Capricorn
23 December - 21 January
Cardinal Earth Sign

Capricorn is possibly one of the most misunderstood signs of the Zodiac. Often accused of being cold, harsh and materialistic, this is a sign which often gets a bad press. And yet, it is not so. Capricorn may lack the fluffy allure of some other signs, but its values of duty and endurance should never be mistaken for unfeeling.

To better understand this sign we need to consider two things; its symbol and the time of year. It’s easy to understand that this might not be a cheerful and party going sign when you consider that this is the time of the winter solstice. Global warming may render winters milder, but it is still dark, the wind often blows with gale force and it rains. It is not pleasant and we are still told that birds need to be fed because food is hard to come by. The Christmas carols talk of snow and the ground being hard. We can shield ourselves from the worst of the weather with central heating and double glazing, but there is no doubt about this being a harsh time of year.

And yet, there is beauty too. It may be more subtle, the colours are more muted than those of summer, but you can see the beauty of a tree’s bark, its silhouette stark against a winter sky. Going out for a brisk walk in early morning, frost can make the world seem magical. This imagery is very much at the heart of Capricorn. This sign has great stamina and endurance. Their ability to thrive under the most difficult circumstances is worthy of respect and admiration.

The Capricorn is a mythical creature. It begins life at the bottom of the ocean and swims to the surface. It then proceeds to climb to the top of the nearest mountain. Like the image of winter, this speaks of endurance and hard work. If you want a difficult job well done, you find a Capricorn. Just remember to reward them well, for this sign needs recognition. Capricorns are ambitious; they need the recognition of their peers. They measure success in tangible terms, so being high up in the company’s or society’s hierarchy matters. Having the right address, car and clothes could be important too. But this isn’t so much about being materialistic as needing to prove that success has been achieved. It’s also about knowing that in this world, money cushions us against some of the worst extremes that life has to offer. Thus having money is a way of protecting loved ones from the world’s harsh realities. This is the warm glowing fire which we crave in winter, when we come in from the rain and cold.

But where is the beauty? This may not at first be obvious, but it partly lies in the word ‘duty’. This seemingly unfeeling word has a passion as hot as a burning fire. To Capricorns, doing one’s duty by loved ones is everything. It is duty which drives them to work long hours and do whatever it takes to make sure that loved ones are well looked after. This sign may not write odes to their love, but they will pick them up from the train station if it’s raining or it’s late. They will always be there when you really need help and when you are feeling low.

There is also the humour. This most serious of signs has a dry wit and somewhat satirical humour which is often delivered in a dead pan manner, making you stop, think and then laugh. This sense of humour becomes stronger as they get older.

And here is the most beautiful aspect of this sign: they get younger as they get older. As children, Capricorns are often told that they have old heads on young shoulders. This isn’t surprising given that they are given responsibility from a very early age. They are told that they can’t play unless they’ve done their homework; they can’t have pocket money unless they earn it. Nothing is ever given to Capricorns. Everything they have is hard earned. By the time they reach middle age, they are better able to deal with all the responsibilities that life throws at them than any other sign. This also the time when some of their hard work begins to bring rewards. Having achieved some success, they begin to relax and as they do so, they start to play.

Once Capricorns begin to play, they can relish becoming eccentric. While they are young, they strive for respectability. But as they get older, they become more comfortable with acquiring more adventurous habits. On hearing me talk about Capricorns, someone once told me that I had described her best friend perfectly. She then went on to say Capricorns wear grey suits by day and glittery pyjamas by night. I couldn’t put it better myself.

Ana Isabel is a psychological Astrologer with over 10 years of experience. She is influenced by Jungian fields of psychology and combines this with Astrology to provide a healing experience for those seeking guidance. Besides doing private consultations, she is often heard on LBC Radio. If you are out of range you can listen on the internet. Ana also organises workshops designed to help individuals learn to read and understand their own Birth charts. For more information on private readings or workshops, you can visit her website: www.lifeastrologer.com