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Western (tropical) · Zodiac sign 10

♑︎ Capricorn

Sea-goat · Sea-goat

Capricorn ♑, the sea-goat: a cardinal earth sign ruled by Saturn, 22 December – 19 January.

Capricorn, the sea-goat, begins at the winter solstice — hence the Tropic of Capricorn. A cardinal earth sign ruled by Saturn and the exaltation of Mars, it is associated with ambition, discipline and endurance.

The dates are approximate because the sun's entry into each sign shifts by a day or so from year to year; the calculator on this site gives the exact sign for a birth date and time. In traditional astrology a sign is read together with its planetary ruler, the house it occupies and the aspects to it, not in isolation.

Personality

ambitious · disciplined · responsible · patient · practical · reserved · persevering

In Western astrology Capricorn is described as the climber of the zodiac: ambitious, disciplined and patient in pursuit of long-term goals. A cardinal earth sign ruled by Saturn, symbolised by the sea-goat, it is given the temperament of the mountain goat that picks its way steadily upwards, together with a hidden depth suggested by the creature's fish's tail.

Astrologers credit Capricorn with responsibility, endurance, practical wisdom and a dry sense of humour, and with the capacity to build something lasting through steady effort. It is said to grow more relaxed and confident with age. The challenges traditionally named are reserve, pessimism, rigidity, an excessive concern with status and a tendency to put duty before pleasure.

In love Capricorn is portrayed as cautious at first but loyal and committed, showing affection through reliability and long-term care rather than words. At work it is linked with management, government, finance, engineering, law and any structured career with a ladder to climb. Traditional astrology notes that Mars is exalted in Capricorn, a placement linked with disciplined effort, and that Saturn's lessons of time and limitation colour the whole sign; popular modern lists give garnet as its stone.

Stone: Garnet

Sources and further reading