Capricorn Zodiac Sign: Dates, Personality and Compatibility
Capricorn, the tenth astrological sign of the zodiac, is an expert at managing the material world. What they achieve through discipline and a constant, practical approach can sometimes seem like a kind of magic. If your zodiac sign is Capricorn, you build relationships with people who value your contributions to stable environments that support everyone.
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From December 22nd through January 19th, the useful and effective Capricorn energy adds extra oomph to our endeavors. This earth sign is associated with the tenth house of reputation, the ruling planet of Saturn, and the material concerns of the Devil tarot card. The Capricorn symbolism of the sea-goat (♑) may seem too fantastical for such a sensible sign, but this creature has a powerful history.
Appropriate for Capricorn, the hybrid image of goat with the tail of a fish has been the most consistent of all the zodiac imagery through the ages. Ancient Babylonians saw the sea-goat god Ea, who created man and provided groundwater (the life-sustaining merging of water and earth). Ancient Greeks observed their animalistic god Pan, known to transform into a sea-goat (also known as a Capricornus), in the same stars.
Capricorn is also the final cardinal sign of the zodiac. This means it oversees a change in seasons and, thus, carries the ambitious energy needed to navigate transition effectively. As Capricorn is the only sign with the cardinal modality that is related to the element earth, people with this Sun sign apply their efforts to create useful structures that will last for future generations.
Capricorn Dates: December 22 – January 19
Capricorn season begins around the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the shortest day of the year (or the longest, if you live below the equator). Before this intense date, the Sagittarius archer encourages journeying. And after January 19th, humanitarian Aquarius helps us progress beyond Capricorn’s strong foundation to envision a better future than we’ve imagined in the past.
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Read morePersonality Traits of a Capricorn
Within the zodiac, Capricorn energy corresponds to the mature adult life of people in their late sixties. People of this age tend to solidify their beliefs, and Capricorn similarly concerns itself with consolidating the legacy it wants to leave behind. As a result, reputation and lineage are especially important to the sea goat.
You might think of Capricorn as the “father figure” of the zodiac, as the sign’s traits tend to align with traditionally masculine ones. People with the Capricorn sun sign value strategic thinking, and they prioritize work that’s useful and enduring. Though they do have a sensitive side, they’re not often emotionally forthcoming. This is partly because they fulfill their emotional needs through steadiness.
Within the Capricorn time frame, there are three decans (or segments) with different planetary sub-rulers that affect a Capricorn’s horoscope and how they express their energy. For instance, December-born Capricorn personality traits tend to be the most responsible and conventional. Those born in the first ten days of January dedicate themselves to romantic and imaginative projects, and Capricorns of the final decan often pursue intellectual accomplishments.
Capricorn Strengths
A grounded Capricorn often focuses on what brings security—including career, finances, and dependable networks—not just for themselves but for their community. To do so, they offer the following strengths:
Accountability
Business acumen
Consistency
Diligence
Focus
Prudence
Reliability
Stability
Thoroughness
Hardworking
Capricorn Weaknesses
However, the gifts that they offer the world may have the following shadow sides:
Coldness
Cynicism
Dissatisfaction
Imperiousness
Inhibitions
Rigidity
Ruthlessness
Strictness
Stubbornness
Work obsession
Capricorn in Love and Relationships
Finding the right partners takes time for Capricorn people, but they settle for nothing less than certainty. Mutual respect and trust matter most to these individuals. They don’t depend on anyone else, and they also want partners who feel confident in their own responsibilities. If a relationship threatens a Capricorn’s security, they may begin to place conditions on their love.
Though very serious about their role as a provider, a Capricorn may also surprise you in sex and romance. Capricorns love sensuality and appreciate power play, often exploring their dominant sides in bed. They do reveal emotions to committed partners, but they prefer to build intimacy through commitment to routines, such as weekly date nights.
Capricorn Women in Relationships
A Capricorn woman appreciates honesty as the key to improving relationships. She gives and receives criticism equally well, for she holds high expectations for herself as well as her partners. Although friends, family, and other loved ones are important, she won’t sacrifice a career for relationships. She’s incredibly supportive but best with a flexible partner who respects her desire to call the shots.
Capricorn Men in Relationships
Often aloof, a Capricorn man must trust you before opening up. His idea of a strong partnership is akin to a successful business, where roles are defined, and everyone unfailingly performs their duties. He handles practical matters and expects respect in return. Because he protects his stability, however, he commits to a relationship only if it adds tangible value.
Compatibility: Best and Worst Matches
In love, a Capricorn most easily finds mutual respect with earth signs Taurus and Virgo. Water signs also understand the sea goat’s needs, so Pisces, Scorpio, and especially Cancer make great matches. On the other hand, Capricorn compatibility isn’t as keen with fire signs Aries and Leo or air signs Libra and Gemini.
Most Compatible with Capricorn
Taurus and Capricorn can build a solid foundation because they both equate material gains with quality of life. By working together on the “project” of their relationship, these two learn to trust each other. Similarly, Virgo and Capricorn see worth in continually improving their relationship. Responsible Capricorn also finds that Virgo’s discernment helps with making sound decisions.
Capricorn brings structure to a Pisces partner, who in turn adds depth without threatening stability. As such, the sea goat feels safe enough to admit that a Pisces improves the quality of shared experiences. Capricorn also admires Scorpio’s ambition and devotion to honesty. Finally, Cancer and Capricorn both value tradition and loyalty. As a result, their differences fit their relationship expectations.
Least Compatible with Capricorn
Each cardinal sign has a unique approach to life, so two cardinal signs might feel tension in their relationship. For instance, an Aries-Capricorn union feels too confining for the former and too unstable for the latter. And Libra has a very different communication style, which Capricorn might find too indirect.
There are also signs that are simply so different that they don’t as easily see potential in long-term commitments. Gemini, for example, wants Capricorn to lighten up while the sea goat isn’t motivated to laugh with someone they find so confusing. Capricorn might also see Leo as too flashy and self-centered, and the lion feels unappreciated or, frankly, bored.
Capricorn in Friendship
Capricorn people take things slowly, but they’re devoted to friendships that stand the test of time. They show their loyalty by caring about relationship histories and remembering meaningful details. Shared traditions are important, so expect to form inside jokes and celebrate the anniversaries of small milestones with your Capricorn friends.
More than anything, Capricorns want to improve their friends’ lives. While many people feel supported by this fix-it attitude, some feel judged or misunderstood. Although a Capricorn is the first person to help you move or build IKEA furniture, you might not seek emotional solace from them. They also tend to prefer one-on-one time over large social gatherings.
Careers Fit (and Unfit) for a Capricorn
Serious about their careers, Capricorns are comfortable with navigating conventional systems of gaining status and earning money. At work, they want to make themselves indispensable and work tirelessly to offer measurable, substantial results. Because they identify so strongly with work, it can dominate their lives and make them workaholics, so finding balance is important for sustaining their health.
Coworkers often find that their Capricorn peers’ dedication improves team projects significantly. These individuals hasten timelines and insist on delivering perfection. And yet, Capricorns can also seem self-serving, willing to do only what makes them look good and leaving less desirable work to others. As bosses, they may have unreasonable expectations and impose excessive restrictions.
Overall, however, Capricorns do a good job allocating resources and devising contingency plans, which their teams appreciate. Their analytical minds and purpose-driven nature make them skilled problem solvers. In their personal lives, they’re unsurprisingly excellent with money, investments, and assets. But if a Capricorn holds a relatively underpaid job role, they need to be extra invested in the mission.
Best Careers for a Capricorn
Capricorns thrive where they can set and attain achievable goals in workplaces that offer traditional structures for career growth. The following roles are generally suitable:
Account manager
Attorney
Business consultant
Financial planner
Project manager
Worst Careers for a Capricorn
The sea goat is less motivated to work in roles that aren’t compensated well or require frequent, rapid adjustments. Jobs that require high levels of emotional attunement to other people may also not be the best fit for the Capricorn personality. Examples of less appropriate jobs include the following:
Elementary school teacher
Journalist
Nurse
Paramedic
Social worker
Famous Capricorn Personalities
Persistent Capricorns don’t quit until they’ve changed the world. The following people represent the indefatigable discipline of the Capricorn personality:
Alexander Hamilton
David Bowie
Dolly Parton
Edgar Allan Poe
Elvis Presley
Greta Thunberg
Isaac Newton
Johannes Kepler
LeBron James
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Stephen Hawking
Michelle Obama