Songs of Solstice 2/The Decans of Capricorn
Capricorn is the zodiac sun sign of the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. It is therefore a sign of death and rebirth, “Sol Invictus”…the victory of the Sun, and of light over darkness.
The constellation of Capricornus which gives its name to the sun sign is located in an area of sky known as The Sea or The Water, containing other water-related constellations, including Aquarius, Pisces and The River, Eridanus.
Capricornus is the smallest constellation in the zodiac, the faintest after Cancer, with no first magnitude stars. Even so, the brightest star, Delta Capricorni A, is a white giant with a luminosity 8.5 times that of the Sun.
Capricorn means Horn of the Goat from the Latin Capri cornus. “Capri” = goat, “Cornus” = horn. You can- with just a bit of a stretch- imagine the constellation as a goat’s face, looking at you with horns either side of its head.
Image via Wiki.
Though Capricornus is the second faintest constellation in the sky after Cancer, its story lineage is very ancient indeed. Mountain Goats, the ibex, were depicted in Ice Age paintings. The European ibex male starts fighting for territory and mating in December, and in modern astrology, as distinct from modern astronomy,
Capricorn’s rule begins today at the solstice, although meteorological winter starts 1 December. Capricorn the constellation itself is actually overhead nowadays during Aquarius-late Jan-late Feb- due to the wobble of the Earth, an effect known as precession. But Capricorn, the sun sign named after Capricornus retains the dates accorded to it by Ptolemy.
Image: Astrology Reading cards.
Capricorn the constellation itself is actually overhead nowadays during Aquarius, due to the wobble of the Earth, an effect known as precession, but the sun sign named after Capricornus retains the dates accorded to it by Ptolemy.
The Ibex
Though Capricornus is the second faintest constellation in the sky after Cancer, its story lineage is very ancient indeed. Mountain Goats, the ibex, were depicted in Ice Age paintings. December and January is mating season, when the male ibex fights for territory.
Astrology
Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign, ruled by the planet Saturn, stern planet of self-reliance, self-discipline, duty, responsibility, conservation, patience, limitations and restrictions. Cardinal signs usher in a new season. Aries ushers in the spring, Cancer the summer and Libra the autumn, while Capricorn is the usher of winter.
The Capricorn Archetype
All the zodiac signs represent archetypes, meaning something that is considered to be a perfect or typical example of a particular kind of person or thing.
The archetype of Capricorn is the Ruler, the Wise Elder, Protector, Organizer and Provider.
Capricorn is a worker and a fighter with the strength, intelligence, stamina and determination to overcome hardships and master its environment. A pragmatist with strong ethics, Capricorn is not sentimental. But Capricorn is a rock for the people in their lives. They have gravitas.
They will do what it takes to care for their loved ones, and will work longer and harder to do this than almost any other zodiac sign. These people express their devotion through deeds, not words. They will be the person who builds a fire for others to warm their hands at.
The court card of Capricorn is the Queen of Pentacles. The King of Pentacles may also be used to represent a Capricorn native, male or female, in a reading.
The court card of Capricorn is the serious yet hospitable Queen of Pentacles. The King of Pentacles may also be used to represent a Capricorn native, male or female, in a reading.
Image from The Touchstone Tarot, Kat Black.
The Decans of Capricorn
The Zodiac is a belt of sky tracking the path of the sun across the sky over the course of the year. We call this pathway of the sun ‘the ecliptic,’ and the zodiac belt shares this same pathway. The paths of the Moon and visible planets are all contained within the belt of the zodiac. Each zodiac sign represents a 30 degree section of this belt. Each sign is then sub-divided into three blocks of ten degrees, equalling about ten days in length, with slight variations.
This gives us the zodiac decans, from the Latin meaning ten. They are sometimes nicknamed ‘the thirty- six faces of astrology,’ because they add more human faces to the story. The decans break down the story of each zodiac sign into three, more in-depth chapters, affording extra insight into your sign, and what it means in real life.
First Decan
Capricorn-Capricorn
Dates: 22 December-31 December
Planetary rulers: Saturn-Saturn
Tarot card: Two Pentacles
Card meanings: juggling of finances, putting eggs in different baskets, being in two places at once, juggling jobs and responsibilities, or two jobs, commuting, relocation, infinity, the ever changing balance
This Capricorn decan does not suffer fools gladly. This is a serious, profound and powerfully minded individual. Many people want to know them, and they are people people, yet they are cautious and have few truly intimate friends. But those friends are true and lasting, while many others come and go.
They have a dry, wry, droll sense of humour, a keen sense of the ridiculous, and a sense of fun, but others who are less confident can feel intimidated by their intelligence. They have gravitas with a natural personality authority which some may find challenging. This decan will not be pushed around, any more than the mountain ibex doing battle on the side of the mountain is ready to give way to its rival without a fierce fight.
This decan dislikes whatever it considers cheap and easy sentiment, but is utterly devoted in a pragmatic, non-demonstrative way, to those they love and will show it in their deeds, whether or not they say it with words, seemingly so fearless, whether they really are afraid or not, and so sure of foot on the rockiest of mountain slopes.
Famous first decan Capricorns in history: Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, Louis Pasteur, Ava Gardner, Woodrow Wilson, Mao Tse-Tung
Second Decan
Capricorn-Taurus
Dates: 1 January-10 January
Planetary rulers: Saturn-Venus
Tarot card: Three Pentacles
Card Meanings: skill, study, patience, taking care, taking pride in your work, arts, crafts, beauty, heritage, architecture, cooperation, teamwork
This decan is also a serious individual but somewhat less forthright in manner, more easygoing and ruled by Venus, cheerful, agreeable and with softer edges all round. This decan in general is the most artistic or musical Capricorn, though again, the style is low key. This person is usually considered highly trustworthy, and generally deserves that reputation, while they themselves are cautious of trusting others. They crave beautiful surroundings and creature comforts. (Well, who doesn't?)
Their physical appearance matters to them a great deal, from which we readily understand the added tragedy for some of the famous subjects of this decan.
Famous Second Decan Capricorn subjects: Joan of Arc, Louis Braille, Elvis Presley, Richard Nixon, Michael Schumacher, Stephen Hawking
Third Decan
Capricorn-Virgo
Dates: 11 January-19 January
Planetary ruler: Saturn-Mercury
Tarot card-Four of Pentacles
Card Meanings: thrift, prudence, saving money, holding on to money, hoarding, investing, saving, preserving, conserving resources, damage limitation, self- protection, the need for order, stability and freedom from worry
This decan, ruled by Mercury, is something of a perfectionist; curious, analytical, rational and intellectual, somewhat changeable. Saturn’s overarching influence will tend to make this Mercurial Capricorn more practical and cautious than Mercury subjects of the other zodiac signs, but they may not need to work so much as the other Capricorn decans to get where they need to be, helped by that agile Mercury influence, balanced by the conscientiousness of Virgo. They drive themselves very hard and can get bogged down, obsessing over detail in
They are deep, serious, and thoughtful, but are quick witted and up for fun, and may be happiest with a lively, interesting partner, who can help them take their mind off their own preoccupations and lift their mood when they walk in after a hard day.
Famous Decan 3 Capricorn subjects: Martin Luther King Junior, Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, Aristotle, Kevin Costner
Many Happy Returns, dear Capricorn.
Thank you for reading. Back again soon with a few thoughts via the Tarot about the coming year, 2024.
I’m have Sun Virgo/Capricorn rising. We DO drive ourselves pretty hard!
Quality over quantity at all times :)