Capricorn I: Diamond Rain

Cardinal earth: mysticism, affect, visions

• Atmosphere: Diamond rain

• Sign: Capricorn

• Plant: Datura

• Planet: Saturn + Jupiter

• Dates: 22 December – 31 December

• Tarot: 2 of Pentacles

This decan gives access to deep levels of atavistic consciousness. The mind descends into the natural world with ease, sinking from animalia to vegetalia and then down to mineralia.

– Austin Coppock, ‘Capricorn I – The Headless Body’

Capricorn I, the first decan of zodiacal winter in the northern hemisphere, is home to the Solstice, and many other religious and spiritual holidays.

What these holidays have in common is the focus on light and its return, or a movement into darkness. The themes of death and rebirth are integral to this decan.

At this strange moment in the year it feels as though everything is in flux – the greater benefic, Jupiter, exerts a pull on us as the greater malefic, Saturn, exerts a push.

The tension between the two might be understood as something like diamond rain – beautiful, expansive, and generous as well as heavy, earthy, and cold.

On earth, diamond rain would be a frightening phenomenon; a dangerous weather event. But on Saturn and Jupiter, the two planets that co-rule this decan, it is not uncommon for diamond rain to fall.

Humans, as carbon-based life forms, have much in common with this rarefied, crystallised form of carbon. But, like Midas turning all he touches to gold, if we had diamond rain, far from being enriched, we would soon starve, thirst, and perhaps even be injured by falling stones.

Diamond rain can help us meditate on what we truly need – what life requires to thrive and grow. it isn’t the diamond ring beneath the Christmas tree, but clean air, clean water, and fresh food.