Decan Walk: Capricorn 2
Welcome to the middle decan of Capricorn!
Lord of Work(s) (Material Works)
Succedent decan of Capricorn, per 777: A man with an ape running before him.
Saturn rules both Capricorn and all the Threes through the correspondence to the third sephira, Binah. The decan itself is ruled by Mars, which is exalted (high functioning) in the sign of Capricorn. All this yields productive results, as even though Mars and Saturn are generally considered “malefics” they are both very strong here, giving their highest functions of drive (Mars) and structured discipline (Saturn).
Saturn provides Time, and endurance through time; Mars provides energy, determination and the ability to carry any project through to completion. We see one of the disks in the image is marked with the hourglass of Saturn, representing Time. One has the alchemical symbols, the building blocks or material of creation. One has the Mason’s tools of plumb, square, and level.
The ape that “runs before him” invokes the idea of evolution through time. What has come before leads to what is under construction now. The material works created here can also refer to the body as well as to other types of physical construction.
The five steps of the pyramid in the background are also a reference to Mars, especially to Mars in Capricorn, its exaltation. The pyramid is built of the bricks of earth, and the aspirations of men (Capricorn).
Hellenistic deity per “36 Airs of the Zodiac” fragment: Hugleia, more commonly known as Hygieia, the goddess associated with health and healing, the daughter of Asclepius and Epione.
Ptolemaic deity per 777: Riruphta, an obscure reference probably from Kircher’s Bembine tablet translation, who may have some relation to Ptah, the Divine Artificer who was patron of all craftsmen.
Personally I really like this decan. Not sure why, unless it is because I have Mars in this decan in my Vedic (Sidereal) chart, and I’m a crafts-person myself. Already feeling a bit more energetic, after the post-holiday lethargy.