Winter Solstice & the Astrology of Christmas 2025

As we cross the threshold of the Solstice on December 21st at 2:20 AM MST (4:20 AM EST & 1:20 AM PST), we welcome significant seasonal shifts that mark the “beginning” of winter in the Northern Hemisphere or summer in the Southern Hemisphere. This movement of the Sun not only signals the longest night or the longest day, depending on your location, but also introduces complex astrological dynamics inviting us to welcome introspection and to try embracing adaptability this season.

The Capricorn Solstice

The Sun’s move into Capricorn traditionally brings a time of structure, discipline, and responsibility (interesting generally most of the shopping part of the holidays happens when the Sun is still in benevolent Sagittarius). Capricorn season asks us to set goals, make plans, and reflect on the foundations we are building our future on. This year’s solstice is tinged with a need for flexibility, and adaptability. The Sun and Mars are moving into an awkward dance position that may lead to outcomes we didn’t anticipate.

Expect the Unexpected

The Sun/Mars aspect suggests despite our best efforts to plan and structure our lives, surprise twists will likely challenge our progress. Retrograde Mars in Leo brings delays, and may have us to reconsidering our methods of asserting ourselves, taking action and pursuing our goals. The Mars aspect to the Sun can lead to feeling misaligned or frustrated as efforts to initiate or lead are met with unexpected challenges. Adapting to circumstances instead of fighting against them can produce unexpected benefits and insights, but you have to be looking for them. Often our tendency is to get so wrapped up in the disappointment we miss the opportunities.

A Dynamic Re-Alignment

As Mars moves to oppose Pluto (again), now firmly in Aquarius, we’ll revisit themes of power, our deepest wounds, and resistance to letting something go that surfaced back in November. We may be challenged to balance personal desires with collective needs while bringing to light tension between our urge for personal expression and the demands of inevitable social change.

Navigating the Season

The Moon in detail-oriented Virgo is opposite Saturn in Pisces, while also being square Jupiter. This combination highlights a tension between the need for practicality and a desire for an idealism based in the past, introducing a dynamic interplay of emotions and responsibilities requiring creative navigation.
Another theme we might meet with is an inability to pick a direction or being wishy washy and undecided, so if you find yourself in such a situation, pick a direction, and if you’re in a group, pick a leader who can. If you find yourself in a conversation that’s devolving into semantics, politely remove yourself…you’ll thank me.

Practical Emotions vs. Idealistic Structures

We’re being asked to focus on the details and maintain a practical approach to our daily lives throughout this winter/summer season. The Moon is challenging us to consider our commitments, habits, and emotional boundaries.

The opposition between the Moon and Saturn may bring feelings of being pulled between our feelings and our responsibilities. This dynamic gets more complicated by their square to Jupiter, which adds an element of exaggeration and indecision to the mix. Jupiter in Gemini wants vast amounts of information. This square can amp-up the tension between Virgo’s detailed thinking and Jupiter’s expansion plans. If the opportunity is taken to learn what these tense aspects have to teach us, there’s potential for good things coming of it down the road.

Strategies for a Smooth Transition

1. Embrace Flexibility: Find a balance that allows for detailed planning but also room for spontaneous adjustments.

2. Manage Expectations: Be realistic about what can be achieved. Set practical goals that align with your emotional and spiritual needs without expecting things — setting yourself up for disappointment.

3. Be in the moment: Worrying about what you did, or need to do, is such a waste of time. We get a finite amount of holiday seasons, try to do something that brings you some joy this year.

4. Do little things: Stop and take deep breaths, drink extra water, tell someone you love them…the little things pack more punch than big things at this time.

5. Actions speak louder than words.

This solstice brings a potent reminder of the need for balance between the details & the big picture, and what we do versus what we say. By acknowledging and integrating these seemingly opposing energies, we can navigate the solstice (and the holidays) with wisdom and grace, setting the stage for — at the very least — an interesting season. Happy Holidays!