If you thought this year couldn't get any worse, I have some bad news. 2017 came in like a lion and is going out like the monster from Stranger Things, and to cap off this enormous dumpster fire of a sun-revolution, the Winter Solstice may well be the worst day of 2017, according to astrological predictions. Between Mercury Retrograde dominating most of the month, and the ongoing political climate horror show, December is already rough AF. Now, you can add one more thing to be wary of to your list of December pitfalls. According to astrologer and writer Neil Spencer, the Winter Solstice on Dec. 21 marks a cosmic occurrence that hasn't taken place in more than 350 years.
During the 2017 Winter Solstice, aka the darkest day of the year, the sun moves into Capricorn just hours after Saturn moves into the same sign. "Since Saturn rules the sign of the Goat, matters Capricornian are brought to the fore; the establishment, the patriarchy, big business, property," Spencer explained on his blog. "In one’s personal horoscope, Saturn in Capricorn is a very useful placement, denoting one tough individual, but on a macro-level, it doesn’t promise much in the way of fruitful change."
Anything you undertake on Dec. 21 can feel more challenging than normal, and starting something that has long-term consequences is ill advised. Perhaps this is the day to treat yourself to a day of staying in bed and watching Netflix.
Winter Solstice 2017 Challenges
You might feel like you're in dire need of a mental health day by the end of December, and you won't be alone. According to the astrology website Lunar Living, when the sun enters Capricorn on Dec. 21 is a good time to identify problems, but the tricky part is finding solutions that serve everyone, not just you. "If your vision is only for yourself, what you create cannot last: it must be for some greater good. Ambition, practicality, and achievement are admirable, but they are means to an end — not ends in themselves."
What's more, the sun also lines up with Saturn on the Winter Solstice, which could leave you feel dark and twisty on Dec. 21, and the trick will be trying to forge ahead anyways. "You may feel limited and constrained today, but do not let that feeling keep you from living up to your obligations," Lunar Living advised. "Take care of business, then you will be truly free to do as you wish. Your energy level may be low, but do not use this as an excuse for not doing your best."
And, it seems staying under the covers on Dec. 21 might be the best tactic for getting through this cosmic kerfuffle unscathed. Jayashree Bose wrote on their Feng Shui blog that any activity has potential for trouble on the 2017 Winter Solstice. If you decide to ignore the cosmos and push forward, myriad obstacles are likely to materialize that could weight you down through January 2018.
"Activities planned on these dates are bound to undergo last minute changes. In some cases, the event could get deferred for a month or even a year," Bose noted. "Avoid hosting meetings on [Dec. 18, 21, and 30], whatever decisions you make will not be final, they will change. Avoid traveling on these dates, unless, you like spending your time waiting in airports, railway or bus station." Mercury won't go direct until Dec. 22, but we'll still feel its effects through the retroshade, making all of December basically a wash.
Best Days In Dec. 2017
While you might think that all of December is in the trash, there are actually a few good days to pursue activities and goals. According to Bose, "ZeRi (date selection) is an ancient Chinese metaphysical science that falls under Chinese astrology. Days are regarded as good or bad according to the qi (energy) they contain. You can achieve success in your endeavors by selecting dates whose qi (energy) supports your activity. You can avoid meeting with failure by simply avoiding the dates with inauspicious qi (energy)."
If you want to accomplish something productive this month to end 2017 on a high note, the best days to find your groove will be Dec. 17, 20, 23, 26, 28, 29, and 31. This means that on Dec. 20 you be a boss before your day of bedridden Netflix marathoning on Dec. 21. According to Bose, Dec. 20 is an ideal time for "Accept[ing] new work assignments, signing agreements, starting a new project, groundbreaking, renovations, opening business, planting, making requests, asking for favors, teaching [...] getting married, moving house, [and] traveling."
If the roller coaster of Mercury Retrograde and the Winter Solstice has you feeling a little spacey, it might feel hard to focus your energy on Dec. 20. However, that's exactly what you should do as Astro Butterfly also touts Dec. 20 as a day to get stuff done if you want to manifest your opportunities for 2018. "[M]ake sure you take advantage of this extremely potent energy. Don’t forget, Saturn is the manifestor. Saturn has the patience and the diligence to make things happen, to turn abstract goals into reality."
So though the penultimate week of the year, much like the rest of 2017, looks like a total rollercoaster-dumpster fire combo, it's simply one day that we will move past like any other. Just remember to take it easy, avoid travel (sorry!), and set your intention for when the days start getting lighter again.
