Capricorn

Capricorn, the Goat, is the tenth sign in the Zodiac and represents those born between Dec. 22 and Jan. 19. Its name is Latin (Capricornus, “goat-horned”); the Greeks called the constellation Aegoceros, the Goat-horned, and tied its myth to the goat-footed god Pan or to his goat-like companion Aegipan.

Capricorn in Mythology

Capricorn is usually depicted as a goat or sea-goat, with the front of a goat and the tail of a fish. Ancient writers explained the figure in more than one way, and the most complete account is in Hyginus’ Astronomica (2.28). Hyginus says that the image of Capricornus is like Aegipan, whom Jupiter (Zeus) wished to place among the stars because he had been brought up with him, as he also set up the goat that nursed him. According to Eratosthenes, as Hyginus gives it, this Aegipan was the first to throw terror, the fear called “panic”, into the enemy when Jupiter fought the Titans; for this reason the lower half of the figure is a fish, because he hurled sea-shells at them instead of stones.

In another story, told by Egyptian priests and some poets, many gods came together in Egypt when the monster Typhon suddenly arrived, and in fear they changed into animal shapes: Mercury became an ibis, Diana a cat. At the same time Pan threw himself into a river, making the back part of his body a fish and the front a goat, and so escaped from Typhon. Jupiter admired the idea and set the figure among the stars (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.28). Aegipan also appears in Apollodorus, who says that when Typhon had cut out the sinews of Zeus, Hermes and Aegipan stole them and fitted them back to Zeus without being seen (Apollodorus, Library 1.6.3).

Pan himself is the son of Hermes. In the Homeric Hymn to Pan he is goat-footed, two-horned and fond of noise, and when he was born his nurse ran away in fear at the sight of him (Homeric Hymn 19.1–2, 36–39). He is the god of pastures and flocks, and wanders the wooded mountains with dancing nymphs (Homeric Hymn 19.2–5). Ovid tells how Pan pursued the nymph Syrinx through Arcadia until she was changed into marsh reeds, from which he made his pipes (Ovid, Metamorphoses 1.689–712).

The constellation of Capricorn

The Greek poet Aratus calls the constellation Aegoceros and places it where the sun turns in winter; he speaks of hard frost and storms at sea when the sun joins it (Aratus, Phaenomena). Hyginus describes the Goat facing west, entirely within the zodiac circle, and set under the left hand of Aquarius (Astronomica 3.27).

The goat Amalthea, who suckled the infant Zeus, is placed among the stars as a different constellation, the star Capella, “the she-goat”, and not as Capricorn. Ovid says that Amalthea was a Naiad who hid the infant Jupiter on Mount Ida in Crete and fed him on the milk of a goat; when the goat broke off a horn, the nymph filled it with fruit and brought it to the god, who later made the goat a star and the horn the cornucopia (Ovid, Fasti 5.111–128). Hyginus links the two stories by saying that Aegipan was raised with Jupiter and was placed in the stars like the nursing goat (Astronomica 2.28).

Capricorn in Astrology

According to Astrology Capricorn is an earth sign and people born under this sign are said to be responsible, patient, ambitious and loyal. The sign is also associated with the idea of permanence.

Capricorns are said to be down-to-earth and responsible, to know how to handle tough situations and to be counted on in a crisis. They are also said to be loyal to those they care about and to go to great lengths to protect them.

Capricorn Sign and Ruling Planet

Capricorn is an earth sign ruled by Saturn. In astrology the planet Saturn is associated with wisdom, stability, and hard work, and Capricorn is said to be a practical sign that focuses on achievement and success.

Capricorn Personality and Character traits

Astrologers describe Capricorn as intelligent, hardworking and reliable in partnerships. The sign is not thought of as spontaneous; its partners are said to find stability and a sense of security with it.

Capricorn Sources

Hyginus, Astronomica 2.28 and 3.27; Aratus, Phaenomena; Ovid, Fasti 5.111–128 and Metamorphoses 1.689–712; Apollodorus, Library 1.6.3; Homeric Hymn 19 to Pan.

See Also: Pan, Typhoeus, Amalthea’s Horn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus