The Zodiac - Capricorn

The Myths and Legends of Capricorn

Capricorn the Goat-Fish, Lord of the Sacred Eye

2500 years ago, the sun reached its nadir at the winter solstice and then began its slow climb towards midsummer, in the sign of Capricorn, the Goat-Fish, one of the most mysterious and ancient symbols in the skies.

Bringer of Civilisation

For the Goat-Fish, known in pre-Babylonian times as 'The Antelope of the Subterranean Ocean', is the god Ea, 'He of the vast intellect', 'Lord of the Sacred Eye', who was worshipped in the Persian Gulf as the bringer of civilisation.

He is said to have emerged four times, at long intervals, from the sweet, primordial waters of the subterranean ocean, which were seen as the source of all knowledge and wisdom, to teach men the arts of civilisation. When he appears, it is in human form, wearing a fish-tailed cloak. After educating mankind, he returns to the waters as darkness falls.

The Flood

The only one amongst the ancient gods who was always kind and never angry, Ea warned mankind about the Flood.
Near his earthly palace on the shore of the Persian Gulf grew a great tree with leaves of lapis lazuli, which cast as
much shade as a whole forest.

It was only in later times that Capricorn became an earth sign and was associated with the Greek goat god, Pan.

In astrology, Capricorn is ruled by Saturn. As the sign which dominates the cold and barren winter solstice, when
the days start to get longer, Capricorn was the traditional sign in which the sun gods and redeemers were reborn
to suffer the human lot and lead man to the light.