The Western Constellation Capricornus
One-horned Goat King of the Forest
Man of the stars and asterisms that go with the Oxherd constellation can be found in the Western constellation of Capricornus.
This constellation was long known as the “sea goat,” and references to it were found over 3000 years ago in Babylonian times. The Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice occurred while the sun was in Capricornus.
The early Greeks referred to this area as the “stable” where they believed the sun was stabled during the time of shorter days.
There has long been an association of Pan with Capricornus, and the Sea-goat myth is furthered with the legend that describes Pan being attacked by the monster Typhon and then diving into the Nile, in which case, his body above water remained a goat, whereas his body underwater was turned into a fish tail. There are many myths which associate this constellation with bringing things out of the Sea.
This constellation has many associations with nourishment, as the goat is thought to have breastfed Zeus.
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