December 2024 | Volume No 12
FOUNDER’S LETTER
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest;
Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is bitterest.” — Confucius
The Power of Reflection
Dear Astral Planner Community,
Few experiences rival the magic of stepping outside on a clear winter night. The bitter chill in the air nips at your cheeks and nose but the sharpness of the cold is soon forgotten when you look up. The stars—countless and luminous—paint a map of infinity across the sky. Their quiet brilliance whispers tales of time and space, mysteries beyond our comprehension, and never fails to evoke a sense of awe and wonder. Under this celestial canopy, I am reminded of how extraordinary it is to simply exist in this moment in time—and how interconnected we are to the cosmos grand design.
Winter is often called “observing season” by astronomers. With its longer nights and crisp, clear skies, the heavens reveal themselves in sharper focus than during summer’s hazy warmth. There’s something profoundly grounding about observing the stars from our tiny corner in the galaxy. It has a way of making you question your place in the world, your purpose, and your path forward. It has a way of inviting stillness, encouraging us to pause and reflect on the year gone by—the challenges faced, moments of joy, and all the lessons in between.
When I reflect on the year, I start with the challenges—the moments that tested me most. The low points have a way of leaving the deepest marks but they often become our greatest vessels for growth. I ask myself: What circumstances challenged me this year? What was expected of me in those moments? Did I advocate for myself and my needs? Who stood with me and who didn’t? Which relationships have run their course? Asking these questions at year’s end—when time has softened the sting of those experiences—leads to viewing the situations from a new perspective and uncovering the valuable lessons they hold. The hardest days always have something to teach us.
It’s human nature to want to linger on the negatives rather than the positives—our minds are wired that way for survival—but I am a firm advocate for resisting the pull of victimhood. Our thoughts are among our most powerful tools for shaping the life we desire. If you see yourself as a victim of misfortune, your mind will filter every experience through that lens, reinforcing that narrative. Reflection allows us to step back, recognize unhealthy patterns, and reclaim our agency. It’s not about invalidating our hurt but about uncovering the lessons and opportunities necessary for personal development. And it gives us the wisdom to plan and be better equipped to handle similar situations in the future.
Of course, it’s not all doom and gloom! The “My Favorite Memories” section inside my Astral Planner makes it easy to reminisce and recall the year’s brightest moments—and these often reveal what brings true joy. I start with questions like: What am I most proud of this year? Which experiences brought me the most fulfillment? What habits or rituals supported those good days? In the details of those days—what I was eating, whether I moved my body, what I was working on, who I surrounded myself with, the content that was benefitting or depressing my mentality—that I uncover the key to cultivating more happiness in the year ahead.
For some, joy might come from grand occasions. For me, it’s often found in personal, meaningful moments: celebrating wins for The Astral Planner, spending time with my husband and our cat, Luna—whether traveling the world, immersing ourselves in nature, or savoring the simplicity of quiet evenings at home. These experiences seem simple but serve as reminders of what I cherish most: connection, creativity, adventure, and the freedom to build a life sustained by our own gifts and talents.
This is why I believe so deeply in the power of reflection—not as a passive glance backward but as an active practice of learning, adjusting, and growing. The Astral Planner was created with this in mind, offering a space to document your days and distill their meaning. Its pages become a time capsule of your year——a guide to understanding how you nurtured your energy, pursued your goals, and lived in alignment with what matters most to you. Because ultimately, what is the purpose of reflection if not to guide us forward with greater clarity and intention?
As we prepare to close the final chapter of 2024, I encourage you to carve out a moment of stillness for yourself. Whether it’s beneath the stars, with a journal in hand, or simply sitting in quiet contemplation, take time to reflect on the circumstances, people, and experiences that shaped your year. Evaluate the highs and the lows, the wins and the lessons. Let the clarity you uncover guide you into the new year—not with the pressure to be perfect but with an open heart to embrace growth and evolution.
PS. Stargazing tonight? Set the mood with our Self-Reflection Under the Stars Playlist—it’s the perfect soundtrack for quiet contemplation.
With Love,
NUMEROLOGY REPORT
DECEMBER 2024
Numerological Insight: The Harmonic Energy of Two
December 2024, carrying the energy of the number 2, invites a deeper exploration of harmony, patience, and collaboration. As the last month of the year, its numerological essence encourages us to shift focus from personal ambition to the shared energy of relationships, partnerships, and community. The vibration of 2 highlights themes of diplomacy, balance, and emotional sensitivity, making this an ideal time for nurturing connections and resolving lingering tensions.
This month serves as a bridge between reflection and renewal. With the nurturing energy of 2, December becomes a space to harmonize opposing forces in your life—work and rest, ambition and humility, giving and receiving. It's a call to embrace emotional intelligence and foster deeper empathy in both personal and professional relationships. For executives and creatives alike in our AP community, this period offers an opportunity to align with your intuitive side, honing the skill of active listening to strengthen partnerships and collaborations.
The shadow side of 2 may bring tendencies toward overthinking or self-doubt. It’s crucial to guard against indecision by trusting your instincts and leaning into collective wisdom. Use this energy to practice patience—not as passivity, but as a powerful act of discernment and timing. With this mindset, you’ll find that what initially feels like a delay is often preparation for greater success.
December's numerological energy, paired with its timing at the cusp of a new year, presents a profound opportunity for recalibration. Let the cooperative essence of 2 guide you toward creating a foundation of balance and mutual respect, paving the way for a fulfilling and aligned 2025
For a deep dive into your very own personal numerology profile, consult pages 29-32 in your in your Executive Daily Planner.
key transits
December 1: New Moon in Sagittarius
December 1: Jupiter Trines Lilith
December 4: Sun Squares Saturn
December 6: Mars Enters Retrograde
December 9: Venus Sextiles North Node
December 13-14: Geminids Meteor Shower
December 15: Full Moon in Gemini
December 21: Winter Solstice
December 21: Sun Enters Capricorn
December 22: Last Quarter in Virgo
December 28: Venus Squares Uranus
December 30: New Moon in Capricorn
DECEMBER 2024 ASTROLOGY GUIDE
NEW MOON IN SAGITTARIUS: AIMING HIGH (DEC 1)
The New Moon in Sagittarius opens December with a surge of optimism and expansive energy. Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, represents adventure, growth, and seeking existential truths. This lunation encourages fresh starts aligned with your aspirations, particularly those that involve learning, travel, or bold leaps of faith. Yet, with Mars nearing retrograde on December 6, the call for enthusiasm is tempered by the need for patience and careful planning. The conjunction with the fixed star Antares adds intensity, highlighting ambition but urging mindful reflection to avoid rash decisions.
Today’s Ritual: Under this New Moon, carve out time for introspection. Light a eucalyptus or sandalwood scented candle to align with Sagittarius’ expansive energy. On a piece of paper, write down one goal or vision that feels audacious yet true to your heart. Spend a few moments visualizing yourself achieving it, noticing how it feels in your body and heart. When ready, fold the paper and place it in a journal or under your pillow to let your intention simmer under the Moon’s guidance.
JUPITER TRINES LILITH: EMBRACING FREEDOM AND ENLIGHTENMENT (DEC 1)
The trine between Jupiter in Taurus and Lilith in Virgo on December 1 offers a powerful opportunity to explore the balance between personal growth and authentic self-expression. Jupiter, the planet of expansion, forms a supportive angle to Lilith, an embodiment of personal autonomy and free will. This transit invites you to embrace your inner wisdom, empowering you to align more fully with your values and long-term goals. It’s a time to cultivate self-acceptance while striving to create a life that truly reflects who you are at your core.
This alignment encourages reflection on how to expand within your current circumstances, using practical, grounded methods. The influence of Taurus and Virgo emphasizes sustainable growth and the importance of staying true to your values while pursuing prosperity in all aspects of life. The wisdom you gain now has the potential to guide you towards meaningful changes that align with your deepest desires.
Today’s Ritual: Take time to reflect on areas where you feel most aligned with your purpose and areas where you may have compromised your values. Consider a practical step you can take to more deeply integrate your core beliefs into your daily actions. This might be as simple as reaffirming your commitment to personal integrity or setting a clear intention for how you want to show up in your relationships, career, or self-development practices.
SUN SQUARES SATURN: THE CHALLENGE OF STRUCTURE (DEC 4)
On December 4, the Sun forms a challenging square with Saturn, prompting us to confront the obstacles and boundaries we may have been avoiding. This transit pushes us to take responsibility for areas in our lives where we've felt stuck, encouraging meaningful growth through discipline and self-accountability. This alignment brings a sense of tension between our desire to pursue personal ambitions or take bold steps toward our goals and the reality of responsibilities, deadlines, or obstacles that demand patience and discipline. Saturn’s disciplined and sometimes restrictive influence may feel heavy, as the Sun represents our core essence, our vitality, and our personal will. When these energies square off, we can experience a conflict between our innate desires to pursue our ambitions with ease and spontaneity, and the reality that hard work, persistence, and focus are required to achieve lasting success.
Today’s Ritual:
Identify one area in your life where you've felt a sense of responsibility or pressure. Sit with these feelings, not as burdens, but as opportunities for growth. Write down one action—however small—that you can take today to ease that pressure or transform it into progress. This could be creating a timeline for a project, having a needed conversation, or setting a boundary. Acknowledge the effort required as a building block for future resilience. Saturn teaches us that persistence, even in small steps, leads to long-term strength.
MARS ENTERS RETROGRADE: REEVALUATING DRIVE AND DIRECTION (DEC 6)
On December 6, 2024, Mars stations retrograde at 6° Leo—a rare event that occurs roughly every 26 months and invites a deep reassessment of how we pursue our goals and express our energy. Leo, associated with creativity, leadership, and self-expression, highlights themes of courage and the need for purpose-driven action. During this retrograde period, which lasts until February 23, 2025, external progress may feel slower, but the true work lies in examining our inner motivations.
This transit encourages us to reflect on how we assert ourselves and whether our pursuits align with what truly matters. Are we acting out of passion or merely seeking approval? Mars retrograde in Leo calls for a recalibration of our efforts, particularly in areas where we’ve been pushing too hard or chasing recognition. While frustrations may arise as plans stall or challenges surface, this is an opportunity to fine-tune long-term goals and rediscover the "why" behind what drives us.
Today’s Ritual:
Use this period to slow down and intentionally reflect on the goals you’ve been pursuing. Meditate on the direction you are headed and how your approach might need adjustment. In your journal, write about areas where you’ve felt friction or frustration in taking action, and explore what these moments may be teaching you. Consider how you can shift your approach for a more aligned and thoughtful path forward.
VENUS SEXTILES NORTH NODE: ALIGNING VALUES WITH DESTINY (DEC 9)
On December 9, Venus will sextile the North Node, an aspect that fosters alignment between our personal values and our higher purpose. The North Node serves as our karmic compass, pointing us toward the qualities and experiences that will help us grow, while Venus, ruling love, relationships, beauty, and resources, connects us with what we hold dear. This is a time to consciously integrate your core values into your actions and decisions, particularly in love, finances, and creative endeavors.
This alignment encourages reflection on the bigger picture, helping you to see how your current relationships and ventures align with your soul’s path. You may find opportunities to enhance your personal and professional life by making choices that resonate with your deeper purpose, whether it’s investing in a meaningful project, strengthening a relationship, or committing to a creative pursuit that aligns with your long-term vision. Venus’ nurturing influence supports the growth of connections that feel authentic and fulfilling, while the North Node’s wisdom guides you toward choices that expand your potential, challenge you to grow, and bring long-term fulfillment.
Today’s Ritual:
Take a moment to reflect on the choices you’ve been making lately in your relationships, work, and finances. Are they in alignment with your deeper values and your long-term vision for your life? If not, consider making a small but significant adjustment to prioritize your soul’s calling. Write down one action you can take today to realign your daily life with your higher purpose.
GEMINIDS METEOR SHOWER: WISHING UPON A STAR (DEC 13-14)
The Geminids Meteor Shower, peaking around December 13-14, is one of the most spectacular meteor showers of the year. While not tied to any specific astrological transit, its cosmic beauty brings an invitation for reflection, wish-making, and embracing the unknown. The Geminids are known for their bright, colorful streaks across the sky, providing an opportunity to release old patterns and make wishes for the future.
This celestial event invites you to embrace the excitement and wonder of the universe, trusting that the seeds you plant in your heart can sprout when nurtured with intention. As meteors streak across the sky, you are encouraged to align your desires with the universe, knowing that your intentions carry power during this moment of cosmic illumination.
Today’s Ritual:
Go outside, away from artificial lights, and observe the meteors as they streak across the sky. If you’re able to, make a wish for something you truly desire. As you watch the falling stars, reflect on the potential for growth in your life and where you feel guided to take a leap of faith. Allow this moment of wonder to remind you of the boundless possibilities in your own life.
FULL MOON IN GEMINI: COMMUNICATION AND CLARITY (DEC 15)
The Full Moon in Gemini on December 15 illuminates the realms of communication, ideas, and adaptability. Gemini, ruled by Mercury, is a sign known for its intellectual curiosity and social connectivity. At the time of the Full Moon, the illumination of this versatile air sign offers a chance to bring clarity to thoughts, conversations, and connections that may have been in flux throughout the month. This is a moment when longstanding questions or uncertainties are revisited and we can find closure or breakthroughs in areas where we’ve been seeking resolution.
Gemini's energy is dualistic, always shifting and evolving, which makes this Full Moon ideal for shedding old mental patterns, beliefs, or stories we’ve been holding onto. It encourages a cleansing of the mind and a reevaluation of how we express ourselves. The heightened energy around this Full Moon helps us recognize what we truly need to communicate and where we may need to let go of outdated ideas or expectations.
Today’s Ritual:
As the Full Moon rises, take time to sit in stillness and reflect on the mental narratives you’ve been carrying. What thoughts, beliefs, or expectations no longer serve your growth? Write them down and burn the paper safely, symbolizing the release of old patterns. Then, create a new affirmation or mantra that aligns with your current values and mental clarity. Let this new mindset guide your communication and relationships moving forward.
WINTER SOLSTICE: EMBRACING STILLNESS AND RENEWAL (DEC 21)
The Winter Solstice on December 21 marks the longest night of the year and the official start of winter. As the Sun enters Capricorn, the energy shifts toward grounding, structure, and reflection. This is a time of pause and stillness, where we are invited to turn inward and reflect on the cycle that is coming to a close. The Winter Solstice is a powerful moment of rebirth, symbolizing the return of the light as the days begin to lengthen once more.
This transition is a potent opportunity for setting intentions for the coming year. The Capricorn energy encourages us to reflect on our commitments, goals, and the discipline needed to manifest our aspirations. The Solstice invites us to honor the darkness as we prepare to step into a new season of growth. It’s a time to find balance between honoring what has passed and looking toward the future with intention and clarity.
Today’s Ritual:
Take time for a quiet reflection on the year that has passed. Light a candle in a dark space to symbolize the return of the light. Write down the lessons you’ve learned, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the intentions you’d like to set for the year ahead. As you sit in stillness, honor the darkness and acknowledge the wisdom it has brought. Then, envision the light returning, knowing that your intentions will begin to take form in the coming months.
SUN ENTERS CAPRICORN: FOCUS AND AMBITION (DEC 21)
As the Sun moves into Capricorn on December 21, we experience a shift toward greater focus, ambition, and practicality. Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, is a sign that values discipline, responsibility, and long-term achievement. This is a time to focus on what we wish to build and create for the future, especially in the realms of career, structure, and material success.
The energy of Capricorn invites us to take a step back and assess the big picture. What are the foundations we need to lay in order to achieve long-term goals? What commitments are we ready to make? Under this influence, we are encouraged to be grounded and realistic, setting practical, achievable goals that require hard work and patience. While Capricorn’s energy can be serious, it is also deeply rewarding when we take a strategic approach to our dreams.
Today’s Ritual:
Reflect on the major goals you wish to achieve in the coming year. Create a clear, actionable plan that focuses on the steps you need to take to manifest these goals. Take a moment to write down the concrete actions you can start taking today to build the life you desire. As you do this, anchor your intentions with a sense of grounded discipline and long-term vision.
LAST QUARTER IN VIRGO: ANALYSIS AND RELEASE (DEC 22)
The Last Quarter Moon in Virgo on December 22 calls for a time of analysis and release. As the Moon wanes, it encourages us to reflect on the lessons learned throughout the month and to release any lingering attachments to ideas or endeavors that no longer serve our growth. Virgo, an earth sign ruled by Mercury, is associated with precision, practicality, and organization. This energy invites us to evaluate our work and routines, focusing on the details that require refinement. The Virgo Moon also brings attention to our mental and physical well-being, urging us to seek balance and order as we prepare to transition into the new lunar cycle.
Today’s Ritual:
Spend a few moments evaluating the areas of your life that need closure or refinement. What projects, relationships, or habits require your attention to bring them to a more orderly and purposeful end? Take a small but meaningful step toward clearing away what no longer serves you. Whether it’s decluttering your physical space or revising plans for the future, use the Virgo Moon’s energy to create clarity and release the old.
VENUS SQUARES URANUS: UNEXPECTED SHIFTS IN LOVE AND VALUES (DEC 28)
Venus square Uranus on December 18 brings the potential for unexpected shifts in our relationships and values. Uranus, the planet of change and revolution, can disrupt the harmony Venus seeks, particularly in love, beauty, and material possessions. This aspect could bring sudden insights or changes in romantic dynamics, friendships, or even how we view our financial situation. While the energy may feel disruptive or unpredictable, it offers an opportunity to break free from limiting patterns and embrace new possibilities in our connections and desires.
With Venus and Uranus in square, we may feel torn between our need for stability and the allure of something fresh and exciting. This aspect challenges us to look beyond surface-level attractions and question whether the desires in our lives are truly aligned with our evolving values. Though the tension of this aspect can lead to impulsive decisions or surprising encounters, it’s important to remain grounded and mindful of the long-term effects of our actions.
Today’s Ritual:
Take a moment to assess your relationships, both romantic and platonic, and reflect on whether they still align with your current values. Are there patterns or attachments you need to release in order to embrace greater freedom and authenticity in your connections? Consider engaging in a creative expression—whether through art, music, or writing—as a way to channel the unpredictable energy of Uranus and gain clarity about your desires moving forward.
NEW MOON IN CAPRICORN: SETTING INTENTIONS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS (DEC 30)
The New Moon in Capricorn on December 30 is a powerful moment for setting intentions related to our long-term goals, ambitions, and career. Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, represents structure, responsibility, and discipline. This New Moon invites us to focus on what we want to build for the future, especially in areas related to our work, status, and personal growth. It’s a time to set clear and practical goals that require patience, dedication, and a long-term commitment to success.
This New Moon encourages us to take a step back and create a strategic plan for the upcoming new year. It’s not about rushing or making impulsive decisions; rather, it’s about taking the time to align your intentions with your deepest values and purpose. Under the Capricorn energy, we are reminded that hard work and persistence are the keys to achieving lasting success. It’s a time to lay the foundations for future achievements, focusing on what’s truly important and meaningful.
Today’s Ritual:
Write down your goals for the upcoming year, particularly those related to your career, personal growth, and long-term achievements. Focus on creating clear, actionable steps that will help you manifest these desires. As you write, consider lighting a green or black candle as a symbol of grounding and stability. Allow this ritual to instill a sense of purpose and determination as you move into the new year.
For a comprehensive overview of all astrological aspects and lunar conjunctions, refer to your November Monthly Dashboard in the 2024 Edition of The Astral Planner.
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