Image of Capricornus by Johannes Hevelius - Creative Commons license
Birth of the Sea-Goat
© 2024, Denise Hancock
Emerging from the warm, womb-like depths,
the shivering Sea-Goat lifts her head,
eyes settling on the distant peaks.
Awkward but determined,
she finds footing on the slippery rocks.
One cautious step, then the next.
The tail drops away, melting in the sunlight.
With gangly legs and knobby knees,
the sinews hold, following her will.
Scrambling, hungry, she climbs.
If Cancer represents the nurturing mother-infant bond, Capricorn is the moment of birth, separating the two. It is the first ragged breath in a bright, cold, strange place; the severing of the umbilical cord; the startle that pushes a newborn babe to their first movements; and the slow, blundering crawl toward the mother’s breast.
(If you’re not familiar with the “breast crawl,” it was initially documented on film by Marshall and Phyllis Klaus. You can watch it on YouTube. )
Lord of the Gates of Matter
Capricorn is associated with the Gates of Matter, where Spirit has descended into physical space and time constraints. I’ve often wondered the reason for this. Why does a soul choose to leave the universal womb and enter this harsh landscape? I know I’m not alone in the wondering. Many religious and spiritual traditions offer insight, answers, or further inquiries in an attempt to solve this puzzling question.
Tarot card 15, known as The Devil, is associated with Capricorn. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, this correlates with the idea of Lucifer, the Devil, cast out of Heaven in an adversarial role with the goodness of God, fighting for the souls of humans. This concept sets up an essential conflict between the spiritual and the material.
Whatever the reason, Earth is where we land, challenged to survive and thrive with the forces of matter.
In her Ancient Astrology: Volume 1 text, Demetra George explains that zodiac signs are the “celestial abodes of planets” or the planet's environment in a given moment. This environment shapes the characteristics of a planet, its behavior, appearance, resources, and power in the world. As environmental influences shape a child’s development, so zodiac sign placement shapes the development and expression of a planet at the moment of birth (or inception).
In Capricorn, planets are conditioned to engage with the material world, to engage with it, shape it, and master it. The 2, 3, and 4 of Discs (or Pentacles) describe the journey.
The first 10 degrees (or decan) of Capricorn is ruled by Jupiter and illustrated with the 2 of discs. This card depicts a union or choice between spirit and matter. Jupiter brings a desire for learning and growth, accompanied by hope and faith. When you’re faced with the constraints of reality, optimism is required to start the motion for CHANGE.
Mars rules the 2nd decan, represented by the 3 of Disks. Here, Mars brings will, strength, and drive to the WORK of building and climbing. Mars activates and energizes, and in Capricorn, Mars is willing to follow rules and cooperate with others to achieve outcomes.
The final decan is ruled by the Sun, representing successful accumulation. The 4 of Disks can represent desirable security with stocked coffers. Yet, there is also something uncomfortable about it. The card always makes me wonder, at what point do you cross the line between a desire for security and greed? What is enough, and what is too much? Where is the point of satisfaction? When can you relax and stop striving for more?
Focusing one’s entire life on matter is bound to lead to a spiritual crisis. Despite the gains, experiences of loss are inevitable.
- Investments appreciate and decline.
- Companies go bankrupt.
- Harvests ripen and then rot.
- Houses decay. and can be destroyed in a moment.
- Youthful skin and bones start to age.
Maintaining one’s body and resources in perfect condition becomes a full-time job. The more you have, the more attention you must pay to it. I am reminded of a line from the film Fight Club, written by Chuck Palahniuk, “The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything”
Nearing the End
No sea in sight.
Dry and barren, sheltering from the light.
Aware of the passing hours,
Blade in hand, ready to tend or protect,
The wizened elder gazes from his cave.
After years of climb, with hard-earned wisdom from gains and losses, Capricorn returns to thoughts of the ocean-womb and what is eternal. As a person with Capricorn Ascendant and Moon, I find the five remembrances of Buddhism a powerful tool to stay centered between matter and spirit, reminding me that matter is only, always, temporary.
The 5 Remembrances
As translated by Thich Nhat Hanh
“I am of the nature to grow old.
There is no way to escape growing old.
I am of the nature to have ill-health.
There is no way to escape having ill-health.
I am of the nature to die.
There is no way to escape death.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change.
There is no way to escape being separated from them.
My actions are my only true belongings.
I cannot escape the consequences of my actions.
My actions are the ground on which I stand.”
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and warmest wishes to all of you during this Capricorn season. Tomorrow, Aquarius!
XOXO,
Denise
