Now we come to the final stretch of the yearly cycle as we begin the Winter season. The Winter Solstice brings the longest night of the year and is the turning point of the solar cycle. We've come through the period of darkness and now the light slowly makes its return. This time of year is typically marked by scenes of radiant white snow and frost-clad trees. The nights are long, deep, and still, and carry a sense of wonder in the air.
This time of year is associated with Capricorn, the sea goat. In this we see the symbolism of the goat climbing the high mountain. Coming out of Sagittarius, we see the journey of exploration and gaining of wisdom requires us to brave the trials and hardships of the icy mountain as we struggle to ascend its peak. Nothing worth attaining is ever reached easily, and the determined stubbornness of the goat is required to persevere through life's challenges until we reach the top. Once we arrive, we can look back at how far we've come and take assurance in the wisdom and experience we've acquired. This can be compared to the opposite sign of Cancer. Cancer represents our youth and our home. We begin our basic education there and start to ponder what we might become. Only once we reach Capricorn, however, do we then at last have the wisdom and life experience to truly know our purpose and calling. In this way we see the dynamic of youth and age in the polarity of Cancer and Capricorn.
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, who is lord of time and rigid discipline. Capricorn brings a quality of practicality and diligent work ethic. This can be seen reflected in the season to which it corresponds. In the Winter, there is no time for frivolous things. We must exhibit a measure of discipline and focus in order to survive. The playful expressions of the Summer signs have little place in the depth of Winter when food and resources are scarce and the weather is harsh. During this time we turn our attention to survival. Capricorn is only concerned with getting the job done.
At the top of the mountain we can gaze out across and vast horizons and reflect on the wisdom we've accumulated. The question then arises, What will we do with our wisdom? This leads us to the progression into the next sign, Aquarius. Capricorn must take all that it has learned and then set out to descend the mountain on the other side, returning to the people below to share and teach from the bounty of its experience. Here we see the service-oriented nature of Saturn, which rules both of these signs. Our life's work, whatever it might be, must be polished and perfected with great care and long hours. This not for ourselves, though. Once we have gained a level of mastery, we must then take that and return it to the world for the benefit of the collective whole. Our talents and strengths and wisdom are not to be kept to ourselves. If so, they serve no real purpose. One's true value only shines when it is shared with others. When we all embrace this concept, the world is elevated to a new level - and each of us individually benefits from the health of the whole, as seen in the way Aquarius balances with Leo.
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