The Sign of Capricorn - The Gentle Crocodile

The sign of Capricorn-the Gentle Crocodile The sign of Capricorn in Vedic astrology is different in many ways from the western depictions. For instance, in Vedic astrology, Capricorn is the gentle crocodile, not the sea-goat. Crocodiles are excellent at survival, and for this reason, they have not had to evolve for millions of years. (At the end of this post is a link to an interesting article about them).

The Gift of Capricorn

If you have planets in the sign of Capricorn, especially if you have Mars in the sign of Capricorn where it is exalted, you are reliable. We can count on you to show up and be ready to work and solve problems, even when you don’t get any recognition for it.

You will figure out the most efficient way to do a task and are ready and willing to answer questions about it, leading others to be inspired to do the same.

My colleague and friend, Channing Ayers, and I continue this evergreen series on the signs (rasis) according to Vedic Astrology. In this two-part video series, we discuss the sign of CAPRICORN in depth. We discussed the points below and some other characteristics of Capricorn not listed below, such as the Guna and the Dosha.

The Symbol of Capricorn – Nakra “Crocodile” Rasi

“Ruled by Saturn, Tamasic, earthy, southern, vigorous at night, back rising, large limbed, spotted/many-colored, moving in the watery ground, four-footed at the beginning and without feet at the end, is imagined the water goer.” –Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra, 4 – Rasi Characteristics, 19-20

Capricorn Rules the Thighs (The First Stage of Karma Yoga)

Capricorn rules the thighs, not the knees. The knees themselves are simply the junction between the bone of the thigh and the bones of the shanks. It appears as if the thighs are doing all of the work in moving the body; however, it’s the buttocks doing most of the work (Sagittarius). The thighs will get tired before the buttocks because they are much weaker than the buttocks and not as mechanically efficient.

Similarly, Capricorn believes that it is doing all the work and that is responsible for what happens, though, in actuality, it is not, even though it feels the pain of its efforts. Capricorn’s plans are frustrated until one learns to practice the first stage of Karma Yoga, renouncing the fruits of one’s actions. It is not one’s immediate actions that make the difference in our lives, but rather what God has planned for us.

Capricorn - The Gentle Crocodile There is a story in the Mahabharata, a Hindu epic, about prince Duryodhana. He thought that his actions would win him the throne because of his belief that he was responsible for what he got in life. But no matter how hard he tried, the throne did not belong to him; it belonged to the eldest, Pandu.

Duryodhana had a boon (blessing) that he could not be defeated, except if he had his thigh broken. Having his thigh broken symbolizes the end of his belief that he could make his life happen according to his plans.

Capricorn is here to learn that we are best leaving what happens up to God and to simply fulfill the duties laid before us without any attachments or expectations towards the results.

Capricorn is a Moveable Sign

Moveable rasis (signs) create change, is action-centered, and, as their name implies, creates movement. Moveable Rasis are the creative and pioneering Rasis, though they lack consistency. The moveable signs begin the seasons, and Capricorn kicks off the winter on the Winter Solstice. Capricorn brings about change as a result of new responsibilities and duties.

The Capricorn Crocodile is a Gentle Female Sign

Even-numbered signs are Female. Female Rasis are receptive and how they react and what they do is dependent upon how they feel. Capricorn does so when it feels materially secure and safe.

Gentle Rasis are more relaxed, and being and enjoying is more important than getting things done. Difficult combinations in the Gentle signs indicate pain and misery held within which hurts oneself, instead of being directed out at others. Capricorn would “take it easy” if it could only disengage from its responsibilities.

Capricorn is a Mix of Pitta, Kapha, Vata

Fire, Water, and Air coalesce together and manifest as the very tangible Earth element. All earthy, or concrete things, therefore, have a mix of Pitta, Kapha, and Vata, and so the Earth sign of Capricorn is a mix of Pitta, Kapha, and Vata.

Pitta provides Capricorn with the ability to fulfill its responsibilities, Kapha provides Capricorn with the ability to allow its duties to come to it and to recognize them when they do occur. Vata provides Capricorn with the ability to change from one responsibility to another as the need and priority arise.

Capricorn and the Earth Element

Capricorn is of the earth element and is, therefore, reliable, stable, and grounded. Capricorn, like all the earth signs, is rationally centered. Rationality is the ability to derive understanding and to arrive at conclusions through logic.

Rationality leads to good sense, sound judgment, and reasonable actions. Rationality has the unique ability to reveal the common-sense truths that humans, with all of their intellectual faculties, seem to have a habit of missing. Capricorn uses reason to arrive at the existing possibilities and has the good sense to prepare for any eventualities that exist.

The Element also indicates the height or level that things contained in the Rasis may be in Horary astrology. Those things in Earth Rasis (signs) are on the ground level.

The Caste of Capricorn is Vaishya (Merchant)

Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra considers the Earth Rasis: Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo as the Vaishya Rasis. Capricorn is a Tamas Sign that desires gain to provide for the possibilities of an uncertain future. They desire to achieve and progress as a way to alleviate the pains of life. Capricorn also strives to do an excellent job as it is well aware that a job done poorly has negative consequences.

The Rasis are related to the twelve houses of the horoscope. The 10th, 2nd, and 6th houses are the Artha (material gain and security) houses, which correlate to Vaishyas’ goal and the Earth signs. Capricorn is the natural ruler of the 10th house of the realm of work, and fulfilling duties and responsibilities.

Day and Night Strong Signs

Some Rasis are healthy and vigorous during the day, and some are so at night. Capricorn is a night strong sign. Night strong Rasis are those that get energized by internal experiences (such as thought, emotion, and contemplation).

Front Rising and Back Rising Rasis

The signs rise over the Eastern horizon with either their fronts or their backs first. Signs that rise front first have an easy time bringing their tasks to concrete realization. Rasis rising with their backs first are clumsy in bringing things into tangible reality and, as a result, takes more time. Capricorn is a back-rising sign and knows what it is required to do, but can do too much and thereby creates more problems than necessary.

Capricorn is Both Four-Footed & Footless

Capricorn - the gentle crocodile Capricorn is a real contradiction here! Rasis are either two-footed, four-footed, many-footed, or without feet, and moving in the water. Capricorn is both four-footed and footless. Capricorn’s first half is four-footed and powerful, capable of carrying enormous burdens and carrying out extraordinary tasks.

The four-footed Rasis are particularly interested in the 10th house matters of work and command and least interested in the 4th house matters of emotion and psychology.

The footless Rasis are only able in water, which means that their strength lies in their ability to surrender and to go within. The second half of Capricorn is footless. These signs are particularly interested in the 4th house matters of emotions and psychology and least interested in the 10th house matters of work and authority.

You can see the contradiction! Practicing the Karma Yogi path is the best way for Capricorn to navigate this inherent conflict in its nature.

Saturn is the Lord of Capricorn

The ruler of Capricorn and Aquarius is Saturn, with Capricorn being the female expression of Saturn. The negative-energized sign exhibits its ruler’s energy in a gentle, receptive manner.