Zodiac signs
Capricorn (Makara)
Capricorn, the Sea-goat, is a cardinal earth sign ruled by Saturn. The Sun is in tropical (Western) Capricorn from December 22 – January 19, and in sidereal (Vedic) Capricorn — called Makara — from about January 15 – February 12. The sign is associated with ambition, structure and responsibility.
| Symbol | the Sea-goat |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit name | Makara |
| Element | Earth |
| Modality | Cardinal |
| Ruling planet | Saturn |
| Zodiac degrees | 270° – 300° |
| Opposite sign | Cancer |
| Exalted here | Mars |
| Debilitated here | Jupiter |
| Nakshatras (sidereal) | Uttara Ashadha (padas 2–4), Shravana (all four padas), Dhanishta (padas 1–2) |
| Western (tropical) dates | December 22 – January 19 |
| Vedic (sidereal) dates | about January 15 – February 12 |
| Sun enters, 2026 (tropical) | 21 December 2026, 20:50 UTC |
| Sun enters, 2026 (sidereal) | 14 January 2026, 09:35 UTC |
Why two sets of dates: the tropical zodiac is tied to the seasons and the sidereal zodiac to the constellations. The equinoxes have drifted about 24° against the stars since the zodiacs coincided (the Lahiri ayanamsa is 24°13′ in 2026), so the Sun enters sidereal Capricorn roughly three and a half weeks after it enters tropical Capricorn. The 2026 ingresses above are computed from the Sun's position, to the minute.
In Vedic astrology Makara holds Uttara Ashadha (padas 2–4), Shravana (all four padas) and Dhanishta (padas 1–2). A Moon here is read through both the sign and its nakshatra.
Your Sun sign is only one placement: your Moon sign and your rising sign (ascendant) are read at least as closely, and Vedic astrology gives the Moon sign the most weight of all.
Questions
What are the dates for Capricorn?
In Western (tropical) astrology, December 22 – January 19. In Vedic (sidereal) astrology, about January 15 – February 12. Both vary by about a day from year to year; in 2026 the Sun entered tropical Capricorn on 21 December 2026, 20:50 UTC and sidereal Capricorn on 14 January 2026, 09:35 UTC.
What is the ruling planet of Capricorn?
Saturn.
Which nakshatras are in Capricorn?
In the sidereal zodiac, Uttara Ashadha (padas 2–4), Shravana (all four padas) and Dhanishta (padas 1–2).
Which planet is exalted in Capricorn?
Mars, in the Parashari scheme.
What is Capricorn called in Vedic astrology?
Makara.
In Plutto
Plutto reads your Sun, Moon and rising sign in both zodiacs — and says which one each tradition means. Background: Western astrology.
Ask it something you actually want to know.