The last hooray of a year and the first few weeks of a new year are often devoted to self-reflection, sharing and making memories with loved ones, and boldly stepping into your next chapter. This tradition-conscious, energetic winter season is hosted by Capricorn, the pragmatic earth sign, ruled by overseer Saturn, the planet of devotion. As the Sun moves through the sign of Sea Goat, a grounded, practical, extra adult vibe sets in, encouraging you to focus on the concrete realities of everyday life, whether it’s for your family’s annual vacation event or a new well-being habit or get organized ahead of tax season. But taking responsibility isn’t everything Cap is about. The season of the cardinal earth sign was also made for initiating great projects – and taking slow, steady, rational steps toward achievement and, ideally, recognition.
Here’s what you need to know about the Capricorn season in general and 2022-2023 in particular.
When is Capricorn time?
The time of the sun in the sign of the sea buck takes place annually from about 21.-22. December to 19-20 held in January. This year (at least in US time zones), Capricorn season runs from December 21st to January 20th.
The overall mood and mood of Capricorn season
To get an idea of how Capricorn works in astrology and influences the tone from mid-December to mid-January, consider the sign’s ruler: Saturn, the planet of obligation, limitations, boundaries, rules, organization and responsibility. It’s the tough professor of the solar system urging you to level up, grow up and put your nose to the whetstone to reach the next level of the challenge it throws at you. Capricorn, on the other hand, is one of the most goal-oriented, level-headed, and ambitious zodiac signs, keen to develop step-by-step game plans to translate lofty goals into their daily reality.
In search of recognition, Capricorns tend to put in more than their fair share of hard work. They are the first to work overtime and go above and beyond. Anyone with Cap placement (i.e. their sun or one of their big three or even big six in the sign) believes that if they follow a recipe exactly, they will get this blue ribbon winner cake. In other words, consistently following the step-by-step guide should ultimately lead to the result you have your eye set on. Associated with the 10th house of career and public image, Capricorns aren’t the first to bask in the spotlight, but they do strive for high from superiors and basically everyone they respect and admire to enjoy reputation.
As the Sun moves through this sign during Capricorn season, we’re all getting a little more practical and eager to be recognized for our efforts. No wonder we share posts documenting our accomplishments over the past year and then decide to reach for the stars.
Key takeaways for the 2022-2023 Capricorn season
Although the Sun moves through Capricorn each year, the Moon and other planets each have their own unique patterns in the sky, creating a unique astrological picture that differs from year to year. Here’s what’s going on astrologically during the 2022-2023 Capricorn season.
A new moon in Capricorn offers an opportunity to set an ambitious goal.
Although Mars, the planet of action and energy, continues its retrograde through Gemini through January 12, you can harness the driving force of the cardinal earth sign on December 23, when there is a new moon in Capricorn. Sure, you can unwind with work and commuting to holiday celebrations, but the driven and down-to-earth vibe of this phase of the moon can be particularly motivating, letting your imagination run wild on the many ways you can grow your ambitions over the next six Months. When the full moon comes in Cap on July 3, 2023, any seeds you plant now could flower beautifully.
Mercury is going retrograde for the fourth and final time this year.
After spending a few weeks in Capricorn (moving there on December 6), Mercury, the planet of communication, transportation and technology, will experience its fourth and final retrograde of the year from December 29 to January 18 estimates the lessons of the past and is often on a mission to get the job done, not only to tie up loose ends, but to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself. For that reason, this could be a particularly productive three weeks, during which you’ll be able to close old deals to more fully tackle new ventures in mid-January.
Venus moves through Aquarius.
Not too long into the Capricorn season, Venus moves into the sign of the Water Bearer (aka Aquarius), giving us a little taste of the next Sun Sign season. Platonic bonds, humanitarian causes and a whimsical sense of beauty will take center stage as the planet of love moves through the eccentric fixed air sign from January 2nd to January 23rd. 26. A day when connecting should be particularly satisfying: January 9, when Venus in Aquarius forms Mars in the other air sign, Gemini trine.
Mars becomes more direct, spurring more energy and action.
On January 12, Mars will finally end its months-long retrograde that started on October 30th. Though it’s still nearly a week before Mercury is back on track (so tech and communications can still be shaky), you may be feeling less like hibernating and more like stepping on fire to make your dreams come true. Another bonus: Any underlying anger issues that have been simmering beneath the surface for the past few months can finally be addressed openly.
Zodiac signs that could be hit the hardest during the 2022-2023 Capricorn season
While we tend to think of each Sun Sign season as that moment when those born during the season take the spotlight – and it certainly is! — Not only people with the sun in Capricorn are touched by the pragmatic, tradition-conscious vibes of this time of year. Anyone born with their Sun or primary planet in one of the cardinal signs—Aries (cardinal fire), Cancer (cardinal water), and Libra (cardinal air)—could emerge from the Capricorn season with a particularly keen sense of the lessons of 2022, and ready to to aim even higher when they cross the street in front of them.