Capricorn season begins during the darkest and coldest time of the year and lasts approximately from December 21st to January 21st. Astronomically, it begins at the winter solstice, when the sun enters 0° Capricorn and reaches its lowest point in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere. In far northern regions such as Tromsø, Norway, the sun never rises from November to January, making this season a profound encounter with darkness, silence, and patience. But it is precisely in this darkness that Capricorn Season teaches us its most essential lessons. It’s when things are toughest that we find structure, faith, and long-term resilience.
The Spiritual Meaning of Capricorn Season
This time of year coincides with some of the most spiritually layered festivals of the year. The pagan festival Yule begins on the winter solstice and traditionally lasts until January 1, celebrating the return of the sun as its light slowly begins to return. Subsequently, Christianity places the birth of Jesus Christ within this same liminal framework, and Christmas celebrations continue until January 6, the Feast of Epiphany, which marks the arrival of the Three Kings. According to Christian tradition, the Holy Wise Men are said to have been guided by the star of the east. Many scholars believe that this “star” may have been a rare and glorious conjunction of Venus and Jupiter, a blend of celestial symbolism and spiritual revelation.
Winter Solstice and Epiphany
Capricorn season is therefore a time when ancient pagan cosmology and Christian theology resonate with each other. In pagan beliefs, the sun is reborn at the summer solstice. In Christianity, Christ is born as the light of the world. Both stories center around hope coming back into the darkness. From December 21st onwards, as the days begin to get longer, the sun’s gradual rise reflects the themes of rebirth, salvation, and divine order. This is Capricorn’s core ideal, rooted in patience, discipline, and faith in the as-yet-unseen future.
gifts and evergreens
Many of the winter traditions we now associate with Christmas have their roots in Yule customs. Evergreens, wreaths, and pine branches symbolize life continuing even in death-like situations. Decorating a tree was once an outdoor ritual, a celestial ornament honoring the continuity of ancestors and spirits. It was believed that an evergreen wreath placed at the door would protect the household and bring prosperity. This idea was later absorbed into the Christian symbol of eternal life through Christ. Burning Yule logs over the 12 days of the Yule period signaled the passage of time and protection of the home. This custom remains to this day in symbolic form, from candles to festive desserts.
Gift-giving predates Christianity and began as small exchanges of natural and handmade items aimed at strengthening community bonds. Later, Christianity reframed this act through the gifts of the Magi – gold, frankincense, and myrrh, turning the pagan act of reciprocity into a sacred reminder of generosity and devotion.
yule goat and santa
The symbolism of Capricorn is further reflected in the Yule Goat, a powerful figure in the Norse tradition. The goat, associated with Thor and fertility, later became a guardian spirit overseeing the preparations for Yule. In Sweden, the Yule goat was said to deliver gifts and test families for proper respect for tradition, a role that gradually evolved into the modern figure of Santa Claus. The Goat’s connection to the Sea Goat zodiac sign, Capricorn, makes it an especially powerful symbol of this season’s mix of responsibility, ritual, and mythology.
Sacred plants play a central role in both pagan and Christian winter symbolism. Mistletoe was worshiped by the Druids as a magical plant that existed between worlds and grew neither underground nor completely in the sky. Its white fruit symbolizes vitality and fertility, and the tradition of kissing beneath it was born. Holly, with its sharp leaves and red berries, was believed to ward off evil spirits and protect newborns. In Christian symbolism, the red berries of the holly have come to represent the blood of Christ, and its evergreen nature signifies eternal life. Ivy spiraling around the tree symbolized resurrection and immortality, reinforcing common pagan and Christian themes of rebirth and continuity.
christmas colors
The familiar Christmas colors also reflect this fusion of belief systems. Red and green dominated medieval church art and religious screens long before they became a commercial holiday staple. Red represents both the blood of Christ and the life force found in holly berries and poinsettias, the only bright color seen in the barren winter. Green symbolizes lasting life, prosperity, and spiritual renewal through evergreen plants and the promise of Christ’s eternal presence. Gold celebrates the returning sun, divine light, one of the gifts of the Magi, and embodies abundance and divine kingship. White reflects snow, purity, and the victory of light over darkness, and is a common symbol in pagan and Christian traditions as a sign of hope and moral renewal.
Janus and Crossroads
As Capricorn season progresses into January, the influence of the Roman god Janus comes into play. January is named after Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings, endings, gates, and transitions. One face looks to the past, the other to the future, perfectly capturing the reflective nature of this time of year. Janus presided over both literal and symbolic thresholds, reminding us that Capricorn season is not only about patience, but also about conscious planning, responsibility, and setting intentions for the coming year. His image on Roman coins reinforces the ideas of order, civilization, and unfathomable progress, and his qualities are deeply aligned with the Capricorn archetype.
After all, Capricorn season is a sacred crossroads where astronomy, mythology, and spirituality come together. Whether through Yule, Christmas, or the quiet resolutions of winter itself, this season invites us to honor our traditions, reflect on what we have built and what we must let go of, and trust that the light will return, slowly but surely like the rising sun.
Source: Darkstar Astrology – darkstarastrology.com
