Camp Thirlby’s Guide to be the GOAT This Capricorn Season
Illustration by Annika Bjerke
Judging by some of the more popular meme accounts, you might think all Capricorn placements do is manage spreadsheets, be materialistic, and, by all means, never cry.
Capricorn memes, like all astrology memes, take some valid associations to simplify the sign into a few key traits. But, if you ask me, Capricorn descriptions too often miss the mark (Yes, I am a Capricorn sun, so I am biased… but also, I’m a Capricorn sun so… I’m usually right).
Capricorns are driven, yes, but their motivations go beyond lust for wealth and power. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet on the very edge of visibility with the naked eye, that symbolizes our limitations, as well as our responsibilities. Saturn is a grounding force. It reminds us of the need for boundaries and self-control and that life does not always follow our meticulously laid plans. Capricorn placements learn these things early in life, and thus are driven to create stability for themselves when they can’t find it elsewhere.
Like their fellow earth signs, Taurus and Virgo, Capricorn is reserved in their emotional expressions. Yet, it’s not for lack of feeling. Represented by the sea-goat, Capricorns are defined by duality. Yes, they are goats, carefully and relentlessly scaling the sides of life’s many mountains, but they are also aquatic creatures, capable of diving to and dwelling in the depths of human emotion.
Capricorn, like it’s sextile conjunctions Scorpio and Pisces, understands and accepts the harder aspects of existence but approaches them with a unique knack for finding the humor in even the bleakest situations. We love our Cap friends for their honest advice, grounding cynicism, insatiable drive, and tireless belief in the people they love.
We all have our own mountains to climb. Here’s our guide to be the GOAT this Capricorn season.
School and Work
As the cardinal earth sign, Capricorn possesses the drive to get things started, as well as the stability to see them through. Capricorn season provides the optimal energy for kickstarting your goals for the next year. Far from impulsive, Capricorns think long term. This is a great time to set clear goals for your career, studies or passions and to layout a plan to achieve them. Once you have a plan in place, harness the cardinal energy to take your first steps. Remember that the path you’ve chosen may include some unexpected inclines, and trust that you will find the strength to climb them!
Relationships
Capricorn and Cancer, its opposite, are often called the parents of the zodiac. While Cancer is warm and maternal, Capricorn brings a different type of nurturing into relationships with those they love. While loyal Capricorn would never ask you to be better for them, they take it on themselves to never let you forget all that they see you are capable of. Take this time to be ultra supportive of your loved one’s ambitions. Listen to what they envision for themselves, remind them of the gifts you see in them, and help them where you can!
On the other hand, Capricorn is known for a straight forward frankness that is sometimes read as cold. This directness is not meant to stir trouble or hurt feelings; Capricorns just don’t see any long term benefit to sugarcoating. This type of honesty can serve your relationships well, especially if there is a situation or dynamic you have been afraid to face head on. Keep in mind that not every situation can be charged at directly, as some may require a bit more tact.
Free Time
Free time in Capricorn season might feel a bit like an oxymoron. While Capricorn work ethic knows no bounds, nor does their need for release. Capricorn is not a particularly social sign, as they lack any desire to stray from their steadfast self-awareness in order to get along with anyone they don’t connect with naturally. Instead, Capricorn season calls for time spent with those who make having fun effortless (since you’ll likely be putting in more effort everywhere else). Carve out time for your dearest friends and plan something that will provide for laughs, like a night out doing karaoke or at a comedy club.
Self
Saturn’s grounding energy is necessary but, left unchecked, it can easily become oppressive. Capricorn placements are often called critical, but their criticism of others does not begin to compare to the criticism they reserve for themselves. If you tend to be more easygoing, this force could be helpful in providing self-awareness and inspiring growth. However, those who are already find themselves struggling with self-criticism should be careful not to allow it to overwhelm them. Knowing yourself and your own limitations is important, but underestimating yourself and your abilities can ultimately stifle your potential. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed with self-doubt, take note of your many strengths and approach your weakness with a drive to overcome, rather than a sense of defeat.
About the Author
Victoria Middleton (she/her) is a third year student at The George Washington University studying journalism and mass communication with a minor in women’s, gender and sexuality studies. She discovered her love for writing as a little girl, typing fairytale stories on her parents old Dell and printing them out before taping them into glitter-glue-encrusted cardboard covers. These days, she thinks honest and fully developed stories about women are even better than fairy tales. When she’s not scheming against the male hegemony of the media industry, she can be found thrifting, watching cult films and TV and badly dancing to good music. She has been known to get overly excited about intersectional feminism, astrology and David Lynch.
