LCM’s Soul Astrologer Ruth Hadikin explains the higher spiritual purpose of Capricorn…
In the Northern Hemisphere the Winter Solstice was on December 22nd 2015. This was the day the Sun entered Capricorn marking the beginning of this year’s Capricorn Season. In ancient times this season was known as the ‘return of the light’ because it is at this time (in the northern hemisphere) that the days begin to get longer and the long winter nights begin to get shorter. In addition to Christmas, many people all around the world, from different cultures, celebrate their own version of a light festival at this time of year.
In Esoteric Astrology
To further our understanding of this powerful sign, let’s take a closer look at these words initiate and disciple. At it’s simplest level, when we initiate something we start something. We begin. In a sense, it can be said that our spiritual journey really begins in Capricorn.
Our Soul is on a fantastic journey through each of the 12 zodiac signs and in Sagittarius we finally identify the correct goal. This ‘correct’ goal, is our spiritual nature. Now our journey begins. It is said that Sagittarius is a sign of freedom and true liberation of mind. So if our mind is liberated in Sagittarius, what then is left for us to do in Capricorn?
To understand the path of Capricorn we need to contemplate and understand the Soul keynote1 for Capricorn:
Lost am I in light supernal,
yet on that light I turn my back
This is possibly the most misunderstood keynote of them all (possibly with the exception of Pisces but that’s for another post!) after all, if we are on a spiritual journey, why would we turn our backs on the light, right?
To understand this, is to really know the deeper meaning of the initiate, the disciple, and the path of the Bodhisattva.
The word discipline originates in the Latin word disciplina2 which meant instruction or knowledge. It was only in medieval times that the word discipline took on a more punitive connotation. It’s original meaning refers to the pursuit of knowledge for the purpose of acquiring wisdom – the higher wisdom pertaining to our spiritual reality. The word disciple also has the same root in the Latin verb to learn, discere3, which then gives us disciplus meaning learner. So the word discipline refers to the “path of knowledge” and disciple means “one who learns“.
This is key to understanding the true path of Capricorn. After the ‘correct goal’ has been identified in Sagittarius, it is in Capricorn that we find the way. Capricorn is all about ‘finding the way’ on our spiritual path.
After his enlightenment, it is said that the first teaching the Buddha gave was the lesson of the Four Noble Truths which goes something like this (I’m paraphrasing):
- Suffering is real
- Suffering has causes
- Suffering can end
- There is a way (or path)
It is this last noble truth – the truth of the way or path – that corresponds to the path of Capricorn (which leads us to the evolution of consciousness in Aquarius and finally the end of all suffering in Pisces).
It is in Capricorn that we knuckle down and undertake whatever practices or disciplines are necessary to carry us to the final goal of enlightenment. In the Buddhist philosophy there is a long way to go between the liberation of the mind, and true, full, enlightenment and one of the ‘ways’ or paths to this goal is the path of the Bodhisattva.
A Bodhisattva is one who dedicates all his or her personal and spiritual energy for the benefit of sentient beings. One of the most well-known is Avalokiteshvara (also known as Guanyin / Kwanyin/ Quanyin) the Bodhisattva of compassion. There is a wide range of ability on the Bodhisattva path, beginning with a simple monk or ordinary layperson who has simply taken the Bodhisattva vow – which means they vow to pursue the Bodhisattva path for the benefit of all beings – to the fully accomplished Bodhisattva such as Avalokiteshvara.
We can see that is is a long path of spiritual focus, and dedicating one’s energy for the benefit of all sentient beings. The Bodhisattva is said to postpone their own enlightenment so they can continue serving others. This is summed up in the words of Shantideva4 an 8th century monk who wrote about the path of the Bodhisattva. He is quoted as saying:
For as long as space remains
And as long as sentient beings remain
Until then may I too remain
To dispel the suffering of all beings.
At the end of the long path of discipleship the enlightened Bodhisattva has the opportunity to enter the light: to return to the ‘house of God’, yet he does not. He chooses to remain in this world to be of service to all sentient beings. In this way he can be thought of as having ‘turned his back’ to the light – not because he is ignoring it, but quite the opposite. By choosing to remain in the world he can be of service by shining light into the dark and therefore bringing heaven to Earth.
It is through this sacred path of inner knowledge that Capricorn eventually ‘returns the light’ to Earth. The purpose of Capricorn is not to pursue the path so he may return to the light himself, but to pursue the path so he may find the light and then return that light to Earth. This is the path of discipleship: and it is the highest path of Capricorn.
- In Esoteric Astrology there is a keynote given for each sign. Meditating on this keynote can bring you deeper awareness of the purpose of your Soul Sign.
- Source: Online Etymology Dictionary at http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=discipline
- Source: Online Etymology Dictionary at http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=disciple
- “Shantideva is particularly renowned as the author of the Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra. An English translation is available online, as well as in print in a variety of translations, sometimes glossed as “A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life” or “Entering the Path of Enlightenment.” It is a long poem describing the process of enlightenment from the first thought to full buddhahood and is still studied by Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhists today.” – From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shantideva
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