If the redskins have won … they will beat the tom-tom; it is always their sign of victory.
Now Smee had found the tom-tom, and was at that moment sitting on it. You will never hear the tom-tom again, he muttered, but inaudibly of course, for strict silence had been enjoined.
Because I am particularly fond of Leos, it makes me sad to convey to them unpleasant astrological information I know in advance will be like a sharp thorn in their big, soft paws. But I am an astrologer, therefore dedicated to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me Saturn.
All right, already, so help me, Saturn! Go ahead, help me. Don’t just hang there in the sky, twinkling your icy-blue light. Help me explain to the Big Cats that you are destined, by some inexplicable inter-galactic law, to sit on their tom-toms.
Saturn just winked at me. That means he’s agreed to channel through me the words I write in this chapter, in a stern and wise, but loving manner. So please keep in mind that I am not the author of what you are about to read. The author is Saturn, whose great, granite strength is ever undaunted, even by the dazzling brilliance of Leo’s ruler, the Sun.
Saturn is the planetary ruler of the Sun Sign Capricorn, and the Sun Sign Capricorn, in astrology, as I’ve mentioned briefly elsewhere in this book, represents, or if you will, symbolizes, the Hebrew people, all the richly monotheistic Jewish tradition and the indomitable Jewish spirit. Because of this, Capricorns, who contain that Hebrew essence, whether they’re Scottish, Irish, Italian, or Hopi Indian, respect all forms of education and learning. Most Goats are born students, their attitude toward diplomas, degrees, or anything scholastic approaching reverence. They also revere the family circle, whether its shape is square or oblong. And money. Yes, along with Taurus and Cancer, they revere money. Cappy considers money the only security against human suffering. A savings account is one of life’s absolute necessities to the Goat.
Cappies do tend to be a bit snobbish about their family trees, reputation in the community, class status, and so forth, and it must be sadly confessed that there are a scattering of Capricorns (fortunately, only a very few) who contain some tinge of prejudice regarding Jewish people. If you know any such Goats, do remind them that their Sun Sign symbolizes the Chosen People, won’t you? Smack them in their Karmas with the hard facts. It will do them good to realize they must learn to respect things and people worthy of respect, instead of hypocritical material values. Any Capricorn should be proud to be astrologically associated with the grandeur of character and courage bred into the genes of those led by Moses into the Promised Land—to share the shining spiritual heritage of those millions of brave souls condemned to an unspeakable hell on Earth during the insane Nazi holocaust. For many reasons, personally speaking as an Irish Aries, I would be proud to have been born a Sun Sign Capricorn, as proud as I would be to have been born a Jew.
Be still, Leo. We’re going to open the cage and let you out in a moment. You see? As soon as the word proud is mentioned, up pops Leo, like an anxious piece of bread in a toaster. But to give the Lions and Lionesses credit, they also pop up, and are called forth by the mention of cruelty and injustice. They roar in splendid outrage, their noble heads held high, ever ready to defend the defenseless, protect the downtrodden—and set free the imprisoned human spirit. Not yet, Leo. Soon. We’re explaining the Capricorn motivation, so you and the Goats will understand one another better, which is the whole purpose of this chapter. We are also teaching you a necessary lesson in Saturnine patience.
Because (as you may have noted in The Twelve Mysteries of Love section in the front of this book) Capricorn’s mantra is I use, the Goats can be, once in a while, a little selfish. They call it self- protection. Exactly the same reason Leo gives for being insufferably arrogant. Self-protection. Against all those inferior people. This is a 6-8 Sun Sign Pattern, with Leo representing eighth-house matters to Capricorn, and Capricorn representing sixth-house matters to Leo. It makes for an interesting association. If Leo will bear with me, through some painful observations, I’ll explain why.
It must be faced that there’s no way out from under the restrictive influence of Saturn over Leo’s bright enthusiasm and warm, sunny personality—nor is it likely that Capricorn will be unduly impressed with the sound of the tom-toms the Big Cats beat in pride over their great accomplishments. There’s no way Leo can ultimately top the Goats, because Capricorn is ahead of Leo on the karmic astrological wheel of life. Leo is undeniably wise, but the Goat is wiser. Leo is a Fixed Sign, therefore somewhat stubborn, but the earthy Goat is more stubborn, and on top of that is bossy, Capricorn being a Cardinal Sign. Even bossier than Leo, but much quieter about it, less obtrusive. Leo is admittedly a practical organizer, but Capricorn is even more so.
Cheer up, Shy Pussycats, Lions, and Lionesses. I realize all this has been like tossing custard pies at your egos, but remember I said that your 6-8 Sun Sign Pattern with Capricorn is interesting? Here’s what I meant. Despite the fact that the Goat is a smidgen wiser and more stubborn than you, more practical—and even bossier—in any close relationship with a Saturn-ruled person, that Goat will represent the sixth astrological house to Leo.
The sixth astrological house represents service. Therefore, the planets decree that in some manner, however subtle or marginal, Capricorns must provide some sort of service to any Leo with whom they are closely associated. There! Doesn’t that make you feel better? It’s like, well.. let’s see.. it’s like a mother and father being wiser than their small baby, yet nevertheless forced to render service to the infant. I see the Leos glaring at me, in injured dignity. Sorry. That’s not a good allegory. I mean, it is a good one, but not designed to soothe the Lion’s sore paws, still smarting from the thorn of Capricorn’s restriction over Leo. (Dare I say Capricorn’s superiority over Leo? No. I dare not.) How about imagining Capricorns (of whatever chronological age) as kindly, but firm, grandparents, who serve Leos by counseling them from the vantage point of wisdom, by the virtue of seeing things from the top of the mountain. That’s a little easier, perhaps, for Leo to swallow. It’s rather like taking your castor oil or eating your spinach and asparagus as a child. It isn’t pleasant, but it’s for your own good and to your best interest to give in and stop struggling.
Leo and Capricorn are curious about one another. The Big Cats fascinate Cappy, who would love to know what makes them the way they are. Normally, the Goats aren’t curious, but Leo does represent to them a puzzle they wouldn’t mind piecing together, although they won’t lose any sleep over it. Leo, on the other hand, inwardly senses that Capricorn’s counsel is well meant, and may now and then listen. Not always, but now and then.
Capricorn observes with some amusement Leo’s extravagances of speech and dress. Within the Goat’s heart of hearts, he (or she) may wistfully wish for a bit of the Leonine daring. Cappy is often strangely moved by the huge scope of Leo’s goals, intrigued by Leo’s generosity and disregard for financial security, and maybe just a little envious of Leo’s courage in dreaming such giant dreams, then having the majesty to proudly command them to come true. How dare they not come true?!
Unless there’s a cautious Moon Sign or Ascendent in the Lion or Lioness’s horoscope, these people will not exhibit undue concern for rainy days, nor be overly troubled over the possibility of either poverty or failure. It’s an attitude totally opposed to the caution and concern for the morrow displayed by the typical Goat. There’s so much that’s different in these two. From their hair styles to their clothing, from their ability to be patient (Cappy can, Leo can’t), and from their Banking practices (Cappy’s a bit tightfisted, Leo a little loose-handed) to their speech (Cappy’s is somewhat shy and gentle, Leo’s is eloquent and dramatic), and from their method of reaching for the brass ring on the carousel (Cappy is watchful and carefully calculating, Leo is daring and impulsive), it sometimes seems as though they are from two different Universes.
If the Sun and Moon in their horoscopes are square or opposed, each will make the other feel markedly uncomfortable, with Leo privately believing that Capricorn is cold, selfish, unfeeling, and stuffy—and the Goat privately believing that Leo is wasteful and careless, egotistical and vain—as they see through a glass darkly, recognizing only the negative side of the coin of character in one another.
Should these Luminaries, however, be in favorable aspect with each other in their respective charts, Capricorn will provide a sturdy mental and emotional foundation, upon which Leo can build some lasting fires, symbolically speaking. Realistically speaking, the Goat could profit by imitating Leo’s vision and faith in the future, just as the Lion or Lioness will find the dependability of a Capricorn friend, business associate, relative, lover, or mate a secure and cozy haven of the familiar and the reliable when the skyrockets fizzle out on rainy days. Becoming competitive can turn them into either open or secret enemies. But cooperation can cause a strong and enduring relationship to grow between them, nourished in the rich Earth of Capricorn’s silent waiting and warmed by the life-giving force of Leo’s benevolent Sun—when they’re considerate of one another’s feelings, and take turns trying to be tolerant of each other’s seemingly foreign viewpoints.
Strangely and hauntingly, as with all 6-8 Sun Sign Patterns, Leo represents to Capricorn the eighth house of sexual mystery, death, birth, reincarnation, regeneration—and other people’s money. This often takes unusual forms in their relationship, one of them sometimes being that the association brings to Capricorn, through Leo, some experience of death or matters pertaining to death, connected with their meeting.
Cappy will see much further into truth by periodically looking at Life through Leo’s high-powered binoculars. Leo will see truth more clearly by occasionally looking at the world through Capricorn’s calm, steady eyes. The sudden comprehension of the true motivational ideals of someone completely different from yourself is always a magical surprise, bringing the power to open up a closed mind to the fresh air of understanding that touches the heart with an unexpected rush of tenderness—and the dawning of compassion. Leo desperately needs to learn and imitate the gentle humility and patience Saturn teaches Cappy so sternly, yet so wisely and so well. Capricorn just as desperately needs the warm rays of Leo’s Sun to shine upon that Saturnine loneliness of spirit, for no one can so miraculously release the Goat’s imprisoned yearnings as a Leo, who gloriously was born free.
I believe Old Man Saturn handled the channeling of words in this chapter quite sensibly, if a bit stuffily, don’t you? We should thank him, perhaps even give him a bear hug … because, like the Capricorn men, women, and children he rules, although Saturn tends to turn away from praise with a shy blush of embarrassment, his quiet heart pounds faster, and nearly bursts with silent joy, when it’s blessed by honest and affectionate appreciation.
Yes, planets can blush too, just like human Goats. Notice Saturn in the sky tonight, and see if that ancient star doesn’t seem to be twinkling a little more brightly than usual, its icy-blue glitter tinged with the faintest shade of pink—for love. Venus isn’t the only star to wish on, you know. Make a wish on Saturn. It may take a longer time of waiting and soul-testing to come true, but when it does, the happiness will last … and last … and last.
Leo Woman and Capricorn Man
He was never more sinister than when he was most polite, which is probably the truest test of breeding; and the elegance of his diction, even when he was swearing, no less than the distinction of his demeanor, showed him one of a different caste …
… he did it with such an air, he was so frightfully distingué, that she was too fascinated to cry out …
It’s always something of a shock when a Capricorn man and a Leo woman become emotionally involved or marry—a puzzling surprise to friends and strangers alike, even to their relatives. That’s the common reaction, whether the names of the Lioness and the Goat are Barack and Michelle Obama, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis, Emmylou Dreyfuss and Patrick Plato, or David Bowie and Iman. Whatever their religious creed, nationality, or station in life, these two are recognizable as markedly different; whether the Goat owns a junkyard, a fleet of tankers, a used-car lot; oversees a government, a shoe store, or a film company—whether the Lioness presides as Queen over the Salvation Army, an empire, or country, the housekeeping department of a motel, a cosmetics firm, a designer-label fashion house, or a cocoanut-juice stand on the Micronesian island of Truk—people will wonder, whisper, and conjecture. A lot of good it does them, because neither Leo nor Capricorn will stoop to discussing their personal lives or explaining their private behavior. Both of these Sun Signs consider it vulgar to take the slightest notice of gossip. Nevertheless, people continue to wonder.
How could a conservative Goat be attracted by an extravagant Lioness, who is so impulsive, so dramatic of speech and action, who majestically demands that her every whim be granted, who expects to be worshiped and looked up to, yet who refuses to look up to or worship any man? (A Leo woman will either look down on—or over to—others, but never up to them, a Leonine fact I’ve explained before in this book, but a vital facet of her personality well worth pondering more than once.)
Likewise, what could a warm-hearted, magnanimous Lioness see in a cautious Capricorn, who is more silent and brooding than Glamorous and Gregarious (the two G’s of the Leo nature), who pinches the pennies she tosses away like confetti, pays compliments only rarely, usually dislikes parties (unless there’s a practical reason for them), frowns on luxury (unless it has a practical purpose) and is singularly undemonstrative and undramatic regarding his emotions and feelings?
It’s a good question. Or rather, two good questions. But astrology has the answers. The Goat and the Lioness have more in common than meets the astrologically untrained eye; they possess more mutually fascinating qualities and character traits than the esoterically uninitiated might suspect or be able to recognize without a little study of metaphysics.
Consider the nature and needs of the Goat: The typical Capricorn man prefers marrying up the social ladder to down. He’s secretly and shyly impressed by—even in awe of—fame and success, whether on a local community, national, or worldwide basis. He obtains great inner satisfaction from possessions of quality and value (whether inanimate objects, real estate, or women) which other people admire and envy. A male Goat is touchingly drawn to the kind of women who promise to bring some sunlight into his heart by virtue of their ability to coax him to expand his emotional horizons, which he privately longs to do, no matter how gruffly he may deny it.
Consider the qualifications of the Lioness: The typical Leo woman realizes, relatively early in life, some measure of prestige and status, some degree of public notice or social distinction. Her activities can range from being queen of the prom, head cheerleader, chief of the local firefighters in a small town—to becoming a politician, a well-known actress, an educational leader, a pioneering scientist, or a successful career woman in a variety of endeavors. She is almost always admired and envied by both her peers and her inferiors (she has no superiors). Sunlight she possesses in abundance, and she adores guiding conservative people toward more exciting horizons, in every direction, on every level.
Now, consider the nature and needs of a Leo woman: Turning around the emotional law of supply and demand, a Lioness needs to exist within the shining aura of success. She must have a mate she can respect (she may dally with a drifter, but she won’t remain with him), a man who isn’t lazy, and who is a true achiever. She’s touchingly drawn to the kind of men who will be calm and patient with her thoughtless arrogance and dramatic manner. She seeks a man who will never humiliate her in public by a lack of breeding or good manners. She requires a male who’s capable of earning enough money to support her in comparative luxury (comparative in relation to the way most of us peasants live) and who will, further, allow her total freedom of behavior and not deny her the inner satisfaction that comes from taking permanent possession of herself through expressing her womanhood by impressing the world in some manner.
Consider the qualifications of the Goat: A Capricorn man has perhaps more potential of gaining the worldly recognition and material security admired by a Leo woman, from Ohio or Australia, than any other Sun Sign male (with the possible exception of Cancer, Taurus, or another Leo). His quiet ambition and driving determination to reach the summit of the nearest or highest mountain peak will find royal favor in her eyes. She’ll appreciate the fact that his cool, hard head matches her cool, languid poise. Because he is never lazy, this permits her to be periodically lazy (Leos need lots and lots of rest to look beautiful and charge up their powerful solar energy). His normally dignified behavior will meet with her regal approval, and the bashful sweetness he reveals to few people (she being one of the lucky ones) arouses all her warm and protective tenderness. His sense of loyalty is identical to her own. In addition, his seemingly endless Saturnine patience with her fiery temperament brings to her a relaxed sense of emotional security.
So far, everything is mellow and marvelous and melodious between them. However, if the Sun and Moon between their horoscopes are in unfavorable aspect, they’ll have to struggle hard for compatibility. He’ll accuse her of being vain, smug, spoiled rotten and selfish—she’ll accuse him of being cold, cruel, stingy, unemotional and selfish. (Selfishness is a trait they share in common.) Even if their Luminaries are in positive aspect, they’ll face a few tensions, like everyone else. It’s the problem contained near the end of the paragraph before the last one, beginning with the words: …. and who will, further.. that causes many of the conflicts between them. Not all, but many. Go back and read it again, please. Do you see the problem? If not, I’ll explain.
This lady, who is so sensual and graceful, gracious and generous, so sunny and cheerful and proud … leans to Leo’s two G’s, the Glamorous and the Gregarious. Not only does she require periodic parties and occasional gala events (where she can wear her crown or tiara and mingle with the masses), she has an equally intense need to be free now and then to follow the Sun on her own—free to spontaneously and impulsively decide to attend a christening, a coronation, a bake sale, or a horse show alone, maybe indulge in some cross-country skiing all by herself (not far, just at the edge of town) without formal permission from anyone, including her boyfriend, or even the man she’s permitted to mate with her for life and father her cubs. The Capricorn man who believes this is an exaggeration should question her long-suffering parents. They will enlighten him.
She’ll also dramatically demand (or privately desire, with unexpressed, dangerously pent-up fierceness) the opportunity to blaze her own path of glory in some creative occupation or challenging career. Leo women tend to retain their own surnames after marriage (although this sometimes causes them to suffer minor traumas over what to do about the initials to be engraved on the satin pillowcases, silk draperies, gold bathroom faucets, and such). Since the average Capricorn man is more than a mite possessive of his lady friend or wifely companion-of-hearth-and-home, he may balk. Further, the Goat dislikes open or active competition, let alone subtle competition (which he really mistrusts). Things could become a little earthquake-ish between them when he insists on being securely aware of his lady love’s whereabouts and activities to make sure she’s not doing anything which might disgrace the family name. The only solution is compromise.
He’s just going to have to give her a certain amount of freedom, if he wants to maintain a happy and harmonious home—trust her to have sufficient dignity and pride (believe me, she’s overendowed with both) not to disgrace him or herself, or to be disloyal, when she’s roaming the jungle solo, so to speak. If she wants to attend classes in fashion design or animal husbandry a couple of nights a week, he should demonstrate visibly and verbally his enthusiastic—not grudging—approval. It’s important that his approval be enthusiastic, because if it’s grudging, it will cancel out the emotional tranquility it could bring to their relationship. When she wants to visit friends a few blocks or miles away, or see a film he has no interest in seeing himself, he should phone one of his three old friends and invite him over (it had better not be a her), or drop in on one of them for a change, without waiting for an engraved invitation. Or he can putter around with the car while she’s gone—his car—she’s driving hers—and that’s another thing, they’ll need two chariots. The new, sleek, and impressive one for her, the secondhand jeep, station wagon, or pickup truck for him. So much for his areas of compromise.
She should try to handle her side of the compromising gracefully. Isn’t that the way royalty traditionally handles everything? When she tells him haughtily that she sees no reason to request his permission, however rarely, for anything she may wish to do, he should inform her, calmly and affectionately, with that funny Goat twinkle in his eyes, that it’s not a matter of permission, but consultation, and that even Queens are expected to at least consult with their Prime Ministers and their Kings—then quote a few historic scenes to prove it. He should remind her that the purpose of such occasionally required royal seeking of consultation is to make sure that major decisions aren’t impractical and impulsive to the extent that they endanger the castle or the Kingdom. If she’s going to gad about for longer than a few hours, it’s more gracious of her to let him know her general intentions—the kind and considerate thing to do. And this woman is genuinely kindhearted. To make people happy brings her joy. Once she realizes how much happier and content she can make the man she loves by showing some concern for his feelings, she’ll be more sympathetic and solicit his wise counsel more often regarding her plans. It’s not gracious of her to buy a peacock farm without telling the Goat, or trade his trophy collection for a helicopter without giving him a preliminary hint.
He’s a gentle lover, yet his passions run deeper than is ever apparent on the surface. Only the woman who knows the Capricorn man intimately is aware of the true depth of his emotions, the latent power of his sexuality. Until she’s seasoned by several years of love, the Lioness may be too self-involved to express love physically with her whole being, and there may be, in the beginning, something slightly selfish and shallow about her sexual behavior. But he is patient, and willing to wait for the richness he knows lies just beneath her feminine vanity to develop into the kind of mutual experience that will deepen their relationship. His quiet air of waiting, his eloquent silence when he touches her, will gradually move her heart and allow her to demonstrate the rare blend of affection, tenderness, and sensuality hiding within the aloofness of every Leo woman. She is a Lioness; the pure, feral ecstasy of lovemaking is part of her nature, and often a Saturn-ruled man has just the right combination of masculine qualities to arouse these feelings in her to their ultimate expression. His obvious desire for her is the key, for Leo represents the eighth house of sexual mystery (among other things) to Capricorn, and a Leo woman is always irresistibly stirred by the awareness that she’s truly adored, needed, desired, and wanted. If the Luminaries between their nativities are in negative aspect, they may face difficult adjustments, but the best way to meet difficulty is with Saturnine patience (his great gift to her)—and the Sun’s ability to make clouds and shadows disappear simply by shining (her great gift to him).
Her natural élan and nobility of bearing is why he admires her, but her nobility of character is why he loves her. Her great capacity for generosity and forgiveness softens his melancholy and even gradually dissolves his caution. He needs her warmth and courage, just as she needs his strength and stability. They are very different, these two, but when like mates with like, love has few lessons to teach—and who wants to stay in grade school forever? For a man and a woman to learn and to grow together is an exciting adventure. Leo’s fragrant, sultry jungle can be a seductive and thrilling new terrain for the Goat accustomed to the continual sameness of rocky ledges—and Capricorn’s purple mountain majesties beckon the curious Lioness with the promise of a magnificent view from the top. Such is the eternal and compelling call of the unknown to the human spirit.
Leo Man and Capricorn Woman
He was tingling with life and also top-heavy with conceit. Am I not a wonder, oh, I am a wonder! he whispered to her; and though she thought so also, she was really glad for the sake of his reputation that no one heard him.
The Leo male believes that he is, by far, the most practical person he knows. Whatever the actual truth of the matter may be, this is what he believes. He glances in the mirror, and the image he sees reflected there is that of a handsome hero-type, smooth and unflappable, who clearly has it together. Such is the flattering picture of himself he carries in his mind in all his dealings with those less fortunately endowed. Then he falls in love with a Capricorn woman. Suddenly, with no warning, he feels all feet, all thumbs, awkward, impulsive, impractical—maybe even a little foolish. For a Lion, that’s a mighty unpleasant mixture of feelings.
Naturally, he doesn’t let on right away that he’s so discomfited in her presence. What, him worry? Like Alfred E. Neuman, of Mad Magazine, he goes right on grinning, bluffing his way out of his uneasiness by going through the motions of being on top of the situation, pretending a cool poise he doesn’t really feel. The discomfort begins when he senses this odd teaching thing about her. Or is it judgmental? He can’t decide whether she makes him feel like he’s dealing with his mother, his fourth-grade schoolteacher, or his older sister, who’s always putting him down. Is it his father she reminds him of when she….? No, of course not. That’s silly. How could such a soft-spoken lady remind him of his father? But he wonders, as she begins to quietly confide in him her opinions about abstract art versus the masters, why she’s determined to visit Europe, what’s wrong with today’s educational systems, how she thinks building your own home is a more intense and total experience than buying or renting someone else’s concept of living.. and possibly legalized abortion. Something cozy and protective about him makes her trust him enough to tell him all these things. Normally, she doesn’t air her views openly, or freely discuss her personal convictions. He should be deeply moved by her decision to trust her mind and its thoughts to him, which is this timid woman’s careful security-check before she trusts her heart to him. But is he? No. Usually, he is not. He’s too busy thinking about his masculine ego requirements.
He listens to her benignly, with a kind of amused tolerance, taking advantage of her earnest concentration to study her womanly charms and mentally plan his seductive strategy, lazily calculating how long it will be until she’s lying back contentedly in his arms, and then he’ll…. wait a minute. She has paused momentarily, to see if he’s been listening. To prove to her then that he didn’t miss a word, he’ll affectionately, but firmly, scold her about some of her opinions, confidently pointing out where she’s wrong. Warming up, he tells her how she should wear her hair and what kind of sweater he thinks would be more becoming on her than the one she’s wearing. Since she’s so quiet and doesn’t interrupt him, he’s encouraged to tell her how she could improve her mind, her appearance, and even her health—by allowing him to guide her life-style from now on.
Something is wrong. She’s too quiet. He thought she had such lovely eyes, so soft and shiny, so twinkly with subtle humor.. but why do they now suddenly remind him of two steel bullets—or a pair of glittering marble aggies? Her gimlet stare is as cold as her voice when she speaks. It’s late. I have to be up early. I’ll see you next week—maybe.
It’s about now that those feelings of fumbling awkwardness and foolishness envelop him. He feels rejected, humiliated. He shouldn’t. It’s just that her reactions are controlled and guided by Saturnine instincts. She’s extremely self-protective, and she has the common sense to withdraw from an approaching battle before love is seriously wounded—or killed. It’s more loving of her than he realizes to call time out for contemplation. If he would stop thinking of himself as the priority problem, and think more of her, he would receive her silent message … Let’s take some time apart to think, because I don’t really want to stop loving you, and I might if you keep pushing me. You’ve almost made me afraid to confide in you again. Please realize what you’re doing. I don’t want to drop back into the lonely way life was before you came along. Maybe a week or so away from each other will make you understand the things you do and say that hurt me.
If he could have looked in her window after he left that night, he would have seen that her eyes were no longer cold with stern determination, but soft and shining … with unshed tears. She tries hard to stop her tears, this girl, before they escape and expose her innermost feelings, and usually she succeeds. But not always. If he had been able to see her on that night, he would have watched her weep for a few brief moments, her sobs muffled by the pillow she clutched, pretending it was him. The only way the Lion will ever really understand this quiet creature, who seems so eternally cool and composed, is to observe her through the windows of his heart when she thinks she’s all alone and no one can see or hear her troubled emotions. Even as a little girl, she kept all the nameless fears of childhood locked within, presenting to adults the image Saturn insistently whispered to her that they demanded. What a well-behaved child, they would always say, nodding in approval. And so her small heart knew that she was liked, the security all children so desperately and silently seek. Saturn teaches all Cappies, from infancy, to behave properly in public—and they never forget the lesson. The Capricorn woman subconsciously feels that if she’s guilty of a public display of emotion, she’ll be scolded in disapproval. Therefore, the habit of self-control deepens every year, offending some—and sadly leaving her to wonder privately what she has done wrong.
She’s not the only one. The Lion in our example is also tortured by wondering what he has done wrong. If he thinks it over with careful introspection, he’ll realize that he made several common mistakes with the Goat Girl: believing he could wind her around his little finger by the sheer force of his presence—falling to show respect for her very sound and already carefully thought out ideas about matters of vital interest to her—and expecting her to be delighted over his offer to mold her, like a piece of damp clay, into his image of the ideal woman.
This woman is not a piece of damp clay, waiting for Svengali Leo to mold her. She’s made of solid rock, plus mounds of earth (but remember that earth can be warm and safe and protective too). A chisel, or perhaps a few caps of dynamite might change the structure of her thought patterns and habits (slightly), but nothing less than this. Certainly they won’t change through thoughtlessly arrogant lectures from a smugly confident Lion, however magnetically exciting he is to her otherwise. (Leo represents the eighth house of sexual mystery, among other things, to Capricorn.) She’s not about to change her clothing, hair style, or opinions for any man, not even this proud one with the graceful walk and powerful jungle appeal, who undeniably makes her knees go weak when he grins at her, and causes her to be depressed herself when she senses he’s sad, whether she expresses her compassion verbally or not. Maybe he can gradually change her—very gradually—one soft step at a time. But instant change he can forget. A Capricorn female does nothing instantly, and regal commands, even loving ones, have the effect of bringing out all her stubbornness to strengthen her already-steely will.
His sunny disposition and air of confidence, however, melts her more often than he guesses, at the same time inspiring her and lifting her Saturnine gloom more than she confesses. She’ll listen attentively when he talks about his giant goals and future ambitions. She’s on the side of the good and the right, so his idealism will please her—and she’s definitely on the side of ambition, of all shapes and sizes. The grander his goals, the more she’ll support them, though she won’t hesitate to identify any flaws that threaten to make them impractical. He should appreciate her sensible advice, heed her instinctive wisdom, not resent it. Capricorns have quite a marvelous knack for turning dreams into reality.
Counterclockwise, she should be more often guided by his courageous personality, and listen to him when he tells her to ease up on the caution before she smothers them both in negativity. There are joys known only to those free spirits who follow the song of the skylark, and who realize that taking a chance now and then makes Life more lyrical. The Lion was born knowing that the Kingdom of Happiness is not paved with insurance policies against possible disappointment and disaster. He is a King, and therefore he can teach her the nuances of nobility. But he should lead her out of the dark dungeons of depression into the sunlight tenderly, not with a large shove.
The Lion in love with a Capricorn woman should memorize the proverb of the tortoise and the hare, even though the ending may annoy him, remembering that she is the tortoise, he is the hare. He’s magical and powerful enough to turn himself into the shape and style of a tortoise if he really wants to win the race. But trying to rush the tortoise only delays his own progress, and won’t stop Cappy’s slow, deliberate pace to cross the finish line. Time is her friend. Saturn. Old Father Time. No one ever beat him yet.
These two are almost certain to have approximately one debate per month regarding money. Such a waste of loving-hours, and so easy to circumvent. Why argue? It’s really none of his business how she handles her money; none of her business how he spends his. The simple solution is for the Lion and the Goat to keep their financial affairs entirely separate, forever and a day. She may want to earn her own cash, and he’s totally selfish if he pouts over this. Should he want to share his income with her after they’re married or committed (because Leo is generous, unless he has the Moon or Ascendent in Capricorn, Cancer, or Virgo), she should accept it in the spirit it’s given, not get all stuffy and independent about it.
However they work it out, she should be free to sock her money, invest it as she pleases, count the interest from her savings every night if she likes, without being tortured by his lectures on stinginess. Likewise, he should be free to make a kite from dollar bills, give his money to the needy, buy extravagant gifts for himself and others, lose a stack of it on a dream or a lost cause, or use it to light the wood fire on chilly winter nights if that’s what makes him happy—without suffering stern looks of disapproval from her. It’s the only way. Money madness murders love. Yet it’s nothing but green paper, bearing pictures of past presidents, unattractive pieces of metal, or checks printed with wild geese and scenic sunset views, which are also … simply paper. Only love is real. Money is an illusion, a mirage. They should split it between them as equally as possible, then forget it. Ignore it. Never discuss it.
Their physical relationship, because their natures are so different, depends upon the aspects between their Luminaries, Ascendents, and other planets in their horoscopes. If these are unfavorable, he may feel she’s unresponsive to his hunger for affection and sentiment during lovemaking—and she may be unable to express her love for him in a physical way when he makes her feel inadequate by finding fault with her sexual behavior, which may not be fiery or demonstrative enough for him—which has the unfortunate dual result of breaking her heart and freezing her emotions.
There are a few (a very few) Capricorn females whose sexual mores have become pathetically twisted because of some sort of rejection by their families, which is always a severe psychological wound to a Goat. This kind of rare, insensitive Capricorn woman accepts sex as casually as she accepts a handshake, an attitude caused by the negative side of Saturn’s influence, which hardens her emotions and her conscience simultaneously. She goes through the mechanical motions of erotic behavior, leaving her partners feeling cold and empty, but not nearly as cold and empty as she is left herself. Subconsciously, she uses sex to gain favors, or something she needs, creating a distortion of the positive practicality of the Saturnine essence of I use.
But this kind of Goat Girl is not likely to appeal to the proud and jealous Lion, and the great majority of Capricorn women symbolize promiscuity’s opposite—romantic shyness and sexual faithfulness. If certain planets, including the Luminaries, are in harmonious aspect between the charts of a Leo man and a Capricorn woman, their sexual expression can be a lasting ecstasy when he has waited for her Saturn-restricted emotions to be gradually released, through learning to trust him. Then their physical Oneness will possess the new and trembling dimension of tenderness, and he’ll be rewarded with the knowledge that he’s awakened the amazing depth of her latent passion, which will from that time forward be shared only with him. Nothing is a more soothing balm to a Lion than knowing he alone possesses his woman’s secret sexuality, a part of her intimate self she’s revealed to no one else but him.
She should tuck a small card in her savings account passbook (where she’s sure to see it frequently) printed with the words: Don’t drown his enthusiasm and generosity with excessive pessimism, depression, or unnecessary caution, and never wound his dignity and pride with cold criticism, which he’ll interpret as rejection.
He should tuck a small card in his car mirror (where he’s sure to see it frequently) printed with the words: Be kind and respectful to her family, stifle your lectures, and be gentle with her quiet heart. Understand that her conservatism springs from an inner fear of poverty and loneliness, some haunted karmic memory. Don’t forget that she needs sincere compliments and appreciation even more than you do, and remember that she only pretends to dislike sentiment and bear hugs.
On reflection, make that a very large card for the Lion. Maybe an eight by ten. In a gold frame. Twenty-four-carat gold, to make him happy. Antique, to make her happy. She feels safer around old objects from a more secure yesterday, fashioned by master craftsmen, who loved their work. That’s a hint of the kind of gift he can give her on the anniversary of the day they met. She may never mention it, but she knows the date. She wrote it down in her diary, then hid it under the mattress with his first love letter he thought she threw away. He should have known better. Cappy never throws away anything of real value. It’s up to him whether that includes his love for her.
| Leo | Aquarius |
| Fire—Fixed—Positive | Air—Fixed—Positive |
| Ruled by the Sun | Ruled by Uranus |
| Symbols: Lion & Shy Pussycat | Symbol: The Water Bearer |
| Day Forces—Masculine | Day Forces—Masculine |