Dictionary term
Capricorn
Direct answer
Capricorn is the tenth zodiac sign: cardinal earth, ruled by Saturn, associated with structure, responsibility, ambition, maturity, discipline, endurance, and public consequence.
Capricorn is cardinal earth, ruled by Saturn.
The sign glyph and elemental field orient the archetype without reducing it to a stereotype.Quick reference
- Use when
- Use Capricorn when interpreting career, responsibility, boundaries, hierarchy, long-term planning, reputation, and the house where life asks for maturity.
- Do not use it for
- Do not reduce Capricorn to cold ambition.
- In astrology
- Capricorn is cardinal earth, ruled by Saturn, opposite Cancer, and begins winter in the tropical zodiac.
- Reference category
- Zodiac Signs
- Related terms
- Zodiac, Sun Sign, Moon Sign, Rising Sign
Deeper Almanac guide: Capricorn zodiac guide. This dictionary entry is a concise definition page; the linked guide remains the long-form topic page.
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The story behind Capricorn
Capricorn carries sea-goat symbolism and has long been linked with ascent, winter, and endurance.
Capricorn in spiritual tradition
Spiritually, Capricorn asks what must be built slowly enough to last.
Why Capricorn matters
Capricorn matters because it shows where a chart must build with time, accept limits, earn authority, and make ideals durable.
Capricorn at work: an example
Capricorn on the fifth house may take creativity seriously and prefer mastery over casual play.
Reading Capricorn wisely
Capricorn often carries duty because something real depends on it.
Sources and editorial method
This concise reference separates established definitions from historical, symbolic, or interpretive claims. Entries without external references are presented as editorial summaries rather than primary-source scholarship.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Zodiac Signs
- Also appears in
- Zodiac Signs
- Aliases
- Capricorn sign, Capricorn zodiac sign
- Last updated
- 2026-07-15
Read your Capricorn placements
Capricorn in a book is one thing; Capricorn in your own birth chart is your life. The Oracle casts your real chart and tells you what it means for your love, your work, and your year ahead, in conversation, free.
Speak with the OracleCapricorn is one placement among fourteen. The Cosmic Codex reads your complete chart across your year, what it means for your love and your work, month by month. Open the Cosmic Codex
Related terms
More in Zodiac Signs
Common questions
What is Capricorn?
Capricorn is the tenth zodiac sign: cardinal earth, ruled by Saturn, associated with structure, responsibility, ambition, maturity, discipline, endurance, and public consequence.
How is Capricorn used in astrology?
Use Capricorn when interpreting career, responsibility, boundaries, hierarchy, long-term planning, reputation, and the house where life asks for maturity.
What should I avoid when interpreting Capricorn?
Do not reduce Capricorn to cold ambition. Capricorn often carries duty because something real depends on it.
