Zodiac literally means animal circle and is the symbol of celestial glory, the complete circuit dome of light, firmament, halo, lofty sentiments, pathway of fate, and time. The zodiac is also the field of sun hero epics. The lunar zodiac is a circle of twenty-eight star groups associated with the days of the month. The solar zodiac is the sun path comprised of twelve mansions associated with the months of the year (Jobes).
The zodiac is also a “symbol of relationship in the universe, and of cyclical and seasonal transformation; it is the Wheel of Life; an archetype; the harmony of the Many and the One; the fall into the phenomenal world and the salvation from it” (Cooper, pg 198). The goat that represents Capricorn in the western zodiac symbolizes the gate of the gods, the janua coeli, in the winter solstice. (The two solstices, at the highest and lowest points of the year, are called janua coeli or heaven's gates.)
In the mansion, Capricornus, the sun enters on December 21, which is the Babylonian month of Tebet. The Sun Carrier varies according to cultural beliefs. In Babylonia the sun carrier is the goat-fish, in China it is the rooster, in Egypt it is the baboon, and in Europe the sun carrier is the goat. According to Jobes, the ruling planet is Saturn; the flower is holly; the Druidic tree is the birch, the element is the Earth; the color is blue-violet; and the birthstone is lapis lazuli or turquoise.
Other associations of the mansion Capricornus is the quality of influence, which is feminine, cold, dry, and unfortunate. Capricornus influences the knees; the keyword or nature is I use; and the type is actional. Guardians or rulers and their corresponding symbols are: the Greek Hesta and her lamp; the Norse Svipdag and hand; the Roman Vesta and the hearth; the Occultist Angel Humiel and the talismanic gem known as beryl. Also associated with the mansion Capricornus are the Hebrew Tribe, the Naphtali; the Christian Disciple Matthew and the Angel; the biblical book of the Gospels; and the tarot card The Wheel.
See Bibiography category for reference information.