Wintering
Reviewing the astrology of 2023, season by season
As the year winds down, I’m reflecting on 2023. The older I get, the less energy I have for new year’s resolutions. Instead, I’m pausing to tune into the cycles unfolding above and seasons unfurling below. This year, I rooted in the place of my ancestors, sprouted an astrology business, and blossomed into a new decade. I emerged from my first Saturn return with an appreciation of the turning of time and longing for presence and slowness.
This year, slowness gave me the gift of awareness. I saw patterns more clearly, and today, I’m 363 days alcohol-free. Sobriety gave me the space to fall in love with creating, writing, and ritual. I picked up practices like morning pages and tarot cards. I deleted apps and reclaimed my attention by tuning into the natural world. Will and I planted a garden, and monarchs, bees, and rabbits visited our backyard.
This year, I found community and felt less isolated and alone. I made new friends, hosted gatherings under the Moon, and joined a weekly circle. I co-created, co-taught, and collaborated. I listened deeply, practiced vulnerability, and laughed a lot.
As 2023 comes to an end, I’m resisting the urgency to set goals and forecast the future. Instead, I’m pausing to honor and remember all I’ve been through. Join me as I review the astrology of 2023, season by season, and reflect on the cycles above and seasons below. I recommend having your natal chart as a reference. Today, we begin with winter.
Winter December 21st, 2022 – March 20th, 2023
Mars retrograde in Gemini: October 31st – January 12th
Mercury retrograde in Capricorn: December 29th – January 18th
Jupiter in Aries: December 20th – May 16th
Venus conjunct Jupiter in Aries: March 1st
Saturn in Pisces: March 7th
Last winter was transformative for me. I launched Mystic Magnolia Astrology, chose sobriety, brought awareness to how I perpetuate my burn out, and made it through my Saturn return.
Mars and Mercury conspired to slow things down and remind us the world was wintering, and shouldn’t we do the same? Mars’ two-month retrograde in Gemini concluded on January 12th, and Mercury’s retrograde in Capricorn wrapped up on January 18th. How did you slow down during this time? What felt stagnant, under review, or in need of a refresh? Were there interpersonal conflicts to work through?
Meanwhile, Jupiter blazed through Aries, bringing audacity, belief, and courage. What impulses and opportunities did you act on? What bold moves did you make? Jupiter in Aries presented the opportunity to launch my astrology business, and I’m grateful I had the audacity to take it!
On March 1st, Venus conjoined Jupiter for one of the sweetest transits of the year. In fiery Aries, the benefics encouraged the fearless pursuit of our dreams and desires. What dreams lit you up? What desires burned in your heart?
On March 7th, Saturn left Aquarius for oceanic Pisces, ending a five-year homecoming for the Lord of Time. Saturn softened as he relinquished responsibility and sailed through the waters of Jupiter. Saturn and Jupiter are balancing forces. Saturn embodies melancholy and discipline, and Jupiter embodies optimism and imagination. Saturn is space-time, material reality, the bones of the body, and the bedrock of Earth.
From March 2023 – May 2025, Saturn creates blueprints for Pisces’ dreams. A softened Father of Time teaches the discipline and devotion needed to bring great works of art into being. Saturn transits bring restructure and tests of endurance. What are we reconstructing during this time?
Saturn in Pisces Journal Prompts
Aries Rising
What feels like sacred alone time vs. isolation? How can you cultivate more retreat and less loneliness?
What practices do you have for moving through internal struggles? What resources do you need? Who can you ask for support?
Taurus Rising
What does community mean to you? Who is part of your community, and what beliefs, collective aspirations, and values do you share?
How does community support your personal growth? As you change, how does your community change?
Gemini Rising
What brings you fulfillment and purpose? How has this evolved over time?
How do you cultivate discipline and endurance to achieve your ambitions?
How do you show up in the world? Is there an impact you want to make?
Cancer Rising
What is your relationship to religion, spirituality, higher education, or long distance travel? How do these experiences shape your life?
What beliefs and experiences bring you meaning? How are your beliefs and experiences being challenged or fortified?
Leo Rising
How do you collaborate and share resources with others? How can you cultivate more collaboration and sharing in your life?
What is your relationship to grief, death, and loss? How do you move through these experiences? What do you need to support your healing?
How do you relate to the unseen world, spirits, or ancestors?
Virgo Rising
What does interdependence mean to you? How do you practice interdependence?
What does reciprocity mean to you? How do you practice reciprocity?
Which relationships are being challenged and how? What amends and boundaries are needed?
Libra Rising
What are your experiences with burnout and overworking? How is your work-life balance being challenged?
What are your experiences with acute or chronic illness? What does good health feel like? How do you balance wellness with work and service obligations?
What practices or rituals do you have to care for your mind, body, and spirit? What practices or rituals do you need to establish?
Scorpio Rising
How is your relationship to creativity and pleasure being challenged?
How do you cultivate the discipline to make time for creation and joy?
Sagittarius Rising
How is your foundation or home life being restructured? What do you need to feel grounded and secure?
What is your relationship to your family of origin and ancestral lineage? How are these relationships being challenged or fortified?
Capricorn Rising
What is your relationship to your local community, neighborhood, or city? Do you feel rooted? What tethers you here?
What daily practices and rituals bring meaning into your life?
Aquarius Rising
What makes you feel resourced? What resources do you need to thrive?
What responsibility do you have to provide for yourself and others? How is that responsibility changing?
What skills do you want to practice or learn?
Pisces Rising
How is your identity and sense of self changing? What experiences have given you wisdom? What are you learning about yourself as you age?
Year One of Mystic Magnolia Astrology
Thank you for supporting my first year of business. In 2023, I facilitated 55 astrology readings, and I’m so grateful. Whether you read or shared my newsletter, booked a reading, or attended a workshop, your support means the world to me! If you’d like to connect in January, my books are open.