Patricia Godden BSc PhD dip WESA FAPAI is a scientist-turned-astrologer. Integrating spirituality and the material world has been a key part of Patricia’s life. This is incorporated into her astrology practice, talks and courses on astrology. Find out more at www.patriciagodden.com
To cover the entire festive period, this update is slightly longer than usual. It covers the movement of the planets in the heavens for three weeks from 22nd December 2025.
During the Christmas holiday season, the material and practical sides of life are often prominent. This is completely understandable as many people are involved with giving presents and visiting friends and family. People want things to be ‘right’. However, this is also a profoundly spiritual time as so much love is poured down onto Earth from higher realms of life.
The material and spiritual sides of Christmas can be linked with the Sun, Venus and Mars in Capricorn interacting with Saturn and Neptune in Pisces. Capricorn has the soul lesson of service in action. In everyday life this may be through doing things to help others. The soul lesson of Pisces is peace through wisdom. A deep inner peace can emerge as the wisdom from everyday events is incorporated into the soul.
These two signs may appear to be so different on the surface. The symbol of Capricorn is the mountain goat that climbs to the highest level it can reach. Most people try to do their best in life. Pisces, the sign of the fishes, is linked with sensitive perception. However, these signs can blend as the soul strives to do the best it can to manifest spiritual qualities while in a physical body.
On Christmas Day, the Moon is close to its north node in Pisces and both are opposite the south node of the Moon in Virgo. This emphasises how spirituality can be brought down to earth in simple acts of service. Service can manifest in so many different forms from helping with household activities through to meditating. Empathy, kindness and compassion may come more easily for a couple of days.
During the last week of December, the scope of topics thought about and discussed may expand. There could be a search for truth and understanding the meaning of life. There is the opportunity to allow new ideas and concepts to emerge from the subconscious. At the same time, there is awareness of wanting to take care of ourselves and other people.
On New Year’s Eve, a love of living life on Earth can be valued and appreciated as the Sun, Venus and Mars are still close together in Capricorn. Giving steady, planned service could bring joy and contentment. There may be interactions with many other people as the Moon is in Gemini.
There is a full Moon on 3rd January. The Sun is in Capricorn while the Moon is in the opposite sign of Cancer. A full Moon is the time of maximum development of whatever was started at the new Moon two weeks previously. With the proximity of retrograde Jupiter to the Moon, this full Moon may be a time to consider how to blend multiple factors in life: emotional ease, material life, ambition and caring.
Humans are feeling, sentient beings living in a physical world. Sometimes the emotions take the upper hand and sometimes the focus is on material needs. Recognising the complexity of life on its many levels, including the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual levels, is one way of honouring the courage of the soul to take on a physical body.
Eight of the ten planets are in the earth or water elements from 2nd – 17th January highlighting the physical and emotional levels of life. A deeper level of interpretation suggests finding peace through giving service. Pluto in the air element of Aquarius brings objectivity and impartiality to help balance the situation and widen awareness from individual concerns to those of the collective.
Chiron, which is a centaur and not a planet, is in the fire element of Aries. It has been retrograde since August 2025 allowing deeper examination of core issues and self-discovery. After it goes direct on 3rd January, the increased awareness gained in the months it was retrograde may lead to greater understanding of individuality. This might reflect in greater self-confidence.
The Moon passes through a fire sign for two and a half days in every ten days. When none of the other planets are in the fire element, this might be a welcome change in energy. It could be particularly noticeable while the Moon is in the warm, loving and generous sign of Leo on 5th and 6th January.
The proximity of the Sun, Venus and Mars in Capricorn has already been mentioned but from 6th – 9th January, they are within one degree of each other. Responsible and methodical application of effort, together with patience and a willingness to work hard may be channelled into goals that are worth pursuing. Dedicated commitment to a project may lead to progress.
For a few hours on 10th January, there may be a sense of restlessness or a huge drive to take action in some form. It might not be easy but integrating initiative and ambition, consideration of others and their needs, could make the best use of the abundant available energy. This situation arises from an interaction between the planets in Capricorn, the Moon in Libra, retrograde Jupiter in Cancer and Chiron in Aries.
Life sometimes seems like a balancing act: balancing work and leisure time, activity and relaxation, the physical life and spiritual interests. Perhaps it is not so much a question of ‘this’ verses ‘that’ as blending and integrating the diverse experiences of being human until we can radiate the light of our spirit through all facets of our lives.
Keep well, stay happy.
Patricia Godden