Starcodes for the week of December 19-25, 2025
During this darkest week, the Sun appears to hold still for three days, enters Capricorn, and the days grow longer as light slowly returns to the northern hemisphere. We celebrate this symbolic return of the light, return of hope, in so many forms, cultures, and spiritual paths. While we wait for this return, we can light up the night with candles, festive lights, bonfires, luminarias, and bring love into our hearts so that it spills over into gifts and random acts of kindness.
Blow on the coals, on every spark of warmth and caring. We need that extra warmth to keep our spark alive through the long, cold winter and these darker socio-political times.
Mars is now in more stable and determined Capricorn, but it is still out of bounds (Nov 28-Jan 4), or out of the normal path of the Sun. When a planet is out of bounds, the archetype it represents acts as if it has no rules here on earth. Mars is an engine, a standing army, out of bounds it’s synchronous with just a bit more nervous energy for new goals for many people, but also with wild acts of violence and bravery, independence, war, ambition, and instinct. This grows stronger as it approaches a conjunction with the Sun in early January. We can direct this energy for good, but it has lots of torque and needs careful direction.
As this weekend begins the Sun, New Moon, Venus, and Mercury are all in fresh and mobile Sagittarius squaring Neptune, which can stimulate seasonal joy, humor, an upbeat attitude where we feel there’s movement, but loan us a quick flash of depression where we feel stuck. Let the magic and glitter of the season bring joy.
The Moon joins Mars in Capricorn late Friday night and Winter begins at 8:02 AM on Sunday morning as the Sun shifts to Capricorn; this Capricorn line-up encourages us to release traditions that no longer work for us and embrace ones that feed our roots.
We’ve had some tricky transits recently. Last week Mars squared Saturn, bringing tension between generations and between the old guard and new, and Mars squared Neptune, which brought memories and doubts, but underlined delusions and really loosened some frayed psyches from their moorings. This week Venus and the Sun hit that same note, with hopefully less Mars-related violence and more beauty to our imagination. We still need to lean into our own spine and sanity and fortify our health. These Neptune and Saturn squares can also bring mechanical problems around water, floods, intoxicants, and spills- all Neptune issues – so balance that hot cider with care, be moderate with the brandy, and watch the breeching levees.
The weekend begins as a new Moon in Sagittarius marks an end of one cycle and starts in another. Deck the halls and get outside, connect, travel, and speak up. Just gently watch for transportation complications.
Winter begins, after a potentially magical if moody weekend, at 8:02 AM on Sunday morning as the Sun joins the Moon and Mars in Capricorn. Release traditions that no longer work and embrace ones that feed our roots.
This shift to Capricorn also simmers any debate around authoritarianism versus personal authority and stimulates our own control issues. These themes will build up momentum through early January while Sun conjuncts Mars in Capricorn.
Early next week the Moon enters collaborative and sociable Aquarius on Monday and creates a good time for Christmas parties, gatherings, seasonal events, but it may put a stress on individual relationships. Venus squares Neptune and can bring some romantic mixed signals, so let’s watch who we kiss under the mistletoe and not try to read anything into it that isn’t there. Stay in the present moment.
The Moon enters Pisces on Christmas Eve leaving us tenderly in our hearts for the next few days. We can wallow if it doesn’t feel safe to be tender but could feel wonderful if we reach out and help someone else who may need help more than we do.
Friday, December 19: Enjoy the holiday buzz on this restless day as the Sun quincunx Uranus. We’ll feel particularly uncomfortable wherever we feel stuck, cheerful where we feel progress nudging our world in a good direction on this new Moon in Sagittarius at 6:43 PM. Look for sparks of hope. It’s a great time for a solstice party though we grow more serious later tonight as the Moon enters Capricorn right before 10:00 PM.
Moon conjunct Venus 9:18 AM, Moon square Saturn 1:03 PM, Sun quincunx Uranus 4:33 PM Moon conjunct Sun 6:43 PM, Moon square Neptune 8:40 PM, Moon enters Capricorn 9:52 PM.
Saturday, December 20: Fan that inner glow. On this shortest day, the last day of autumn, the spirit can be bright within us as the Sun squares Neptune. Watch for messy weather and work gently and steadily if energy is low. Honor the heavy corners of the heart as memories drift through. Dream by the fire but check facts and question all assumptions, as this Neptune square feeds visions of sugar plums but also can feed illusions and delusions. The Capricorn Moon encourages crafts, building, and traditions built over time.
Moon conjunct Mars 5:42 AM, Sun square Neptune 6:01 PM, Venus square Saturn 10:08 PM.
Sunday, December 21: Blessings on this winter solstice as the Sun joins the Moon and Mars in Capricorn at 8:02 AM. Contemplate the nature of fate; let’s ponder what’s completed, where we are now, and what mountain we’re ready to climb next as Mercury square the lunar nodes. If depression hints, engage Capricornian skills and set small achievable goals; complete a puzzle, build, and organize. do not try to control others, encourage their personal authority. Consider reviewing family and cultural traditions that feed us and nurture our roots, release ones that just hold us back.
Mercury squares the nodes 12:32 AM, Jupiter square Chiron 3:07 AM, Sun enters Capricorn 8:02 AM, opposed Jupiter 6:26 PM, Mars square series 9:15 PM.
Monday, December 22: Plans will change or need adjusting, but coordinated team efforts can make it happen as the Moon enters community-oriented Aquarius. Stay busy and work together to accommodate last minute snafus or offer comfort for mood shifts as the Moon conjuncts Pluto midday. This collegial Aquarian Moon could stress dear relationships if we get too focused on how we handle the family, work, or community and miss signals from those closest to us as Venus quincunx Uranus tonight. Pay attention and keep the heart radar on.
Moon sextile Saturn 12:27 AM, Moon trine Uranus 5:26 AM, Moon sextile Neptune 7:43 AM, Moon enters Aquarius 8:51 AM, Moon conjunct Pluto 1:36 PM, Venus quincunx Uranus 11:21 PM.
Tuesday, December 23: Put a creative edge to good use and keep it out of trouble; deck the halls, make cookies, write a story. When the world gets frustrating, and it can be today, or our feelings perseverate on holiday seasons past, these creative expressions give us small personal victories and stabilize our hearts as Venus squares Neptune. Caution around messy weather and romantic or interpersonal misunderstandings, particularly if spiked eggnog is involved. Think safe, cozy, warm, spacious, and forgiving.
Moon sextile Mercury 4:53 PM, Venus square Neptune 10:30 PM.
Wednesday, December 24: Chestnuts roast on an open fire, Venus enters Capricorn and old traditions soothe and feed our roots. If events do not go as planned, drop control issues and give up on a perfect Christmas Eve – then enjoy what’s actually happening instead – as the Moon enters sentimental Pisces. Tell stories and remember, cry if need be but let the tears turn into gratitude that we have good memories which still tug at our heartstrings as Moon sextile Venus tonight. Sentimentality can be good medicine.
Venus enters Capricorn 9:26 AM, Moon square Uranus 241 PM, Moon enters Pisces 6:08 PM Moon sextile Venus 7:05 PM.
Thursday, December 25: Santa comes early as the Moon sextiles the Sun, the rest of the day floats along. The mood is Pisces-Moon soft; touchy, with emotions flowing close to the surface. If restlessness seeps in this afternoon, don’t try to control; listen carefully to the needs of the moment, whether the crew needs to drift, cry, laugh, cook, or work on a project and build a contraption.
Moon sextile Sun 1:12 AM, Moon sextile Mars 8:44 AM
Provided by Heather Roan Robbins www.roanrobbins.com
