Capricorn: Public Life and Career

Astrology can offer accurate insights both in hindsight and for future projected dates and themes for all aspects of life and the direction and timing of one’s career is one of its specialties. Do you have questions or concerns about your job, work or career? Call now to make an appointment and you will quickly gain clarity and confidence about the what, when and even the how regarding achieving true success in your vocation.

How many people do you know right now who do work that they love or even like a lot? Conversely, how many go to work because they ‘have to’? Most people spend a minimum of 40 hours a week at their job/work/career/vocation… Some spend a good deal more if you count the travel hours especially. Most people work to live. Many resent this fact. Some love their work. Some live to work. The concept of workaholic is widely recognized now. Whether you are rich or poor or anywhere in between, you work. The reasons are many: money, purpose, challenge, creativity, expression, calling, necessity, contribution, friendship, interest, meaning and so on. Of course, many if not most people will say I work for money or because I have to. This is where many of the problems begin. Yet, the work we do can prove to be and perhaps ‘should’ be on of the most important considerations of our lives. Many do consider it seriously, yet many do not. The good news is that you can make changes. Saying you can’t means you are probably right…in fear.

Beyond the practical realities of ‘making a living’, it is wise to seek job satisfaction, at least. There is actually an inherent spirituality in choosing work that we enjoy doing. One’s career is very much linked to the psycho-spiritual concept of ‘self-actualization’. Artists especially, of all sorts, will quickly agree that their work is the most important thing in their life. Some would rather die than do something other than what they like to do or feel called to do – a spiritual concept. There are probably many who have actually taken their own life, yes committed suicide, as a consequence of hating their job or feeling trapped by it and so on and there are probably a good deal more contemplating that exact thing right now. Working or pursuing a career, or however you want to say it, is a core aspect of life and of living authentically. Doing work that is in alignment with who we are is natural and it gives meaning to life because in so doing it we are in-tune with life.

If we did not work we would be bored. How can we know the sweet without the sour? Yet, our work can be sweet or it can be a fine balance of sweet and sour. But if it is simply sour, we are wise to do something about it. Fortunately, you can and there are people and services and tools and opportunities to do so. Setting clear intentions to do work you can enjoy is not only wise regarding your own health and well being, it is also an important contribution to society.

In Astrology, Capricorn, noon and the zenith symbolize our highest social aspirations and expressions. Like the Sun achieving this high point at noon, when no shadows are cast, we too aspire to shine our light in the world. Capricorn, the 10^th House Cusp, technically called the M.C. which is short for the Latin Medium Coeli or Midheaven symbolizes our aspirations for expression in the world.  In other words, our focus for career is emphasized by this point and, by extension, our social status and public reputation. Beyond the symbolic and theoretical, when we look at a person’s birth chart which offers accurate information about the birth date, place and time of birth, we can clearly decipher what that person feels drawn to achieve, how it stands to be expressed, when changes in career are likely to occur, challenges one stands to experience in relation to their career – even what kind of challenges and when they will occur and so on. In other words, Astrology is an excellent tool for deciphering right vocation and all the ins and outs regarding one’s job, work and career.

In our modern world it has become popular to believe that everything is random and that we can do anything and be anything we want. ‘Infinite possibilities’ is the popular slogan. This grasp at freedom sounds good but is, I believed, based on the notion that everything in creation is random. Some interpret it as the basis of our right to freely chose and to choose freely. There is a lot of truth and merit in this to be sure and I would say a lot of good intentions too. However, it sends a mixed message. Positively, it speaks to helping people break out of limiting ruts regarding their work/career. Negatively, it subtly masks a materialistic philosophy and loses sight of the fact that by virtue of our nature, we were actually born to do certain types of work or pursue particular types of career paths that best align with our nature. When we do not, it quickly becomes apparent. But since the notion of finding the right kind of work is not often supported, too many people feel trapped.

Appreciating that the concept of ‘right vocation’ is real and is inherently a spiritual concept can awaken us to recognize that life happens on purpose and it is not random.  Astrology proves this actually. Sadly, many push Astrology to the side as though it is superficial or archaic or dogmatic. What this action does is actually reveal ignorance and arrogance and desire for attention, at all costs. It sends a seductive message of unlimited possibility and in so doing appears benevolent and free yet is actually irresponsible. Yes, there is free will choice. Also, life does have many chapters and cycles and our careers do change. So, it certainly can all appear random and chaotic. But believing that this means that anything goes is a kind of denial or oblivion or idealistic sensation. It is a false notion of freedom, a form of ego-centrism and a lack of respect for the fact that all life happens on purpose.

Anything can become dogmatic and this is true of Astrology too. Yet, Astrology quickly illustrates a conscious universe and proves that life happens on purpose. However, if you go to an Astrologer and you ask them to describe what looks likely in terms of social and professional aspirations, proclivities, desires and healthy expressions either in the long or the short term, you will probably soon realize that you are not being convinced of anything. Rather, you will realize that the Astrologer, if they are proficient at what they do, is conveying an essential truth because you will feel it to be so, you will realize it intuitively and it is very likely that you will already be doing the work or pursuing the career that is being described. If not, it is likely that you will hear a description of the kind of work you probably dream of doing. Further, this insight might help you realize that the work you do, is not only not for you, it may actually be a major contributing factor in your overall state of health and happiness. Admittedly, sometimes we are at a place where we simply need a job and these times are the exception. It is when this exception becomes the rule that problems begin.

The insights that Astrology offers is very effective in helping people not simply do anything they want, but to awaken to what life wants. Not the government or the church or your parents or spouse or society in general, but what life wants. Many would scoff at this and they would do so because they lack the faith and understanding that life is not only conscious, but it is intelligent and it is aware and, it would appear, functions on the basis of laws and what has been described many times as a plan. Our educational curriculums do not teach us this – too religious. As a consequence, shallow materialism rules the day and despite all our many advanced technologies and gadgets and conveniences, many people remain lost and unfulfilled. Divorcing people from nature is linked to divorcing them from their beliefs and vice versa. This practice is old and was a key tool in the politics of building empires throughout history and it remains so today. Giving credence to the notion that life is intelligent is a virtual heresy to some. These are the ones who stand to lose from such a concept. In other words, those who are positioned to benefit from a more random notion of life are those who gain the most from the existing status quo. The more people accept that it is random, the more they can accept that those who hold positions of power and authority earned it and deserve it, especially those that have it. And if keeping others confused offers a greater likelihood that the privileged position they hold is that much more secure, well then such notions might seem especially threatening. This is probably the biggest factor that has lead people away from the wisdom of Astrology than anything else. However, if these people clearly and genuinely directed their efforts towards the welfare of all people, then it would not be so bad. We live in a time when many are more powerful than any monarch could ever have dreamed of, yet they have no responsibility to render service back to those who revere them and offer their allegiance. Consequently, poverty and starvation is rampant and profit and privilege of the few remains the common rational. Civilization is not solving problems; it is creating them in droves. This may largely be attributed to the fact that we have lost touch with nature and our own natures and vice versa.

How many sell out in the market place? Answer: many. Why? Because it seems like that is just the way it is and after all we have to survive. This is why some heroic voices have arisen to inspire people to concepts and strategies to break free. These attitudes and strategies are valid in themselves and probably sincere and there is some genuine wisdom and intelligence in them. The wisest among these speak of setting intentions, working the magic, tuning-in and living authentically. Understand the Secret. The deeper question is: what does it mean to be free, truly free? I believe that the answer is paradoxical. In other words, freedom is not about doing nothing or anything you want, or aiming to ‘never have to work again’ it implies alignment and surrender to the deeper guiding force within. Freedom also requires discipline and ultimately comes back full circle to mean contribute according to your true nature. This may sound ideal yet it is important that we aim to achieve it. The first step in doing so is to decipher if you are or are not selling out in the market place. If you are, as much as you may look like and even feel like a winner, you are actually not.

But such notions seem not to be as loud and popular as those that refer to freedom from a more materialistic perspective. I interpret this voice of freedom to generally come under the category of the human potential movement. I can imagine that it is still in its infancy and again, within it is some genuine wisdom. From my experiences of this movement, however, the focus is more often brain centered than heart and soul centered. Some will debate this. However, I have not heard many of the leaders of this movement speak about the deeper reaches of why making the effort to determine what is right vocation and the value of to pursuing it for both personal and collective benefits.  

Woven within the marketing message of this movement is a form of selfishness that speaks to financial independence. As attractive and even as valid as such an aspiration is the basis of this attitude remains random and materialistic. It does not help us to tune-in and decipher what kind of work is natural to us and healthy in terms of personal growth and natural alignment? Nor does it give a lot of attention to the notion that by choosing to do work that is right for us, we actually make meaningful contributions to society, if even indirectly. How many people selling ‘you can be and do anything you want to do’ are misleading people into the ‘wrong’ direction? Answer: A lot of voices that pretend to know and pretend to be free are misguiding people, false prophets. Plastic images of shiny sports cars or SUVs’ and big mansions and golf courses and idle moments on some tropical sea side beach and a few servants perhaps. Why not? The notion of ‘do unto others is not to be heard or seen. ‘They are the losers, you are the winner’ is the unspoken message. In other words, you do not often hear these voices encouraging you to render some genuine form of meaningful service. The meaning of life is what you make it. You can decide to be the master of your destiny. Life is random so be and do and have anything you desire. The image all sounds nice and attractive, yet it is superficial and behind the scenes of this idyllic image is the many that foot the bill or pay the price or are the loser.  

Some say the world is large, some say it is small. Both are true from various standpoints. But one thing is certain, it is not infinite. There is just so much space, especially in an over populated world, and the notion of infinite also sends another wrong message. It sends a message of anything goes or more precisely, whatever it takes and ‘go big or go home’ or ‘be a giant’ or ‘why work for others when they can work for you’ or take charge, take command, be in control of your life. It speaks nothing of tune-in to yourself and life. Awaken to a deeper vision of harmony and balance. Such notions would probably come under the category of weakness. Survival of the fittest is the other unspoken message. Slavery is the consequence of such a message and elitism is the other side and the elite can afford slick manipulations and mass deceptions and cover-ups and conspiracies and if they get caught they can buy their way out. Why, some of them own the prisons and by extension the courts.  

What I often hear from the sales of those convincing you that you can be and do anything you want, is an underlying theme of excess based on ambition and beneath that a fear of ‘having to’ do what you do not want to do and beneath that confusion and beneath that a lack of appreciation and respect for the intimate relationship we actually share with the natural world. In other words, get rich and never have to work again. This is the opposite extreme of working too much or at the wrong job or career. It is a form of selfishness. Can everyone achieve this? No, because society needs people to make it work. It sounds better than working at a job we do not like, but it is selfish and offers short term solutions to people and increases or at least perpetuates core problems and deep imbalances that plague all societies.

The imbalance is very old and stems way back to when people began to enslave other people. Yes, it is common to believe that we are justified in manipulating others to do things so that we can be wealthy and free. That this comes at the expense of others is its own form of materialism, ignorance and fear. It is actually the epitome of ego-centric thinking and it is old and we collectively enable it. Many who have established wealth or who come from old money and so forth assume that it is their right to live a more privileged life than others and to actually use the skills, talents and energies of others for their own gain. Rather than use their privilege to create a better more equitable and sustainable world, it fosters a rational of superiority and superficial privilege, which was gained from the world in general and society in particular. It is like this in all societies. A form of survival of the fittest where might is right. Now, in the complexities of the modern world, subtler manipulations than whips and deprivations are generally used. There are other examples of imbalance yet the main point is that there are a lot of old, imbalanced attitudes that remain active in our times. These imbalances are forms of sickness, of pathology, of insanity. Yet, they have become the norm so it is hard to see it clearly.

It is no wonder despite all our technological advances, not only are many people unhappy and unfulfilled and enslaved, working more than ever in history in many cases, we are also steadily and rapidly contaminating the natural world and ourselves. The list of problems and causalities that stem from this delusional conviction of freedom is long. Ironically, the consequences of such notions are not freedom at all, at least not for most people. They actually lead to yet another form of slavery.

In our modern era we have more and live better than did the monarchs of old – even people who live on low incomes. This is a relative statement; yet the point is that we have the technology and we have created civilization in such a way that we can now actually afford to take the time and reflect upon what modes of expression in society and in our careers actually reflect our heart’s desire. We no longer need to act to simply survive but how many people believe that this is precisely what they must do? Answer: Most people. We assume that if we did not ‘have to go to work’ we would be lazy and addicted and bored and that civilization would dissolve into debauchery.

The world we have created is one whereby entire industries have emerged that prey upon the many problems that our imbalances and disrespect for nature and natural alignment produces. Sadly yet to be expected, these industries are some of if not all of the wealthiest and most powerful of all. Taking a stand to make this known is out there, fortunately. It is all people’s interest that we create a more balanced world where people and society can flourish with dignity. We can contribute to this as well by taking the risk to do what we love and to love what we do. Beyond all notions of prediction, Astrology can and does offer insights about what is natural in any are of our life and this includes our career. In so doing, we not only enjoy our work, but we contribute to a more balanced world.

It may sound idealistic to consider that we can all actually do what feels good and true verses ‘suck it up’ and get back to work. However, is this not the goal of civilization? What does the word civil really mean? Is it about controlling ourselves and one another to such a degree that our thoughts and actions are completely inauthentic or that control and coercion are ‘just the way it is’? Given the current state of the world, one might think so.

On the contrary, when we are in-tune with who we are naturally, giving of ourselves according to our nature then becomes a joy because it is natural to want o participate and contribute according to our nature. No one wants to be bored and it feels good to contribute in meaningful ways. To be civil means to be in-tune with who we are and with nature and with other people and society in general. In as much as we are then the many imbalances that plague the world would dissolve. This is not to say that we would eliminate every rule and law. However, it might lead to an emphasis on attunement and alignment and healing verses to corrections, coercions’, and punishments. Knowing what this might be and how we can achieve it and when changes might occur and what challenges are implied is something that good Astrology can provide.