Capricorn – the Ancient Greek Myth behind the Zodiac Sign

 

December 22 – January 19

The zodiac sign of Capricorn, represented as a sea – goat, has one of the oldest mythological ties with Greek mythology.

The constellation is sometimes wrongly thought of as Amalthea, the she – goat, which raised the infant Zeus, after his mother, Rhea, saved him from  being eaten by his father, Cronos (Saturn).

 Capricorn is identified as the satyr Pan, the god with a goat’s horns and legs, who saved himself from the monster, Typhon, by giving himself a fish’s tail, becoming a sea – goat and diving into a river, or, as the sea – goat, Pricus.

 

Ancient Greece and the twelve signs of the zodiac

 

The mysterious night sky thrilled the ancient Greek astrologers who played a huge role in what we now know today about the shape and size of the Earth, the moon, the position of constellations and how they move, the orbital paths of planets and their correlation with the stars around them.

 

 

The ancient Greeks were able to use this information to make detailed predictions, what we know of today as horoscopes.

In ancient Greece, each one of the twelve signs of the zodiac (the word zodiac comes from a Greek word meaning, “The circle of animals” meaning all living creatures), related to one of the four elements: earth, air, fire and water and identified with twelve constellations, seen in the night sky at different times of the year.

With the exception of Libra, each zodiac sign relates to a Greek myth concerning animals or humans, telling how each group of stars arrived in the heavens.

 

The twelve zodiac signs and their symbols

 

 

Aries – Ram. March 21 – April 19

Taurus – Bull. April 20 – May 20

Gemini -The twins. May 21 – June 20

Cancer – Crab. June 21 – July 22

Leo – Lion. July 23 – August 22

Virgo – Virgin. August 23 – September 22

Libra – The scales. September 23 – October 22

Scorpio – Scorpion. October 23 – November 21

Sagittarius – Centaur. November 22 – December 21

Capricorn – Goat. December 22 – January 19

Aquarius – Water bearer. January 20 – February 18

Pisces – Fish. February 19 – March 20

 

The zodiac sign of Capricorn

 

 

10th sign of the zodiac

December 22 to January 19

Symbol: Sea Goat

Element: Earth

Ruling Panet Saturn

 

 

The Winter Solstice, in the northern hemisphere, no longer takes place while the sun is in the constellation Capricornus, as it did until 130 BCE, the constellation of Capricorn, is still used to show the position of the solstice.

 The latitude of the sun’s most southerly position though, continues to be called the Tropic of Capricorn, a term which also applies to the line on the Earth at which the sun is directly overhead at local noon on the day of the winter solstice.

 

 

The ancient Greek myth behind the zodiac sign of Capricorn:

The myth of the sea – goat

 

 

There are various versions of the Greek myth of the sea – goat, a legendary creature that is half goat and half fish associated with the zodiac sign of Capricorn.

 The one exception is the myth of the goat nymph, Amaltheia who is said to have raised the infant Zeus, in a cave on Mount Ida on the island of Crete after he was saved by his mother, Rhea, from being devoured by his father Cronus (Saturn).

 

Amaltheia

 

 

As a reward for her good deed, Amaltheia is said to have been placed amongst the stars as the constellation Capricorn by Zeus, who grew up to be king of all Greek gods.

Amalthea, became confused with the male sea-goat of the Zodiac, Capricorn, with whom there is no relation.

 

 

Capricorn and the myth of the sea – goat, Pan

 

The satyr, Pan, Greek God of Shepherds, Woodlands and Pastures, with a body half man, half goat, and an erotic nature is usually depicted with horns, and carrying panpipes.

Pan liked nothing more than to spend his days frolicking in the green pastures, lush forests and fast flowing rivers of  Arcadia his homeland.

Satyrs are, more often than not, in a state of permanent ‘arousal’ and so it was with Pan, who was forever on the lookout for an attractive wood nymph (dryad), with whom there may be a chance of a roll in the hay (His sexuality and love of nature have become part of the character of people born under this sign).

 

 

One day, Pan’s party, attended by many of the Greek gods, was interrupted by Typhon, a giant with the body of a man and legs which were coils of vipers that would hiss and attack as he moved.

 

 

In order to escape the monster Typhon, the gods transformed themselves into animals and ran away; all except Pan, who jumped into the river, where his lower half, emerged in water, became a fish, his upper-half, however, was still dry and remained a goat; Pan had been transformed into a sea- goat.

Upon seeing that Typhon had caught hold of Zeus, Pan scrambled out of the river and came to his rescue, ever grateful, Zeus promised to place Pan, as a sea – goat, in the skies as the constellation of Capricorn.

 

Capricorn and the myth of the sea-goat Pricus

 

Pricus was the father of all sea-goats, intelligent and honorable creatures, who could speak and think as humans.

The young sea – goats, loved to leave the sea and soak up the sun on the beach, the longer they lazed in the sun though, the more they became to resemble regular goats, their fish tails became legs, the hot sun addled their brains, causing them to be unable to speak or think.

Their father, Pricus, after losing some of his children to the land, where they became mindless imbeciles, devises a plan to stop them ever reaching the shore again.

 

 

Pricus, who had been blessed with the gift of being able to reverse time, uses his ability and reverses time which forces his children to return to the sea.

Not affected by this reversal of time, Pricus, is the only one who knows what lays ahead for the sea – goats and forbids them to put foot on shore ever again.

Children will be children and whatever Pricus did, the little sea – goats managed to find their way to the shore where they once again, became regular goats.

Realizing that he cannot control the future of his children, Pricus, in his misery, begs Chronus, the personification of time, to let him die, as he cannot bear to be the only sea-goat left.

 

 

 Taking pity on him, Chronos instead, allows Pricus to live in the sky, as the constellation Capricorn, where he can see his children from the stars, even on the highest mountain tops.

 

Personality traits of Capricorn

 

 

 Those born under this sign are generally pragmatic, ambitious and disciplined although they can also be somewhat stoic and pessimistic.

Capricorns are typically traditional and serious by nature with an inner state of independence.

As masters of self-control they have the ability to lead the way, make realistic plans and manage many people who work for them at any time, they learn from their mistakes and get to the top based on their experience and expertise.

 

 

Positive Traits

(Traits Source: Ganeshaspeaks)

 Loyal

Capricorns are pure souls. They have got a heart of gold. They are basically just genuine and loyal to the core. One can not measure their depth of kindness and willingness to help others. One can depend on a Capricorn to be there when in need and they will defend you, no matter what it may entail. They take their responsibilities very seriously.

Hardworking

Capricorns are committed and hard workers to the core. They very well know that only hard work will bring success in the long run. People with this star sign are a clear example of hard work and accomplishment.

Team player

A Capricorn finds it extremely easy to merge into a group and will look like one of its original members. They are a great team player. Anyone who hires a Capricorn is lucky to have them on their team. They are the valued spot in the team.

Ambitious

Capricorn is deeply driven to succeed and fiercely ambitious. Capricorns are very determined and always work towards a better and more prosperous future.

Classy

If any word can truly describe a Capricorn then it sure is Classy. Not only do they look classy but they act classy too. Capricorns are always Elegant, Charming, and Compassionate. They don’t follow crazy trends unless they feel they can make it classy.

 

 Negative Traits

 

 

 Overly Serious

Capricorns are overly serious and sober individuals having a strong sense of built-in responsibility to protect and provide for others. Reserved personality of Capricorn and serious demeanor can make them appear standoffish, aloof, and rigid to the point of not being fun.

Critical

Capricorns are often overly critical to others. They expect others to live by their rules which might put pressure on their near ones.

Melancholy

There could be times when the Capricorns might seem melancholy and also depressed. They have the tendency to become melancholy due to which they want someone who can make them happy as well.

Unforgiving

One of the unknown traits of Capricorns is their unforgiving nature. They are notoriously unforgiving when it comes to perceiving others as lacking in ambition and diligence.

Suspicious

Capricorns are very suspicious when things are too easy, as they hate when things are going too well and think everyone is out to get them. They are naturally suspicious people and will trust you until you give them a reason not to.

 

 

Famous Capricorns

 

Elvis Presley. American singer. Born  January 8, 1935

 

 

Kate Middleton. British. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge . Born January 9, 1982

 

 

Anthony Hopkins. British actor. Born December 31, 1937

 

 

Christine Lagarde. French Lawyer, Politician and International Bureaucrat. Born  January 1, 1956

 

 

Richard Nixon. 37th US President. Born January 9, 1913

 

 

Diane Keaton. American actress. Born January 5 1946

 

 

Stephen Hawking. British  Physicist. Born  January 8, 1942

 

 

Janis Joplin. American singer songwriter. Born January 19, 1943

 

 

David Robert Jones – David Bowie. British Singer-Songwriter. Born January 8, 1947

 

 

Marlene Dietrich. German  actress and singer. Born December 27, 1901

 

 

Related Links:

All Twelve Signs of the Zodiac