Saturn enters Capricorn on today until March 21, 2020. Then due to a retrograde period it will travel back to Sagittarius, returning to Capricorn on July 1, 2020 and will remain there until December 17, 2020. With Saturn in Capricorn, the signs it rules, Saturn is dignified and functioning well. Saturn feels right at home in Capricorn.
On December 21st, the Winter Solstice the Sun moves into earthy Capricorn, ruled by Saturn and its symbol the tenacious Mountain Goat. The Sun in Capricorn picks up where the visionary Sun in Sagittarius left off where our ideals took center stage. In Capricorn, the Sun takes what's been envisioned and finds a way to make it happen, to make the commitment, devise the plan, do the work, etc. While the Sun is in Capricorn, we are reminded that each of us have a purpose in life.
This year began with retrograde Mercury and it seems only fitting to end with one as well. 2016 has been a challenging year in hundreds of ways and 2017 will bring new hurdles to deal with as well. (Watch for my 2017 Astrological Overview in a few weeks.) So this period of pause needs to be looked upon and used in the best possible way.
Sun in Capricorn December 21, 2015 to January 21, 2016
Winter arrives in the northern hemisphere when the Sun moves into cool Capricorn on December 21st, marking the longest night of the year and a time to celebrate the return of the light. This is the time of year we look for new hope at a time of darkness, which sets a serious tone. Astrologically, the Winter Solstice marks the moment the Sun, the ruler of the zodiac, moves from adventurous Fire sign Sagittarius to the steady Earth sign of Capricorn. This is the dark night of the year, a day when the Sun appears to stand still. It's a time for light and laughter, but also deep reflection. The Sun's move into steady Capricorn urges us to take some time to look back on 2015 before we make our plans for the coming year. What did we do right? What do we wish we'd done differently? Don't fight the seriousness it brings to the festive holiday season; use it to start 2016 on the right foot.
Most of us will be working hard to move forward toward something better now, just as the Capricorn symbol of the Mountain Goat forever climbs upward toward the mountain top We are reminded that each of us have a purpose in life. There are goals we work toward. The Sun in Capricorn picks up where the Sun in Sagittarius left off. The Sun is a visionary in Sagittarius. In Capricorn, the Sun takes what's been envisioned and finds a way to make it happen, to make the commitment, devise the plan, do the work, etc. Capricorn energy brings the need for solid, stable plans and structures. During the next few weeks you create your foundation for the year ahead.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
On December 21st, the Sun moved into tenacious, determined Capricorn. As an earth sign and with the goat as its archetype, Capricorn portrays the enduring and irrepressible spirit of nature. In ancient times the goat was a symbol of courage, of high aspirations and a surefootedness that enabled them to climb higher than any other animal. Goats can survive anywhere and on even the scarcest of vegetation. They are true survivors and can endure short term sacrifices and harsh conditions. The feature of the goat deserves special attention in our understanding of this sign. The name 'Capricorn' comes from the Latin caper (“goat”) and cornu (“horn”), literally “the Goat's horn”. In the ancient world horns were symbols of royalty, strength and power, as well as fertility and abundance. The goat's horn thus stands as a representation of the elemental energies of the earth.
Capricorn, being a Cardinal sign, initiates and begins the winter season, a time of scarcity and survival. This energy has to be smart, but also practical. It is earth energy and accomplishes by actions, not words. It has the patience of “time” itself and understands the natural order. We could never have the new life of spring, without the death of winter. All are part of the natural order and Capricorn rules the natural order of life itself. We are all marched through a process where we reassess our goals, do closure and manifest our hard worked plans. With its ruling planet Saturn, this sign is associated with structure, priorities, results, endurance, pragmatism, obligation, duty and authority. To most of us, this is a rather formidable list. Capricorn, as a force in our lives, has a reputation for being demanding and lacking in humor, but few of us appreciate Capricorn for being a teacher of valuable lessons which enable us to achieve and progress. Saturn and Capricorn also provide the structure, stamina and endurance that enable us to pursue a dream to its manifest conclusion, but this ability is acquired piece by piece. Saturn has an agenda; to lead us into the experiences that force us to reckon with the necessities and realities of life. His purpose is to challenge us to grow. Saturn, along with Capricorn forms a hierarchical puzzle; each brick of achievement is balanced upon the layers below it. Later lessons are built upon the foundation of previous ones. If we have not done our homework, we can become lost or mislead when faced with the tests of later learning. The maturation process requires that we have enough of what we need to progress, but sometimes the experience of doing without for a time can strengthen us. We see this when a pruned back tree springs back with stronger or when we build up our muscles through vigorous exercise. Saturn can force us to work harder than usual at something so that we become stronger in that area. The natal house where Saturn resides is often the area where we feel the weakest, yet it’s often where we excel the farthest because we've worked so hard to compensate.