It’s no surprise that Capricorn is the first astrological sign of the calendar year. Caps are all about control and doing things their way (which is, obviously, the best way). Born between December 22 and January 19, Capicorns are also just born determined. They are on a mission, and anyone who stands in their way is best off heeding the warning of Ludacris’ 2001 banger, "Move B*tch Get Out Da Way."
"People who are so afraid to upset a Scorpio have never experienced a Capricorn’s wrath," says Valerie Mesa, astrologer and soul coach. Can confirm!
This zodiac sign is most often compared to a mountain goat, and if you're a Capricorn, this will make total sense. Capricorns do really well alone and move slow and steady to get to the top. Building something long-lasting and meaningful—whether it's in relationships or in their careers—is important to Caps, and they will fight against all odds to achieve their goals.
Meet the Experts:
Valerie Mesa is an astrologer and soul coach.
Donna Page is a certified astrologer in Atlanta, Georgia.
Narayana Montúfar is a senior astrologer at Horoscope.com and Astrology.com, and the author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power.
Jessica Lanyadoo is a humanistic astrologer and the author of Astrology for Real Relationships.
That's not all Capricorn signs have in common, though. Ahead, expert astrologers share the classic traits associated with this Sun sign (a.k.a. the sign you use when checking your horoscope), as well as its compatibility, modality, and natural element. Basically, everything you ever wanted to know about how it can impact your overall life.
1. You’re loyal AF...
When you commit to someone, whether it’s a friend or lover, you show up Every. Single. Time. The people who matter in your life know they can count on you and, TBH, it’s one of the personality traits they love most about you, says Donna Page, a certified astrologer in Atlanta. Also, having someone who will be there for you on the reg is pretty amazing, so go you, Cap!
You're also in some pretty awesome company with all these cool Capricorn celebs:
2. …But you can come across as a little standoffish at first.
Since you go all-in when making a commitment to someone, you can be a little, let's just say, hesitant to let new people into your inner circle. (It's a pretty cool place to be, after all.) Are they really worth your undying love and devotion? They’re going to have to prove it to you first.
3. You can be a bit closed-off.
“Capricorn can be a zodiac sign that is highly identified with scarcity or a scarcity mindset,” explains Jessica Lanyadoo, a humanistic astrologer and the author of Astrology for Real Relationships. “That leads to being a conservationist.”
So while this can mean Capricorns are more traditional or reserved than others, it may also simply mean they’re less likely to open themselves up to the world in the way many other Sun signs do. “They can be so focused on doing the right thing and powering through that they're not always learning how to sit [with their emotions], be more receptive, and cultivate intimacy and connection that doesn’t have a purpose or motility to it,” says Lanyadoo.
They may also be less inclined to freely give away the things that are important to them… like their time.
4. You hate being late.
Like heat-of-a-thousand-burning-suns-level hate. When you care about someone, you always show up on time (unless, you know, there’s a major emergency or Beyoncé sighting on your block). Once you say you’ll be somewhere, you’re there—usually a bit early, explains Page. On the flip side, it totally pisses you off if someone doesn’t show you the same respect.
5. You’ve got a plan—and a backup plan—for everything.
You have this amazing ability to see all the scenarios that can play out in different situations, which is a pretty cool superpower, Page says. Buuut on the other hand, that can make you worry about all the bad sh*t that could maybe-potentially-hypothetically happen. (Um, snowball much?) You have to work hard to catch yourself before getting totally carried away with the what-ifs.
6. You have incredible patience and resilience.
Capricorns have a unique connection to winter (their season starts the day we welcome the Winter Solstice in the western hemisphere). "This relationship to the harshest season of the year gives Capricorn an incredible amount of patience and endurance," says Narayana Montúfar, senior astrologer at Horoscope.com and Astrology.com and author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power. "For this reason, Capricorns can survive the toughest conditions and sometimes carry a great amount of sacrifice."
However, there are layers here. “Capricorn is deeply impatient day to day with small things,” Lanyadoo notes, “but very patient with big picture, long-term goals.”
7. You're the definition of determined.
Speaking of long-term goals, Caps are the original go-getters. As Lanyadoo says, “[Capricorn] is an active and dynamic sign that really wants to make things happen on a material level.”
While others (hey, Geminis) are busy trying to figure out what to wear to work five minutes before they’re supposed to leave, Capricorns are already on their morning commute finalizing their lavish weekend itinerary, booking a trip six months in advance, and drafting their five, 10, and 15-year goals.
Capricorns know they will get what they want, but unlike your average hustler, they’re not in a big-time rush about it. “[They are] comfortable with big goals and big picture development happening slowly over time,” Lanyadoo explains.
8. You’re like a fine wine...you get better with age.
Capricorns are interesting signs because they keep evolving and improving over time. Just like a good old bottle of vino! Being you can be a little complicated, so don’t sweat it if it takes a little time to get it just right, says Montúfar.
"While some natives from this sign might take a long time to figure out their place in society, once they do, they stick to it and begin taking quantum leaps," Montúfar says.
Capricorn Sign Compatibility
Given Capricorn's more intimidating traits, who does this sign jive with? Lanyadoo notes that Caps will have an ease of connection with the other Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and their fellow goat friends. These signs engage with the world in similar ways, which is good but...can also cause a bit of competition. That said, a bit of friction is sometimes good for a Capricorn.
In fact, chemistry requires some tension, says Lanyadoo, which means interacting with some air and fire signs. and Capricorn has "dynamic relationships" with Aries (fire sign) and Libra (air sign). "[There's] a lot of dynamic energy there,” Lanyadoo explains. “You either want to fight them or…” I’ll leave the rest up to your imagination...
Besides Aries, Caps can vibe well with the other fire signs, Leo and Sagittarius, because, as Lanyadoo explains, “they’re vicious in a similar way.”
So, what does this all mean for a Capricorn in relationships? Well, slow and steady wins the race. For Caps, time is a big (huge!) factor when it comes to connecting with others. After all, how can you really know someone is right for you if you haven’t been through different seasons and life situations with them?
Since Caps are ruled by Saturn, they have a deeply held belief that "good things take real effort, long hours, and more than anything…mastery," says Montúfar. This rule definitely applies to relationships—both romantic and platonic. Is that new person you met really worth your time and attention? Well, they're gonna have to prove it first.
Basically, Caps are looking for a good ROI. Once you do commit though, you’re a ride or die. Good things come to those who wait!
Capricorn Modality Category
Capricorns are a cardinal sign. Like Aries, Libra, and Cancer, they’re season changers. “We all have a visceral understanding of the difference between the seasons, and this tells us so much about the difference between the cardinal signs,” Lanyadoo says. Aries starts off spring, Cancers bring on summer, Libras welcome fall, and that leaves Capricorn with winter.
Capricorns may have that snowy, ice queen feel to them, but like the season they represent, they’re full of complexity. There is a realistic yet comforting side to Capricorns that you don’t necessarily see with the other cardinal signs. And while the shortest day of the year might fall right around the start of Capricorn season, it's also the time when we can begin to look on the bright side and watch the sun slowly but surely stick around longer and longer.
Capricorn Natural Element Sign
If it wasn’t clear already, Capricorn is an Earth sign. Traditionally, Earth signs are the friends you can count on to help you keep your feet on the ground. They’re known for being pragmatic, reliable, sensible, and steadfast.
All the earth signs, however, are ruled by different planets, and this is where their differences lie. While Virgo is ruled by Mercury (the planet of communication) and Taurus is ruled by Venus (the planet of diplomacy), Capricorn is ruled by Saturn. “Saturn is all about rules, reality, and responsibility,” Lanyadoo notes. That in and of itself is the short but sweet way to describe a Cap.
Capricorn in the Workplace
“Capricorns are very fixated on career,” Lanyadoo explains. “They don't do well when they feel like they're the only ones pulling their weight. Capricorns don't suffer fools lightly, and they have a hard time when they feel like they're being mismanaged.”
This is the perfect way to describe how Capricorns move about a professional environment. Think back to that one kid in school who took it upon themself to be the leader of every group project, and you probably have your first encounter with a Capricorn.
Because of their go-getter tendencies, “It's important for Capricorns to be driven by a sense of purpose,” Lanyadoo says. “In terms of what kind of career that goes for, often it's a career where they need to be coaching or building something up. There needs to be a sense of 'I have finite tasks that I need to get done, but there’s a big picture goal I'm constantly striving for.'"
While a Capricorn may be a bit intimidating at first, they are a friend each and every person needs in their life. In fact, the world would probably work a lot more smoothly if everyone had a Capricorn in their corner at all hours of the day, or at least when anything important is taking place. They really are the G.O.A.T. (in more ways than one!).
Jacqueline Tempera is an award-winning writer and reporter living in New Jersey with her many pets. She is a business owner and a double Scorpio who loves all things astrology and reality television. She is passionate about body diversity and representation, mental health, and the fight to end sexual assault and harassment. To learn more about Jackie, follow her on Instagram @jacktemp or visit her website at jackietempera.com.
Aliza Pelto (she/her) is a rurally raised, NYC-based writer, Gemini, and iced coffee enthusiast. Her work has appeared with The National Organization for Women, Alma, and both in print and online at BUST Magazine. When she’s not reading, recording her podcast (Little Sleep//Much Reading), or doing something witchy, you can find her dissociating via TikTok for hours on end.
