It’s been a chaotic time, but the end of autumn finds Mercury and Venus ushering in a fresh start under the twinkling holiday lights following their retrogrades. To explain: each retrograde has a “post-shadow”, which essentially means a bit of paradigm shift. Mercury rules communication, while Venus rules love and money, so conversations around these themes might finally feel less muddled and more smooth-sailing. Enmeshments may untangle, responsibilities may firm up, and reciprocity may finally be restored.
As ever, the winter solstice arrives on 21 December, marking the shortest day of the year and the start of Capricorn season, a sign that urges us to think practically and long-term. This isn’t just about dreaming up New Year’s resolutions: the Sun in Capricorn asks us big questions about how we want to invest our time and energy, and what we want to build for our future, so there’ll be a lot of that this winter.
It’s not all plain sailing, though. We’ve got a Mars retrograde approaching on 10 January 2027, which could brew up a number of conflicts and interpersonal obstacles. Fortunately, the solar eclipse in Aquarius lands a month later, on 6 February, which will usher in a sense of community, with a few new faces entering the scene. And then, a lunar eclipse in Virgo, on 20 February, will bring us back down to earth, reminding us of our everyday responsibilities and commitments.
So yeah, a lot going on. But what does winter have in store for your sign specifically? Scroll on to find out.
21 March – 19 April
January’s Mars retrograde is actually this winter’s highlight for you, Aries. You’re the go-getter of the zodiac, and Mars, your planetary ruler, is the warrior. But the retrograde will have you slowing down and rethinking your goals, particularly around work and ongoing projects (which will be a good thing). Mars’s reentry into fellow fire sign Leo urges you to get clear on what – and who! – you are really passionate about, and cut the distractions in your life that are keeping you from pursuing your heart’s desires.
20 April – 21 May
Venus ends its retrograde on 13 November and clears its shadow at the start of the season, promoting a peaceful environment, especially in the workplace, and will perhaps find you starting some gigs that feel particularly worth your while. The solar eclipse in Aquarius later this winter could also find you embarking on a big new career path. The movers and shakers in your industry may swap places, and with so much change in the air, you might be able to position yourself in a new role.
22 May – 21 June
The season opens with you getting all your ducks in a row, Gemini, but by the end of the winter, everything you have organised for yourself in terms of your work flow and everyday responsibilities might just go out the window as you embark on a big adventure abroad, or somehow otherwise step out of your comfort zone and your usual routine. But, hey, that’s okay! The organisation you cultivate now will create the safe home-base for you to jump off into new adventures.
22 June – 22 July
The upcoming eclipses are the highlight of your winter – you are ruled by the moon, after all, so its movements suggest changes and opportunities for you, Cancer. The solar eclipse in Aquarius, for example, could be a powerful one for cutting ties: you might finally get the closure you seek, and you might settle a debt or otherwise correct an imbalance. The lunar eclipse in Virgo stands to bring communication breakthroughs: seemingly minor details may be revealed that result in major revelations.
23 July – 22 August
Late winter will likely bring plenty of drama and intrigue to Leos. The solar eclipse in Aquarius could mean that someone’s secret crush on you isn’t so secret anymore! Important truths are said to be revealed during eclipse season, and this one is all about your relationships. If you’re already in love, between the eclipses and Mars retrograde, this could be a major period of transformation for you and your partner, one which could bring you much closer… or, it could mark a turning point if you decide you’ve changed too much since the start of your relationship.
23 August – 23 September
The lunar eclipse in your zodiac sign, Virgo, stands to be one of the most transformative periods of the year for you – but first, the solstice! The winter solstice marks the sun’s entry into fellow earth sign Capricorn, which could bring fun, romance and creativity your way. The lunar eclipse in your zodiac sign could mark a tremendous period of change, both personally and within your relationships. Something about your identity, how you see yourself, and who you want to be in your partnerships could undergo a brilliant revolution. Intriguing introductions could take place – the new version of yourself which you see in the mirror could be the most striking!
24 September – 23 October
Venus clears its post retrograde shadow in mid-December, which could find you finally feeling like yourself again: clear-headed, cute and ready to mingle! On the surface, you might be exploring and enjoying a new aesthetic, but on a deeper level, you might have a powerful new understanding of your values and a renewed sense of self esteem. The solar eclipse in Aquarius later this winter could bring the relationship reboot you’re seeking, as well as creative breakthroughs. Aquarius is the zodiac sign of the future, so this period could feel challenging if you’re clinging to the past – but if you embrace change, novel opportunities may arise.
24 October – 23 November
You may have struggled finding the right words this autumn, Scorpio – but early winter brings newfound clarity, and could find you experiencing communication breakthroughs, especially around the winter solstice and Capricorn season. Also, new places to explore in your neighbourhood, or new friends to mingle with, are likely to enter the scene. The Mars retrograde and lunar eclipse later in the season could mark a huge shift in your social life: you might let go of old friends, or perhaps you will find a new group or community that transforms your life.
24 November – 21 December
Your birthday season spans 22 November to 21 December and, as ever, this’ll be a time for exciting introductions and being on the receiving end of plenty of attention. Your focus may shift to finances as the sun enters Capricorn on the winter solstice, and perhaps you’ll receive a promotion at work or a meaningful gift from someone special! Career developments could take place during the lunar eclipse in Virgo towards the end of the winter – but first, shocking revelations and communication breakthroughs may arrive during the solar eclipse in Aquarius.
22 December – 20 January
Capricorn season begins on the winter solstice, 21 December, and marks the beginning of an energising period for you. You might receive a lot of attention, meanwhile winning people over could come easily. Mars retrograde could find you rethinking travel plans or decisions about education, but ultimately, the shifts you make this winter are likely to find you expanding your horizons in an even bigger way later in the year. You’re figuring out what’s really worth your time, and during the lunar eclipse in particular, you may also be figuring out what’s worth your money.
21 January – 19 February
Between a solar eclipse and a Mercury retrograde in your zodiac sign later this winter on 26 February, this stands to be a significant period of personal transformation for Aquariuses. Eclipses can bring surprises and big emotions: an unexpected chain of events could find you realising just how much you’ve changed, and powerful feelings about who you were, and who you stand to become, could arise. This is a time for reconnecting with yourself, whether discovering a new look or getting honest about what you need in relationships. Mercury retrograde means you may waffle back and forth before landing on decisions: give yourself time, explore all opportunities and don’t rush through the process.
20 February – 20 March
Big relationship shifts could take place for you this winter, Pisces. If passion has fallen flat, this might be a time when there is no more pretending. If things are still hot, then such shifts might be more about the two of you working through how you’ll help each other achieve your goals. The lunar eclipse also stands to be a big period in your relationships: surprising feelings and shocking news could surface, but so could opportunities to show each other how unshakable your love is. The ultimate question is: is there trust and a strong sense of responsibility in the relationship? If there’s no balance between revelry and reliability, this lunar eclipse could beg you to get real and recalibrate your expectations.
