Commonly called Capricorn (the Sea-Goat), Capricornus is a constellation of fixed stars that seem to form the image of the sea-goat, a mythical creature that is half goat and half fish. Although the group of stars named Capricornus and the astrological sign of Capricorn are not the same, ancient astrologers/astronomers believed the legends and myths related to Capricornus told stories, and they used those stories to define the nature of Capricorn, the tenth sign of the astrological Zodiac.
Locating Constellation Capricornus
Capricornus, which means "goat horn" in Latin, is a faint group of fixed stars located in the Southern Hemisphere.
- It's the 40th largest constellation and measures 414 square degrees.
- It sits in the celestial sea among the other constellations of the water genre, including Aquarius the water-bearer, Cetus the whale-like sea monster, Pisces the fishes, and the river Eridanus.
When It's Easiest to See the Capricorn Constellation
Capricornus is best seen during the early evening in September and October. It stays close to the southern horizon as seen from mid-northern latitude but is highest in the sky in early September. From the Southern Hemisphere, it will appear upside down and will either be overhead or high in the northern sky.
Observing Capricornus
To observe Capricornus, find a dark site, preferably on a moonless night. Make sure you have a star map of your location and binoculars, even an inexpensive pair will help. However, as you can see in the video above, don't expect to quickly, if ever, see the outline of a goat-fish in Capricornus.
For best viewing, obtain a star map of your location:
- In-the-Sky will create a customized star map based on your location and will allow you to download an interactive sky map for reference if your star gazing location doesn't have internet access.
- Star Chart is available at the Apple App Store. It can turn your smartphone into a constellation finder.
About Capricornus and Capricorn
Capricornus was one of the 48 constellations cataloged by the 2nd-century astrologer/astronomer Ptolemy. However, Capricornus was first recorded in Babylon before 1000 BC. In the early Bronze Age, the sun's entrance into the Capricornus constellation marked the winter solstice; now the sun's entrance into the astrological sign of Capricorn marks the winter solstice.
- The constellations are human constructs, dating back to ancient times, which make sense of the night sky. They are patterns of stars which exist on the celestial sphere that has Earth at its center.
- The signs of the astrological zodiacs are also Earth-centric but are based on the changing of Earth's seasons. Each sign marks 30 degrees arc of space along the Earth's ecliptic. The astrological signs were named after 12 of 13 constellations that touch the Earth ecliptic. Only the constellation Ophiuchus was left out.
Precession of the Equinox
In the ancient past, the astrological signs lined up with the constellations but due to the precession of the equinoxes, that's no longer true. The Earth's sun passes in front of the Capricornus constellation from about January 20 to February 17. However, the sun's journey through western astrology's sign of Capricorn happens from about December 21 to January 20. When the sun is in moving through the sign of Aquarius, the Capricornus constellation is in the background.
Capricornus's Fixed Stars
Astrologers believe when Capricornus's fixed stars are featured prominently in a horoscope, they add important information to their interpretations.
Brightest Star Dabih
The brightest star in Capricornus is Dabih, the "Head of the Goat." It's a yellow-hued star that is 39 light-years from Earth. Its name comes from the Arabic al-ahabih, which means "the butcher." Astrologers believe when Dabih is strong in a horoscope, the person will likely have many crises in their life, but they have also been gifted the patience, trust, and faith to deal with those crises, as well as the decisiveness to take action when needed.
Other Notable Named Stars in the Capricorn Constellation
Other notable stars in Capricornus:
- Geidi, the "Horn of Goat," gives beneficence, sacrifice, and offerings.
- Oculus, the "Right Eye of Goat," shows an ease of command in state, church, or business.
- Armus, the "Shoulder of the Goat," shows a willingness to shoulder the burden in times of crises.
- Dorsum, the "Back of Goat," reveals an above average role in life and the ability to play it.
- Castra, "the Fortress," shows a virtuous old age.
- Nashira, "the Fortunate One," is an indicator of social popularity and political success.
As with everything in astrology, how easily the gifts indicated by the fixed stars can be accessed depends on where they are placed in relation to the entire horoscope.
The Symbolism of the Sea Goat
The goat symbolizes confidence, assuredness, steadfastness, and awareness.
- The upper portion of the sea goat contains the forelegs, chest, head, and horns of a mountain goat, symbolizing the mind, which perceives the physical realm of logic, reason, and consciousness.
- The fish symbolizes change and transformation, and the celestial sea symbolizes the realm of imagination, intuition, inner knowing, and all that is mysterious.
- The lower portion of the sea goat contains the rear half and tail portion of a fish; it symbolizes the pursuit of higher consciousness, such as is undertaken by initiates, sages, and mystics.
Taken together, the sea goat symbolizes the evolved individual who has mastered:
- Reason and intuition
- Rational consciousness and higher unconsciousness
- The mysterious
Myths Associated With Capricornus
There are many ancient legends and myths associated with the Capricornus constellation. Below are a few of these popular myths.
The Goat Amalthea
The goddess Rhea fled with her son Zeus when he was a baby because she feared he would be murdered by his father, Kronos. She hid on Mount Ida and asked the goat Amalthea to watch over, suckle, and care for Zeus. One day while partaking of his daily meal, Zeus accidentally broke off one of Amalthea's horns. Zeus bestowed a blessing upon the horn that he had broken off. The horn would forever provide all that was needed by Amalthea. Eventually, Zeus grew up, won the War of the Titans, overthrew his father Kronos, and took his place as the ruler of the gods.
The Capricornus constellation is said to be a gift from Zeus to his caretaker Amalthea. It's Amalthea's horn, known as the Cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, that associates Capricornus with the astrological sign of Capricorn. Amalthea's "Cornucopia" is a symbol of prosperity and growth, which is so much a part of Capricorn's nature.
The Greek God Pan
The Greek god Pan was a satyr and like all satyrs, Pan, the son of Hermes, was half man and half goat. He was a woodland god, worshipped by the ancient Greeks and a favorite of the Olympian gods despite his repulsive appearance. Pan, who adored women was the ancient Greek god of fertility, shepherds, and music. Pan represents Capricorn's earthy and sensual nature.
The Sea Goat Pricus
Pricus, an immortal sea goat who could manipulate time, was favored by the Greek gods. Pricus had many children and lived near the seashore. In Pricus's Greek myth, his children began pulling themselves up onto the land with their two front hooves. However, the more time they spent on land, the more they became like physical goats.
Pricus repeatedly turned back time in an attempt to stop his children from leaving but eventually realized he couldn't control their fate. At the loss of his children, Pricus longed for death, so Chronos honored his wish, but also made him immortal as the Capricornus constellation.
The myth of Pricus is connected to the sign of Capricorn because he was, along with Chronos, a god of time and also because of his steadfast determination to succeed and his misery in failure.
The Astrological Sign of Capricorn
Capricorn is a feminine, cardinal, Earth sign. As a feminine sign, Capricorn is moist, receptive, less active, and focused on the sensual. As an Earth sign, it's practical and exacting. As a cardinal sign, it initiates action.
Capricorn Is a Sign of Dichotomies
Capricorn is a feminine (Yin) sign ruled by a masculine planet (Yang), Saturn.
- The goat half of Capricorn's nature is direct and assertive, as well as a steady, sure, and ambitious climber.
- The fish half of its nature is dark, deep, sensitive, emotional, and intuitive.
- In the material world, Capricorn is associated with climbing the ladder of success.
- In a spiritual sense, Capricorn is associated with ascension.
Capricorn represents the marriage of Yin and Yang, the inner and the outer world, and the human capacity to attain heights of mastery, both in the material and spiritual world.
It's often said by astrologers that "Capricorn individuals suffer in youth and profit in maturity and old age." You could say they experience the worst and the best of life. However, it's only in hindsight that you can fully appreciate Capricorn's resilience and achievement.
Capricorn is possibly one of the most mysterious and paradoxical signs in the astrological zodiac. It's associated with business, finance, ambition, the political sphere, authority, and worldly recognition, yet on a spiritual level it's associated with the disciple-initiate. The sign of Capricorn represents both the best and the worst of humanity.
Capricornus and Capricorn
Ancient cultures believed the Capricornus constellation was "Heaven's Gate." Each year when the sun enters Capricorn, the season of light begins, Heaven's Gate opens, and the darkness begins to recede. During this time of the year, most cultures engage in celebration and give thanks to the birth of the sun (son). The sign of Capricorn, which has the reputation of being cold, dark, and hard, is actually the "Bringer of Light."
