December

Definition

December is the twelfth month of the modern civil calendar. In tropical Western astrology, the Sun generally travels through Sagittarius during most of the month and enters Capricorn near the December solstice. Exact ingress and solstice times vary slightly by year and time zone, so an ephemeris is needed for precise chart work.

Astrological Meaning

December combines two distinct solar phases rather than carrying one fixed astrological meaning. Sagittarius is traditionally associated with exploration, belief, learning, and broad perspective, while Capricorn emphasizes structure, responsibility, ambition, and practical limits. The December solstice marks the Sun’s entrance into Capricorn in tropical astrology and the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Other planets continue moving independently, so their signs, aspects, stations, and retrogrades alter the character of any particular December. In sidereal systems, the Sun occupies different zodiacal positions because another reference framework is used.

Why It Matters

December can provide useful seasonal and calendrical context for natal charts, transits, electional work, and mundane astrology. However, the month alone does not determine personality or events. A person born in December may have a Sagittarius or Capricorn Sun, but the birth date, exact time, location, Moon, Ascendant, houses, and planetary aspects create the fuller interpretation. For forecasting, astrologers examine the specific year’s planetary configurations rather than treating every December alike.

Related Encyclopedia Entries

• Traditional Astrology
• Astrological Terminology
• Natal Chart