Celtic
The druids associated Vega with healing and were said to make pentacles at this time of year for healing old wounds, because it represented the personal and magical power of their Sun gods. They warned against lending money to false friends and that wounds from battles would never heal if fighting unjust causes. They predicated loss of life and goods if making journeys by water at this time of year, which was generally said to be very hazardous while the strength of the Sun was still weak. They further predicted that marriages could bring prosperity or disaster. The watery or Neptunian influence associated with Vega was considered a fortunate influence overall because it promoted the arts and learning as well as encouraging self-sacrifices that benefited the soul. It was nevertheless also associated with drunken behaviour that attracted fateful encounters.
CAPRICORN – THE SEA-GOAT
Greek
There are several conflicting prophecies associated with the Capricorn constellation. On the one hand it is associated with high office and personal status, but there are also warnings of public disgrace and losses or worry through children. Longevity could be a blessing or a curse because it may entail seeing your friends and family die long before your own passing. There was also a caution against making money from gambling or speculation as only money earned from hard work could be secured or remain with you.
Egyptian
A scene in the Egyptian Book of the Dead shows Anubis, the god of the Underworld, standing opposite the Fish-goat sign. They both appear to be marking exits and entrances on the Egyptian zodiac with the Fish-goat holding a solar disk. The associated hieroglyphs state that in a future time, light would radiate from this sign and the earth would tremble. People would flee from towns and cities, but it was a catalyst for change rather than an apocalyptic warning. This prediction appears to relate to the next precession of the equinoxes when the Vernal Equinox moves into the Capricorn constellation, which is in approximately two thousand years’ time, so no need to panic just yet. Talismans made of black onyx or any black stones were said to be a magical form of protection against evil demons when the Sun travelled annually through this sign.
Celtic
Celtic prophecies relating to the stars of Capricorn are directed to people born under the Birch Tree sign. They are found in the myths of Taliesin (Sun) and his mother, the great Ceridwen (Moon), and reveal a number of obscure but intriguing predictions. Apparently the friendship and support of women was said to increase your personal strength and power. Women, generally, were considered highly influential for good or evil. Taliesin transformed himself into many different creatures in order to escape the anger of Ceridwen who had been tricked into conceiving him, but he eventually succeeds in becoming a god of light.
Her first-born son, Avagddu, or Black Wings, was supposed to receive the great gift of wisdom and knowledge from one of her magical brews, but instead Taliesin accidentally tasted it. So the dark twin Avagddu, who was considered very ugly, had to be content with his mother’s love and protection, while radiant Taliesin excelled and had a very fulfilling life even though he was always looking back over his shoulder wondering if fate would strike him down. This may be highly relevant if you are the second-born child in your family. If you are an only child you may have difficulty escaping from parental influence or dominance.
The power of free will, however, formed the core or seed potential associated with this sign and its strength can totally transform your very existence for a more fulfilling life.
21 January – 17 February
ZODIAC DEGREES: Brigantia – 10 degrees Aquarius
RULING PLANET: Uranus
ARCHETYPAL GODS: Greek: Uranus; Egyptian: Neter; Celtic: Celi, Brigantia
STARS: Cassiopeia, Aquarius
IN CELTIC ASTROLOGY the second sign of the lunar zodiac is the Rowan Tree and its ruling planet is Uranus. The fiery breath of the Green Dragon associated with the Rowan Tree was said to ignite the magical process of germination attributed to Brigantia, a powerful goddess who represented the new Moon. On the first of February, a fire festival was celebrated and named in her honour to mark the first day of spring. It was a time when a glimmer of new light in the sky was often accompanied by flashes of lightning or sky omens. The druids believed that this strange new light was Celi, an invisible sky god, whose mythology closely resembles the Greek god Uranus. The Rowan sign is located in the zodiac degrees of Aquarius, which is also ruled by Uranus.
The following astrological interpretation is based on the Celtic Moon sign with reference to the corresponding Sun sign in the zodiac degrees of Aquarius. Because the lunar zodiac has thirteen signs it creates an overlapping system of degrees and, though they exist within the same 360 degrees of the Sun zodiac, it forms a shadow zodiac, which provides a unique source of astrological interpretation. It also takes into account the influential polarity signs and the hidden potential associated with the festival of Brigantia as observed by the druids.
CHARACTER TRAITS
You are an original thinker and have the visionary eyes of the Green Dragon, but your vision is not always shared by others and this can cause a great deal of frustration. You are therefore inclined to challenge the ignorance or prejudices of society, especially those who wield some power or authority. These experiences and confrontations will make you a very self-contained and independent individual, but your cool temperament disguises some passionate beliefs and emotions. Some of you may take this one step further by taking up causes that are often unpopular at the time and even slightly bizarre. Like the Aquarians, you have strong humanitarian principles and a natural rapport with people who may be seen as the outcasts or underclass of society.
Not all of you will be so openly rebellious or radical and some may prefer a much quieter lifestyle and simply drop out of society altogether. All of you, nevertheless, have your sights fixed on an invisible compass or directional finder in your mind’s eye that is truly unique to people born at this time of year. The druids believed that the changing light of the sky was in itself a prophecy that babies born under its influence saw a tomorrow land, and that is why they recruited them as magicians and astrologers who could read the omens in the sky.
Rowan berries also had magical powers that healed the wounded and each berry eaten was said to add a year to a human life. The Rowan Tree was guarded by the Green Dragon (a symbol of life) because its red berries were a gift from the gods that could bestow immortality. Only people of a pure heart or spirit were able approach the tree. The druids also feared the gift of prophecy could be misinterpreted or used for personal power. It is perhaps a warning from the past to use your gifts wisely or not at all. Rowan signs and Aquarians are highly unpredictable and unconventional people, who have a set of strong ideals rather than strong opinions. They are also inclined to stand out in a crowd because of their extra height or strange attire. They are not usually very fashion conscious and have an odd selection of clothes that symbolize their dislike of conformity. They are basically a curious mixture of aloofness and a genuine empathy with everyone.