Mercury enters Capricorn on December 16, 2014 and will transit here until January 4, 2015
Click here to learn about Mercury. Click here to learn about Capricorn.
The way we speak, write and present ourselves to the world now takes on a more practical tone with Mercury moving out of Sagittarius and into cardinal earth sign Capricorn. We are no longer quite so interested in shooting the breeze or throwing opinions around; conversations with Mercury in Capricorn are straightforward and evidence-based. Indeed this transit is similar to what we witnessed with Mercury in Virgo as all earth signs desire pragmatism in their own right. However, Capricorn moves slowly and deliberately. Visualize a goat climbing with sure, steady feet up a mountainside.
The cardinal modality of this transit manifests in the directness of our speech. Capricorn, like the other earth signs, wants to remain deeply grounded at all times. There is no room here for sentimental anecdotes, wishy-washy ideals or rambling tangents. Capricorn’s mantra is I use: with Mercury here, we are encouraged to examine the applicability of our thoughts and words. This is a good time to get organized and refocus on projects/plans/goals that were ditched in favor of wild Sagittarian adventures. Unlike the centaur, Capricorn both admires and emulates those in positions of authority. The sea goat finds comfort in structure and discipline.
Mercury in Sagittarius directed our thoughts toward the lighthearted side of life. Capricorn is notably more intense. Whereas the centaur likes to learn, the sea goat prefers to study. I like to visualize Mercury in Capricorn as an enormous library with heavy wooden paneling, thick carpets and thousands of intricate volumes. We are apt to think just as much as we did with Mercury in Sagittarius, but we are more serious now. We want not only to know, but to know how. Sagittarius may be content with a good conversation and a joke or two; Capricorn wants to take that conversation and immediately put it to use in the real world.
Capricorn has a reputation for being rigid and old-fashioned. This is not exactly how I would describe Mercury in his natural habitat. As a result, you may feel stuck when it comes to communicating your heart. One thing is sure: the sea goat is not prone to open emotional expression. As with Mercury in Sagittarius, we can use this to our advantage. Now is the time to get real, to observe your interpersonal relationships with an objective eye. Sagittarius energy drew us out; Capricorn reels us back to center. Curiosity is replaced by an overwhelming need for life to operate smoothly and efficiently. If Sagittarius is the inner child, Capricorn is the proverbial father figure, instilling order to the chaos. As we move closer to the beginning of the Capricorn cycle, we are once again reminded of the importance of contraction: ask yourself where and when life feels excessive or out of control.
Mercury in Sagittarius was conducive to movement. However Mercury in Capricorn doesn’t lend itself to motormouths. Think instead of a gruff uncle sitting in an overstuffed chair, speaking infrequently but always with conviction. I don’t mean to make this transit sound unpleasant. If anything, expect others to be conventionally polite, even hesitant. Coming back to the image of a goat climbing a mountain - the goat does not take risks, as these inevitably lead (if only in the mind) to a long and painful fall. The goat is known for setting and maintaining extremely high standards, both for the Self and others. One of the greatest challenges for Capricorns is lightening up and not being so critical of everything. Although you may feel like you will “lose everything” in saying the wrong thing, this is likely an illusion. Remember all that we have learned from the centaur about candidness and courage. Don’t get bogged down thinking about what you should say!
We are no longer seeking; we have our visions and dreams, and now we’re ready to put them into action. It can be difficult to slow down and take a step back after having so much fun during the Sagittarius cycle. But if you’re feeling balanced, this should be a welcome change. Observe your mind’s tendency to once again dwell upon that which we so masterfully rejected as petty or inconsequential during the Sagittarius cycle. I do not expect this transit to be dramatic or arduous, although you may feel like life is giving you constant reality checks. This is not a particularly social phase. Mercury in Sagittarius was loose and honest; the sea goat would do well to be more communicative. I have no doubt that choosing your words carefully will be no problem now.
To ascertain your personal Mercury sign, click here. To learn more about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight.
Mantra: I mean what I say