Capricorn Dates, Element and Symbol Myth

Capricorn Dates and Element

Capricorn Dates: December 21 - January 20

Symbol: The Sea-Goat

Mode + Element: Cardinal Earth

Ruling Planet: Saturn

House: Tenth

Mantra: I Use

Body Parts: The Knees

Colors: Brown & Khaki

Tarot Card: The Devil

About Capricorn Zodiac Sign

Capricorn, the tenth sign and mountain goat of the zodiac, is all about hard work. Those born under this sign are more than happy to put in a full day at the office, realizing that it will likely take a lot of those days to get to the top. That's no problem, since Capricorns are both ambitious and determined: they will get there. Life is one big project for these folks, and they adapt to this by adopting a businesslike approach to most everything they do.

Capricorns are practical as well, taking things one step at a time and being as realistic and pragmatic as possible. Those with a Capricorn zodiac sign are extremely dedicated to their goals, almost to the point of stubbornness. Those victories sure smell sweet, though, and that thought alone will keep Capricorns going.

Capricorn Symbol Myth

The stellar constellation of Capricorn represents the Sea-Goat, whose mythology extends back to the middle of the Bronze Age. The Babylonians called the Sea-Goat Ea, who was the protective god of water, knowledge, and creation. In Greek mythology, the Sea-Goat has other connections, one being the goat Amalthea who nursed baby Zeus after he escaped being eaten by his father, Cronos. In a later tale, Amalthea's broken horn was transformed into the "cornucopia" full of earthly bounties.

Capricorn is also associated with Pricus, the father of a race of intelligent and honorable Sea-Goats. Piscus tried to protect his children, who lost their ability to speak and think when they ventured onto dry land, by trying to turn back time to avoid this loss.

He eventually had to surrender to losing all of his children to the wild and was given an immortal home in the heavens as the constellation of Capricorn. This lonely tale may be where some of the melancholy and sadness of the Capricorn archetype originated.

Capricorn Season

In the western tropical zodiac, Capricorn season begins on December 21, commencing the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the time of year when the sun's heat and light are at their lowest, with the night outweighing the day. From this point, the days slowly begin to lengthen toward the Spring Equinox, representing the fourth and last seasonal pivot of the year. Capricorn's affinity for resourcefulness and preparedness is mirrored in the activities of the Winter, where we enter a hibernation and conservation mode.

Capricorn in Cardinal Mode

Capricorn is the last of the four cardinal signs of the zodiac, who all hold an elemental energy of initiation and leadership at the beginning of the four seasons. Capricorn season is the beginning of Winter, where the light and energy are at a premium. This definitive seasonal quality is the root of Capricorn's strong cardinal authority and nature as an archetype.

Capricorn in Earth Element

Capricorn's element is earth, the heaviest and most solid element, thought by ancient astrologers to be the densest form of matter. Earth represents the very structure that all of nature is built with, and upon, and without it, nothing could take a material form. Capricorn's affinity for leadership, administration, and welding material power are all akin to the structure and tangibility of the earth element.

Capricorn: Domicile of Saturn

In classical astrology, Saturn was assigned rulership of both Aquarius and Capricorn. Capricorn was thought to be the nocturnal/night home of Saturn, an ambitious and disciplined earth sign that allows Saturn to express and enact its most stern and authoritative functions. Among these are strong practical, productive, and organizational abilities.

Those born with Saturn in Capricorn will likely find that many of these abilities come naturally and easily to them. Saturn in Capricorn folks typically have an innate sense of duty and responsibility that they apply to restructure and reorder their world. They are often born with a keen awareness of the adversity surrounding them and know, on a deep level, they were made to weather hard times.

Capricorn: Ruling Body Parts

This sign rules the knees, joints, skeletal system, skin and teeth. They might like to crunch their way through foods or have something distinctive about their teeth, say, a gap in the front two.

They should be aware of injury to their bones, especially the knees.This lot usually has fine skeletal or bone structure, similarly so if Saturn is well placed.

Read on to learn more essential facts about common Capricorn traits, career strengths and love compatibility with other zodiac signs, plus a list of famous Capricorn celebrities!