January Zodiac Sign: Understanding the Capricorn and the Aquarius

When only a day can set your sun signs apart, how different can those signs be? You’d be surprised how big a difference a day can make. There are two January Zodiac signs: Capricorn and Aquarius. The usual dates leave Capricorns born between December 22 and January 20 and Aquarius with the dates January 21 to February 18.

However, the exact start and end dates shift based on the year, so make sure you consult your birth chart to know exactly what sun sign you are, especially if you are one of the people born on a start or end date of a sign.

Whether you are a Capricorn, Aquarius, or just know someone that falls under those two signs, let’s take a look at their distinctions and similarities between each astrological sign.

The January Zodiac Signs

Overview of a Capricorn

The Capricorn sign has the designation of a cardinal sign, which means it is one of the four signs – Aries (fire/spring), Cancer (water/summer), Libra (air/fall) – that brings in a new season. Just as they bring about change, their personalities are geared towards pushing themselves and others towards something new. Its ruling planet is Saturn.

They also are an earth sign, like Taurus and Virgo, which means they are grounded. So while they push for change, they stay rooted in who they are.

Capricorns are hardworking, tenacious, diligent, and responsible: the ideal traits in practically any employee. No matter what the job is, they’ll get it done to the best of their ability. Even if they don’t have a natural aptitude for a skill, they won’t stop working until they’ve mastered it.

Capricorn Zodiac Sign

They possess a growth mindset, rather than a fixed mindset, which truly helps them excel. They’re constantly pushing themselves to be the best version of themselves.

If you need a friend or coworker you can trust, talk to a Capricorn. They are extremely responsible, so if you entrust them with a task, you can be sure it will be done and will be done properly.

They have a sense of practicality and will do whatever makes the most logical sense in any situation. They are sensible and make wise choices based on the facts available to them.

However, beware of group work with a Capricorn; while they are extremely hard workers, which makes them an asset to a team, they are also stubborn and rarely are open to suggestions outside of those ideas.

Onto our next January zodiac sign!

Overview of an Aqaurius

Despite what you might expect from its name, an Aqaurius is an air sign, alongside Gemini and Libra. Air signs have their head in the clouds in the best sense; they’re cerebral, philosophical dreamers.

However, their name does come into play with their role as the “water bearer,” the Latin translation of its constellation name.

An Aquarius sees no issue with being different. They’re quirky, following their own passions and interests, rather than the flavor of the week.

They have grand visions for what the future could be: a place of unity, harmony, and equality. They have the creativity to discover steps towards that future, but they might become disillusioned when others show no effort to change or work together.

They’re extremely intelligent, and love having long, thoughtful conversations with others about the big picture, philosophy, true feelings, and the meaning of life.

Aquarius Zodiac Sign

An Aquarius ascribes to a progressive ideology, willing to let go of past traditions that no longer serve the people of the future. They aren’t content with the answer “but that’s the way it’s always been done.”

They’re willing to try new things, because they know that even if they fail, they’re getting closer to the right solution.

Above all, they are compassionate. They care deeply for the world and the people and creatures who live in it. They care deeply both about their neighbor and someone they’ve never met struggling on the other side of the globe.

Differences and Similarities Between January Zodiac Signs

There are three key similarities that link the two January Zodiac signs, but the ways they approach those traits are markedly different. Let’s analyze the ways in which they are similar and how they set themselves apart.

Growth Mindset

Both a Capricorn and an Aquarius possess a growth mindset, but for different reasons.

A Capricorn doesn’t believe that they are born with the ability to succeed. They know that success comes to those who work for it. Failure just gives you an opportunity to go back to the drawing board, work harder, and find the solution. They don’t invest their self worth in their skill sets, so failure doesn’t bring their world crashing down.

An Aquarius approaches all projects with creativity and an open mind. They’re willing to try new things and aren’t afraid to fail. Instead of working harder, they instead lean on working smarter, using their intellect and creativity to find solutions. Just like a Capricorn, they are always willing to try something new, rather than fearing change because it means they might fail.

Change Makers

A Capricorn and an Aquarius both use their separate skills to bring about change.

Because Capricorns are a cardinal sign, they are wired to invite change into their lives. They are willing to try new things and go in a different direction, even if it means trying something they’ve never tried before.

An Aquarius invites change through their cerebral creativity, always willing to try something progressive if it has the possibility to change people’s lives for the better.

They rarely get stuck in the past, and are instead looking towards building a bright future.

Candid

Both of these January zodiac signs are likely to tell the truth.

A Capricorn tells the truth because of its practicality. They always try to make sensible decisions, and they find that lying or stretching the truth always makes things needlessly complicated.

On the other hand, an Aqaurius is interested in finding the essential truths. They love philosophical conversations and don’t shy away from the tough questions.

If you want their thoughtful, detailed answer to a deep topic, they have no problem with sharing them with you and opening up a difficult conversation.

Zodiac Sign Dates

While the exact end and start dates change depending on leap years, here are the dates of each of the zodiac signs. If you fall on a start or end date, check the specific calendar from the year you were born.

If you’re looking for more detailed information, use our birth chart calculator to generate a free personalized birth report for yourself.

January Zodiac Signs Are the Signs of a Growth Mindset

With Capricorn as a cardinal sign and Aquarius as a water sign, their designations make these two January Zodiac signs possess growth mindsets. However, while they both share this trait, they approach it in different ways.

They have the potential to make a very powerful team; with a Capricorn’s work ethic and an Aquarius’s creativity, they could truly make something special, but only if they’re willing to collaborate.

Looking to use the traits of your January Zodiac sign to further your career or grow your small business? Join WBD! We have the resources and community to help you access and unlock your greatest strengths. Discover our different membership tiers and download our app today!

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Author, Artist, Photographer.

Sarah Margaret is an artist who expresses her love for feminism, equality, and justice through a variety of mediums: photography, filmmaking, poetry, illustration, song, acting, and of course, writing.

She owns Still Poetry Photography, a company that showcases her passion for capturing poetic moments in time. Instead of poetry in motion, she captures visual poetry in fractions of a second, making cherished keepsakes of unforgettable moments.

She is the artist behind the Still Poetry Etsy shop, which houses her illustrations and bespoke, handmade items. She is the author of intricacies are just cracks in the wall, a narrative poetry anthology that follows a young woman discovering herself as she emerges from an abusive relationship.