Capricorn (astrology)
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| Zodiac Symbol | sea-goat |
| Duration (Tropical, Western) | 21 December – 20 January (2013, UTC) |
| Constellation | Capricornus |
| Zodiac Element | Earth |
| Zodiac Quality | Cardinal |
| Sign ruler | Saturn |
| Detriment | Moon |
| Exaltation | Mars |
| Fall | Jupiter |
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Capricorn (♑) is the tenth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Capricornus. It spans the 270–300th degree of the zodiac, between 270 and 305.25 degree of celestial longitude. In astrology, Capricorn is considered an introvert sign,[1] an earth sign, and one of the four cardinal signs. Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn. In the Tropical zodiac, the Sun transits this area of the zodiac from December 22 to January 19 each year. In Sidereal astrology, the sun currently transits the constellation of Capricorn from January 15 – February 14 (approximately).
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Mythology [edit]
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This section does not cite any references or sources. (July 2011) |
The constellation is usually depicted as an ibex with a fish's tail (see Hippocamp). One myth says that when the goat-god Pan was attacked by Typhoon, he dove into the Nile; the parts above the water remained a goat, but those under the water transformed into a fish. The water transformed as Pan changed; the line of the water against the horizon opened permanently as a pathway for souls who missed Charon's ferry across the River Styx.
Capricorn is sometimes depicted as a sea-goat, and sometimes as a terrestrial goat. The reasons for this are unknown, but the image of a sea-goat goes back at least to Babylonian times. Furthermore, the Sumerian god Enki's symbols included a goat and a fish, which later combined into a single beast, the goat Capricorn, recognized as the Zodiacal constellation Capricornus.
"The symbol of the goat rising from the body of a fish represents with greatest propriety the mountainous buildings of Babylon rising out of its low and damp situation; the two horns of the goat being emblematic of the two towns, Nineveh and Babylon, the former built on the Tigris, the latter on the Euphrates; but both subjected to one sovereignty."[2]
On the other hand, the constellation of Capricornus is sometimes identified as Amalthea, the goat that suckled the infant Zeus after his mother Rhea saved him from being devoured by his father Cronos (in Greek mythology). The goat's broken horn was transformed into the cornucopia or horn of plenty. Some ancient sources claim that this derives from the sun "taking nourishment" while in the constellation, in preparation for its climb back northward. As such, it is a symbol of discipline.
Associations [edit]
In astrology, a planet's domicile is the zodiac sign over which it has rulership. The planet said to be ruler of Capricorn is Saturn.[3]
References [edit]
Citations [edit]
Sources [edit]
- Heindel, Max (1919), Simplified Scientific Astrology: A Complete Textbook on the Art of Erecting a Horoscope, with Philosophic Encyclopedia and Tables of Planetary Hours (4 ed.), Rosicrucian Fellowship, OCLC 36106074
External links [edit]
The dictionary definition of Capricorn at Wiktionary
Media related to Capricorn at Wikimedia Commons
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