This week: Happy Holidays!... and quieter skies, as the universe offers a bit of a holiday reprieve. Venus and Neptune challenge beliefs about relationships and our values. Venus puts on her investor hat as she goes to work in Capricorn. There is a sizzling First Quarter Moon in Aries, and a listener question about how AI may impact the field of astrology. Plus: Working things out, a new tradition, and the case for consulting humans.

Note: We're taking a little holiday break, so there will be NO PODCAST ON DEC. 29. But we’ll be back on January 5 to help you ring in the New Year!

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Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

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Timestamps

[1:44] Venus squares Neptune (Dec. 23, 9:31 pm PST) at 29°25' Sagittarius-Pisces. When there's a square aspect between Venus and Neptune, we can achieve clarity about relationships, finances, or values, and let go of the things and people that drain us.

[4:45] Venus enters the sign of Capricorn (Dec. 24, 8:26 am PST), and it'll be in this sign until Jan. 17, 2026. This is a practical Venus that wants relationships that are stable and solid, based on shared values, shared goals.

[8:14] Moon Report! The Aries First Quarter Moon (Dec. 27, 11:10 am PST) is at 6°17’ Aries-Capricorn. This is the first action point in the New Moon cycle that began at the Dec. 19 New Moon in Sagittarius. Consider things before dashing off to get something done.

[11:36] This is the First Quarter (first action point) in a lunar phase family cycle (LPFC) that began with the New Moon solar eclipse of Mar. 29, 2025, at 9°00’ Aries. The Full Moon (awareness point) in this LPFC comes on Sept. 26, 2026, at 3°37’ Aries. The Last Quarter (final action point) in this LPFC is on June 26, 2027, at 5°21’ Aries.

[13:21] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. The Moon in Capricorn sextiles Neptune in Pisces (Dec. 22, 6:44 am PST). It's VOC for 1 hour, 8 minutes, then enters Aquarius (7:52 am PST). Use this VOC Moon period to get in the habit of going with the flow, instead of insisting that your way is the best and the only way. This VOC could also help your spiritual practice.

[14:57] The Moon in Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus (Dec. 24, 1:42 pm PST). It's VOC for 3 hours, 27 minutes, then enters Pisces (5:09 pm). There might be an unexpected desire to introduce a new holiday tradition. Use this VOC period to get in the habit of letting down your guard when it comes to traditions and welcome something fresh and new, maybe even something a little bit innovative.

[16:36] The Moon conjuncts Neptune in Pisces (Dec. 26, 11:03 pm PST). It's VOC for 59 minutes and then enters Aries (Dec. 27, 12:02 am PST). Take a lovely bath, listen to music, or even watch a sentimental movie. Use this VOC Moon period to get in the habit of some healthy escapism.

[18:03] Listener Elizabeth asks about how AI may impact the field of astrology.

[24:38] To have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[25:10] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April’s special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.

This week, the adventuresome Sagittarius New Moon season gets off to a bit of a strained beginning as the Sun squares off with Saturn and Neptune. Relationships and values are put to the test when Venus and Saturn meet in a difficult aspect. We honor the solstice as the Sun marches into Capricorn, and April answers a listener question about being born at the New or Full Moon. Plus: A lesson of patience, built to be productive and then to rest, and no place to go but up.

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon!

Love the show? Make a donation!

Timestamps

[1:20] Moon Report! The Sagittarius New Moon (Dec. 19, 5:43 pm PST) at 28º24’ Sagittarius. This New Moon is on the Sabian symbol 29 Sagittarius, A fat boy mowing the lawn of his house on an elegant suburban street. Guard your energy and anticipate that any tasks or any clarity you hope to gain will be hard won and might take a little while for you to see.

[4:00] The Sun squares Saturn (Dec. 16, 8:33 pm PST) at 25°28’ Sagittarius-Pisces. Use this time to plan and prepare for things that you want to get done at the New Moon, rather than pushing hard to actually do them.

[5:04] The Sun squares Neptune (Dec. 20, 5:02 pm PST) at 29°24’ Sagittarius-Pisces. Expect to feel drained, maybe a bit confused or unclear about what you want to accomplish during this New Moon cycle. Don't be too hard on yourself if you find you just don't have the energy.

[6:25] Lunar Phase Family Cycle (LPFC). The First Quarter (first action point) in this LPFC comes on September 18, 2026, at 25º57’ Sagittarius. The Full Moon (awareness point) of this LPFC will occur on June 18, 2027, at 27º33’ Sagittarius. Then the Last Quarter Moon (final action point) in the LPFC comes on March 17, 2028, at 27º53’ Sagittarius.

[8:39] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. The Moon trines Neptune (Dec. 17, 7:24 am PST). It’s VOC for 1 hour, 14 minutes, then enters Sagittarius (8:38 am PST). Use this VOC Moon to get into the habit of connecting with the divine daily and observing the messages that come your way.

[10:07] The Moon squares Neptune (Dec. 19, 7:41 pm PST). It’s VOC for 1 hour, 11 minutes, then enters Capricorn (8:52 pm PST). Consider a quiet evening at home, doing something imaginative and restful.

[11:12] Venus square Saturn (Dec. 20, 9:09 pm PST) at 25º37’ Sagittarius-Pisces. Venus in aspect to Saturn often brings delays or disappointments, but sometimes the lesson is to have patience, and in the case of Saturn in Pisces, acceptance.

[12:47] The Sun enters Capricorn (Dec. 21, 7:03 am PST). Happy Solstice! Happy Yule! Happy Midsummer! The Capricorn and Cancer solstices are a wonderful time for standing still, which is what solstice literally means: the Sun standing still. The Capricorn Solstice is the beginning of Capricorn season (Dec. 21, 2025 -Jan. 19, 2026). The Sun is lowest in the midday sky. There's no place to go but up. What is it that we want to accomplish? What mountain is it that we want to climb?

[16:53] Listener Ivana asks about Full and New Moon natives. Check out Dana Gerhardt for more information on the lunar phases.

[23:44] To have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[24:15] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April’s special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.