CAPRICORNDecember 22 through January 19 When Tevye sang "Tradition" in Fiddler on the Roof, he was singing a Capricorn Anthem. There is not a sign in the Zodiac that understands this concept as deeply and as profoundly as the Mountain Goat, after all, understanding tradition gives them an edge in understanding the source code for living in the present. It's almost like they enter the world with a predisposition to this perspective, a need to understand the "Why" and "How" of things with the seriousness of a professor looking for the cure to some disease. Instinctively they know that they are going to need this knowledge; that life is going to require them to have an understanding that will save them from the harsh reality that surrounds them. Capricorn is the sign that introduces winter and therefore carries with it the energy of Cardinality (aggression) and the essence of the element of Earth (a focus on the material world). No other sign deals with the world as instinctively as Capricorn. You can almost see it in their eyes, this knowing that they are going to count on no one but themselves. There are few Capricorns who will tell you that their life was an easy one. Most of them had to start working as soon as they could talk, perhaps it was to care for an ill parent, a list of chores that had to get done, being required to watch the other siblings, or follow the rules of a militant parent. Whatever the circumstance was, they started knowing very early that they had to fend for themselves and being a Cardinal sign of earth, they had the skills to do it. They are ruled by the stern teacher planet, Saturn, and follow an internal set of rules, there are no shortcuts in a Capricorn mind and usually only one way to get where they're are going, the hard way. Capricorns are often counted on for their hard work and ability to produce which sends an early message to them that eventually gets translated into "YOU ARE WHAT YOU DO"; a message that must be unlearned later. Because of this programming, Capricorns go off in search of something or someone to care for. Often picking partners that require assistance or who count on their Capricorn partner to produce. This requirement assures the Capricorn that they will have purpose though in this scenario it is a misplaced focus and eventually will have to be reevaluated. Their astrological symbol, the mountain goat or the sea goat, represents their multifaceted ability to handle any situation. This goat survives both at the highest mountaintop and in the sea. They know how to make any situation work and they aren't afraid to put the effort into what it takes. Many people see a hard edge, a stoic front to the Capricorn and though they know how to build a wall in front of their emotions they also know how to build one that surrounds 2 or any number of people that they have chosen. You won't find much sympathy emanating from the Capricorn native; they have seen much and survived more so they will not likely understand people who whine about their circumstances or complain about life being tough. These people had it tough and understand how to take care of themselves. If you listen closely to their story, their style, you'll see the heart of someone who really knows how to deal with whatever hand they are dealt. From a psychological perspective you will most often find that the issue for Capricorn lies with the "devouring" father. "Father" here is an archetype and could easily be a mother, uncle or relative that influenced the child at an early age but someone made it clear that if they don't grow up fast they won't make it. Very early in life, the mountain goats realize that their emotions were a matter of inconvenience and that letting them run amok would only get in the way of what had to be done. Often these children confuse the value of doing what is "right" for the good of everyone with having to sacrifice they're own needs which may become unimportant or of no consequence. Survival meant caring for the most important person in the family or the family as a whole even if they have to sacrifice their own needs to do so. The goal for Capricorn is to embrace the childhood that they never had, to understand that work is not the definition of who they are and that they still have their innocence within them waiting to feel safe enough to come forward. If the Capricorn native doesn't stop to recognize the importance of reclaiming their childhood, of bringing out the kid in them, then their focus is likely to be years of building, amassing, and acquiring more; more of everything with little attention on enjoying it for themselves. It seems that in order to really learn this lesson of stopping and feeling, the goat tends to create circumstances that are difficult, at times it looks like nothing but obstacles get created but it takes big obstacles to stop a Capricorn and if they don't stop on their own eventually a big obstacle forces them to stop and reevaluate. Capricorn is a "doing" sign and they have a strong identification with what they do. That's why it's such a sad sight to see an unemployed Capricorn, because if they have equated who they are with what they do, then when they are unemployed they are nothing. The goal for Capricorn is to put their identity in the hands of something other than what they do. Start accepting that they are more than that, way more. It's a leap, a difficult one because purpose has ruled their life for so long. What's awesome about Capricorn?
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