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Capricorn:
22 December to 19 January
Element:
Earth Sign (Senses) 3rd Decan of the Earth Trilogy
Quality:
Cardinal (Leadership, Ambition, Authority)
Polarity:
Feminine, Negative, Yin (non initiating, passive, receptive).
Symbology:
The beginning of Capricorn is marked by the Sun passing over the
Tropic of Capricorn, marking the northern Winter Solstice. Capricorn
is symbolised by the goat, but it is more correctly the Sea-Goat, a
mythical creature who signifies the extreme highs and lows, the
heights and depths of Capricorn. Seasonally, Capricorn brings the
outer stillness of winter's sleep. Mankind now has time to think
about his plans for the coming spring and his energy is turned inward
in the search for self-expression. The function of Capricorn in the
chart is to organise, to use resources at hand in the most efficient
way possible and to create structures from what is formless.
Mythology:
There are two legends associated with Capricorn. One is that during
the war between the gods of Olympus and the Titans of the earth, the
gods were driven into Egypt. There they were pursued by Typhon, the
giant's leader. In order to escape from harm, each of the gods has to
change his or her shape. Pan leapt into the Nile and metamorphosed
the upper part of his body into a goat and the lower part into a
fish. The giants were later defeated, and Pan was rewarded by Jupiter
for the originality of his disguise by being placed in the heavens.
Another legend is of Amalthea, Jupiter's nurse when he was a child.
Because of the constant threat to his life from his father Saturn,
Jupiter's mother Rhea entrusted him to Amalthea in the caves at Mt
Ida. Amalthea took care of him until Chiron took over his education,
and in gratitude, Jupiter placed her in the sky as Capricorn. (Note
that the word for a female goat "nanny" is the same word as
for a surrogate mother or nurse.)
Glyph:
The glyph for Capricorn represents the head and horns of a goat and
the tail of the fish. Capricorn is the only sign with two glyphs and
many German and American astrologers use the modern one instead. The
house ruled by Capricorn in the chart shows where you are the most
realistic, and where you have the most ability to make use of
everything material at your disposal. It is where you have the
capacity for patient discipline that is motivated by a desire for
material status and where you take advantage of every opportunity for
practical advancement. It is where you use your authority and are at
your most practical.
Ruling
Planet: Saturn Colour: Brown/beige/grey Gemstone: Garnet/Diamond
Body
Rulership: Capricorn rules the knees, bones (including bone marrow).
Nails,
hair, teeth, skin and spleen.
Keyword:
Reality Keyphrase: "I Use"
Other
keywords to describe Capricorn: Positive:
Self-disciplined, hard working, persevering, dependable, shy,
ambitious, punctual, frugal, practical, orderly, reserved, efficient,
responsible, subtle, sardonic, organising, sensitive, cautious. Negative:
Introverted, serious, grim, staid, unscrupulous, over-sensitive,
materialistic, conventional, conservative, moralistic, anti-social,
insecure, pessimistic, inhibited, narrow minded, patronising, cold.
Capricorn
is extremely patient and will plan and work for years to get what
she wants. She is also ambitious and resourceful and has a good sense
of timing. She is an extremely responsible personality who desires
respect, security and prestige above all. There is a strong desire to
build a position for herself in the world, and she can be ruthless in
her climb to the top. Rules are terribly important to Capricorn, and
she works hard to maintain the status quo. She places society's needs
above those of the individual, and frowns upon those who challenge
the status quo. She is fantastic with money and knows how to make a
dollar go further than any other sign. She looks for bargains but
buys only quality items, not junk.
Capricorn
often needs to hit rock bottom in her life before she realises how
unsatisfying materialism is and then can turn her attention to
spiritual matters. Although she doesn't show her feelings and appears
cool and aloof, Capricorn is actually very sensitive. Her aloofness
is a facade to protect her insecurities (and she has many!), being
one of the most inhibited signs of the zodiac. In appearance, usually
thin and bony, her face is usually long with a big nose and long
chin, both of which tend to curve (like Punch from Punch and Judy).
Her eyebrows may stick out and she can be knock-kneed, bow-legged or
buck-toothed. There is a tendency to be short or tall, rarely average
height, and she may have darker than usual complexion. She is usually
shy and serious in demeanor. Capricorn has a relationship with the
10th house because both are concerned with authority and status.
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn and has an affinity with the square aspect.
Allegory: "Of
you Capricorn, I ask the sweat of your brow, that you might teach
men to work. Your task is not an easy one, for you will feel all of
man's labours on your shoulders, but for the yoke of your burdens, I
put the Responsibility of Man in your hands." And Capricorn
stepped back into place.
(c)
Cecily Bazak
References:
(The above information was adapted from class notes from my
teachers, some of which comes from “The Only Way to Learn
Astrology Series”, (March and McEvers), and the information on
Mythology is from the Encyclopedia of Astrology (James Lewis), Mythic
Astrology (Guttman and Johnson) and Encyclopedia of Mythology (Arthur Cotterell) |
