CAPRICORN - The Love of Responsibility

Source: Unsplash/Thomas Jarrand

This part 10 of a 12-part series. It’s a little meditation on understanding the signs based on the Archetype. 

Capricorn is represented in astrology by the mythical sea-goat, a curious symbol combining two animals, one at home on earth and the other in water. If we think of these two elements more broadly as the material and emotional/spiritual planes, we start to understand the true strength of this sign.  

In the Northern Hemisphere, Capricorn opens the last season of the year at the winter solstice and depending on how well you’ve planned, it can be a time of rest and contemplation, or one of hardship and lack. How well have you planned? Will you pass the test?

The sign of Capricorn is found on the cusp of the 10th house in the Archetype, ruling over the house of outer achievements, reputation, career, and honors. It is also usually the point corresponding to the MC or Midheaven of the chart depending on the house system you use. Why is that? Why is the cusp of the second most important house in the chart represented by arguably one of the most challenging signs of the Zodiac?

First, let’s consider the makeup of the sign itself: Feminine, Cardinal, Earth. Feminine signs need a push to get started, Cardinal signs are goal oriented, and Earth signs are practical. When we combine these attributes into one image, we envision a sign that has a goal, is motivated by anticipation (often, worry or fear) of its future, and takes practical action to achieve it.

Then think of the planets that have honor in Capricorn. Saturn as domicile ruler: Lessons, karma, and hardship, foresight and obligation, maturity, and restriction. Mars exalted: Action, energy, force, assertiveness. Venus and Mercury in triplicity: Diplomacy, values, and a desire for material security. Rational thought and a steady mind. Now think of how these qualities align with the sign and can help you achieve the things represented by the 10th house/Midheaven when you use them in the right way.

The symbolism of Capricorn on the 10th house is that life is about building for the future slowly, steadily, and with a sense of discipline and foresight. It stresses good values earned through experience, and practical application of your skills to build something lasting in the real world. There’s a reason the Sun isn’t in domicile or exalted in Capricorn, and that you don’t have, say, a fire or air sign on the cusp. The 10th house isn’t about vanity, pie-in-the-sky ideas, or glorification of the ego. It’s about achieving something of concrete value over time through hard work and effort.

If we consider the sign from the point of view of planets in dishonor, the Moon is in detriment and Jupiter is in fall. You can’t be too emotional, sentimental, inconsistent, or rely solely on faith to build a solid future. Remember Capricorn is the Earth sign at the pinnacle of the 3-6-10 triad, showing the practical (read: real world) application of skills (Virgo) and resources (Taurus) are the key to building a solid future.

On our journey through the Zodiac, we could say we’ve moved from developing successful partnerships in the 7th house, to transforming spiritual values in the 8th. We then live our philosophy through the 9th and have now attained an elevated position and a particular reputation in the 10th.  

Through derivation, the 10th house is the realization of the Ascendant, showing that our life is realized in our future contributions to and standing in the world. Conversely, the realization of Capricorn is in Libra, which shows that the wisdom and good judgement attained by living a successful life leaves us with an obligation to share these gifts others.  

In the Archetype, Capricorn represents the ideal way to achieve and manage responsibility as seen through the qualities and planets associated with it.