At first glance Capricorn and Aquarius display very distinctive ways of being. However after getting past their imposing fronts, they share a noteworthy, shatterproof bond- Saturn shines as their ruling planet in astrology. Saturn seasons both of these signs equally with similar gifts and challenges, yet each maintains their unique flavor. Capricorn is stodgy and traditional, while Aquarius is whacky and revolutionary, yet at their roots, both share similar qualities.
Capricorn is Yin (feminine), cardinal and earth. Aquarius is Yang (masculine), fixed and air. The two signs complement each other, both working toward the same aim, but with different methods. They desire to improve the world and leave it in better shape than when they arrived.
Each planet in astrology is unique, representing a different facet of the human experience. They are archetypal expressions, the primal urges which are common to all people. The planets include the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
Saturn is a harsh taskmaster, working according to a strict reward and punishment system. There are consequences for every deed. The system is rigid, unyielding, and at times seems so utterly unfair because, at heart, it is all too fair. No amount of charm, sweet talk or wishing can entreat Saturn to change his mind once he pronounces judgement. Now Jupiter on the other hand, is the planet to ask favors from or be granted good luck, but not the Taskmaster.
Saturn is also known as the Grim Reaper, Father Time and in Greek mythology, Kronos. Bound by the laws of time and matter, the hours keep ticking by, putting us all at the mercy of the clock. Whatever is born must die, so we work within the confines of our lifetime. The Grim Reaper stands there, with scythe in hand, reminding us that time is of the essence.
When the Saturnian hand is at play, we are forced to work hard, play by the rules, and take our responsibilities seriously. Father Time teaches us that in order to master a skill, time, patience and persistence must prevail. We feel compelled to do our best when faced with limits and restrictions. It’s the tension and agony from these barriers that push us to overcome them.
With great challenges and personal sacrifice come great rewards, The Taskmaster ensures that. The route won’t be easy or filled with shortcuts, but the destination is a place of satisfaction, recompense for harm suffered and generous rewards. Saturn pushes humanity to reach this state of maturity and mastery by putting the screws on us.
The key to grasping the duality of Saturn, as he manifests in the signs of Yin Capricorn and Yang Aquarius, lies in understanding the Yin-Yang polarity between the two zodiac signs. Dark and light, cold and hot, night and day, these forces remain forever at odds, always in opposition to each other.
Yin represents the feminine side, the negative aspect and even numbers. Yang represents the masculine side, the positive aspect and odd numbers. They each occupy a seat on either end of the cosmic sea-saw, continually in motion, and always striving for balance.
Yang traits include decisiveness, activity, independence, and a determination to imprint their will in the external world. His form is hollow in shape and ethereal in nature, being associated with the Heavens. Yang faces forward, goes outward and looks toward the future.
Yin traits, being in opposition to Yang, manifest as receptivity, cooperation, sensitivity, a desire to turn inward and go deep. Her form is solid and material in nature, being associated with the Earth. Yin faces backwards, goes inward and looks to the past. Yin nurtures, provides care and comfort while Yang seeks adventure and takes risks. One could not exist without the other.
Yin Capricorn is ambitious, hardworking, efficient, and directly connected to the material world. She lives to build structures and foundations which support the various components needed for a civilized society to run well- homes, schools, libraries, factories, monuments, parks, office buildings and stadiums. She is a master of the material world, using available resources wisely and efficiently.
When solidly built, and well maintained, these structures can last for many generations. This material consistency provides a sense of security, and a foundation from which traditions can take root. Through this stability civilization flourishes and culture develops. Customs and beliefs can then reliably pass from generation to generation. Capricorn thrives on adhering to tradition, and sticking with the status quo.
Capricorn diligently creates law and order through rules and hierarchies. Laws serve the purpose of setting boundaries, and limitations, allowing everyone participating in society to feel secure, knowing what is required from them.
Yang Aquarius is curious, social, independent, intellectual, rebellious, humanitarian and lives in the mental plane. They desire the liberty to make their own decisions and pursue the course of action they deem fit. Freedom is one of their highest priorities. The Aquarian ideal is for each member of the collective to serve the collective, but as a unique, irreplaceable member of the collective.
They strive to transform the social order, often in extreme, or highly unusual ways. It is through logic, cunning and an ability to think outside the box, that they perceive radical new ways of doing things. This way of being earns them the reputation of not only being contrarian, but the most eccentric sign as well.
Being humanitarian, a great use of their highly scientific minds comes through developing technologies that improve society. Keeping the influences of their own personal desires, opinions and passions at a distance, they are gifted with the ability to experience life objectively and dispassionately. This enables them to keep their primary focus on evolving communities, societies and civilization as a whole.
Aquarius actively participates in the construction of our perceived reality, by curating our collective experiences so as to create social constructs for them. The kind of truth Aquarians search for does not change with time, cultures or popular opinion. They walk the path toward absolute truth. However to outside observers with less vision and imagination, it can look like a wild goose chase. Aquarian ideas can be so ahead of their time, that they are not appreciated by their contemporaries.
Capricorn, bound up in the physical realm, restricted by the limitations of living in a material world, she maintains boundaries and recognizes what is possible within them. Progress is through looking back and adhering to what strategies thrived in the past. Change is desirable only when all conservative options that do not alter the status quo fail.
Aquarius does the opposite, tearing down the familiar structures, destroying conventions and traditions to birth something new. He deconstructs the old boundaries and sets new ones in their place. With a capacity to detach, their perspective is outside the normal confines, which allows them to go beyond current limits.
Capricorn ideas are practical, her strategies well organized and her efforts yield tangible, real world results. She designs her business plans replete with strategies, goals, available resources and a budget. She can handle the pressure of being a leader, act morally and be a role model worthy of praise, but will not seek out adoration. She does not need glory or approbation to do her duty.
Ironically, Aquarius lives on the fringes of the very society he is trying to improve. This is because his quest for self-autonomy is in alignment with his desire for humanity to progress. The rebel, the iconoclast, the outcast operates according to his independent will. He pushes for reform when necessary and willingly makes the personal sacrifices required to do this. Unlike Capricorn, his ideas are more abstract, more nebulous and for others, harder to grasp.
Capricorn builds the libraries, gets the system in tip-top working order, trains the librarians up to standard, makes sure the building is up to code and throws open the doors to the public. Aquarius fills the library with volume after volume of books. They flood the place with knowledge, facts and fiction, disseminating wisdom for the benefit of all. This is the way the polarity of Saturn manifests in an earthy Yin sign and an airy Yang sign. Capricorn maintains what is, while Aquarius creates something new.
