The Sun transits through each zodiac sign for approximately one month each year.

Those born during that month will have that sign as their Sun sign, but for the rest of us, the regular solar transits serve as markers in the year when our attention subtly shifts to different priorities.

The Sun in Capricorn encourages us to seek tangible results for our efforts and make long-term plans so we can achieve our ambitions.

When the Sun arrives in Capricorn on December 21st, 2023, we start to pay attention to all the things you probably associate with Capricorn in astrology: A love of order, a good work ethic, a respect for tradition and an instinctive authority.

Capricorn energy is very grown up, always taking care of responsibilities and duty before anything else and putting in the hours to ensure that the bills are paid and everyone has food on the table.

During this astrological transit of the Sun, these everyday practicalities take on new significance, as does the importance of career and working life.

This is very down-to-earth energy, with no fusses or frills; it does what needs to be done, whether it enjoys it or not.

Realism is the name of the game, but as ever with a Saturn influence in astrology, realism can all too easily become pessimism. Depression can be one of the biggest potential problems with this solar transit.

In esoteric terms, Capricorn represents the mastery of skills – but not for the greater, collective good, but for our own personal benefit.

In astrology, Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, known as the Lord of Karma, so there is a sense, when the Sun transits Capricorn, that our egos and self (the Sun) must learn the lessons from what has gone before.

This doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun, and often it isn’t, but it is a necessary stage in your soul’s evolution.

Each zodiac sign will experience the Sun in Capricorn transit in a slightly different way, but on a personal level, all signs will be interested in long-range planning and practicalities.

In more abstract or spiritual terms, you can use this transit each year to learn what you need to in order to contribute more to the collective whole.

Sun in Capricorn for an Aries (Aries dates: March 20 – April 19)

This Solar transit encourages you to step up to the plate, Aries,  and take greater responsibility for where you currently are in life.

However happy or not you feel you are, and however good or bad the circumstances that got you here, you can own your choices. In your career, aim higher than you currently are. You still have so much untapped potential.

Sun in Capricorn for a Taurus (Taurus dates: April 20 – May 20)

During this astrological transit, it’s important to broaden your outlook on life. This is a great time to learn a foreign language, to travel or to get to know people from different cultures and backgrounds.

You probably try hard not to be prejudiced, Taurus, but you do still have some underlying beliefs which should be challenged. You’ll enjoy this if you treat it as a process of self-discovery, which is what it really is.

Sun in Capricorn for a Gemini (Gemini dates: May 21 – June 20)

Use the cosmic energies of this solar transit to delve into your own psyche, Gemini. There are fears or phobias holding you back, that you can choose to address now.

This isn’t an easy or fun process, which is why you so often put it off, but the time is now right to uncover your deepest – and darkest – dilemmas, and to subject them to some down-to-earth scrutiny under the light of the Capricorn Sun.

Sun in Capricorn for a Cancer (Cancer dates: June 21 – July 21)

This Solar transit is about how you relate to others, Cancer, mostly romantically, but also within other personal relationships as well. If your relationship is unhappy, the Sun gives you the power now to move on. If you are happy, delve deeper into what connects the two of you.

There may well be karmic links to explore in your connection that you would both benefit from. It’s a great time to make a romantic commitment too, by the way.

Sun in Capricorn for a Leo (Leo dates: July 22 – August 21)

Your focus during this Sun in Capricorn transit should be your own wellbeing. Have a physical check-up, Leo, but don’t neglect your mental and emotional health.

If you feel you’d benefit from seeking therapy or seeing a counselor, do that now as well. You have so much you want to give to the world, but you can’t if you’re not a in place of physical, emotional and spiritual strength.

Sun in Capricorn for a Virgo (Virgo dates: August 22 – September 21)

In order to fulfill your destiny, you must step out of your comfort zone, Virgo – and the annual Sun in Capricorn planetary transit is your chance to try it.

It might sound odd, since Capricorn is a stable Earth sign like you, but this is Cardinal astrological energy, which gets things started and moves them along at speed. Take a risk, take a chance, dare to say yes to something – and see where it takes you.

Sun in Capricorn for a Libra (Libra dates: September 22 – October 22)

Connections to your past can be usefully explored while the Sun transits Capricorn. This transit activates your roots zone. It’s a good time to make practical, long-term plans for the family, Libra.

It’s also important that you understand who you are and where you came from, so genealogy or past life regression should also be fruitful. Forgive those who hurt you in the past. Not for their sake, but for yours.

Sun in Capricorn for a Scorpio (Scorpio dates: October 23 – November 21)

This Solar transit is a lively and stimulating period for you intellectually, Scorpio. It gives you a chance to step away from your turbulent emotions and to think things through rationally instead.

Take practical steps to help your mental health during this transit; for example, reschedule your days to minimize stress. Taking up a new course of study would stretch your mind, and you’d benefit from either teaching or learning in any context.

Sun in Capricorn for a Sagittarius (Sagittarius dates: November 22 – December 20)

This Sun transit asks you to solidify and consolidate your resources, Sagittarius. It’s a very practical, sensible period for money management, but it’s also strong for developing your own skill set.

Take up any training opportunities which present themselves or take the initiative yourself and seek out the education you need. This transit is not so much about money, despite it activating your money zone; it’s about better use of the resources you already have.

Sun in Capricorn for a Capricorn (Capricorn dates: December 21 – January 18)

The annual transit of the Sun through your sign is your own personal mini New Year, Capricorn. Use these few weeks to take serious stock of the last 12 months, and to decide what you’ll do differently in the year ahead.

It’s the perfect time for long-term goal and career planning, so create a careful, step-by-step route map for where you want to be by this time next year.

Sun in Capricorn for an Aquarius (Aquarius dates: January 19 – February 17)

This transit activates your humanitarian instincts, shining the entire force of the Sun into your spiritual zone and onto your desire to help mankind, Aquarius.

Do whatever you can during these few weeks to further your own spiritual growth, because you understand now that you cannot lead others unless you understand more yourself. Meditation, prayer and spiritual practices of all kinds should be a priority.

Sun in Capricorn for a Pisces (Pisces dates: February 18 – March 19)

Your compassion and selflessness are two of your biggest strengths, Pisces, but you sometimes struggle with putting them to practical use.

This Solar transit is just what you need – it will enable you to find concrete, real-life ways in which you can help others, whether through your career, as a volunteer, or as a good friend. Keep on doing what you do, Pisces, confident that it can now have an impact.