Art: from Mixtkit.co Free Art, Artist: Casandra Banuelos
Ruling Planet: Saturn – The Taskmaster
Style: determined, restrained
Modality: Cardinal, sets initiatives in motion
Element: Earth
Symbol: Sea-goat
Personality: focused, committed, responsible, structured, hard-working, organized, practical, goal-oriented, modest, natural leaders, overachievers, critical, aloof, relentless, loyal, dependable, consistent, entrepreneurial, persistent, sensitive, realistic, pessimistic, self-reliant, stoic, ambitious, determined, materialistic, strong, supportive, shrewd, self-aware, clear-eyed, perceptive, down-to-earth, worldly, touchy, dry, wise, intuitive, methodical, homebodies, voracious learners
Zora Neale Hurston, American author, anthropologist and filmmaker, January 7, 1891
The Sun shifts from Sagittarius to Capricorn on December 21st, lasting until roughly January 20th. In the Northern Hemisphere, Capricorn season kicks off the beginning of winter, which also lands on Winter Solstice. Cardinal earth signs – such as Capricorn – set up and commence initiatives. Cardinal signs start on all of the solar holidays that inaugurate the changing of the seasons.
Valeska Gert, German dancer, pantomime, cabaret artist, actress and pioneering performance artist, January 11, 1892
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn: the last planet visible to the naked eye, and the slowest planet in the solar system. It symbolizes the veil between the known and the unknown, ruling aspects of aging, endings, rules, boundaries and the burden of collective history. Saturn is known for taking its sweet-ass time, and appreciates going at a slow, but steady pace. Saturn being Cap’s ruling planet instils an ingrained instinct on how to conserve energetic resources.
Stormé DeLarverie, performer, LGBTQIA+ activist and icon, December 24, 1920 - May 24, 2014
Thanks to the support of ruler planet Saturn, Caps know how to set boundaries. Traditionally, Capricorn has been one of the more misunderstood of the signs, yet their skills at boundary setting is a huge asset. For many, it takes years (if not a lifetime) to set boundaries with others, for Capricorns it’s an innate survival skill. In order to get close to a Cap, respecting their boundaries is essential. It’s important to keep in mind to clearly express what your boundaries are instead of waiting for others to cross one unwittingly.
Odetta, American singer, musician, actress, civil rights activist, December 31, 1930 - December 2, 2008
Capricorns are the late bloomers of the zodiac. Their perfectionistic tendencies keep them constrained from sharing their gifts until they are satisfied, and they don’t mind taking the nice and slow approach. They know that having some time under their belt first might be the key to long-lasting masterpieces. They only get better with age. However, this perfectionism can be a double-edged sword that holds them back from finding completion, and if they’re not careful at finding a satisfying completion to a project, they risk ever getting their work out there to begin with.
Marlene Dietrich, German and American actress and singer, December 27, 1901
For Goddess worshippers, Saturn and Capricorn is represented as the elder, ancient one: Antiqua (see Jailbreaking the Goddess: A Radical Revisioning of Feminist Sprituality by LaSara Firefox Allen), and the crone goddess aspect of Hekate to name a few. In tarot, Capricorn can be found in the Hermit as well as the Devil cards.
Lili Elbe, Danish visual artist, one of the earliest recipients of gender-affirming surgery, December 28, 1882 - September 13, 1931
The Devil, Lucifer is the light bringer. The light and sun are welcomed in at the beginning of Capricorn Season: after December 21st the light begins to return. The light and sun are represented in the Divine Child as the new solar year begins and we ready ourselves to venture forth for another trip around the Sun. The Roman god Mithras was born on Winter Solstice, and his festival was around December 25th. Some say that his cult evolved into early Christianity. After all, Jesus and Mithras were both considered light baring children.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, American visual artist, December 22, 1960 - August 12, 1988
Sea-goats are solo-sailing adventurers who are able to dive to the depths of the darkest parts of the ocean and scale the highest peaks. In their quest for knowledge, they climb to impossible heights, and soak in creative waters. While quite austere on the surface, Capricorns feel profoundly: they just approach the emotional realm on their own terms like they do everything else.
Hayao Miyazaki, Japanese animator, director, producer, screenwriter, author and manga artist, January 5, 1941
When taken to extremes, Caps become too exacting, overly suspicious, belittling and severe. If not careful, Capricorn can become as remote as its ruling planet. This could eventually lead to a lack of ability to connect with others. Rather than seeking out human connection, a blocked Capricorn can rely so strictly to their own personal code that it becomes all-consuming, and alienating from others. Consciously working on openness to people, places, and opportunities is essential to keeping Caps from total hermitage.
Greta Thunberg, Swedish environmental activist, January 3, 2003
Capricorns take the necessary leap forward in creating viable structures that allow space for not just surviving, but thriving. Sun in Capricorns search out how to pragmatically put their resources to use. Being cardinal earth signs, they are earthy by nature, and practical in reaching for lofty goals, making them the official over-achievers of the zodiac. This natural sense of pragmatism allows Caps to shine brightest, however, it would be amiss to equate pragmatism with being unimaginative. Capricorn Suns are innovators who figure out ways to engage creatively with barriers and restrictions. In fact, restrictions are a welcome challenge for them and this challenge results in great rewards, however slow to pay off they may be.
Capricorn Season can be weighed down with solemnity and big changes. These changes can lead towards a journey of self-examination of our shadow selves. This time of year calls for some gazing into the abyss, which while hard to do, is necessary for a deeper understanding on how to best evaluate our lives. We will be wading in the waters of pleasure, grief, control and security for this, so managing how to learn to let go of some limiting personal codes in order to let the good stuff in will also prove essential.
Capricorn season calls for us to get down to business and throw ourselves into personal or professional pursuits that make our souls glow, whatever those endeavors may be. Utilize the discipline and tenaciousness of Capricorn season to harness whatever weird and wild idea you've been nourishing and see it through to fruition.
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