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Capricorn
~
Dec 22 – Jan 19
Capricornus
is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It is commonly
called Capricorn, especially in
astrology. It represents a horned goat, although it is commonly
called the sea-goat. Capricornus is one of the 88 modern constellations,
and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy.
Under its modern boundaries it is bordered by Aquila, Sagittarius,
Microscopium, Piscis Austrinus and Aquarius.
Depictions of a goat or goat-fish have been found on Babylonian
tablets dating back three thousand years. The constellation
may owe its antiquity to the fact that at that time, the northern
hemisphere's Winter Solstice occurred while the sun was in
Capricorn. The concern for the sun's rebirth might have rendered
astronomical and astrological observation of this region of
space very important. For the same reason, the sun's most southerly
position, which is attained at the northern hemisphere's winter
solstice, is called the Tropic of Capricorn, a term which also
applies to the line on earth where the sun is directly overhead
at noon on that solstice.
This constellation is sometimes
identified as Amalthea, the goat that suckled the infant
Zeus after his mother Rhea saved
him from being devoured by his father Cronos in Greek mythology.
The goat's broken horn was transformed into the cornucopia
or horn of plenty. Some ancient sources claim that this derives
from the sun "taking nourishment" while in the constellation,
in preparation for its climb back northward. However, the constellation
is often depicted as a sea-goat, a goat with a fish's tail.
The
astrological sign Capricorn (December 22-January 19) is associated
with the constellation. In some cosmologies, Capricorn
is associated with the classical element Earth, and thus
called an Earth Sign (with Taurus and Virgo). Its polar opposite
is
Cancer. Capricorn is a Cardinal Earth sign. Planets in Capricorn
become more practical and methodical, but also very motivated
to manifest something tangible.
Keywords
for Capricorn are "I
USE."
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. www.wikipedia.com
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