Capricorn Season Will Help You Step Boldly Into the Next Chapter

As 2024 beings to come to a close and the new year is just around the corner, you may feel compelled to slow down, get organized, and reimagine your game plan for new ambitious goals. This pragmatic, industrious view is brought to you by Capricorn season, an annual astrological moment fueled by Capricorn's ruling planet Saturn, which oversees commitment, limitations, boundaries, and hard work.

This year, Capricorn season is bringing grounded and practical energy into your sphere. Encouraging you to focus on the concrete realities of everyday life, Capricorn season is a great time for showing up to your family's annual holiday event, adopting a new wellness habit, or getting organized ahead of tax season. Taking responsibility isn't all that Capricorn season cares about, though. Capricorn season was also made for initiating big projects and taking slow, steady, rational steps toward achievement and recognition.

In 2024-2025, Capricorn season is also a moment for recalibrating your energy, meditating on your sex life and motivations, and checking in with your passions and inner drive. This is especially important because Mars will be retrograde during Capricorn season until Feb. 23. At the same time, given that Capricorn season kicks off on the heels of the final Mercury retrograde of 2024, you could be ramping up communication, socializing, brainstorming, and travel.

Here's what you need to know about Capricorn season in 2024 and how your zodiac sign will be impacted.

Capricorn season happens annually from approximately Dec. 21-22 to Jan. 19-20. This year (at least in US time zones), Capricorn season is from Dec. 21 to Jan. 19.

For an idea of how Capricorn functions in astrology and influences the tone of mid-December to mid-January, consider the sign's ruler: Saturn, the planet of commitment, limitations, boundaries, rules, organization, and responsibility. It's the tough professor of the solar system, pushing you to step up, grow up, and put your nose to the grindstone to graduate to the next level of whatever challenge it presents you with. In turn, Capricorn is one of the most goal-oriented, cool-headed, and driven signs, intent on developing step-by-step game plans for turning lofty aspirations into daily reality.

Desiring recognition, Capricorns tend to put in more than their fair share of hard work. They're the first of any sign to put in overtime and go above and beyond. Anyone with a Capricorn placement (meaning their sun or one of their big three is in Capricorn) believes that by precisely following a recipe, they'll get that blue-ribbon-winning pie.

In other words, steadily sticking to the step-by-step should ultimately translate to the result they've trained their eye on. Associated with the 10th house of career and public image, Capricorns aren't the first to bask in a spotlight, but they do aim to be held in high regard by higher-ups and basically anyone they respect and admire. That said, while the sun moves through this sign during Capricorn season, you may be a bit more practical and eager to be recognized for your efforts.

Although the sun moves through Capricorn annually, the moon and other planets each have their own unique paths through the sky, making for a unique astrological picture of Capricorn season that differs from one year to the next.

In 2024, as Capricorn season kicks off, Mercury will have just wrapped its final retrograde of 2024 in Sagittarius. Once Mercury goes direct, you can absolutely move forward on endeavors related to communication, technology, and transportation, but keep in mind there will still be a Mercury retrograde shadow period, which may spur delays and confusion until Jan. 2. The new year also kicks off with a particularly aggressive planetary clash between Mars opposing transformative Pluto in Aquarius on Jan. 3 (EST), spurring competition and battles for control.

On Jan. 15, the sun will sit exactly opposite of Mars in Cancer, which could have a similar effect, amplifying your ambitions and desire to be more aggressive to lock down your desires. With Mars retrograde, however, it'll be tougher to take external action, which could whip up a great deal of frustration and fiery, internalized emotions.

People born with their sun or other personal placements in Capricorn aren't the only ones who will be affected by the goal-oriented, hardworking, pragmatic vibes of Capricorn season. Anyone born with their sun or major planetary placements in any of the other cardinal signs — Aries (cardinal fire), Cancer (cardinal water), and Libra (cardinal air) — could come away from Capricorn season feeling more grounded and laser-focused on a game plan that gets them across the finish line on their boldest aspirations.

Here's what every sign can expect this Capricorn season. Feel free to read the below based on your zodiac sign and/or rising sign, too.

Throughout Sagittarius season, Aries, your focus might've been on your wanderlust and desire to meet people outside of your usual social circle, maybe even hone an intriguing new skill set. But as the sun moves through your 10 house of career and public image during Capricorn season, you can apply whatever you've learned over the past month to advance your professional standing. Step right up and claim that leadership position or talk to higher-ups during your annual review about taking on even more responsibility. You're sure to make an applause-worthy impression now.

Although you're a creature of habit, it's possible you've been feeling a bit frustrated by your mundane routine, Taurus. That feeling is owed to the sun moving through your ninth house of higher learning and adventure now. Check in with your intuition in order to get clear on what you really want to achieve and what will bring you the greatest sense of fulfillment — whether that's working with a mentor, signing up for a class, or planning an eye-opening globetrotting experience.

Capricorn season is your chance to connect in an even more meaningful way with loved ones or a significant other, Gemini, thanks to the confident sun's trip through your eighth house of emotional bonds and intimacy. You could feel extra confident when expressing your sexual needs now. You'll also become more conscious of what bolsters your sense of comfort and security — physically and emotionally. Opening up about these epiphanies and more can be truly empowering.

With the confident sun moving through your seventh house of partnership now, Cancer, Capricorn season encourages you to zero in on your nearest and dearest friendship, relationship, maybe professional partnership. Meditate on how you've been showing up for these people and also consider how they're meeting you halfway or not. Reciprocity is a must, and if someone's not giving as much as you, it could be time to reassess the connection.

During Capricorn season, your ruler, the sun, takes a trip through your sixth house of routine and wellness, Leo, turning your focus to day-to-day ongoings and the ways in which you care for your inner balance. You might be eager to explore a new mind-body class, overhaul an organizational system in your home office, or say "no" more often so that you can zero in on projects that align with goals you're particularly fired up about.

Once the sun slips into Capricorn, it's a whole new chapter, Virgo. The sun in your fifth house of romance and self-expression fuels your desire to flirt, express yourself creatively, make spontaneous plans with loved ones, and be more playful than usual. In other words, this is one of the most pleasurable, emotionally fulfilling, and downright fun times of year for you, and you deserve to enjoy it!

Over the past month, as the sun has moved through Sagittarius, it's been in your third house of communication, which tends to amplify social commitments and your desire to connect with others. (Yes, even more than usual!) But now that it's in your fourth house of home life, Libra, you'll find the pace of life gets a bit slower and cozier. You can focus even more on one of your favorite pastimes: bonding with your VIPs.

Although you tend to be selective about who you make time for on your busy calendar, Capricorn season is all about saying "yes" to social plans more often for you, Scorpio. Thanks to the sun's trip through your third house of communication, your curiosity also soars, pumping up your appetite to learn something new alongside friends. And if you've been aching to hit the road and see new sights, you may also have the chance to do so now. A short-distance trip could prove just as satisfying as an overseas adventure.

Now that the sun has slipped into your second house of income, Sagittarius, you can take any big picture ideas or passion projects you've been batting around and actually turn them into something concrete. You'll be eager to start putting one foot in front of the other and seeing your vision come to life. Just be sure that whatever you're working on is also in line with your values, as that's the secret to succeeding now.

Welcome to your season, Capricorn. Sagittarius season tends to boost your desire to carve out extra solo time, given that the sun moves through your 12th house of spirituality. However, now that it's in your first house of self, you can step into the spotlight with a surge of confidence. You'll be extra conscious of how you're presenting yourself, perhaps even inspired to make over your website, business cards, or social media presence. This can also be a productive time to get extra clear on exactly what you want to achieve. Begin to say it out loud, as that's the first step toward manifestation.

With the sun in your 12th house of spirituality now, Aquarius, it's almost like you're backstage, chilling out, daydreaming, and perhaps also waiting with anticipation to step out under the hot lights. You might be apt to prioritize self-reflection and learn from your dreams. You'll also benefit from nurturing your psychological well-being with a mind-body practice (like journaling or meditating).

While the confident sun moves through your 11th house of networking, Pisces, your appetite for teamwork soars. You want to feel connected to others and as though you're a part of a group effort. And if there's a long-term aspiration you've been wanting to work toward, trading notes with others can help you gain even more clarity around the best game plan for making it a reality. You'll also feel reassured that you're part of a community that makes you feel seen and appreciated for what you bring to the table.

Maressa Brown is a journalist, author, and astrologer. Her areas of expertise include writing, reporting, and editing lifestyle, pop culture, and parenting content that's both conversational and substantive. In addition to contributing to PS, she writes for a variety of consumer-facing publications including InStyle, Parents, and Shape, and was previously an editor at Cosmopolitan and CafeMom.