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Capricorn tarot cards

22 Dec – 19 Jan (approximately) · Cardinal earth · ruled by Saturn · suit of Pentacles

ambition · structure · responsibility · endurance · rigidity

Capricorn is cardinal earth at the winter solstice, the goat climbing in the cold. The Devil is its trump, the card of chains we could slip if we chose, of appetite and material attachment. Its decans are the Two, Three and Four of Pentacles, from juggling demands, to skilled teamwork, to the miser holding tight. Saturn rules it, so it values time, discipline and what can be built to last.

The cards of Capricorn

The DevilMajor ArcanaThe Devilbondage, attachment, shadowTwo of PentaclesDecan 1Two of PentaclesJupiter in Capricorn · 22 Dec – 31 Decjuggling, adaptability, balance in motionThree of PentaclesDecan 2Three of PentaclesMars in Capricorn · 1 Jan – 10 Janskilled work, collaboration, craftsmanshipFour of PentaclesDecan 3Four of PentaclesSun in Capricorn · 11 Jan – 20 Janholding on, security, controlQueen of PentaclesCourt card (modern scheme)Queen of PentaclesCardinal earthpractical care, abundance, nurturing

Capricorn cards in a reading

Capricorn cards are about work, status and the structures we build or are bound by. The Devil asks honestly what has a hold on you; the early Pentacles weigh juggling, collaboration and the fear that makes us grip what we have.

Reading for a Capricorn

Reading for a Capricorn, respect their goals and talk in plans and timeframes. The Four of Pentacles often comes up for them as security held so tightly it costs them ease.

A Capricorn season spread

Capricorn season (about 22 December to 19 January) is for long goals and honest structures. Draw this at the turn of the year.

  1. 1. The summit: What am I climbing towards?
  2. 2. The ground: What solid ground do I build on?
  3. 3. My chains: What has a hold on me that I could loosen?
  4. 4. Discipline: What steady habit serves the climb?
  5. 5. What I can build: What can stand by the end of the year?
Draw the Capricorn season spread

Questions

What tarot card is Capricorn?
In the Golden Dawn system used by the Rider–Waite–Smith deck, Capricorn is The Devil. Its three decans are the Two of Pentacles (Jupiter in Capricorn, 22 Dec – 31 Dec), the Three of Pentacles (Mars in Capricorn, 1 Jan – 10 Jan), the Four of Pentacles (Sun in Capricorn, 11 Jan – 20 Jan).
What court card is Capricorn?
In the modern scheme that gives cardinal signs to Queens, fixed signs to Kings and mutable signs to Knights, Capricorn (cardinal earth) is the Queen of Pentacles. Older Golden Dawn tables split each court card across two signs, so you will see other answers.
What planet rules Capricorn?
Saturn rules Capricorn in classical astrology, whose tarot card is The World.
Can I use tarot without knowing astrology?
Yes. The astrology is one layer of meaning built into the cards; every card can be read from its picture and its written meaning alone. The correspondences help when you want another angle, or when several cards of one sign or planet turn up together.

Correspondences follow the Golden Dawn system the Rider–Waite–Smith deck was made within (tropical zodiac, dates approximate; they shift by a day in some years). Other traditions assign some cards differently. See the full table for all 78 cards.