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Capricorn Decoded: A Deep Dive into the Zodiac’s CEO

Archetypal Capricorn is responsible, mature, and with a strong sense of moral, work ethic, and duty. They are reliable, steadfast, and true to their word. This is the matriarch of the Zodiac, stoic and wise.

Its ruling Planet is stern Saturn, grandfather taskmaster, teacher of lessons, boundaries, and the sanctity of the word no. The wisdom of Saturn can come to us through challenge and hardship, but it always ensures things are built on sturdy foundations. Associated with time, it values quality over quantity and is not afraid to play the long game.

As a Cardinal Earth Sign, Capricorn initiates change in grounded, pragmatic way. Bringing about the start of the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, it knows that we will only make it through the cold together and with forward planning. Where it is in your Natal Chart can show you areas where you need discipline, dedication, and minimalism.

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Characteristics of Capricorn

Capricorn is a Nocturnal, Cardinal Earth Sign. Nocturnal Signs (Earth + Water) are more receptive and inward-facing. Cardinal Signs are the leaders of the Zodiac, the initiators of change. They like to start to new things but may also struggle to see them through to the long-term. Earth Signs are earthy (of course), realistic, and practical.

Archetypal Capricorn is resilient and reliable, someone you can really lean on. It has a strong sense of responsibility, and right and wrong. It has a strong appreciation for tradition, the beauty in old things, and ancestral wisdom.

Its ruling body part is the skin and skeleton. The skin is the boundaries that help us stand and be protected, the skeleton is of course essential in our capacity to stand upright on a solid framework.

Its traditional symbol was the mythical seagoat, a nod to its capacity to keep its feet on the ground whilst also tapping into its more spiritual side. Modernly, as the mountain goat, it is indicative of its drive to strive to the top of the mountain!

The Planets and Capricorn

As Astrology is the study of the Planets, it can be useful to think about a Zodiac Sign through which Planets are comfortable and at home in them, and which ones struggle in their domain.

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn traditionally— Father Time, father of Zeus. Saturn was also associated as a harvest God, its name coming from greek Chronos and Cronus/Kronos both being conflated with one another. Saturn is firm but fair, it doesn’t care for excess. I believe it was the wonderful Diana Harper Rose who said that Saturn is the necessary clean up after Jupiter’s party. Yes and No are both necessary.

Saturn is of the night “Sect”, known as the “greater malefic”, in comparison to Mars, as its temperament is cold and dry, and it is the last Planet visible to the naked eye (thus the last of the Classical Planets) and so represents the literal wall, boundary, and reality. Saturn can cause separation, distance, and struggle, but it does also reward hard work.

Saturn finds its so-called “joy” in the 12th House of Shadow, the so-called House of Bad Spirit. This is traditionally the House of loss, isolation, and exile, but also represents introspection, solitude, our subconscious, dreamscape, and mental health, as well as patterns of self-undoing and places such as monasteries, prisons, and hospitals.

Mars exalts in Capricorn, which I just adore. The lesser malefic in the Sign of the greater malefic finds its usual fast and fiery nature tempered here. The energy of Mars becomes less brash and more mature, its impulsiveness tamed by Capricorn’s patience and sense of responsibility.

As the Moon is the ruler of Cancer, it finds its detriment in Capricorn, the Sign opposite. The Moon is the Planet of nurturance, comfort, and sensitivity, it can struggle to find a soft place to land in the hard edges of Capricorn. The Moon in Capricorn can sometimes treat the needs of the body like a burden, it doesn’t have much patience for sickness or fluctuating moods.

As Jupiter is exalted in Cancer, it finds its fall in Capricorn. As the Planet of faith, trust, and belief, it can struggle in the harsh realism (or pessimism) of Capricorn. It can be hard for it to believe without the cold hard facts first here. Jupiter wants to grow and expand, more-is-more energy, Capricorn wants to stick to the essentials and get rid of the superfluous.

Continue reading for more details about the Zodiac Sign Capricorn:

The Planets in Capricorn

The Zodiac Seasons are governed by where the Sun currently is in the Zodiac belt (which is a division of the ecliptic— the apparent path of the Sun— into twelve equal Signs). When it is in the Sign of Capricorn, we are collectively in Capricorn Season.

This usually occurs roughly between the 21st December - 20th January but depends on the day of the Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere each year (which starts the Astrological cycle and is what the Tropical Zodiac Signs are based on— not the constellations as is commonly thought!), the Sun spending roughly 30 days in each Sign thereafter, moving 1º a day.

In the Northern Hemisphere (which “Western” Astrology is developed on), Capricorn Season is the official start of winter (although it has likely felt like it from much earlier). It is the time when many are gathering with loved ones and beginning to look to the future for what they would like to build next. The perfect planning season!

Capricorn Season

During Capricorn Season is a time to come back to the essentials and what really matters: our loved ones. After the indulgence of Sagittarius Season just before it, now is the time to give our gifts and sit in gratitude with one another.

It’s an ideal period to honour the passage of time, the interplay between dark and light, life and death, to release the old year and begin looking towards the new. Make a promise to yourself and stick to it, Capricorn would have it no other way.

-> If you would like rituals and magick to connect to the energy of this period and this part of your Natal Chart, get the Capricorn Season Workbook (created for all Zodiac Signs)!

Of course, no Planet can be taken in isolation when reading a Birth Chart for a personality analysis (the Sun in Capricorn opposing Uranus will be VERY different for example), but here is a brief overview of all the Planets in Capricorn (which will also influence the Houses they rule— for example if you have Mars in Capricorn this also speaks to your Aries and Scorpio Houses!):

Sun in Capricorn

The Sun in Capricorn is mature, responsible, and stoic. You may have been wise beyond your years, or simply know how to get sh*t done. You’re not afraid to put in the hard work and have a strong sense of integrity, honour, and morals.

-> If you’re a Capricorn, book in your Year Ahead Reading with me for details about what your Solar Return heralds for you!

Moon in Capricorn

The Moon in Capricorn needs something to work towards and to feel like it’s “earned” its right to rest and play. It can sometimes struggle with letting itself make mistakes and be human, it has such high standards! This is a responsible, reliable Moon.

Mercury in Capricorn

Mercury in Capricorn is forward-planning, strategic, and mature. It likes to look at things from a pragmatic, practical, realistic way— no fluffy language here! It can takes things literally and communicate in a very wise, mature way.

Venus in Capricorn

Venus in Capricorn requires reliability, ambition, and maturity from partners. It needs a sense of commitment and responsibility, someone who sticks to their words. It prefers traditional, minimalist style.

Mars in Capricorn

Mars in Capricorn is mature, responsible actions, able to see things through to the long-term. It may be slower to start, but is conscientious in doing so. This can have high ambitions, drive, and determination, desiring to accomplish.

Jupiter in Capricorn

Jupiter in Capricorn can struggle to call upon its usual sense of trust and faith— don’t poke holes where none need be and allow yourself to believe. It values honesty, hard work, integrity, and duty.

Its placement in your Chart can also speak to your Sagittarius and Pisces placements/ Houses.

Saturn in Capricorn

Saturn in Capricorn is at home thus strongly able to call upon its usual characteristics of hard work ethics, stoicism, integrity, and reliability. It can sometimes be too hard on itself or set standards too high.

As another social Planet, along with Jupiter, people born within the same 2-3 years as you will have Saturn in Capricorn— you can look to other placements for more personalised details (such as the House it is in, what aspects it is making, and the Aquarius House of your Chart).

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Capricorn in the Astrological Houses

In each of our Natal Charts, Capricorn will occupy a House (regardless of whether you have placements in Capricorn or not), bringing its desire for structure and discipline to this area of ourselves and life for us.

-> When a Planet enters Capricorn, it is transiting this House for us, bringing its energy/action to this area of life (this is how all horoscopes are written)! To learn more about what the Planets have in store for you, get your Year Ahead Forecast!

Capricorn in the 1st House - Capricorn Rising

Capricorn Risings can embody the quintessential Capricornian archetype— hard working, ambitious, and reliable. You might have a strong sense of responsibility and standards, always striving for the best!

Capricorn in the 2nd House - Sagittarius Rising

With Capricorn in the 2nd House you may be more reserved with your money and risk averse. You might be a minimalist spender and value investment pieces and quality over quantity, not afraid to put in the hard work to earn your money.

Capricorn in the 3rd House - Scorpio Rising

Capricorn in the 3rd House can give you a mature, stoic, and realistic mindset. You might see things in black and white, and prefer grounded language over fluffy poeticism. You might mentally set high standards for yourself.

Capricorn in the 4th House - Libra Rising

With Capricorn in the 4th House your upbringing may have been more traditional or you may need a sense of reliability in the home. You might prefer traditional, minimalist styles for your abode.

Capricorn in the 5th House - Virgo Rising

With Capricorn in the 5th House you might have a more minimalist sense of fun, almost feeling like you have to earn your right to play and rest, or that your hobbies should be of value in some way and not time wasters.

Capricorn in the 6th House - Leo Rising

With Capricorn in the 6th House might like your daily routines to be structured and dependable. You might be hard on your body and overwork it at times, and less-than-forgiving when sick, make sure to lower any standards that are too high!

Capricorn in the 7th House - Cancer Rising

With Capricorn in the 7th House you’ll need a partner who is reliable, mature, and steadfast— a real rock. Someone you can look up to and depend on, who is ambitious and has achieved a lot. The relationship needs to feel committed rather than frivolous!

Capricorn in the 8th House - Gemini Rising

With Capricorn in the 8th House you might be more reserved with your investments, preferring to play the long game. You might be a pro at setting emotional boundaries and getting clear on what belongs to you and others.

Capricorn in the 9th House - Taurus Rising

Capricorn in the 9th House can give you a realistic worldview and pragmatic beliefs system. You might prefer a philosophy or spirituality that is tried-and-tested over new trends.

Capricorn in the 10th House - Aries Rising

Capricorn in the 10th House can give you a strong work ethic and sense of professional maturity. You might take your career seriously and be ambitious, somewhat of an authority figure. Don’t set your standards too high!

Capricorn in the 11th House - Pisces Rising

With Capricorn in the 11th House you need your friendships to ground and anchor you, surround yourself with people who are reliable and responsible! Friends who are mature and ambitious can be beneficial for you.

Capricorn in the 12th House - Aquarius Rising

Capricorn in the 12th House can bring you a stoic subconscious, make sure you’re not secretly too hard on yourself! Life doesn’t have to be hard. In terms of mental health, strong boundaries, dedication, and discipline can be useful.

During Capricorn Season itself is a particularly yin time for you, Aquarius, of turning within and spending time introspecting in solitude!

So that’s a brief overview of the characteristics of the Capricorn archetype, I hope it’s insightful for you! Let me know in the comments section below if you have anything else to add or any questions.

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