Mythology of Capricorn
In ancient Sumeria, the sign of Capricorn was closely tied to the planet Saturn and the deity Enki, a god of water, knowledge, and creation. But the more familiar mythological roots of Capricorn come from the ancient Greeks. In Greek mythology, the tale of Capricorn is intricately linked to the rise of Zeus and the downfall of his father, Cronus.
Cronus, a powerful Titan and ruler of the universe, was destined to be overthrown by one of his children, just as he had overthrown his own father, Uranos. To prevent this prophecy from coming true, Cronus took extreme measures—he swallowed each of his newborn children whole as soon as they were born. Hestia, Demeter, Hades, Poseidon, and Hera all suffered this fate, devoured by their father to prevent them from growing up and challenging his rule.
But Rhea, Cronus' wife, longed to keep at least one of her children. When she gave birth to Zeus, she devised a clever plan. She wrapped a stone in swaddling clothes and presented it to Cronus, who, believing it to be his newborn son, swallowed the rock without question. Zeus, meanwhile, was secretly whisked away to safety, hidden in a cave to be raised far from his father’s reach.
There are various versions of who raised Zeus, but all point back to a goat. In one myth, he was cared for by a nymph named Amalthea (or Adamanthea), who tended to goats. In another, the goat itself—also named Amalthea—nurtured Zeus directly. Regardless of the version, the one constant is that Zeus was fed on goat’s milk, which sustained him until he was strong enough to take his rightful place as the king of the gods.
Once grown, Zeus freed the Cyclopes and the Giants, who had been imprisoned by Cronus. In gratitude, they gifted Zeus power over thunder and lightning. Armed with this mighty force, Zeus was able to launch his rebellion against Cronus. With the help of the freed Cyclopes and Giants, Zeus succeeded in overthrowing his father and forced him to regurgitate Zeus' swallowed siblings, who had remained trapped inside him all those years.
The goat that helped raise Zeus played a crucial role in his success, and Zeus rewarded her in several ways. Amalthea’s horn became the famous Cornucopia, or Horn of Plenty, symbolizing abundance and nourishment. Some versions of the myth even link the goat’s skin to the legendary Golden Fleece, sought by Jason and the Argonauts.
Finally, as a lasting tribute, Zeus placed Amalthea in the sky as the constellation Capricornus, forever immortalizing the goat who played a part in his survival and ultimate triumph. This is why Capricorn, a sign associated with stability, resilience, and steady progress, is symbolized by the goat in the Zodiac.
Through this myth, Capricorn stands as a symbol of nurturing strength, endurance, and the careful planning needed to overcome great challenges—just as Zeus did with the help of his foster mother, the goat Amalthea.
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