Winter is characterized by the cold constriction happening within the earth. Atoms and molecules shrink closer together, resources and energy are turned inward for survival.
Energetically speaking, magically, speaking, winter can be a more challenging season to attune to. Spring brings cardinal motion, summer brings unmitigated joy, fall brings lessons of decay and transition. But winter? There is a stillness that exists here, a stillness that most of us are unfamiliar with and not able to easily acclimate to- largely in part to a capitalistic society that expects continuous movement and output.
To find your place, your rhythm, your winter groove, take a step back and notice the story that’s being painted through the stars. Winter is characterized by Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces, with Capricorn season starting on Winter Solstice. Winter is most often associated with the element of water, but when you take a step back the progression is earth → air → water. Water is a cooling and cleansing force, giving us space to find cohesion within our internal systems so that we can be in flow with ourselves wherever that energy is aimed.
Capricorn Season
Winter starts with structure fand a Saturnian lens. Capricorn rules over the skeleton, with an emphasis on knees and teeth. The foundations of your being are being brought forward, building blocks to how your life moves. We see the cardinal energy in the rulership of knees- the energetic action point for forward motion. We see the sustaining energy required in rulership of the teeth- biting off what you need to nourish yourself.
Cardinal earth as the beginning element. What landscapes come to mind when you think of moving earth? This is the trickiness of Capricorn; earth is the steadying force of the ecosystem, and movement typically requires a catalyst. Typically requires the input of another element to create change (think lava flow, earth meets fire. think mudslide, earth meets water).
Or so I thought. This is proof that winter is not easy to acclimate to, and harder yet to find operating definitions within ourselves. But what is cardinal earth if not a blooming flower? If not a woodland creature building a house for themself? If not a human going through the motions of life? The land we know, the land that surrounds us, is inherently cardinal; constantly moving forward, continuing life cycles.
The symbolism of Capricorn is a sea goat, both ‘earth walker and sea dweller’. Capricorn is about resourcing, beating the odds, and the effort required to get through something. There’s several different points of lore explaining the origins of the sea goat, but the common thread seems to be the god Pan (god of the wild, in the form of a goat) attempting to escape a giant by turning half into a fish.
This could be seen as an adaptability trait, adjusting as needed and changing from different environments. If this resonates with you, I would kindly ask - have you ever met a Capricorn ruled human? They are so many wonderful things, but easily adaptable is not the first thing that comes to mind. Cardinal, yes, in a go-get-em way where they fearlessly move towards the things they want, but the Saturnian forces and skeletal structure of Capricorn does not allow them to adapt easily. I would go so far as to say change is like breaking a bone- a forced rerouting of the course.
I’ve read that the fish tail represents the past and what we’re dragging along with us. This feels like a closer fit, but even better yet, seeing this at face value. Taking partial form of a fish was a fear response, and a direct testament to how little tolerance Capricorn has for disrupt.
And this explains why winter can be such a harsh adjustment. It’s an assignment that isn’t easy to understand, and it requires change and adapting in a way that just might not be accessible right now.
Capricorn Season Supports
For your body;
Keeping your bones warm. Think fire cider, warm blankets, walking often to avoid stagnation.
For your mind;
Where in your life do you feel half in, half out? What is causing that pause? Can you re-evaluate the foundations you have, adjusting as needed, and try approaching it again? Where are you feeling land-locked, i.e. set in your ways and unwilling to change? Where are you adapting out of fear? How can you create more ease for yourself to mitigate the fear response?
If winter has you feeling disconnected from self, if you're prone to being SAD the way so many folks are in the PNW, join my free five day submersion for Merging with Winter.