Capricorn

December 21st – January 19th

This dreamy Capricorn pic was contributed by Juanita Coetzer.

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Capricorn is the cardinal sign of the winter season. Representing this elemental earth sign is none other than the sturdy, sure-footed goat. Noted for her dynamic climbing ability, the flexibility of her spine enables her to maneuver impassible terrains and ridges where no other four-legged creature dares to go; and makes it look easy to boot. Grounded, she takes advantage of every foothold as she butts her way effortlessly past any obstacle.

A feminine sign, Capricorn is the tenth sign of the zodiac and therefore the ruler of the Tenth House of Social Status. This is also the Midheaven, located at the very top of your natal chart, and the most public of all the houses. It encompasses your professional aspirations and ambitions as well as the image you project out into the world.

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, who is sometimes referred to as the Celestial Taskmaster. Saturn is the Roman god who presided over the sowing and reaping of grain. In astrology, Saturn represents obstacles, restriction, discipline, order, and responsibility. He is the planet of limitations, which includes the concept of time. In Greek, Saturn is known as Cronus – Father Time himself. Capricorns have a heightened sense of the value of time, and as a result they are superb organizers and planners.

“Time is the coin of your life.

It is the only coin you have,

and only you can determine how it will be spent.

Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.”

– Carl Sandburg, Journalist, Biographer, Poet & Capricorn

Intensely practical and patient, they show amazing self-restraint when it comes to their ambition, choosing to wait for just the right moment to seize an opportunity and climb to the top of their mountain. Once there, they fully intend to stay, and good luck to anyone trying to lure them off.

“Maybe other people try to limit me,

but I don’t limit myself.”

– Jim Carrey, Comedian, Writer, Producer & Capricorn

She desires status, authority, and money, recognizing the value of a dollar. As a result, she tends to be conservative and cautious with her investments. She approaches all areas of her life with efficiency, and her career is no different. Everything will have been planned and painstakingly prepared. She’ll do her research and look at a situation from all angles before making a move.

“We think too small,

like the frog at the bottom of the well.

He thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well.

If he surfaced,

he would have an entirely different view.”

– Mao Tse-Tung, Chinese Communist Revolutionary & Capricorn

She can appear reserved, prudent, disciplined, displaying admirable self-control. Her active mind quickly masters concepts and ideas while her ability to focus and concentrate is second to none. Naturally born strategists, Capricorns prefer using their minds rather than pursuing a more physical approach towards reaching their objectives.

“Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal.

My strength lies solely in my tenacity.”

– Louis Pasteur, Chemist, Microbiologist & Capricorn

She is organized and likes to control her immediate environment. The Capricorn is who you want to be with when deserted on an island. She’ll step into the role as leader, coming up with an efficient and sustainable plan, and then take the necessary actions needed to follow through. She will ensure there is shelter, with enough wood chopped and stacked neatly next to the fire, when you've finished following her instructions, there will be boiled water ready and safe for drinking, as well as stores of berries and fruits, or whatever else the island offers in ways of nourishment and sustenance.

“People don’t understand that when I grew up,

I was never the most talented.

I was never the biggest.

I was never the fastest.

I certainly was never the strongest.

The only thing I had was my work ethic,

and that’s been what has gotten me this far.”

– Tiger Woods, Professional Golfer & Capricorn

Yes, I may be painting a bit of a sober picture of our girl Capricorn, but I would be remiss if I didn't point out her cool sense of humour. She has an intelligent wit which can admittedly be on the dry side but can be extremely funny; and it will erupt when you least expect it.

“You're an investigator - can't nobody find stuff out like a woman.

Y'all put the police to shame,

make the little investigative tricks they show on CSI and Low & Order:

SVU look like counting lessons on Sesame Street.”

– Steve Harvey, T.V. & Radio Host, Actor, Author, Comedian & Capricorn

Despite this substantial list of strong qualities: her high intellect, her self-discipline, her action-oriented approach, the Capricorn often feels insecure. Because they are so efficient and orderly, they tend to have little to no trust in others to pay the same attention to details. This gives her the sense that she can rely only on herself to get the job done. She abhors chaos and all its distractions as it instills doubt in herself and her capabilities. Pride is her primary motivator and therefore she can be overtly precise, fussing over the minutia to ensure all probabilities have been addressed.

“If I am a cup maker,

I’m interested in making the best cup I possibly can.

My effort goes into that cup,

not what people think about it.”

– Denzel Washington, Actor, Director, Producer & Capricorn

Security is therefore of highest priority. Because of this the Capricorn tends to be a hard worker in order to reach self-sufficiency. This need is so strong, she may not realize the bodies she’s stepped over, until she looks back and see who she’s left behind.

“I wanted to be an independent woman,

a woman who could pay for her bills,

a woman who could run her own life –

and I became that woman.”

– Diane von Furstenberg, Designer, Business Woman & Capricorn

Although she may not be consciously aware of it, she also hungers for love. Capricorns struggle with an inner child who believes themselves to be unworthy. As a result, she often hides behind the protective layers of various masks. A long and diligent healing process needs to take place for the Capricorn to figure out who she truly is and love herself, warts and all.

“As an adolescent,

I was painfully shy, withdrawn.

I didn’t really have the nerve to sing my songs on stage,

and nobody else was doing them.

I decided to do them in disguise so that I didn’t have to actually

go through the humiliation of going on stage and being myself.”

– David Bowie, Singer-Songwriter, Actor & Capricorn

Because of the Capricorn’s camouflage, it can make it difficult to truly get to know her. But whoever eventually does unearth her truth will be richly rewarded. The tender side of Capricorn is pure kindness. Because of her love of details, she pays close attention and in turn can create some very special and magical moments for another; and if you’ve done her a solid, she will be generous in return. She can be sensitive and sympathetic, and generally first in line to offer a shoulder to lean on. Her affection and loyalty run deep as she cherishes and protects the important people in her life. Most importantly, she sticks around when the going gets tough and you find yourself standing alone.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he

stands in moments of comfort and convenience,

but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

– Martin Luther King. Jr., Baptist Minister, Activist & Capricorn

In favour of all things black and white, the Capricorn is uncomfortable with the ambiguity of grey. No goat likes the feeling of the earth sliding beneath her feet. She prefers order, stability, and predictability. As a result, she may have difficulty seeing the shades within a situation. Especially when it comes to the emotional side of things. When in a relationship, she prefers to remain in control, taking the dominant role, because she does not like to feel vulnerable. Therefore, when a Capricorn chooses a life partner, often it is with a strategic eye, choosing stability and longevity over pleasure and romance. When it comes to those they love, they may seem overbearing and stronghanded. Family may see them as a busy body with a tendency to take over, but the Capricorn simply feels their way is better.

“It infuriates me to be wrong when I know I’m right.”

– Moliere, Playwright, Actor, Poet& Capricorn

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Sometimes the Capricorn fails to receive credit for their creativity when the fact is that she is highly innovative. She just tends to incorporate it within the work and career arena. Altogether, Capricorn is one of the most dependable signs of the zodiac and when she says she will do something, she will see it through to the best of her ability. She may not be able to move mountains, but she can certainly scale them. She was born to climb, not to graze the grasses of the valleys.

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