Capricorn Zodiac Sign: Characteristics & Associated Crystals

Capricorn, the tenth sign and mountain goat of the zodiac, is all about hard work. Those born under this sign are more than happy to put in a full day at the office, realizing that it will likely take a lot of those days to get to the top. That’s no problem, since Capricorns are both ambitious and determined: they will get there. Life is one big project for these folks, and they adapt to this by adopting a business-like approach to most everything they do.

Capricorns are practical as well, taking things one step at a time and being as realistic and pragmatic as possible. Those with a Capricorn zodiac sign are extremely dedicated to their goals, almost to the point of stubbornness. Those victories sure smell sweet, though, and that thought alone will keep Capricorns going.

Capricorn Symbolism + Myth

The stellar constellation of Capricorn represents the Sea-Goat, whose mythology extends back to the middle of the Bronze Age. The Babylonians called the Sea-Goat Ea, who was the protective god of water, knowledge, and creation. In Greek mythology, the Sea-Goat has other connections, one being the goat Amalthea who nursed baby Zeus after he escaped being eaten by his father, Cronos. In a later tale, Amalthea’s broken horn was transformed into the “cornucopia” full of earthly bounties.

Capricorn is also associated with Pricus, the father of a race of intelligent and honourable Sea-Goats. Pricus tried to protect his children, who lost their ability to speak and think when they ventured onto dry land, by trying to turn back time to avoid this loss.

He eventually had to surrender to losing all of his children to the wild and was given an immortal home in the heavens as the constellation of Capricorn. This lonely tale may be where some of the melancholy and sadness of the Capricorn archetype originated.

Capricorn Element, Mode, and Season

Winter Solstice

In the western tropical zodiac, Capricorn season begins on December 21, commencing the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the time of year when the sun’s heat and light are at their lowest, with the night outweighing the day. From this point, the days slowly begin to lengthen toward the Spring Equinox, representing the fourth and last seasonal pivot of the year. Capricorn’s affinity for resourcefulness and preparedness is mirrored in the activities of the Winter, where we enter a hibernation and conservation mode.

Cardinal Mode

Capricorn is the last of the four cardinal signs of the zodiac, who all hold an elemental energy of initiation and leadership at the beginning of the four seasons. Capricorn season is the beginning of Winter, where the light and energy are at a premium. This definitive seasonal quality is the root of Capricorn’s strong cardinal authority and nature as an archetype.

Earth Element

Capricorn’s element is earth, the heaviest and most solid element, thought by ancient astrologers to be the densest form of matter. Earth represents the very structure that all of nature is built with, and upon, and without it, nothing could take a material form. Capricorn’s affinity for leadership, administration, and welding material power are all akin to the structure and tangibility of the earth element.

Capricorn Characteristics

Personality

Capricorn’s personality traits are derived from its receptive, feminine, or yin qualities, making this sign oriented toward contemplation and engagement with inner awareness. Alive in both a Capricorn woman or Capricorn man, those born with the Sea-Goat as their rising, sun, or moon sign have a discipline, masterful, and determined energy in the core of their personality; an echo of the resilience and resourcefulness needed to survive the cold season of their birth.

As a cardinal sign, Capricorn holds the qualities of being an achiever, a builder, and a climber, able to set and conquer the loftiest goals one step at a time. Those born with the sign of the Sea-Goat prominent in their charts are great at being determined, consistent, and reliable. They often over-deliver on their promises and take their honour and public reputation very seriously.

Strengths

Ruled by Saturn, the primary Capricorn strengths can be found in their perseverance, longevity, and focused self-mastery. Coolheaded and down to earth, they have strong powers of discernment. They are often good Saturnian judges of character and can be approached for pragmatic advice and a fair verdict.

Ruled by Saturn, the Sea-Goat does not shy away from commitment, but rather requires it of their friends, business partners, and lovers before they can fully trust. As a result, your Sea-Goat friend may be one of your most loyal allies, unless of course, you cross them in a business deal.

Capricorns may not be seeking fame or glamour in the obvious sense, yet are known for their enduring beauty and classic elegance. Those born under the Sea-Goat are old souls who traditionally are understood to age in reverse. They usually begin life with the weight of the world on their shoulders that they gradually learn to let go of over the years. Humour is one of Capricorn’s most underrated strengths, which is an important source of their resiliency.

Natives from this sign see the world with a pragmatic and sober eye, so have long ago made their peace with the shadows of mortality and human frailty. It is this shadow and frailty that they seek to laugh with, developing a dark, rueful humour to help them survive and endure.

Capricorn has an instinct for surveying the peaks and valleys of life’s opportunities and tracks an efficient course to the top of whatever profession they pursue. While others may peak early, or flash in and out of the public eye with gimmicks and hot takes, Capricorn will stay the course and out lap their contemporaries by building a legacy.

They often achieve fame and accolades later in life, coming into their own after years of dedication. Once they age, they become our wise Saturnian elders, with a twinkle in their eye.

Weaknesses

Some potential weaknesses in the Capricorn archetype are rooted in their great strengths. Though diligent and determined, they can succumb to being myopically focused on their goals, becoming stubborn and relentless. They may hold everyone else to the strong work ethic that drives them, not understanding that others have different rhythms, values, and needs.

The Sea-Goat is known for its discerning and judicial nature, yet this can easily slip into being judgmental, and unforgiving of other’s mistakes, or life choices. Though Capricorn does have a mystical and intuitive side, they can also be traditionalists and may have a conservative streak that does not allow for flexibility in how they or others live their lives.

The Sea-Goat is no doubt honourable and committed when in balance with themselves and their needs, however, if they are feeling insecure, they can default to a radical self-reliance that cuts people out of their lives if they fall short of what they promise. This may be an important self-care instinct that can protect the surprisingly sensitive Goat from being used, however, if this is done reactively too often, they may end up isolating themselves.

Capricorn needs to let their walls down and allow themselves to be interdependent with others. These folks are known for their resourcefulness and business acumen, but if money becomes too important, they can become overly ambitious, materialistic, and even miserly.

They may have some trauma around lack, perhaps coming from humble upbringings, that tricks them into thinking they will never have enough resources to get them through the winter of life. This may or may not be true, but must be examined with the same realism that usually helps them stay grounded.

Friends of the Sea-Goat need to be aware that their companion may hide pain or depression behind a mask of self-sufficiency and dry humour. Capricorns often have shame around reaching out for help, so it’s important to offer support in a way that is not disempowering in order to let them know you have their backs.

Capricorn children will be well-nurtured if they are not saddled with too much responsibility and expectation at a tender age. Though they seem mature beyond their years, they still need their time to play and be carefree.

Capricorn Compatibility

When it comes to exploring the overall compatibility in astrology, it’s important to consider many planetary elements other than the sun sign, as well as the rising sign and moon sign to tell the whole story. That being said, Capricorn natives will tend to blend best with water signs and earth signs; and may need to work harder on relationships with fire signs and air signs.

Fire Signs

Capricorn, with their love for realism and grounding, may find the volatile and impulsive fire signs the trickiest to relate to.

Though Capricorn’s cool and reserved nature may benefit from collaborating with fiery warmth and enthusiasm, Mars-ruled Aries, especially, may be too brash and headstrong to harmonise with Capricorn’s master plan. Both are cardinal signs, which might make them wrestle for leadership and control. They will, however, respect each other’s strength and independence, but may have to do so at a distance.

Sagittarius and Capricorn are adjacent signs, meaning they share nothing modally or elementally in common. This pairing is like joining the guru with the president; they may collaborate on the same vision but will have very different roles and values. They each have a little something that the other needs, but will never admit it.

Capricorn and Leo also have nothing elementally or modally in common, and so may have a hard time relating and connecting romantically long term. Leo may be the star, and Capricorn may be the talent manager. They appreciate each other’s different natures but may evolve into business colleagues in the end.

Air Signs

Air signs are speedy and social, which is a great match in Capricorn’s business networking world, but Capricorn may find the air signs a bit too breezy and changeable to truly depend on.

Gemini and Capricorn do not share much in common, with the Sea-Goat often taking the role of grounding and organizing Gemini’s frenetic energy. The two may tire of this dynamic after a while and will need to respect each other’s different rhythms to last long term.

Libra and Capricorn can work well together, both being cardinal signs. Libra’s social and artistic world can interestingly overlap with Capricorn’s business circles. They may have a very busy public relationship, but eventually, Capricorn will need to withdraw to recharge in solitude. They may also have very different moods at different times that they would need to learn how to navigate.

Capricorn and Aquarius could work, in that they share a Saturn rulership over both of their signs. This would connect them on a serious level, where they converse and debate intently together. Capricorn may be too much of a realist and traditionalist to appreciate and trust Aquarius abstract views, and they both may be too dry and reserved to let romantic sparks truly fly.

Water Signs

Water signs bring vulnerability and emotional intelligence to a relationship with serious and industrious Capricorn, which is naturally fruitful and complementary.

Cancer is Capricorn’s polar opposite, bringing care and nurturing to Capricorn that they will sorely need. The two have an opposite’s attract connection that may either complete the whole picture or be too polarising. Cancer enjoys creating a warm home, where Capricorn is often married to their work, so if they can blend each other’s strengths, they can help balance each other out.

Pisces broadens Capricorn’s receptive capacities by bringing spiritual and philosophical awareness to their lives. This is a complementary relationship that reminds the Sea-Goat of their mystic hybrid nature. Capricorn brings structure, security, and support to dreamy Pisces, and Pisces helps Capricorn get back in touch with their soul. It’s a good match if Capricorn can forgive Pisces’ habit of losing track of time.

Mars-ruled Scorpio can bring sexual magnetism to a relationship with Capricorn, helping them open up to sensuality and exploration. This is a magnetic match, with both signs able to explore potent themes of power and mystery together. Capricorn is one of the few signs to truly “get” and appreciate Scorpio, as they are not intimidated by their deep and moody nature.

Earth Signs

Extracts from Astrology.com

Crystals for the Capricorn Star Sign

Garnet	Jet	Carnelian	Smoky Quartz
Garnet is known for boosting energy and promoting self-confidence. It can be a helpful tool for Capricorns in staying focused and motivated towards their goals. Its connection to the Earth element also resonates well with Capricorn’s grounded and practical nature.	Jet is known for its protective qualities. It can be particularly beneficial for Capricorns by helping them release negative thoughts and fears. Jet’s calming properties align well with Capricorn’s need for structure and control, providing a sense of balance and emotional stability in their lives.	Carnelian connects with the sacral chakra and is known for boosting energy and courage. This orange crystal can help Capricorns in taking bold steps forward in their career or personal life. The stone also enhances creativity, which can balance out Capricorn’s often pragmatic approach.	Smoky Quartz is a grounding stone that resonates with Capricorn’s practical nature. It aids in transforming negative energy into positive vibrations. For Capricorns, Smoky Quartz can encourage clear thinking and support in letting go of unnecessary burdens. Its soothing energy can bring calmness and relaxation to this sometimes intense zodiac sign.

 

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