Dec 21, 2017 (Winter Solstice) – Jan 19, 2018
Happy birthday goaties!
The Sun sign is a much-celebrated astrological element, usually given more significance than it deserves. Remember – the Sun is just one planet in your star-soup.
We’re in the upper echelon of the zodiac, next stop Capricorn. Rest your bones awhile. As the last earth sign in the zodiac, Capricorn represents resolute culmination. And as he is ruled by Saturn, Capricorn is one to believe that everything must be done a certain way. Precisely, the conventional way. People you meet now may be very intent on this.
Capricorn represents what is. He is a realist, a professor, a mentor. Yes, it is comforting to have plans and expectations, but the goat has a reputation. He is stiff, repressed, emotionally constipated.
Alas, t’is the season for criticism. Capricorn has ridiculously high standards. We need empathy and compassion too. Embrace structure and discipline as worthy organizational/directional tools, but don’t ignore the water, the spirit, the Great Mother. Remember to smile and keep it light, moon-dwellers.
The goat moves at one of two speeds: insanity, or total stillness. If you, like me, have heavy earth energy, this cycle signals hibernation. When the Sun moves into Capricorn, I hit the sheets bear-human style. Overcoming inertia feels pretty impossible at this time of year.
Some things that are important to do: sleep. Go to bed early and wake up early. This is really imperative, otherwise you will sleep through this entire cycle. Eat lightly and not too late at night. Exercise as soon as you wake up. Spend time in the sun. Schedule work into your day and then make sure to show up and do it. This is also crucial lest you go back to bed and do nothing. Get out, leave your house. Outings don’t have to be social in nature – move about, freshen your mind. If you are feeling overwhelmed or depressed, do not go back to bed! Try incorporating citrus, cinnamon, hot chilies or other pitta-inducing foods into your diet. These will help keep your energy elevated. Take hot baths but don’t stay in for too long or you will get tired again. Stay away from screens, movies, TV, etc. Pick up a book instead. All creative work encouraged per usual, but I know how hard it is to create when you’re not feeling inspired!
The goat cycle comes on the heels of the New Moon in Sagittarius. This means that we begin our next cycle in the middle of an existing lunar cycle. This means we will continue working on the lessons of Sagittarius, but now through the lens of Capricorn. Sounds complicated, but in essence this just translates to a more serious, grounded perspective (Capricorn) on issues of truth, belief, travel and spirituality (Sagittarius).
December 26 is a quarter moon, and the first day of the new year 2018 is a full moon. Uranus Retrograde ends one day later on January 2. The following week on January 8 we have another quarter moon. Quarter moons are considered challenging yet fruitful in astrology. The following day brings the Sun, Venus and Pluto all into conjunction in the constellation of Capricorn – HOLY POWERFUL DAY! By January 10 Mercury will also be in Capricorn, and this is when we’ll finally start to feel back to normal – no more lingering retrograde feelings. Mercury forms his own conjunction to Saturn in Capricorn on January 12. This is an excellent day to get work done or to have a meeting – anything related to the professional realm is favored – mega gold star day for all Capricorn endeavors. The following day is a difficult one; on January 13, Venus squares Uranus, the planet of unexpected happenings. Venus rules interpersonal relations, so the unexpectedness comes in that area of life. Be extremely careful with your communication and/or social plans. The day after, same thing happening with the Sun, another square to Uranus. To say the least, it is a weekend full of surprises and as such I do not recommend traveling or planning anything important. We have our new moon in Capricorn on January 16. Lastly, Venus ditches the Sun for Aquarius just two days before the Sun himself also moves into Aquarius.
Capricorn season coincides with Christmas, a holiday celebrated by many humans around the world. What better way to honor the sea goat’s love of tradition and ritual than by enacting your own, year after year? Just as we must look beyond the rigid archetype of Capricorn to understand his nebulous inner folds, we must also look beyond the commercial aspects of Christmas to understand the real roots and lessons. Stay rooted with Capricorn Yoga.
Mantra: I love myself
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