The Spiritual Meaning Of December's New Moon, Explained

It’s official cosmic angels — we’re in the final stretch of 2023, and December’s next major lunation is providing hope to all, especially those who have been down on their luck recently. The new moon peaks on Dec. 12, 2023 at 6:32 a.m. ET (3:32 a.m. PT) in Sagittarius, giving us a surge of confidence when it comes to planning our new year. The spiritual meaning of December’s feisty new moon is about putting trust in the world around you.

“It’s OK to not have the full story or know exactly what our resolutions for 2024 will be,” says astrologer Narayana Montúfar.

ICYDK, new moons initiate beginnings in astrology. They’re typically a chance for us to prep, plan, and speak things into existence. Because this lunation falls alongside the final Mercury retrograde of 2023 (from Dec. 13 - Jan. 1), expect to slow down instead.

Amid the daunting retrograde, the new moon offers a silver lining, “This new moon is all about trusting that the answers will be revealed to us, at the right time,” Montúfar says. “After all, Sagittarius energy is one that fully trusts everything will work out just fine.”

What’s The Spiritual Meaning Of The December New Moon?

Before we get into the logistics of this new moon’s vibe, let’s discuss Sagittarius. The Jupiter-ruled archer often sees things through a rose-tinted POV, which explains why a new moon percolating in this sign can feel especially inspiring. Jupiter is all about opportunity and knowledge, so we should expect that this lunation sparks our curiosity.

Coupled with hopeful anticipation for 2024, Montúfar says, “December’s new moon is about staring into the future and realizing that we have a wide range of possibilities in front of us.”

Mercury retrograde prompts us to look back. “This new moon is about kickstarting a process of revision. Sagittarius is a big-picture type of energy, which is ideal for zooming out and beginning to realize the steps we need to make as we transition to 2024,” she says.

Plus, Neptune (AKA the planet of dreams and illusions) will square off with the sun and moon. According to the astrologer, this can cause confusion. We may find ourselves creating unrealistic versions of someone or making excuses for situations that actually aren’t OK. Creating boundaries is key.

How To Work With The December New Moon’s Energy

Generally speaking, new moons are great moments to rest and manifest. With Mercury retrograding, though, this is probably not a great time to make deals or sign contracts. That said, it doesn’t hurt to think about the future.

Jupiter, the planet that rules luck and abundance, ends its retrograde on Dec. 30. In order to set a positive tone for 2024, you should review your past year and plan to course-correct as needed — but don’t throw yourself into this process right away.

For now, the best way to channel the December new moon’s energy is to surrender. “There is no rush to get to the finish line now. Instead, this lunation urges us to look back and ask ourselves: How can I better my career and entire life strategy in 2024?” Montúfar says.

What’s more, edgy Uranus makes a cameo during this new moon, introducing the unpredictable. Rather than fighting against the grain, it’ll probably be more effective to go with the flow. “If we behave too rigidly or impulsively, we could damage our reputation,” Montúfar says.

If we can say c’est la vie to inevitable changes, we can ring in the new year with open minds and hearts.

Expert:

Narayana Montúfar, professional astrologer and author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power