Latin Name: Capricornus meaning 'horned goats' Constellation: Capricornus Archetype: The Sea Goat or Goatfish Associations: Enki or Ea, The Lord of Life-Giving Water Planetary Ruler: Saturn

 

The mythology of the constellation Capricornus bears some of the oldest zodiacal associations. The Babylonians knew Capricorn as the sea-goat or goatfish, and its imagery can be found in artwork dating back to the Bronze Age.

In Mesopotamian mythology, the sea-goat was a symbol of the god Ea or Enki, known as the Lord of Life-Giving Water. Enki played a part in the creation of man by suggesting that the divine counsel of gods could do with a servant race to keep the world in good working order. However, he is perhaps best known through the Legend of Atra-Hasis, which parallels the Biblical antediluvian flood mythology of Noah.

In this tale, Enki’s brother Enlil is mad that humans are making so much noise down on earth. He sends a series of plagues and famines to punish humanity for disturbing his sleep, and it is only our tale’s hero, Atra-Hasis, who encourages his fellow man to consider appeasing the god that is clearly iffy about their continued existence. Yet the people ignore his warnings, their numbers multiply, and things get even noisier.

Enlil has one final plan to rid himself of humanity for good – a world-consuming flood. However, Enki warns Atra-Hasis of the impending danger and tells him to build a boat so that he, his family, and a lucky bunch of animals, can escape the destruction. In this way, Enki functions as not only a creator of mankind, but its defender and protector as well.

Through Enki, we inherit certain ideas about legacy, law and order, and civilization, all of which are modern-day Capricorn ideas. As a god of the freshwater sea, his symbolism can be extrapolated to show how consistent resource bases turn wandering populations into permanent settlements, and resultingly, societies. Enki is also known for his wisdom – another Capricorn trait. He adopts the long view about the merits and utility of humanity. Humans will help to tend to the earth so the rest of the gods can handle their God Business. It would be impractical to throw the whole project away for temporary relief from a bit of noise.

 

The Latin name for Capricorn, or Capricornus, came down to us through the Greeks, and is translated as 'horned goats', although the imagery of a goatfish has stuck. It is interesting that by this time in history, the goat aspect has taken primacy. While myths reflect the interests of the societies they represent, what was once an origin story of civilization now became linked to the survival or the perpetuation of civilization (the land-based stuff versus the water-based stuff). 

The Greeks associated Capricorn with the satyr Pan, the god of flocks, fields, and groves, or Aegipan (Pan in his goat-like form). According to legend, Pan was attacked by Typhon, a monstrous fire-breathing serpent with a hundred heads. To escape, he dove into the Nile, where the submerged portion of his body transformed into a fish, enabling him to swim to safety. Centering this story around the Nile was also a way for the Greeks to give a more ancient Egyptian flavor to their tale, thereby linking the symbol of the goatfish to the characters in their own pantheon. 

 

Capricorn’s mythology is a legacy unto itself. It shows how historical contexts shift with time, and time is a crucial component of the astrological Capricorn due to the influence of its planetary ruler, Saturn. Capricorn asks us to consider how we want to be remembered. What is our legacy? What kinds of priorities do we have as an individual and as an individual functioning within a society? How can we use cleverness to meet our needs? What kinds of long-term goals should we architect, and how long should we persist in seeking those goals in the face of obstacles?

If we are traveling through time and space, we might think of Sagittarius as a horizontal, X-axis. Sagittarius will get us from 'here' to 'over there'. Subsequently, we can also envision Capricorn as the vertical Y-axis, supporting our journey from the bottom to the top.

Capricorn season emboldens us to dive into our psychic depths and translate the magic we find there into our greatest success stories. As the sun transits Capricorn, we skim the ocean floor (like the fish) and climb the highest peaks (like the goat). This examination provides perspective and allows us to view the extent of the kingdom we’ve created for ourselves. Here, we look back over our past, contemplate the roads we’ve traveled, and take stock of our accomplishments. Like Pan, we can acknowledge that our trials have evolved us into a more suitable form.

In the quiet pull of the stars, there lies a map - spiralling back to our origins where myths and mysteries once intertwined with breath and bone. Reconnecting with these ancient stories in the realm of astrology is like stepping into an old song, whose melody we somehow remember yet cannot fully place. Each constellation a whisper, each planet a pulse, guiding us through a universe that knows us deeper than we know ourselves.

Here, myths are not merely tales but ancestral truths, woven into the fabric of our being, inviting us to reclaim fragments of ourselves lost in the modern rush. In the language of the heavens, we find our names written across epochs, asking us to listen, to remember, to understand that the vastness above is mirrored within. To know the stars is, in a profound way, to know ourselves.

 

The Capricorn archetype, embodied by the mythical sea-goat, merges the heights of ambition (the mountain goat) with the depths of emotion (the fish tail). Let this dual nature guide you in harmonizing worldly achievement with soulful exploration. Reflect on where you strive to ascend while honoring the depths you must navigate within.

 

Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn carries the essence of discipline, structure, and the alchemy of challenge. Look to Saturn’s myths as guides through life's trials, revealing how patience and responsibility transform burdens into stepping stones. Embrace the wisdom that mastery blooms through time and perseverance.

 

Capricorn’s mythology, woven with figures like Pan or Pricus, tells of nurturing and protecting amidst life’s changes. These stories illuminate the power of leadership rooted in resilience and service. Use them as a map to shape your legacy with intention, blending strength with care as you build for others and yourself.

 

 

Do you equate success with fame? Riches? Peace and quiet? Is the success you wish to achieve at odds with your environment? Experiment with shifting your vantage point. Examine your standards from a different angle.

 

Do your daily practices and behaviors support this vision? Some of your ambitions might require a rethink, but many are worth sticking out, even when progress is not immediately apparent. Consider your long game.

 

…And could you be using your magic more proactively? Reflect on your adaptability, flexibility, resourcefulness, and resilience. In what respects are you well-resourced, and what needs work? Don’t forget that the journey of growth and becoming is a lifelong experience.