, news, knowledge, writing, and speaking to the forefront of our minds throughout the day. These sextiles feel very cute and its an interesting connection that the Moon is making with Mercury within hours of its station towards Retrograde motion. It is the last Mercury day with Mercury direct for the next 3 weeks, so this will be important for not only intensifying Mercury’s influence of reviewing information, knowledge, documents, and data, but also relationships and partnerships as well too since Venus is involved here. No harsh aspects for the day make this a more mellow Wednesday. We find more progress and advancement in our goals, dreams, and plans as the Moon continues to gain light.

Thursday, Dec 29th

[4:31 AM ET] STATION: Mercury stations Retrograde at 24º21’ Capricorn

[5:36 AM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Aries

[7:11 AM ET] The Moon conjoins Jupiter at 00º54’ Aries

[8:58 AM ET] Venus conjoins Mercury Retrograde at 24º21’ Capricorn

[8:20 PM ET] The Moon in Aries square The Sun at 08º18’ Capricorn

[10:17 PM ET] The Moon in Aries sextile Mars Retrograde at 09º23’ Gemini

The major event for the week happens today, Thursday, and it is Mercury stationing Direct in Capricorn. This is a very interesting way to start bring a close to the year and an interesting segue into 2023. Mercury stations can be felt within throughout the entire week, since Mercury has been in the process of slowing down more and more. On Thursday, Mercury officially turns around and starts moving backwards in the sky from 24º Capricorn to 8º Capricorn by January 18th, 2023. One of the major themes for 2023 is Mercury will be Retrograding in all of the Earth Signs this year, Capricorn being the first, Taurus in the Spring, and Virgo in the later Summer/early Fall of 2023. Take a look at the houses that these planets rule in your chart, especially if Mercury is activated as your time lord in your Annual Profections or in Firdaria Periods. This will give you insight as to what topics and themes Mercury will be reviewing. Mercury will be stationing in the Decan of Capricorn that is associated with leadership, authority, and the seat of power as the Sun rules this 3rd of Capricorn, asking us to rethinking matters in relationship to leaders, power, who is writing, executing, and making standards, laws, and regulations. Matters of money, banking, and finances are also associated with this decan as well too that Mercury needs to reexamine. In Capricorn, Mercury will be Retrograding through all three of the Decans, which gives a good range of degrees and topics that are covered. Capricorn deals with things ruled by both Saturn as the domicile lord, and Mars as the exaltation lord, a key difference that distinguishes this sign from Saturn’s other domicile, Aquarius. The Saturnian component talks about things that are secret, hidden, and covert as Saturn’s nature is to hide, obscure, and conceal things, but it also deals with government, power, structures that are physical and tangible, and the mismanagement of record keeping, documenting, and writing as Mercury Retrograde shows instances where there are discrepancies, disputes, and challenges with information, knowledge, and data. The Martial component of this sign shows contests, fights, and conflict but Capricorn is also known as the season of rest in the context of war. When Mars comes to Capricorn, after waging war in Sagittarius Season governed by Fire, Mars puts their sword down to rest, plot, and rethink their battle strategy in this sign. Mercury may need to rethink about certain partnerships, agreements, and alliances that are being formed because as it stations Retrograde, it will make a mutual conjunction to Venus in Capricorn. In this instance, Venus will actually be making the conjunction to Mercury, which changes the narrative of things here. The reason for this is because at this point in time, Mercury is still stationed and not moving in the sky, which 1) represents an intensification of Mercurial trickery, schemes, and deception, but 2) means Venus will be moving faster than Mercury and brings her benefic influence to soothe, calm, and intentions to unify with Mercury. Pluto is involved in the mix here though which does add some layers of secrecy, examining power dynamics in relationships, and revelations about the past. There is an anecdote of Capricorn from the ancient astrologers that indicates that you cannot really be sure what a Capricorn is thinking, because they’re withholding their thoughts, but with this Mercury Retrograde, its as if those thoughts are no longer being withheld. If there’s any Retrograde that will talk about texting your ex, its probably this one, signified by Venus being involved (reviewing relationships from the past). This Retrograde makes things a little messier for the next few weeks since Mercury will be managing a very destabilizing Mars in its diurnal home, Gemini, who has been creating waves of disinformation, propaganda, false information, and created much verbal hostility and friction amongst scholars, journalist, educators, and scientists. Mercury will need to make some structural changes as a way to bring some order to manage this Mars. Its a much needed period of revision in both the house Gemini and Capricorn rule in your chart that prevent that New Year, New Me fresh start from happening. Rethink your strategy is the key for starting the new year.

There is a certain level of action that is required with this Retrograde since the Moon will enter into the dynamic, active, and action-oriented fire sign Aries where it will conjoin Jupiter who has freshly ingressed into Aries. This will actually be the first Moon/Jupiter conjunction since Jupiter ingressed, so it really sparks some new beginnings, a sense of urgency, competition, action, and swiftness as the Moon starts gaining more confidence and light, making a square to the Sun in Capricorn. The Sun and Moon in tension makes this a day of conflict with authority, rulers, and leaders. Whenever the Sun and Moon are in a square or opposition, it is a day of conflict and contention. This tension between restraint and responsibility with the inhibiting nature of Saturn is contrasting with the impulsive, forceful, and active sign of Aries. The abundance of Cardinal energy really gets the wheels of life turning on Thursday as it is the most active day for this week. The Moon will be with a benefic planet, and a conjunction to the Greater Benefic gives us a nice boost of optimism, generosity, a helping hand, and friendship to be able to give a boost to these new revisions, changes, and actions that need to take place. There is a mix in the feeling that changes mid week, where we understand we have certain things that aren’t working for us anymore with Mercury, but there is optimism and hopefulness towards a new beginning, something fresh, and sparks are ignited that allow us to find better and more sustainable solutions. The Moon will connect with Mars by the end of the day, its current domicile lord, which pushes the nature of the Aries action, impulse, quickness and aggression over towards Mars, who is currently lacking those qualities, peregrine and retrograde (experiencing important afflictions). The Moon will then be enclosed between malefic planets from the end of Thursday throughout all of Friday as the next aspect she connects with is also a sextile to Saturn.

Friday, Dec 30th

[9:52 PM ET] The Moon in Aries sextile Saturn at 22º19’ Aquarius

On Friday, the Moon makes its sextile to Saturn late in the day ET after coming out of this really active, enthusiastic, and dynamic energy from Saturday. Today it feels like Saturn is telling us to slow down, take a break, and to pause and think, resting in contemplation before continue and progressing with action. This enclosure between the malefics can feel somewhat uncomfortable even though these planets are in harmony. It feels like this tug between pressing the gas pedal and the brakes, but today the decision is to step on the breaks. Saturn urges us to think about the boundaries, limits, and our responsibilities before taking action, as impulsive as we may feel. Saturn reminds us to look at the past, ancient matters, and turn towards elders for advice and support.

Saturday, Dec 31st

[1:00 AM ET] The Moon in Aries square Mercury Retrograde at 24º01’ Capricorn

[5:58 AM ET] The Moon in Aries square Venus at 26º42’ Capricorn

[12:08 PM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Taurus

Over the weekend, the Moon will make a square to Mercury and Venus both in Capricorn, again showing this tension between restraint and action in these two signs. As we head into the weekend with Mercury now Retrograde, we may realize we do not have all the answers, all the facts, or all of the knowledge. Things are a little tricky especially in this spot because the Moon is ruled by a Retrograde planet, and now aspecting a Retrograde planet. Major changes, major revisions, and conflict with news, information, and data is encountered towards. Expect technical difficulties, not only today but really throughout the entire week. The square to Venus feels a little bit better though, even though she is about to conjoin Pluto, which brings more fear, unfair power dynamics, and struggles for respect within relationships as the subtext not only for the end of this day, but also for tomorrow too. Venus squaring the Moon can make us feel unbalanced, lethargic, and requiring rest, leisure, and relaxation. The spark and flame can only last so long with the Moon in Aries, but Venus appreciates the endurance of passion, the endurance of relationships, and commitments. The Moon goes to sympathize with these desires and enters into her exaltation in Taurus by the end of the day. The Moon goes from the Cardinal, active, quick, and sign of initiation in Aries towards the Fixed, grounded, consistent, stable, and enduring sign of Taurus. The Moon finds more comfort, relaxation, and less irritation here. It feels like drinking good wine, being with close friends, and sharing a moment of intimacy with those you love right before the years end.

Sunday, Jan 1st, 2023

[12:24 AM ET] Venus conjoins Pluto at 27º39’ Capricorn

[8:42 AM ET] The Moon in Taurus trine the Sun at 10º51’ Taurus

[10:24 AM ET] The Moon conjoins the North Node at 11º45’ Taurus

On January 1st, 2023 the Moon in Taurus will make a trine to the Sun in Capricorn which is great for recognition, accomplishment, achievement and seeing the fruits of the seeds we planted at the New Moon start to blossom. There is a slowness, patient, and sensual development to the growth that happens here. The Moon receiving a nice trine from the Sun give revelations, recognition, spotlight, ripening of knowledge, a grounded, stable, and steady approach to the day. This combination of the luminaries in Earth Signs feels very nice as the Moon is in their exaltation. Working slow, steady, but consistent is how you can achieve the goal. It isn’t about how fast you get things done, but the quality, time, and consistency in which they are developed. Persistence is key. Slowness, steadiness, and endurance wins the not race, but marathon. There may be some key moments of insight that we are receiving today as the Moon makes a harmonizing aspect with the life giving, generous, and affirming Sun. The Moon will make a conjunction to the North Node today which can exacerbate our need for leisure, rest, and comfort even further as the North Node will amplify whatever planet comes near it. Taking long naps, long cuddles, more hunger, and leaning towards the excess of indulgence is possible with this combination early in the morning. How fitting after everyone will be partying to celebrate 2023. This is a nice way to start off the calendrical year, but I should remind everyone that the New Year in Astrology does not start until March, with the Aries Ingress (the moment the Sun enters 0º of Aries, usually somewhere around March 20th or 21st, depending on the year).