Capricorn

When any planet is in Capricorn, or Capricorn is on the cusp of any House, the matters covered by the planet or House will be affected by Cap characteristics.

There is often a degree of truth to stereotypes, and we've all heard about the stereotypical Capricorn: hard-driving, business-oriented, emotionally cool and aloof, and a total workaholic. Right?

Capricorn does tend to be driven, and dedicated to success. Canny, practical Capricorn expects to have to work hard for his or her achievements, and doesn't hesitate to put in the required effort. What other signs may take for an impossibility, Capricorn is more likely to view as a challenge. The Goat is absolutely dedicated to his or her life's work. If you meet a Capricorn native who appears to be "stuck" in a dead-end job, or is under-employed, the most likely explanation is that s/he views something besides his or her job, as his/her "life's work." A Capricorn musician will accept a job as a convenience store clerk, if it allows him the time and resources to spend on his music. A Capricorn artist is content to work as a waitress, while devoting enormous resources of time, energy, and money to the furtherance of her art.

One stereotype about Capricorn natives that often proves unusually accurate is the old saying that Capricorns are "old when they are young, and young when they're old." It can be a truly stunning transformation to see the serious-minded, neat and methodical Capricorn child emerge, in his or her later years, as the prototypical "fun oldster," romping with grandkids, shrugging off the trivialities that always possessed the mind during earlier life. When the pressure to succeed is removed, Capricorn will most likely succeed anyway, while permitting him or herself a more accepting and tolerant manner.

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planetary "disciplinarian." If this can make Cap a bit of a slave-driver, don't judge too harshly -- Capricorn flogs himself into action, and castigates his own perceived weaknesses with more force and self-derision than would be directed at his worst enemy. (In fact, the Capricorn native is far more likely to simply cut any possible "enemies" completely out of his or her life altogether -- why waste time with schemes of revenge, or energy covering up hurt feelings? Just cut 'em off, and cut 'em out!) Capricorn admires strength, and is willing to lavish praise on those who live up to his lofty standards (with the exception of himself, always driven, onward, upward, higher, further). The admiration is balanced with an equally strong contempt for weakness. The Cap is willing to give you a hand up -- but never a hand-out! Because of Cap's stern quest to weed out any and all signs of weakness in his or her own nature, the Goat honestly is harder on him or herself than on others.

Perceived aloofness can cover a multitude of perfectly normal, human behaviors that the Capricorn native sees as failures, or areas where improvement is needed. Take emotional exchanges with someone the Cap really cares about, for example. While most recognize that love and caring for another human being is not only natural, but healthy, for the Goat, it can come as something of a shock! Capricorn natives can and do care deeply about other human beings, but tend to be less outwardly demonstrative than some of the more outgoing Signs. Capricorn provides for his or her family, and this, to the Cap, is a demonstration of deep love and affection, performed in a way that the Goat considers far more important than saying "those three little words." Capricorn proves his love and devotion through action.

The lofty mountain goat, leaping with grace and apparent effortlessness over rocky terrain, seeking the highest peaks, has also long been a symbol of sexuality. Capricorns tend to make excellent lovers. One word of caution to those involved in sexual-emotional relationships with a Capricorn native: occasionally Capricorns are able to access deep wells of emotional feeling through physical sexuality. This can sometimes freak them out, and cause them to pull back, leaving a very confused lover wondering what the hell went wrong. What happened is that "your" Capricorn probably terrified him or herself, and deliberately pulled down an emotional wall. Give your Goat some time. Either s/he will learn that you are a safe person who is "worthy" of being trusted with Cap's deeper emotions .... or s/he will pull back entirely. It's not purposefully hurtful, but Capricorn has an inborn instinct telling him or her it's time to pull back. Once the Capricorn has had a taste of sex-with-love-included, s/he will want to experience it again, as it's a bit different from the more usual black/white this/that Capricorn mindset. The Goat frequently finds that he or she really likes sex with a little bit of emotional involvement, falling short of full commitment and exclusivity. This type of Capricorn always knows when "enough is enough," and may put the boot down most unexpectedly...just when you were starting to believe the two of you were Something Special. It's the way the Goat avoids being hurt, but unless caution is exercised, you may be the one who gets emotionally hurt.

If your Capricorn lover has moved past the "experimenting with emotion" stage, and is truly ready to settle down, then you'll have a hard-working, loving, protective mate, who is an intriguing lover and faithful partner. You'll also have the added benefit of knowing someone who absolutely insists on quality, on a partner who has earned the Goat's respect, has weighed you and found you worthy! If you truly have that, then you have a dedicated, responsible, mature, and possibly even -- GASP! -- fun and adventurous partner for life.

For information regarding the physical traits and characteristics of the Capricorn native, please see our page on Physical Appearance and Astrology.

Artwork: Picasso, Girl with Goat; William Blake, Saturn.