Capricorn (astrology)

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Capricorn is the tenth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Capricornus. In western astrology, this sign is no longer aligned with the constellation as a result of the precession of the equinoxes. In astrology, Capricorn is considered a "feminine", negative sign. It is also considered an earth sign and is one of four cardinal signs. Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn. Being the tenth sign of the zodiac, Capricorn has been associated with the astrological 10th house. The corresponding month in the Babylonian calendar is Arax Ṭebêtum, dedicated to Pap-sukkal, the messenger of the gods.

Individuals born when the Sun was in this sign are considered Capricorn individuals. Under the tropical zodiac, the Sun is in Capricorn roughly from December 22 to January 19. Under the sidereal zodiac, it is currently there roughly from January 15 to February 12.

Mythology

Capricorn is associated with the Greek myth of the goat Amalthea, who provided the infant Zeus with milk, or ambrosia in some versions. Zeus placed her in the sky to honor her (Catasterismi). Capricorn is also associated with the god Saturn and the god Aristaeus.

The Babylonian zodiacal sign is called šaxû "ibex." The sun in this month entered the suxûru-fish constellation, called the star of Tashmetum, the wife of Nabu. The goat-fish is known from depictions on Babylonian monuments. Also linked to the Greek God, Pan.

The astrological symbol for Capricorn is said to represent the horns and tail of the goat-fish or sea-goat.

Characteristics

Astrologers broadly agree that the following are the characteristics of Capricorn: The Capricorn person is prudent, responsible, realistic, very wise, formal, patient, methodical, disciplined, traditional, cautious, conventional, hard-working, polite, persevering, ambitious, dedicated, focused, honest, dependable, serious, self-reliant, businesslike, career-oriented, authoritative, conscientious, and competent.

They can also sometimes be rigid, suspicious, status-seeking, demanding, obsessed with rules, insensitive, inhibited, cold, dry, aloof, lack emotional depth, be possessive, self-conscious, materialistic, stuck up, neutral, narrow-minded, vindictive, bitter, lacking hope, melancholy, controlling, harshly critical, restricting, calculating, and saturnine.

Likes — Romance, loyalty, feeling secure, financial/material stability, ambitious mates, feeling committed, making long term relationship plans, dependability, reliability, perseverance.

Dislikes — Flightiness, being bossed around, crudeness/coarseness, dominance, game playing, ego displays, extravagance, being challenged by a lover, indecisiveness.

Suitable occupations are where responsible, patient and economizing qualities can be exercised, such as scientist, engineer, manager, civil servant, mathematician, farmer, sport players, voice actor, builder, politician, or director. In medical astrology Capricorn governs the knees and skeleton.

Correspondences

The following items are traditionally associated with Capricorn:

Birthstones	Garnet, Turquoise
Colours	Dark Green, Brown, Dark brown ; Black
Gemstones	Onyx, Quartz, Beryl, Obsidian, Amethyst
Metal	Lead, Silver
Plant	Ivy, Carnation
Countries	India ; Afghanistan ; Mexico ; Cuba

Compatibilities

Capricorn is widely thought to be compatible with: Taurus ; Virgo

There are many variables that determine compatibility in astrology, such as birth dates, birth months, birth years, position of a sign within the Sun, the Moon, Stars, etc. The signs listed as compatible with Capricorn do not reflect an individual profile or individual reading as interpreted within astrology, but rather reflect a general guideline and reference to compatibility as dictated by variables such as Qualities and Elements within the Zodiac.

Pluto in Capricorn

In January 2008, Pluto entered the sign of Capricorn and will not leave it finally until 2023. The last time this took place was in the 18th century and it coincided with the Boston Tea Party, which heralded America's rise to world dominance. Previously each of the times when Pluto was there the world saw major political changes that substantially rewrote history, mainly to do with changes in empires and powerful institutions such as the ascent of Rome and later its decline, the birth of Christianity and later of the Protestant Church, of the Vikings rising and falling.

Controversy against tropical dates

When the Babylonians first invented the 12 signs of zodiac, a birthday between about July 23 and August 22 meant being born under the constellation Leo. Now, 3,000 years later, the sky has "shifted" due to the effects of precession. The Western astrology dates are known as the conventional sun signs. The constellations are different sizes and shapes, so the Sun spends different lengths of time lined up with each one. The line from Earth through the Sun points to Virgo for 45 days, but it points to Scorpius for only 7 days. To make a tidy match with their 12-month calendar, the Babylonians ignored the fact that the Sun actually moves through 13 constellations, not 12. Then they assigned each of those 12 constellations equal amounts of time. Besides the 12 familiar constellations of the zodiac, the Sun is also aligned with Ophiuchus for about 18 days each year.

Equivalents in other zodiacs

The Indian equivalent of Capricorn is 'Makara.'

The Chinese equivalent is thought to be the dependable, methodical Ox, whose lunar month is 6 January - 3 February.

References

External links

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Last updated on Thursday March 13, 2008 at 20:24:07 PDT (GMT -0700)
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