Winter begins at the Capricorn ingress, when the Sun crosses into the southernmost sign. This year’s solstice chart is unusually concentrated: the Moon sits at 17° Capricorn, the exact degree where the Sun, Mars, and Venus will all align in early January: the season’s opening weeks will be particularly active. The solstice astrology does not remain latent for long; it moves rapidly into visibility, with themes ripening quickly after the turn of the year.
Four signatures stand out, those being the Sun’s applications to Mars and Venus, the Moon’s opposition to a retrograde Jupiter, and the Moon’s conjunction with Vega, the brightest star in Lyra.
The Two Celestial Fires Conjoin
The first current is a surge of energy. The Sun’s application to Mars describes drive, assertion, and activity rising to the surface. It can be productive – courage to take on difficult tasks, stamina to push through obstacles – but it also inclines us toward impatience and a temptation to overreach. Mars is hot and quick by nature, and when joined to the Sun the effect is often intensified, pushing events forward whether or not conditions are ready. In practical terms, that shows up as bold initiatives, sudden confrontations, or the pursuit of risk for its own sake. The season begins with this push and much depends on whether that energy finds constructive outlets or burns itself out in excess. Because this contact perfects within weeks of the solstice, the turn of the year is likely to bring decisive and visible developments, not background rumblings.
The Coupling of the Sun and Venus
After its union with Mars, the Sun is met by an approaching Venus, and the quality of expression changes from heat and drive into charm, sociability, and the pursuit of pleasure. This configuration amplifies themes of connection. It favors creative work, partnership, and displays of charm, though it also points to indulgence or prioritizing appearances.
As Venus becomes more emphasized, its influence will mean that presentation and finish start getting some attention. Form, color, and arrangement become levers for progress, whether that’s in a business pitch, a piece of writing, or the setting of a table. What moves ahead in this period often does so because it looks and feels right, not because some argue it down to its technical core. That can accelerate outcomes, smoothing coordination across teams or circles, but it also raises the risk of shallow agreements or last-minute scope creep when aesthetics overtake function.
The same signature works in negotiations and relationships. Progress comes from civility, favors, and gestures rather than pressure. It is easier to open doors and secure goodwill, but also easier to concede too much to keep the atmosphere pleasant. The strength of this period is access and refinement; the liability is terms that require review once the charm has passed.
Final Months of Jupiter Retrograde
The solstice Moon stands opposite Jupiter, now retrograde. Jupiter is the planet of growth and advantage, but when retrograde, its help arrives with conditions. Instead of straightforward liberality, arenas that describe themselves in terms of virtue find themselves in a state of review: courts revisiting arguments, financial plans pulled back for audit, friendships tested on questions of trust, optimism tempered by practical constraints. The Moon’s opposition sharpens this tension. Immediate needs push forward, while the systems or social networks that usually provide relief move at a slower pace. It is the mismatch between urgency and procedure – an ally inclined to wait before stepping in, a decision that lingers despite pressure to conclude, resources assumed to be ready but caught in clearance, etc.
Jupiter often serves as a release valve, offering luck, loopholes, or a timely reprieve. In retrograde and opposed by the Moon, that escape hatch shouldn’t be relied on – spring has better circumstances for general ‘good luck.’ Importantly, Jupiter is not advancing new terrain – retrograde motion shows that the points of conflict or negotiation will likely be familiar, revisited from earlier in the year. The solstice chart sets this as an underlying theme: emotional tides will pull against broader systems of belief or authority throughout the season.
The Moon Aligns with the Brilliant Star Vega
The brightest star in the constellation of the Lyre lends a distinct tone to the season. Lyra, the lyre, is the instrument that Mercury gives to Orpheus, whose song enchanted even the dead. Ancient sources emphasize both the artistry and the danger of this constellation: its music could soothe, persuade, and inspire, but also mislead or beguile.
Vega, Lyra’s alpha star, was associated with refinement, artistry, and prominence, but also with changeability and tendencies toward excess. With the Moon on Vega at the solstice, the season carries both the promise of creative expression and the risk of being seduced by one’s own tune. Roman astrologer Manilius described the influence of this constellation as inducing us to sing ourselves “some secret strain… which can charm no ears but [our] own.”
That image captures the practical edge of this influence. Work may be polished and sincere yet fail to travel beyond its immediate circle. Some projects will resonate widely, drawing attention and admiration; others may be left in rehearsal, appreciated only by their makers.
Institutions and public figures face the same test. Presentations may be crafted with care, but if they miss the tone of their audience, they risk being judged as ornamental or self-indulgent. Artistry, refinement, and polish are not guarantees of reception.
At the same time, Manilius’s phrasing points to another danger: self-enchantment. A song that charms no ears but one’s own can be a pathway to delusion. This is the emperor’s-new-clothes effect, where we believe our own press, or leaders or institutions mistake their rhetoric for reality. Scales fall from the eyes of others even as the performer remains convinced of the beauty of their tune.
Your Winter Horoscope for 2025/2026 Based on Your Zodiac Sign
In general, spring looks like the fresh breath of air many have been waiting for – but the seeds for that begin now. Winter is the season of slowing down, conserving strength, and exercising discipline, those Saturnian habits that may not feel exciting but turn into valued rituals as we age and see the wisdom in moving at a steadier pace. With so much activity concentrated in Cancer and Capricorn, and carried through Aries and Libra, these signs are set for the most dynamic, pulsating season. It also marks a reprieve for the mutable signs, who have had a long stretch of Saturn’s pressure in Pisces. That chapter is nearly done, with Saturn shifting into Aries for good in early 2026. Let’s see what guidance the stars offer for your sign in your horoscope for winter 2025/2026.
Aries
The Sun and Mars conjoin in your midheaven this winter, pushing your work and reputation into clear view. Make sure the credit you’re receiving matches the effort you’re giving, because this is a period when recognition can arrive quickly (and others will want to claim it). Early January also plants strong seeds for romance, so don’t overlook chances to pursue what excites you personally. And here’s something unusual to say with confidence: it’s an excellent season to invest in fine jewelry, shared with Capricorn.
Taurus
You’ve got a busy ninth house this season, which could mean
time spent in places of higher learning, travel to far-off and beautiful locations, or a reconnection with a spiritual tradition – whether personal or shared in community. These are good avenues to lean into, and the new year looks truly rejuvenating for you in all respects. If things have felt tight, that was down to the Venus–Saturn square now behind you. With that tension easing, there’s plenty to look forward to.
Gemini
This winter highlights how much of your attention is invested in others, perhaps one person in particular. That’s not a problem – it’s healthy to step into someone else’s world – but the value comes from feeling with them, not just analyzing from the sidelines. Gemini can think through another’s position with ease, but sometimes forgets to share the experience directly. Let the heart do some of the work. Otherwise the season might tip you toward a kind of restlessness you don’t really need.
Cancer
This winter favors clear conversations with the people you’ve made commitments with. Partners and close allies seem well positioned to give what you’re asking for, and a direct but gentle request should be enough to move things forward. They’ll likely recognize it as the right step. Recent good fortune has carried you through some challenges, but this isn’t the moment to lean on luck or assume the streak continues. Keep your approach practical and grounded; broader support returns by late winter and early spring.
Leo
This winter may find you stepping into the workhorse role – doing more, covering gaps, and picking up tasks others leave behind. The catch is that much of this effort may go unnoticed or unacknowledged, which can drain energy quickly. With burnout on the rise, it’s worth paying close attention to how you manage your load. Boundaries will help, just keep in mind what is meant by that: boundaries aren’t rules for others’ behavior, they’re guidelines for what you can tolerate without falling out of character.
Virgo
This season brings signatures of change in the workplace. Leadership shifts, departmental reshuffles or reorganizations are likely, and these can cut both ways. Sometimes they create openings for unplanned promotions; other times they result in redundancies. Pay attention to your environment and use common sense – if nothing seems amiss, stay alert anyway, since Uranus is the planet stirring these changes and it rarely gives notice. On the brighter side, it’s an excellent time to cultivate new creative strengths or hobbies while the dust settles.
Libra
This winter points to a busier professional stretch, with early year developments that look promising. What you direct your energy toward tends to draw support and momentum, so it’s worth being deliberate about where your focus goes – efforts made coming into the season can gain real traction. The broader tone is positive and suggests growth in career and reputation. At the same time, keep an eye on household expenses. More time indoors may tempt upgrades or projects that outpace the budget if left to go their own way.
Scorpio
This season points to more motion than usual. If your work involves travel, expect the pace to pick up; if not, new opportunities closer to home may open that still keep you on the move. Developments about a week into the new year look especially active, so keep an eye out for shifts that change your rhythm. It’s also a strong period for writing, building communication skills, or taking up steady movement-based activities. New Year’s resolutions tied to fitness may come easier as a result!
Sagittarius
The early part of winter may bring a major outlay or the arrival of funds through a loan or payout. Either way, it throws light on your approach to money and resources. The temptation to splurge will be strong, but exercising some restraint will spare regret later. This season favors dialing things back, keeping spending practical, and investing more time indoors with friends and loved ones. That slower rhythm offers warmth and connection, balancing out them financial caution the astrology suggests.
Capricorn
Early January highlights your sign with strong professional prospects – after a demanding stretch, it feels like good fortune is circling back. This season also supports the stabilization of intimate dynamics, especially with partners you share commitments with, whether in business or romance. The emphasis is on strengthening bonds that matter most. International travel, however, may prove trickier. If you’re heading abroad, approach it with extra care: confirm details, double-check logistics, and guard against the kind of small errors that cause outsized delays.
Aquarius
Life is in transition, and you probably noticed your summer
and fall felt more removed from the usual flow of society. Winter seems to continue that theme, but it looks like the reason is that you’re occupied with big, important work. There also appears to have been a recent loss – tender and emotional – which may explain a turn inward. Whatever the cause, spring promises a very different outlook. Use this season to finish what needs closing, both practical and personal.
Pisces
This winter favors you with signatures for warmth and friendship. It’s an excellent time to deepen bonds with people already in your circle, letting those connections bring ease after several difficult astrological years. The season is lighter, and you’re encouraged to let yourself unwind. You may also see changes among superiors or mentors, and if so, it’s a good moment to think about how your support systems can be updated to match. Minor frictions with middle management aside, the outlook is encouraging.
Horoscope Author
Wade Caves, based in Brooklyn, NY, is an astrological consultant and educator specializing in problem-solving applications of astrology. He teaches astrological divination and astronomy at the School of Traditional Astrology. Wade also publishes his work on world astrology through Skyscript’s In Mundo publishing desk. He even hosts the World Astrology Summit. A conference dedicated to the advancement of astrology for global problem-solving. Website: wadecaves.com • skyscript.co.uk/inmundo. Email: hello@wadecaves.com.
Story by Wade Caves
Photo Courtesy of Ira Ostafiichuk
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