... but truth is best, and I want to tell only what really
happened. Well, not only could they not understand each
other, but they forgot their manners.
Sagittarians are droll creatures, sometimes clownish and amusing, sometimes sad and longing. Goats are sensible and surefooted, two knacks the Archers hanker to acquire, since Sagittarians are all a trifle "clumpy" and they trip a lot,over both their feet and their words, bringing an affectionate chuckle from Capricorn.There's undeniably an attraction here, of sorts. Goats know exactly where they're going, and Sag (pronounced to rhyme with badge) finds this an enviable trait, too (if slightly irritating), since Archers would love to have some general idea of where they're going - although, even if they did, it wouldn't be long after they got there till they'd be trotting off somewhere else. With the 2-12 Sun Sign Pattern ruling the association, they'll spend a lot of time learning from and teaching each other. Cappy will do most of the teaching, Sag the learning - reluctantly.
Each possesses a number of qualities which appeal to the other. Sagittarius,for example, is in absolute awe of Cappy's stoic control in the dental chair.Capricorn secretly envies the Archer's courage in playing the high roller in the game of life, regardless of how the Goat groans and grumbles over such impetuosity (unless the Sagittarian being dealt with is one of those abnormally quiet Centaurs, always traveling and gambling mentally, but because of an over disciplined childhood, never quite making the leap... just dreaming about it).There are other qualities, however, which repel more than they attract - not always, just if they're overdone. For instance, travel could create some clashes between them. While most Archers like to buzz around physically, exploring the world - and canter around mentally, exploring philosophy and religion (they all simply adore Don Quixote), Goats become nervous just thinking of such excessive hustling and bustling. The idea of living in an airline terminal, suitcases packed, forever on the ready, freaks them. Nor do they approve of flirting with
philosophy and religion. What was good enough for Father (and Mother) is good enough for Cappy. "Give Me That Old-Time Religion," with rare exceptions,is the typical Goat's favorite hymn. The church of childhood is sound and stable, so why question its dogma? As for philosophy, Plato was practical, Socrates was sensible, so why experiment with the new and untried?
"Maybe if you zipped around more," observes the Archer cuttingly, "you'd see how exciting the world of ideas can be! I'm searching for truth. Haven't you ever searched for truth?"
The Goat yawns. "Searching, searching, searching.... and what's to find?" (Note to reader: In ancient astrology legend, Capricorn has always ruled the Hebrew people.) "Running all over the place," continues the Goat sternly,"looking for something you can't even identify is a sinful waste of time. You could be accomplishing something worthwhile with all that energy. I can learn more of real value by following a definite plan than by spinning my wheels as you do, with no sense of direction. I'm not poky. And I'm not stuffy. In fact, I intend to travel to Europe next year to study art. But I know why I'm going,where I'm going, how much it's going to cost - and I have no illusions about what's over there waiting for me. I'm not going to stop in Rome, toss three coins into the Trevi fountain, and make a wish." Not all, but most Capricorns are symbolically (sometimes it seems even literally), firmly centered on the Earth.A few of them are so firmly centered they give the impression that if they stood too long in one place, they'd root in the ground and become ivy, twining their tough tendrils around their ancestral homes for centuries.
The conversational patterns of Goats and Archers don't always mix and match. The occasional quiet, introverted Sagittarians, who are more contemplative types, get along rather well with Capricorns in an average chat together, but most Sagittarians like to talk with more gusto. They're continually asking questions,like friendly puppies, always wanting to know the how and where and why of everything. At first, Cappy won't mind answering the questions. It pleases these sedate souls to impart wisdom to others, but when it becomes obvious after a while that all the Saturn wisdom imparted is being ignored by the independent Sag, the Goat will consider it all a game - and Capricorns don't enjoy wasting valuable time on games. Sag may complain that Cappy is too quiet, and never opens up - Capricorn may complain the Archer is never still, and won't listen.
That's what happens now and then, when idealism and seeking conflict with wisdom and caution. Yet, what would idealism be without wisdom to temper it - or seeking be without caution to guide it? "Scattered," growls the Goat. "More exciting!" retorts the Archer. And so it goes. If the Goats would
climb down from that high cliff of know-it-all, and the Archers would stifle their rashness and season their sauce with a little experience, they'd both see what glorious attainment might be possible by blending their polarities of opinions in a cooperative effort, rather than bending them out of shape through constant controversy. What the two of them need is a Lion to give them- a good lecture, a Ram to demand that they stop fussing, a Libra to listen sympathetically and fairly to both sides of their complaints, and perhaps a Pisces to teach both of them some much needed lessons in humility. Neither counts humility as a great virtue. Sagittarius barely understands the word, and Capricorn only appears to be humble. Beneath the apparent Saturnine self-effacement is a certain ingrained sureness on every subject, except perhaps - personal worth. In this area, Cappy can sometimes feel touchingly insecure.
On the positive side of the strict Saturn ledger of accountability in human relationships, the Goat will shyly, if nonverbally, admire and respect the Archer's unquenchable faith - and Sagittarius will know in his or her heart-ofhearts that Cappy is right about looking before soaring. The good Lord knows the Archer has flown into the clouds spontaneously, then fallen to the ground with a thud, enough times to appreciate the Goat's common-sense counsel of waiting a bit to test an idea or an impulse before aiming the bow and arrow.
These two are usually miles apart in their viewpoints concerning money.I'm always prepared to find the exception that proves the rule, but so far, at least, I've yet to meet a Capricorn who doesn't have a savings account, including the youngsters. Many Goats have more than one, in several banks. Sagittarius prefers a personal checking account as a place to sock cash, and there's seldom enough of the stuff left over to save. If you know an accountant, a CPA, or a banker who's a Sag, either that person was adopted, or the Moon Sign or Ascendent will be in an Earth Sign. True, Archers are bright, and they can be quick with figures, but they can be quicker with spending than with saving. There may be a few nontypical Sagittarians who have savings accounts, but even with these, the withdrawals will normally exceed the deposits. Those Archers with the Moon in Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn - or the Ascendent in one of those signs - will have more harmonious financial vibrations with the Goats. Otherwise,money could turn out to be the "root of all evil" between them.
One happier aspect of their compatibility is that the brutal frankness of Sagittarius - those stinging arrows of honesty - will bounce more easily off the Goat than they'll bounce off less thick-skinned Sun Signs. Most of the time,when a Sagittarian friend, lover, mate, child, relative, or business associate shoots a barbed observation of painful truth toward Capricorn, the Goat simply shrugs. "So nu?" remarks Capricorn. It's not easy to shake these people. Nevertheless,Sag should take it easy. Too many carefree remarks, and the Goat will slap down the Archer with Saturn's own brand of heavy observation of truth,which could cause the happy-go-lucky Sag to brood in a corner for months. Saturn ruled Capricorns are excellent instructors of necessary lessons to the impulsive and outspoken of this world.
At first glance, Sagittarians do seem to push Capricorns around. At least,that's the way it appears to onlookers. But while all the pushing and bossing is going on, the Goat is quietly and determinedly doing his (or her) own thing, and in the long and short of it, Sag will usually get the short of it. Like all Earth Signs, Cappy only gives in temporarily, to avoid argument. Then, when the Goat's had enough, watch those feet dig into Mother Terra Firma, as the Goat sits there sullenly, a lump of smoldering resentment, those beady eyes daring Sagittarius to push one more inch. Go ahead, push. See what happens. Most Archers have the good sense to know when to stop shoving Capricorn. (Before Cappy becomes really angry. That's when to stop.)
Sagittarians are, at heart, wistful clowns, bicycling around a three-ring circus,with a generally lighthearted attitude toward life's problems. Undue fretting and worrying distresses them. Their basic natures are sunny and valiantly hopeful, which is why they suffer so dreadfully when they discover the dark side of the rainbow. Capricorn's nature is more somber and restrictive (self-imposed restriction), the Goats having been born with a built-in warning signal for excesses and an innate sense of . . . . well, of surefooted balance on Life's rocky cliffs. When all's said and done, Sag is optimistic, Capricorn is pessimistic. Sagittarian optimism troubles the careful Goat. Capricorn pessimism depresses the Archer's soaring spirit.
Yet, at those times when the happy Sagittarius clown is broken hearted over the cruelty of uncaring souls who didn't share his (or her) gigantic Jupiter faith and generosity, Capricorn is there to heal the hurt with loving tenderness and wisdom - very much in the same way Sag remembers certain beloved
grandparents to have behaved in childhood. The Goat may gruffly chide and scold, but no one can be gentler, more affectionate, when Capricorn's Saturnine counsel has been ignored by the careless Archer, bringing all manner of woe down upon his or her idealistic head.
"There, there now," soothes Cappy. "Don't be sad and glum. Everything will turn out all right, sooner or later. The Sun always comes out after the rain.Isn't that what you taught me youself?"Yes. That happens to be precisely what Sagittarius did teach Capricorn. And the Goat is much wiser for it.
