As any astrology buff will tell you, the month you were born in plays a crucial role in determining your personality traits. For those who fall under the star sign Capricorn — that is, anyone born between December 22 and January 19 — this logic tells us you're the most hardworking, practical, and fiercely ambitious of the zodiac bunch. However, as with any star sign that straddles two calendar months, there can be significant differences to those Capricorns born in December, and those born in January. Allow us to explain.

How (and why) do December and January Capricorns differ?

The concept of zodiac decans is one way to explain why those who born under the same sun sign might differ significantly. This logic denotes that the zodiac wheel comprises 360 degrees, where each of the 12 zodiac signs takes up 30 degrees on this wheel. Within the zodiac signs, there are three segments – commonly known as decans – which are made up of 10 degrees each. One degree is equivalent to one day. So, the first 10 days or degrees of a sign make up the first decan, and so on.

Following this line of thought, most December Capricorns will belong to the sign's first decan, while those born in January will likely fall into the second or third.

Personality traits of a December Capricorn, explained

Those born in December are the first of the Capricorn season, and as such, they tend to embody the more classic qualities of the sign. Practical, disciplined, and goal-oriented, December Capricorns know exactly what they want and are willing to work tirelessly to get it. They are pragmatic and grounded, often preferring stability and structure in their personal and professional lives.

This is, in large part, because December Capricorns (or first decan Capricorns) are ruled exclusively by Saturn, which is the planet of rules and responsibilities.

Personality of a January Capricorn, explained

January Capricorns, born towards the end of the sign, are marked by a more philosophical energy. While they share many core traits with December Capricorns, they often have a deeper sense of purpose and a focus on the long term. These Capricorns are less concerned with immediate success and more focused on creating a legacy or achieving lasting impact.

January Capricorns may also tend to be more outgoing than December Capricorns, because they are co-ruled by either Venus, the planet of relationships, or Mercury, the planet of communication. The addition of these co-ruling planets can mean that January Capricorns are more laid back than their December counterparts. While they're still definitely driven by structure, they can be less stringently focused on success – at least a little.

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