7 Ways To Harness The Ambitious Energy Of Capricorn Season 2021–2022

Capricorn is the third of the zodiac's three earth signs and part of the "cardinal" quality (or triplicity). Cardinal signs are leadership-driven, discerning, and can even be a bit entitled at times. (The others cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, and Libra.) Cardinal signs begin every season, so they're known as times to take initiative and pioneer. During Capricorn season 2021–2022, you'll work hard—and you'll want the best. As you're planning, building, and thinking about the New Year, tap into this sign's introspective powers.

Capricorn season always starts with the winter solstice, when those living in the Northern Hemisphere see the shortest amount of daylight all year. As winter begins, in the spirit of the sensible Sea Goat, conserve your own "light" and move at a slow-and-steady pace. With live-out-loud Sagittarius season drawing to a close, it's time to allow your energy to settle down. 

Capricorn is ruled by steady and structured Saturn, which governs linear time. Fun fact: In Greek mythology, Saturn is called Chronos; it literally means "time." During Capricorn season 2021–2022, you'll thrive by doing things in—yup—chrono-logical order.

Break every big goal into individual steps and consider how long you'll need to finish. Reverse engineer your dreams: Start by picturing your ultimate destination, then work backward. How many days, weeks, or months do you really require to pull this off? Write out any big milestones you'll reach (and celebrate) along the way, then set them to a time frame. Identify what kind of budget and people power you might need. Don't elevate 10 different things at once, as too much pressure is a recipe for Capricorn's shadow side of melancholy.

During Capricorn season 2021–2022, it's important to get things done. But don't get so serious that you zap all the joy out of your mission. This cycle can easily veer into "all work, no play," so notice when you're starting to get tunnel vision. In those moments, stop and go do something active. Log in to a streaming fitness class or bundle up for a walk in the crisp air (something this earth sign loves).

Capricorn is the sign of mastery, so mentors and experts fall under the Sea Goat's domain. This is a favorable time to seek the counsel of wise and experienced people. Just be careful not to elevate them to superhuman status. Whether it's your boss, your doctor, or your yoga teacher, nobody is all-knowing.

Capricorn rules the zodiac's 10th house of masculine energy, fathers, and anyone who identifies with the pronouns he/him. This can be an important time to connect to the male-identified folks in your life. However, there could also be a few Beyoncé-style "daddy lessons" in store for us, since Saturn's karmic energy is at the helm. 

Capricorn season 2021–2022 can help us sort out the valuable guidance we've learned from the father figures in our lives, and what we want to do differently. (Fascinating fact: Both of Bey's parents, Tina and Matthew Knowles, were born with Sun in Capricorn, making them the ultimate momager-and-popager to shepherd her from child star to top entertainer.) 

Capricorn is the sign of the patriarchy. It rules governments, big businesses, old-school masculinity, and hierarchies. Capricorns Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Richard Nixon, and Kim Jong-Un all model the imbalanced use of this star sign's power.

Capricorn is an earth sign, and a conservationist by nature. During Capricorn season, look for ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Walk to local errands, use less water, turn off the lights when you leave a room. If you feel safe doing so, shop local (BYO bags!) instead of having everything delivered (those trucks and planes emit fossil fuels). For a year-end tax write-off, donate to an environmental cause or an organization combating the disastrous effects of climate change. (Check out CharityNavigator.org for a list of ideas, organized by issue.)