Capricorn

What the sign is like

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of time and discipline. It works hard, keeps its word and gets things right. It values honesty and care with detail.

Its ambition is steady. It takes the next step and trusts the goal will follow. It is content with little and keeps going without complaint.

The older books saw it as the sign of the specialist, wonderful within its own field. They also warned of rigid thinking, too much caution, and a reserve that can look cold to others when it is really shyness.

With other people

Capricorn is a safe pair of hands. People trust it with their money and their plans.

It can find it hard to let its guard down in love and friendship. Warmth often comes slowly, and when it comes it lasts. The older books told Capricorn to be generous with praise and affection, toward others and toward itself.

They paired Capricorn with the other earth signs, Taurus and Virgo. With Aries, Cancer and Libra they said Capricorn can turn too inward and too serious.

How it was read before

The older books pictured a mountain goat, sure-footed on rock, living on very little.

They said earth is naturally restful, and Capricorn is earth set in motion. Earth that moves is a landslide or an earthquake. That is why they saw a hidden force in this quiet sign.

Mars is at its strongest in Capricorn, which gives the steady climber real drive.

Its tarot card

The card for Capricorn is The Devil, and the 1927 book names it, through the idea of earth that turns against its own stillness.

Please don't fear this card. I read The Devil as the chains we can take off ourselves: habits, fears and old rules we have outgrown. For Capricorn it asks which of your duties are truly yours.

Sit with this

You have carried so much, for so long. You are allowed to rest.

Sit with this: what would it feel like to be proud of how far you have climbed, instead of only looking at how far is left?