Saturn, the lord of karma and emblem of structure, is strong. Tenacious, logical and endowed with the capacity to work hard and long, you rarely hesitate to grasp opportunities for advancement or promotion. You are quite well-grounded, especially later in life (over 40), once you have learnt to overcome those early insecurities. More ambitious than you appear on the surface and a natural executive or manager, you set out to accomplish and are determined to succeed one way or another. Pragmatic and goal-oriented, you soon learn how to get things done, for you aspire to positions of power and authority and admire others who attain such positions.

Keys to Success

Initiative and willingness to accept responsibilities are keys to your success, but a false pride makes it hard for you to admit when you are wrong, or to ask others for help. Though you compete aggressively for what you want, you harbour an inner lack of confidence which can make you defensive. Viewing insecurity and fear as weakness, you attempt to hide such feelings, making it hard for others to get close to you.

Hard-nosed Capricorn reacts by assessing the possible worth of any given situation. The goat is a sure-footed, methodical climber. You are heading for the top of the rock, so you'll gladly work long and hard if it means getting what (or who) you want. The energy and randiness of the goat is proverbial, but you can be very lazy if you see no sense in working, or if you can achieve the same high goals in a less strenuous manner.

Structure and Reality

Your sense of humour is generally impeccable, although you fail to see the point of personal jokes at your expense. You hold grudges and will take revenge for perceived slights. The ancient emblem of Capricorn was the sea-goat, half goat and half fish. This symbolised the death of the lower mind and the birth of the spiritual. The goat was a popular sacrificial animal in days gone by.

Saturn, structure and reality, teaches an understanding of limits in all areas of life. You respond to traditional values, rules and regulations, and proper thought and behaviour at an early age, even if you reject these things later. Without a coherent structure to guide you toward your goals, you risk losing your way. Ambition and enthusiasm fade without such a structure on which to hang them. Once the reality of something is understood, it is much easier to handle and manipulate. You can be a good builder, engineer, politician, lawyer, or business executive.

Youthful Appearance

Lean Capricorn develops good eating habits early, which stand you in good stead as an adult. An innate spirit of competition makes you keen on sports, although you can be so aggressively determined to win, you can be less than gracious when you lose. Jogging, running (especially cross-country), golf, skating, hunting, wrestling, boxing, martial arts, and body-building are favorite activities. Although you probably looked older or more mature when you were young, you seem to defy the aging process, and retain a remarkably youthful appearance from your middle years well into old age.

Capricorn rules the bones and joints (especially the knees), teeth, and skin. Sensitive skin, allergies, and broken bones are problems, while worrying too much can also result in physical disorders. You suffer from insecurity and anxiety in your youth, but blossom under Saturn in your later years.

Your colours are chocolate brown, royal and navy blue, dark green, charcoal grey and red. Capricorn rules metallic lead, while the red garnet is your birthstone, which protects against accidents and falls. In some ancient societies, garnets were worn only by royalty. Capricorn flowers include the camellia, orange blossom, carnation (red), baby's breath, and magnolia.

Capricorn in Relationships

Reserved and dignified you do not give your favours lightly, but when you feel sure enough of your ground, you delight in living up to the randy reputation of the Goat. Conservative Capricorn, a feminine (yin) sign ruled by staid Saturn (but, remember, the exaltation of heady Mars), makes you cautious and calculating in the early stages, but dynamic and voracious when properly roused.

The conflict between the feminine elemental power of the sign and the masculine energies of the planetary forces generates enough steam to run a power station. So in a relationship, Capricorn is a slow starter, but proves to be an explosive performer and a long-lasting and loyal companion. You are quite skilled with people, once you overcome your initial reserve. Painfully shy as a youngster, you grow out of this as you approach middle age, when your careful cultivation of social skills and control begins to bear fruit.

Ambitious Capricorn, while somewhat risk-averse, has an appetite for life and all its pleasures. Your need to climb the social ladder and obtain material recognition can interfere to some degree with your relationships, but with the right person (who shares your interests and is not put off by your fears and insecurities) you blossom into a remarkably fine companion – and a satisfying sexual partner.

You learn to conceal your vulnerability beneath a confident veneer of career fixation and material success, but passionate Mars is always bubbling just below the surface. When the veneer is pierced, the passion flows like lava from a volcano.

In the art of lovemaking, Capricorn is enthusiastic and adventurous when aroused, but can be possessive and jealous when threatened. Partners can sometimes be overwhelmed by the intensity of your passion, coming as it does from beneath such a cool exterior. In marriage you are loyal, a good provider and develop a strong home environment, although you should allow yourself the pleasure of a more relaxed and informal relationship with the children.