Capricorn - Revision history

Alhazred: Fixed winter solstice link

2006-08-12T19:45:01Z

Fixed winter solstice link

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:45, 12 August 2006
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	== History ==		== History ==
	This constellation is one of the oldest to have been identified, possibly the oldest, despite its dimness. Since it falls in an area of the sky known as the sea, it became considered a sea-goat (in the same sense as a [[mermaid\|sea-maiden]]). 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.		This constellation is one of the oldest to have been identified, possibly the oldest, despite its dimness. Since it falls in an area of the sky known as the sea, it became considered a sea-goat (in the same sense as a [[mermaid\|sea-maiden]]). 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 now 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.		For the same reason, the sun's most southerly position, which is attained at the northern hemisphere's winter solstice, is now 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.
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	In Sumeria, the constellation was associated with the god [[Ea]] or [[Enki]], who brought culture out of the sea to humankind.		In Sumeria, the constellation was associated with the god [[Ea]] or [[Enki]], who brought culture out of the sea to humankind.

	The constellation, together with its early ~~greek~~ name, associated ideas about sin, and the constellation of [[Aquarius]], who was said to have poured out a river, may represent the origin of the myth of the [[Augean Stable]], which forms one of [[The Twelve Labors]] of [[Heracles]].		The constellation, together with its early Greek name, associated ideas about sin, and the constellation of [[Aquarius]], who was said to have poured out a river, may represent the origin of the myth of the [[Augean Stable]], which forms one of [[The Twelve Labors]] of [[Heracles]].

	The constellation is located in an area of sky called the Sea, consisting of many watery constellations such as [[Aquarius]], [[Pisces]], and Eridanus.		The constellation is located in an area of sky called the Sea, consisting of many watery constellations such as [[Aquarius]], [[Pisces]], and Eridanus.

Thiebes at 09:23, 3 March 2005

2005-03-03T09:23:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:23, 3 March 2005
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	==References==		==References==
	*Wikipedia (2005). ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capricornus Capricornus].'' Retrieved March 1, 2005		*Wikipedia (2005). ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capricornus Capricornus].'' Retrieved March 1, 2005

			[[Category:Zodiac]]

Thiebes at 04:22, 2 March 2005

2005-03-02T04:22:16Z

New page

{{thelema}}

{{astrology}}
'''Capricornus''' (♑), a name meaning ''Horned Goat'' in Latin, is one of the constellations of the [[zodiac]]. It is commonly called '''Capricorn''', especially in [[astrology]]. It is commonly called the sea-goat, as it is in an area of the sky known as the Sea. 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]].

== History ==
This constellation is one of the oldest to have been identified, possibly the oldest, despite its dimness. Since it falls in an area of the sky known as the sea, it became considered a sea-goat (in the same sense as a [[mermaid|sea-maiden]]). 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 now 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.

Due to early Greek beliefs that [[sin]] accumulated throughout the year, causing the darkness to increase, together with the sun's descent and pause at the Solstice, the ancient Greeks referred to this area of sky as ''the Augean Stable'', where they considered the sun ''stabled'' during the year. The cause of the association with the location or name of ''Augeas'' is not currently known. However, during the classical period of Greek history, this name gradually fell out of use.

Due to the [[precession of the equinoxes]], the December solstice no longer takes place while the sun is in Capricorn, but the astrological period called Capricorn begins at approximately the same time as the solstice.

== Mythology ==
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. One myth that deals with this says that when the goat-god [[Pan]] was attacked by the monster [[Typhon]], he dove into the Nile; the parts above the water remained a goat, but those under the water transformed into a fish.

In Sumeria, the constellation was associated with the god [[Ea]] or [[Enki]], who brought culture out of the sea to humankind.

The constellation, together with its early greek name, associated ideas about sin, and the constellation of [[Aquarius]], who was said to have poured out a river, may represent the origin of the myth of the [[Augean Stable]], which forms one of [[The Twelve Labors]] of [[Heracles]].

The constellation is located in an area of sky called the Sea, consisting of many watery constellations such as [[Aquarius]], [[Pisces]], and Eridanus.

== Astrology ==
The [[Astrology|astrological sign]] Capricorn (December 22-January 19) is associated with the constellation. In some cosmologies, Capricorn is associated with the classical [[Elements|element]] [[Earth]], and thus called an Earth Sign (with [[Taurus]] and [[Virgo]]). It is also one of the four Cardinal signs (along with [[Aries]], [[Cancer]], and [[Libra]]). Its ruling planet is [[Saturn]]. Its polar opposite is [[Cancer]]. Each [[Astrology|astrological sign]] is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat of its power. Capricorn rules the knees, bones, and skin. The symbol for Capricorn has the front half of a goat joined with the back half of a fish. Capricornian qualities include an ability to earn and manage money, a strong sense of responsibility, reliability, steady, unflappable emotions, and cautious sensibilities.

==References==
*Wikipedia (2005). ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capricornus Capricornus].'' Retrieved March 1, 2005