December 2024 horoscopes: How to survive double (gulp!) retrogrades and holiday trauma triggers

The most wonderful time of the year is also rife with planetary tumult. NY Post photo composite

Welcome to December, Star Seeds.

The month begins with a potent new moon in Sagittarius in the early hours of Dec. 1, (Nov. 30 for those on the West Coast.)

Under these dark skies and the influence of the archer, we are reminded that the unknown is the last horizon of hope and that curiosity — a better bet than caution, if we allow it — is our best defense against fear, nypost.com.

While Mercury, our coyote planet of tech, communication and travel, stations direct mid-month, the shadow period of this slowdown showdown extends through the first of the year, lending the holidays an extra layer of intrigue and intensity and, if we allow it, an ample opportunity to redefine family, ritual and nourishment.

“In the sign of expansive, philosophical, and adventure-seeking Sagittarius, there’s plenty of room for improvement on multiple fronts,” astrologer Babs Cheung, aka The Astro Translator, tells The Post.

On Dec. 6, Mars, our war-monger planet of will and wants, is going retrograde in Leo, inviting us on a self-inquiry kind of hero’s journey wherein we slow the hell down and think long and soft about the consequences of our actions, the authenticity of our desires and the story we are writing with the blood and ashes of both.

A full cold moon in Gemini lights up the sky on Dec. 15 and the winter solstice arrives on Dec. 21, ushering in Capricorn season.

And then, my friends, after Yule and Xmas, it’s a slow slide into the new year.

Here’s to a wind down that feels easy and a new year that’s better than where we’ve been. Onward, ever forward.

Read on to see how the planets will have their way with you.

ARIES (March 21 – April 19) 

For Aries Cheung advises pulling back as opposed to pushing forward at all costs.

“This is the time to get good at building up your patience and easing up in the pursuit. Being able to take a step back, instead of brute-forcing your way to a haphazard solution, will save you a lot of needless stress, especially during the holiday rush.”

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20)

For bull folk, Cheung says, “It’s time for the chill Taurus to put on their auditor hat and get better at looking into the details of their transactions. Whether it’s with friends, colleagues or family, this season is having you squint a little harder at the fine details of your congenial relationships, especially when it comes to time, money and effort.

Wherever you see debt or money owed to you, make sure it’s collected or at least addressed; the last thing you want is to be a broke bull in the china shop.”

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)

For Gemini, the theme of this season is relationships, all the beauty and the bloodshed, and the myriad ways they make and break us.

“Relationships take center stage for you this season Gemini, which means a lot of room for melodramas to play out in your closest circles,” Cheunge shares. “The best way to navigate the stress of social dramas is to get good at active listening. I know this is a hard ask, but it’s necessary when so many misunderstandings happen because of poor listening skills.”

Really taking the time to hear another person out ensures you will respond with tact rather than react with rage. Praise be.

Cheung adds, “On top of that, make sure you take notes while the tea is spilling; you never know when you might need those receipts.”

CANCER (June 21 – July 22)

What is typically a season of flannel and merriment could leave you feeling itchy and isolated, Cancer.

Cheung recommends organizing your schedule and workflow to build in much-needed time for restoration. Now is the hour to power down and tune in so that you can show up wholeheartedly and full force as the year draws to a close.

LEO (July 23 – August 22)

Leo babies should beware of the lure of the ex, lest errant heartstrings fashion themselves into a noose.

Cheung explains, “Whether you’re welcoming your past or cringing at the mere thought of it, this slow-down in your love life could lead to some real headaches and heartbreaks. And just when you thought cuffing season was going so smoothly! Take the opportunity to get good at asking yourself the hard questions: How did your ex make you feel when you were with them?” and “Is this something you’d want to get back into?”

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22)

For Virgos, Cheung says delegation and patience will pave the way to serenity, or at least send you down the dirt path that leads away from chaos and self-imposed exile.

She shares, “No one bugs you more than family, and you’re about to be flanked from all corners. It’s not surprising that you are everyone’s go-to when it comes to details, planning festivities and dispersing information. I know it’s a thankless job, but your family wouldn’t know where to go if it wasn’t for you.

“Take the opportunity to get better at patience and build out text messages and email templates to help you send blasts to the family group chat and email list.”

LIBRA (September 23 – October 22)

As ever, you’ve done a bang-up job of putting out fires whilst keeping your cool, Libra, but December might find you reaching your boiling point.

“Short-fuse alert! Libra, you’re most likely to get your wires crossed and communication misunderstood, which could lead to stress and anger over the holiday season,” Cheung imparts. “Try your very best to find the humor in these inevitable communication blunders. If you can’t laugh it off because it’s too frustrating, simply tell the people around how you feel.”

She promises that sticking to a clear and concise communication style is a better bet than falling back on passive-aggressive tactics or repression, both of which cause stomach ulcers and premature aging of the face and spirit.

SCORPIO (October 23 – November 21)

Cheung tells Scorpios to tighten their purse strings to avoid the stress of overspending and lean into the art of regifting.

“Of all the signs, you are most likely to have major buyer’s remorse if you purchase anything new or invest in new projects. At this point, you’re better off getting good at reviewing your inventory or reviewing contracts and the fine print,” she offers. “That said, I have a loophole for you! You can totally repurchase anything you already own and give that as a gift to someone else.”

As my dear friend and Scorpio rising once told me upon gifting me a beloved dress of hers: “It means more if I give you something I still want.”

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 – December 21)

Cheung cautions shoot-from-the-hip Sagittarius to hold off on aesthetic overhauls and declarations of newness until the new year.

“If you were planning to get a drastic makeover, I’d reconsider. I say this because the trend you’re after might not stand the test of time post-retrograde. What you can consider is re-evaluating your aesthetic, vibes and the things that help you self-express in ways that don’t require a dramatic change.”

Translation? Go big and bold on personal betterment, but for the love of all, don’t cut your bangs.

CAPRICORN (December 22 – January 19)

Happy return of the sun to you, Capricorn. As you await the glory of your season, Cheung notes that it could be rough before it gets right.

“This month is no walk in the park since you’ll be confronted with past fears, limiting beliefs, bouts of imposter syndrome and all the nasty little bits that you’ve tried to hide in that one box in the corner of your mind.”

More boots on the ground than head in the clouds, Cheung urges sea goats to seek the unseen in order to work through these shadows.

“Your dreams will quite literally speak to you as a way for you to process some of these themes. This makes for a great opportunity to go inward and talk about your hidden struggles with a loved one or, even better, a trusted therapist.

“You will feel lighter after you’ve done this much-needed work.”

From haunted to healed, a poem.

AQUARIUS (January 20 – February 18)

More lone wolf than party in a box, Cheung warns that water bearers may be inundated with invitations.

“Everyone will want a piece of you, Aquarius, and your social calendar might overwhelm you this month,” she says. “The best way to handle this is to gather as many people together with aligned values as possible so that you can knock out quality time in groups.”

Try to see these mix-and-mingle situations as opportunities rather than obligations and steer the conversations toward issues that matter — rather than trivial pursuits that don’t.

“Yes, you’re in charge of merry-making, and if you don’t feel that you’re a true or natural host, this is the perfect time to learn and become one!” Cheung advises.

Sometimes, being a perfect host looks like guiding the group towards altered states and uncomfortable conversations. Get weird, stay calm, make snacks.

PISCES (February 19 – March 20)

Cheung says Pisces folk should beware that authority figures, both parental and professional, could be particularly accusatory/instigatory.

“This month will have you in a workaholic/people-pleaser mood, eager to cross off as many things as possible before the holiday rush sweeps the office. With tensions high and holiday cheer threatening productivity, make sure you triple-check deadlines and get a paper trail going to ensure you cover your fine a–. When Scrooges starts asking questions, you’ll be safe from their scrutinizing wrath.”

Though Pisces people may not be comfortable showboating or glory-hogging, the time is right to not only accept praise but shamelessly self-promote.

Be proud of what you are and unafraid to ask for more.