A CUDDLY LOOK AT CAPRICORN: RETHINKING MATERIAL/ISM, THE LEGACY OF THE CRONE IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN-VESTA CONJUNCTION

Capricorn is generally described as ambitious, unemotional, cold, disciplined, structured, fixated on power and achievement, generally something you acknowledge with gritted teeth as it is ruled by Saturn, the karmic taskmaster. There’s always some discipline, some pressure from an authority figure that makes you do things when are not necessarily ‘fun’ – but vital to what work you come to do in this world.

Now the way I engage with astrological energies comes from guides, from Source, from intuition and observation. I often find myself at odds with the way energies are commonly described in the mainstream, and to my joy, I find that my interpretations are echoed by Master Astrologers, and by those keenly in touch with their own Spirits. (Yay!) Sometimes it’s a case of ‘getting deeper’ with that energy and seeing its roots, and sometimes it’s a case of recognizing how an archetype was distorted through patriarchal frames of reference.

I am very pleased to see that some of the work I am doing in re-interpreting the feminine energies of certain signs (Virgo) and bodies such as Vesta and Juno are being very well received. I now see far more articles and astrologers adopting a similar approach. Whether this is just a feature of collective, parallel awakening, or if my work has made wide, intersecting ripples with others on the path (or both) – I do not know, but I do know that I am part of the change that seeks to re-vision astrology and transform it from the ground up. It is a good wave and collective effort to be a part of.

So in that same vein of finding the ‘energy of Capricorn’, I offer my take on this powerful energy. Engage with it, accept it, reject it, do whatever you want with it – but I certainly hope this post will make you think about it in a different way, than what it is commonly described to be. This is simply my truth, and I hope it resonates with your own as well. In fact you can apply that caveat to anything I write/say in the public domain. I don’t claim to present a _complete_ representation of this sign as  – like all signs – it is a complex energy.

Capricorn is the Cardinal Earth Sign. It is the pinnacle of material manifestation in the zodiac. Most of the time we consider this the point that tells us about the pinnacle of material achievement, be it through social recognition, success, prestige status. We also associate Capricorn with authority figures and institutions of power such as governments and other regulatory bodies. We also associate this sign with the wisdom and legitimacy conferred to Elders.

Emotionally speaking, Capricorn is said to be reserved. Unemotional, calculating. I remember an astrology book I read when I was 12 describing it as the ambitious, ‘domineering parent’.

In my family, we have two Capricorns – my mum, with her Ascendant (1st house / Rising Sign) in Capricorn – and me with my Rising Sign in Cancer. Needless to say we’re two very different people, and the way we express Capricorn’s energy is completely different. (Cancer is the polar opposite of Capricorn in the zodiac, so an interesting inversion of energy happens in my case).

Over the years, I have noticed the similarities between us, and the key differences. And I note them to be the same areas of overlap when I read good, well-researched / well-intuited articles that describe the energy of this powerful sign – and all it can be.

Capricorn, referring to the Earth element in its wholly actualized form, is very focused on achievement. But not necessarily achievement in the sense of being put on a pedestal and worshiped by adoring fans. Achievement in the sense of getting something that is of true value and worth to you done.

In my readings, I always emphasize the achievement that Capricorn seeks to make as the legacy that it seeks to leave behind. It is the energy of the Crone – the Wise Elder, The Tomb, and the Indefatigable Sea-Goat. And, as Alan Oken points out, the Sun enters Capricorn during the Winter Solstice (as per the Northern Hemisphere), a time where we see the Resurrection of energy from its lowest Point (Death) – a theme echoed and celebrated in many global myths and religions. He states that Capricorn is also the sign of the Initiate – anchoring the material structures required that all may eventually reach the Gates of Aquarius.

As I read it, Capricorn’s energy allows us to create a legacy that others will later be able to use to head towards a new level of Consciousness. There is a finality to its energy and also a forward looking component as it builds in the name of the future.

If we think about the way some cultures bury their dead and then leave a small stone epitaph describing the sum of the actions, deeds, words, ideas and life of a person — we get a sense of finality that Capricorn seeks to accomplish and its scope. Capricorn urges us to complete something which leaves behind a legacy of some kind. And what that legacy is will differ by person.

My mother’s idea of legacy is her kids, and what her kids seek to bring to the world. My idea of legacy is creating a pathway for authentic spiritual self-expression (especially for re-awakening facilitators – Vesta conjunct Midheaven in Aries ). And both are perfectly valid. Both are perfectly important.

It really depends upon your Soul’s Choices prior to birth and whatever karmic cycle you’ve chosen to work through, among other factors.

But it is accurate to say that Capricorn, irrespective of which Ascendant you might have, does strive to complete something it sees as greatly significant. A legacy worth leaving behind. Quite possibly one you see in material terms/forms. (Be it a child, a job, a body, a possession), etc. but it it need not be seen in a ‘materialistic’ manner.

This is a huge distinction to make because you can see and work with material objects in a non-materialistic way. You can accomplish great material works with wholly spiritual, altruistic, humanitarian, etc. ideals in mind. The power, status and prestige of Capricorn is then simply the material form or manifestation of a far more spiritual ideal.

Thinking of it this way, the Machiavellian (an Italian prince notorious for the machinations of politics) vibe afforded to Capricorn begins to dissolve. I certainly found a lot of hang-ups surrounding my Sun Sign begin to dissolve when I shifted my perspective. I gave myself permission to achieve, knowing that I was doing it for a cause my Spirit was aligned with. And it was liberating.

Material achievement yes, but for a non-material end. That made perfect sense to me – and by way of observation, the way I see my mum as well. (She’s a very Eco-Priestess type of person)

In my perception, I see this idea of material-earthly-legacy as seamlessly connected with the Wisdom of the Crone. I see the energy of the Grandmother as the Overseer of the material legacy we collectively leave behind, to be inherited by future generations.

Grandmother is sadly shaking her head, I’m afraid. She might not be overtly cuddly, or gushing with emotions all of the time. She might even seem detached, but through her stoic features, you cannot escape feeling her gentle emotions, sadness even as she gazes upon the legacy we are leaving upon this Earth. Her eyes are ancient and the hold the collective emotions and aspirations of the world. The fact she cares, and cares so deeply cannot be overlooked.

In day to day life, we can look to wherever Capricorn lies in our charts as the channel or area of life in which we are most likely to access the Crone’s detached, loving wisdom.

In fact, I feel that the emotional aloofness afforded to Capricorn is but an expression of the kind of detachment that the Crone energy can sometimes bring.

But hang on, you might say that you know people with ‘stereotypical’ Capricorn traits who are materialistic, power hungry, cold, etc. These may be people who value the status quo, or accept a sense of what constitute ‘success’ and ‘achievement’ handed down by those considered as authorities.

And you might be right in thinking so.

What we are doing here is exploring the energy of this sign and its fullest spiritual potential – we are speaking of where this energy can take us, as opposed to how it is more likely to be accessed from a statistical point of view.

I find that much of mainstream astrology stops at the most common or prevalent manifestation of such energy, which, very often is steeped in the Ego’s take on that energy. And so, whilst it is not ‘wrong’, it may be better expressed as an incomplete description of the Archetype.

Its takes work to access the Spiritual Potential of any Archetype, Capricorn being no exception.

But perhaps, in those people who fit the conventional ‘Capricorn’ label – you might now be able to / want to see the energies I have discussed present, at a very deep level, within them.

Astrology at the end of the day, by way of the planets, sets seeds that we have chosen to grow into. How we manifest that growth, and in what form, boils down to individual choice.

At the time of writing this piece, we are hours away from a powerful Sun (Focus of Consciousness, Soul’s essence) and Vesta (Spiritual Facilitator / Priestess / Regenerator Archetype) conjunction. (8:09 am, January 11th, 20 Capricorn ’26) The sacrifices we make, in terms of the old ideas of what we strive to achieve, and how are going to be highlighted at this time. As part of a far longer transit, Pluto in Capricorn has already been transforming our collective attitude towards Capricornian ideas and realms of life over the past few years. Ceres (the Nurturer) is now in Capricorn, urging us to find ways to enrich our connection with this energy, and the ways that others can also do the same.

So I hope my words facilitate your engagement with Capricorn’s energy through this powerful, upcoming Sun-Vesta conjunction. It’s a great time to release whatever hang-ups and shift outmoded perceptions of this energy, so that we may bring in its deepest, highest, purest (use your adjective of choice) manifestations.

Blessings and Joy to you All

Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam, PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com

Image: Vera Bugatti -Old woman with cat (Toulon France 2012).jpg – By Vera Bugatti (Vera Bugatti) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons