Cancer, December 2016

Mercury enters Capricorn on December 2, activating the relationship sector of your chart and inspiring some straightforward conversations about the reality of what you and your partners can offer each other. "Straightforward" isn't how your life usually is described—you crabs walk side-to-side, preferring to hit things indirectly. However, your partners will be eager to communicate, and Mercury in Capricorn does not pussyfoot around. Capricorn's all business, and down to business you will get.

Mercury turns retrograde on December 19, which will find you rethinking all the conversations you had earlier this month. Sure, they might have felt very straightforward, and you might have even come to some agreements; however, direct doesn't mean permanent, and, as you sadly know, dear crab, promises are meant to be broken. Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will turn everything on its head.

Does this mean all the conversations you'll have in early December will be a waste of time? No. They'll help you gather some information, and Mercury retrograde will be an important time to think everything over.

This Mercury retrograde will find you running into many past partners: Do you need closure? Or is it time for a reunion? Is a spark rekindling? You'll be able to reconnect with your past and bring it with you into the future—or, if it's time to say goodbye, you'll be able to do it one last time.

Mercury retrograde has a terrible reputation, and for a good reason: Delays and miscommunications abound, it's a bad time to buy anything important (like a cell phone or plane tickets), and it's a crappy time to travel or really do anything that requires you to be fully alert. Don't make important decisions or sign contracts. Instead, use this time to slow down—Mercury's not moving forward, and neither should you.

Venus enters Aquarius on December 7, lighting up the intimacy sector of your chart. Sweet Venus loves to cuddle, but an intellectual Air sign needs more than just a warm hug to stay happy—Aquarius needs depth, intelligence, mystery, and excitement! And you need these things too, Cancer.

On the surface, you might seem like a snuggly sweetheart who just wants to bake cookies and watch movies in bed, but truly, you need a partner who inspires you and challenges you mentally. (You also like to be weird in bed, and Aquarius is totally all about weird, so enjoy some freaky action while Venus hangs out in the sign of the water bearer.)

Venus is the planet of money, in addition to love and beauty. While it's in smart Air sign Aquarius, you can also expect some good vibes to come your way around finance, especially around more complicated issues, such as inheritances, taxes, and debts. Some emotional debts could also be repaid, and maybe you'll finally get your favorite sweater back from your ex!

A full moon in Gemini arrives on December 13. You've been super responsible this month, Cancer; it's time to slack off a bit. Full moons are super emo and draining. Let yourself sleep in, cry, and relax. Catch up on alone time and flake on plans. Gemini is one of the most active, chatty signs in the zodiac, but this full moon is best spent listening to your own inner voice (your intuition is going to be sharp as hell). Make time to meditate, journal, and do other witchy, introverted, loner things.

Full moons bring things to light, and since this one will be illuminating such a private, mysterious sector of your chart, you can expect some secrets to come to the surface. Some feelings you've been pretending you don't have will also come up for reflection. A secret affair or crush could also reach a climax at this time. This month is heavily focused on your partnerships, Cancer: Whom do you want? And why?

On December 19, action planet Mars will enter fellow Water sign Pisces, revving up the sector of your chart that rules travel, higher learning, and publishing. Be careful: This is the same day Mercury begins its retrograde, so this isn't an ideal time to sign a deal or book a flight, but this is still an energizing period for you to reflect on where you want to go next! Anyway, the retrograde will be over soon enough (on January 8, to be precise), and your direction will be clearer then.

On December 24, Saturn in Sagittarius will connect with Uranus in Aries, bringing both excitement and support to your professional goals and your reputation. But don't go around bragging about how great things are working out for you just yet—some confrontations will come up during this last week of December that you need to put behind you before you can really move forward.

One of the most stressful days of the month is December 26, when Jupiter in Libra opposes Uranus in Aries. You'll need to draw a firm line between your public and private life. It's important to compromise; however, anything that inhibits your freedom will not work for you.

Surprises at work or concerning your career path will come up today, thanks to the clash between Jupiter and Uranus—which is terrible timing because your focus is on your home and family, not on your work e-mails. How can you balance these two parts of your life? Do your best not to take on too many responsibilities toward the end of the month. The more flexible you can be, the better.

Yes, the fresh start in your relationships that you've been hoping for is on the way: The Sun enters Capricorn on December 21, marking the winter solstice, and soon after we have a new moon in Capricorn on December 29. We discussed the fact that the Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will find you rethinking your agreements and revisiting past relationships, but that doesn't mean you'll be stuck in a time warp!

The new moon in Capricorn on December 21 will bring a fresh start to your relationships—you might not really feel it until Mercury retrograde ends on January 8, 2017, but it's happening. This fresh start could mean some new partnerships, or the renewal of an old relationship that's ready to take on a new form now that you're both older and wiser. Or maybe it will be both! Many of your relationships will be touched, Cancer—not just your romances or your creative partnerships or whatever.

2016 was completely terrible. Enter the New Year with some awesome people by your side: people who get that you're a kinky weirdo in bed and that you need a boundary between your home life and your public life. See you in 2017!