Archetype
You probably won’t see Capricorn’s wealth or fame, because they’ll be head down working hard to climb the mountain. They like to attain money, power and all the trappings, but do not usually enjoy being known or famous. Though of course there are many famous Capricorns but many of them have a long-standing aversion to any invasion of their private lives. As one famous Capricorn Marlene Dietrich once said, “I want to be alone”.
They are one sign that feels very much like the outsider in the world, or the black sheep of the family, Many Capricorns feel like they are on the outside of everything looking in. At least until they get older.
Capricorn and Saturn rule the 10th house of the zodiac and this fact gives them very strong characteristics that seem to come effortlessly to them. Duty, perseverance, tenacity, and loyalty among others.
They are self-starters and need no one behind them to get them to fulfil obligations or work hard towards their ideals or goals. Capricorns are sometimes the ones who wonder why every one else gets a kick-start in life, but not them. They seem to have to work for whatever it is they want, and more often than not they are willing to do so. But they can also be incredibly resentful to those who have more than they, seemingly without effort.
Capricorns want more than what money can buy though, somewhere inside they desire power. The power that comes from knowing within that they have made it, so that they feel they have found their place in his or her own world.
When Capricorn is at work they like to be in an organised and responsible environment. As an employer they may not be very good at mixing it with their employees but will be fair, trustworthy, and respond when people are in need rather than give perks. As an employee they can be assiduous, conscientious and respectful.
They prefer to work alone, or at least be autonomous; they are not very in good group situations, or at playing office politics. They are unflappable under pressure and take their work seriously indeed. Professions that may suit Capricorns are jewellers, banking, systems analysts, architects, engineers, managers, public relations, professional speakers, actors, musicians and writers. Mel Gibson, Elvis Presley, Rudyard Kipling, Benjamin Franklin and even Janis Joplin are all Capricorns.
This is an old-fashioned sign that lives with old-fashioned values. They cringe at social faux pas, hate being ridiculed or embarrassed in public and this can sometimes stop them from allowing themselves to have a good time or show their true feelings.
Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign, this means that they must put whatever resources, skills and talents they have to good use. They are self-motivated and no one needs to tell them to start work. Being an earth sign also means that mostly these resources, skills and talents will probably be of practical and material use. So to be both cardinal and earth means that they are dynamic and yet ultimately practical.
Physically, Capricorns true to archetype walk swift and sure, after all the mountain goat always knows where to put their feet. Typical Capricorns always watch where they walk in more ways than one! Generally they are smaller in structure and if they get into physical training, which will of course be done with a one eyed determination to be the best, they can develop good musculature which may make them look heavier than they actually are, but which also makes them look fit and healthy. Capricorn presides over the bone structure in physical terms.
Capricorn children can look quite serious and older beyond their actual years, but once Capricorn allows themselves to relax, as they grow older they usually look much younger than their true years. Capricorns are one of the signs of the zodiac associated with longevity. They usually have long lives and many do not reach the pinnacle of their success until they are mature or perhaps even middle aged. Being born a Capricorn usually means success comes later in life rather than earlier. That doesn’t rule it out totally, but true to archetype Capricorns don’t usually hit their full stride until then.
It sometimes takes Capricorns many years to come to terms with their childhood and this can hold them back from success early too. They feel that they may have felt the touch of the cold hand of authority too harshly, or that their father figure was not there for them. Many Capricorns father or father figure left them early too, for one reason or another. Just another lesson from Saturn.
Capricorns have many sides to their nature and they fall into categories, similar to the Scorpio archetype. There are those who never venture further than their own back door, there are those who run hot and cold in their search for whatever it is they desire and there are those who keep climbing, climbing and climbing.
They love plans. Whether it is a daily plan, one year, five year or even 10 year plan. They love them! They can be high and vibrant when things are going to plan, but can be incredibly despondent when life does not work out as they think it should. They use ‘shoulds and ought tos’ an awful lot too! They need to feel appreciated for their efforts and no matter how patient you think they are, you may never realise just how depressed they can be inside. Their personal pride will not allow them to share this with anyone except the closest, most loyal and trustworthy of friends, lovers or spouses.
Because Capricorn is ruled by ‘Father Time’ himself, Saturn’s influence is strong with this sign. Saturn is the planet of discipline, structure and authority and this provides many Capricorns with common sense, or a street-wise sense that is innate.
The placement of Saturn in anyone’s astrological natal chart is important, and points to the male, father figure who not only helps you learn lessons, but charges you to be mindful of your motives and behaviour when the expansive planet Jupiter tells you to ride the waves high. Saturn helps everyone learn the lessons of economy, restraint and tenacity.
It is not surprising however, that once Capricorn feels that they have attained the level to which they have aspired that they develop a fear of losing it all. They hold on tight to their status or money and can become gripped by fear of failure and they can abuse their power. They can also become snobbish and show a leaning towards elitism. This is certainly part of their least attractive traits.
The best thing a Capricorn can feel is to feel vindicated. For no matter what this relates too, whether work, a belief or a stand they have taken, to feel vindicated is, to a Capricorn, a fundamental reward for their work.
As dour as all this sounds, Capricorn too have their own type of humour. They are good at self-effacement and can send themselves up well, but not if it’s someone else that’s doing it. They do not like being made fun of and will not allow anyone to make fun of their family or friends either. They thrive on satire, irony and enjoy an absurd type of humour that picks up on the quirky kind of things that humans tend to do. They do hate crudeness and vulgar humour however. Remember Capricorn is an old fashioned sign with old-fashioned values.
When Capricorn is at home they enjoy routine and are incredibly well organised. They feel they need their home to be a safe haven for their family members, their personal life, and very often their business life too. They are loyal to their family ties and although many of them hate domesticity, they perform their tasks with aplomb because that’s what’s expected of them.
As a lover a female Capricorn can actually be very alluring, but you had better not touch without permission. She is not an easy-going partner and can be very hard to please. Male Capricorns do not wear their heart on their sleeve either. As much as they would both like to frolic and gambol, both are uncomfortable with public displays of affection.
Capricorns often have a classic type of beauty around them, whether male or female, they can be alluring and can radiate great charisma and inner strength.
Capricorns can be shy and awkward in love however, and you may never know how deeply interested they are, because they will not show it outwardly. They need to be secure, emotionally, physically and probably financially, to be able to tell you how much they love you! However, once Capricorn have picked their mates, even if they do not marry, more often than not their commitment in mind and spirit will be enough to bind them to you.
Capricorns usually mix best with other earth signs, their own sign, Taurus and Virgo, but harmony can also be achieved with Scorpio or Sagittarius. Geminis and Leo relationships can be torture and turbulent.
They rarely have casual affairs. If a relationship fails they will try many avenues to ‘fix it up’ before they accept that it is doomed or over. If they are betrayed Capricorn can be very nasty indeed.
They do however make loyal and worthy friends. Once you have earned Capricorns trust, probably through trials of fire and brimstone, then you will never have a more loyal, generous or protective friend – for life.
They have strong virtues and many positive personality traits, but they, like all signs, have their lessons to learn and their negative aspects. They are terrific at organization, responsible and consistent in their approach to life, but they can cling to their past, or live in the past and can take life far too seriously for their own good. They need to learn to understand the feelings of others and be gentler when people show their frailties and humanness to them. They should also remember that there are no pockets in shrouds and should lighten up their attitude to life sometimes and have some fun too.
