on the longest night
surrender in deep repose
embrace dormancy
in winter’s darkness
embrace the empty stillness
nourish with deep rest
Today is the start of Capricorn season.
Capricorn, symbolized by the sea goat, is a sign about rugged persistence. It invites us to embody the archetype of its symbol with persistent action toward long-term goals and a “never give up” attitude.
This is a cardinal earth sign. Its label as a cardinal sign means it initiates a season. In the northern hemisphere that season is winter.
Capricorn season begins with the winter solstice — the longest night of the year in the Northern hemisphere.
Winter is the yin time: a season of darkness, emptiness, stillness, and grieving. It is the season when all of nature hibernates and goes within.
From the outside perspective, there is only deep rest. There is no persistent action, no determined striving toward goals.
On the surface, Capricorn season seems to be the opposite energy of winter time. The winter season might seem better suited to a more nourishing or nurturing sign, like Cancer — which sits across the zodiac from Capricorn.
Astrology is biased toward northern hemisphere seasons, so the fact that Capricorn season ushers in the winter season is no accident.
Herein lies the profound lesson about persistence, growth, and striving toward our goals: This consistent and persistent effort is only possible when initiated with and supported by deep rest.
Embracing the darkness of winter and giving ourselves the nourishment of rest is what fuels our persistence. Only by going inward to the depths of winter’s darkness can we find the strength and resources to climb the mountain.
In nature, seeds require a period of dormancy in order to grow. Seeds that don’t get this dormancy don’t sprout.
Everything we want to grow in this world, including ourselves, works under the same laws.
The planning and persistence of Capricorn is essential to achieving and building what we want to create in this world. But the period of rest and dormancy is equally necessary.
And the structure of Capricorn season — the way it begins with with the winter solstice — tells us in absolute terms that the rest must come first.
Rest is not a reward we reap at the top of the mountain; it’s the fuel for the persistence that helps us make the climb.
[…] Capricorn is an earth sign that is about foregoing instant gratification for the hard work, discipline, and perseverance to build for the long term. […]