It’s Capricorn season and what does this mean for many of us?
Well, let’s take a look at Capricorn qualities first of all. Capricorn is a Cardinal Earth sign and so embodies the characteristics and attributes related to earthy matters.
Capricorn is particularly known for its resourcefulness, discipline and practicality. Many people, even watery characters who are known for veering more into the ethereal plane than the physical one, will feel the effects of Capricorn. If Capricorn features anywhere in your birth chart, you will know what I mean!
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Mars in Capricorn, for example, will usually denote someone who is willing to wait a long time to yield results. This is irrespective of other signs in their chart. They will be patient in their endeavours and keep their sights firmly set on the goal in their minds. Mars is energy and drive, so when it is paired with Capricorn, this energy becomes long-lasting and slow-burning like a candle that burns for three days at a time, as opposed to one which randomly blows itself out as soon as you pop it into your Himalayan Salt candle holder.
But what role does Capricorn play in the Tarot cards?
Capricorn in the Major Arcana: The Devil
Many of you may be surprised to learn that the card in the main Major Arcana that corresponds with Capricorn is The Devil.
In a way, this can be taken as a good thing for your average Capricorn who has earned a rather unfair reputation among zodiac signs as being the dull, boring stuck-in-the-mud person who lacks, say, the ethereal creativity of Pisces or the sociable genius of Gemini.
The Devil is one of the most intriguing cards of the Major Arcana and even one of the most feared. It’s not hard to see why. It usually depicts a naked man and woman bound by chains to a grinning beast with two horns. Not the most pleasant of images.
But the Devil represents temptation, lust and giving in to that ‘wild side’ which many people repress in their daily lives. It represents the temptations of the physical world which are oh so naughty but nice, and usually leave you ending up with feelings of regret if you cave in to them.
Likewise, Capricorn, while being a sign driven by success and ambition, also has a side to them which correlates with The Devil. Much is expected from a Capricorn, most of all by themselves – to succeed, to have status, to be the epitome of ambition. This is in direct conflict with their other side, their devilish side which whispers almost subconsciously for them to just throw away their responsibilities, to just ‘do whatever they feel like doing’ and to hell with status, success and all that jazz.
This is why you will find so many Sun in Capricorns feeling very un-Capricorn. Many struggle with responsibility and prefer not to acquire it; on the other hand, Capricorn can also be about loosening the chains that others – or themselves – have placed on their bodies. Like the two figures in The Devil card who are chained to the devilish goat, they can feel trapped and restricted in their positions and social status.
But as with the two figures who, if you look closely will see that the chains are not that tight and they can break free whenever they wish, Capricorn also has a choice. Do they remain trapped and bound in situations that make them unhappy? Or do they break free?
So, like The Devil card, Capricorn is often faced with a choice throughout their lives and much of it is to do with breaking free from social or personal obligation and exploring a side to themselves which is often buried or repressed.
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Capricorn in the Minor Arcana: King of Pentacles
In the secondary Minor Arcana, Capricorn is represented by the King of Pentacles.
Earth signs correlate with the suit of pentacles in the Tarot. While we can say that Capricorn is also similar to the Page, Knight and Queen of Pentacles, it is the King who is closest to this Earth sign.
The King of Pentacles is the master of his suit. He represents the hard-working and determined sign of Capricorn, the slow and steady individual who is willing to work hard for years in order to achieve his goal. The King of Pentacles, like Capricorn, is someone who understands the power and benefits of focus. He is not easily-distracted like a Wand or driven by his emotions like a Cup. He is, instead, someone who understands that slow and steady wins the race. The Page, Knight and Queen still have some lessons to learn in relation to mastering this work ethic and dogged determination, which does not only apply to himself, but to his entire kingdom.
We could say that the King of Pentacles is like the evolved Capricorn who has mastered the skill of hard work and perseverance and who understands that in order to succeed, one must be willing to put in the effort.
Where Have the Capricorn Cards Shown Up in Your Reading?
As we continue into this Capricorn season, we can enjoy harnessing the Capricorn qualities of discipline, reason and hard work. At the same time, we can find a way to temper our own ‘devilish’ side with these qualities. Once we find a way to do so, we may find success on levels that we previously may not have even imagined.
Related Article: How to Read the Aces of the Tarot – Breakthroughs & Beginnings