The Astrology of Kink: The Complex Capricorn
September 24, 2008 by Laura F. Walton
Leather and lace, fringe and fetish … in this series, we’ll take a peek at the kinkier side of the zodiac. Each sign has its own distinct sexual flavor; by combining the various tastes you find in the natal chart, each person’s unique sexual recipe begins to emerge. We’ve made it to Capricorn — it’s about time, too — and the sign of the Goat happens to be one of the most pivotal sexual influences of all.
Capricorn is the sign of authority and ambition. Saturn’s drive for material mastery is readily expressed in that most physical of physical-plane activities, sex. Capricorn lies on the projective, paternal end of the “mama/papa” authority axis, and has a strong influence on sexual preferences.
For one thing, depending on where Capricorn falls in the chart, it’s often a clear indicator of BDSM tastes. As counterintuitive as it may seem, Capricorn Suns (and sometimes Capricorn Ascendants) often like to be dominated, and dominated completely, in the bedroom. If this seems odd, think of the proverbial hard-driving executive who secretly visits a dominatrix for various forms of discipline, bondage, and sadomasochistic release. While urban myths like these are often completely goofy in many ways, they can sometimes contain a grain of truth.
In this case, the grain of truth is that Saturn is a hard master, and creates a tremendous amount of internal pressure in those he rules. Many Capricorns do find release through complete sexual abandonment; long-term relationships sometimes take the form of a total power exchange, in which the Capricorn in question is relieved of all non-public responsibilities by becoming a slave at home.
However, this sign can be surprising in more ways than one; it behaves somewhat differently elsewhere in the chart. Venus, Mars, and (sometimes) the Moon in Capricorn are likelier to create a dominant partner than a submissive one. There are differences in how Capricorn influences men and women, too. Strong Capricorn influences are found in the charts of countless lesbians (dominant or not) as well as in the charts of heterosexual women who are direct, projective, and unwilling to compromise themselves simply because they’re women. In the study of gender variance in women, Saturn is key.
But what about those Capricorns who don’t necessarily like ropes, chains, and strap-ons? Even the most vanilla-seeming Goat will have distinct sexual preferences, usually about who’s on top. Once you get them to open up — and they can be reticent at first — Capricorns are direct, vigorous lovers. Experimentation isn’t Capricorn’s forte; they’re more likely to exhibit stamina and persistence than imagination. This is not necessarily a bad thing; while other lovers may move too quickly to something more interesting (like sleep, or a tuna sandwich) Capricorn is still there, taking care of business.
Spontaneous sensuality can suffer, though. Capricorn is very goal-oriented, and it’s tough to make them to understand that an orgasm is not a directive — sometimes, it’s merely a happy side effect. They tend to treat orgasm like a mountain peak that they must reach, as plodding or uncomfortable as the trip may become. However, most Capricorns are also sensitive lovers — in their way — and if you can distract them from their achievement fixation, you can usually help them understand your need for undirected sensual play.
Capricorn is a sexually complex sign, and no matter where it falls in a chart, it’ll tend to add a taste for the rougher stuff. If you fancy a partner who is either decidedly dominant or decidedly submissive — Capricorn rarely switches — find someone with this influence. Which will you get, though? The implacable top or the demanding bottom? Well, look at it this way — finding out is half the fun.
About the Author
Laura F. Walton is a writer, artist, and arts instructor based in Texas. She has been a practicing astrologer for nearly ten years; she specializes in areas of sexuality, individuality, and creative self-discovery. She has contributed forecasts for print media, and currently provides monthlies on her blog Astro What?
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Great Article Laura!!
I am a Cap Sun and Asc. and us Cap girls be lusty folk!
Man, what you said about the orgasm as directive is totally true..there is an element of work in everything we do and not having an orgasm is like surviving a long power point presentation without closing the account. There is almost a feeling of failure.
Almost all Cap girls I know have a “daddy” thing in bed too…
With my Moon, Venus and Mars in Aquarius though it modifies a lot of my Cap sexuality.
While I enjoy the domination THEME I have to have my partners work this out with thoughts and words…it’s a scary thing to be an Aquarius Moon and in handcuffs. It’s like hell on earth…or when last summers Burning Man got totally out of hand.
Oh and I switch (what can I say, handcuffs look good on other people).
What about a Cap sun/mars with Aries ascendant? Dominant or not?
I say top.
Bravo.
I have a good friend who is a Cappy sun, who is seeing a Cappy sun. They are both into TPE, and all that, and are both most definitely non-switchers.
Very interesting. Thanks again Laura.
Oh, I’ve been waiting for this article, and it didn’t disappoint!
Capricorn Sun/Aquarius Ascendant/Pisces Moon here. I have to say, so are so right about the dominant/submissive thing. I’m very much the dominant person outside of the bedroom. Inside of the bedroom, it’s about 50/50. I’ll have my way with them, but I need someone who’s willing to turn the tables on me. And boy do we treat naughtiness as an ultimate release- we have so many stressors on us, that it’s all about the O. I have a problem sometimes remembering to enjoy the whole of the experience.
Because of my ascendant (and I’m on the Sag/Cap cusp), I find that I’m more experimental and spontaneous. However, I was in a long relationship with a stereotypical Cap and he was very much “meat and potatoes”- it was less about the art form and more about stamina. I guess it’s all about what you like.
Thanks again for the article- very insightful.
Capricorn in bed = thank god you’re in bed, so you can go ahead and fall asleep during the event.
WTF is TPE?
WTF is TPE?…
Thank God you asked. I was wondering bout it too. I just didn’t want to advertise my ignorance unless someone else did it first….:-)
TPE (total power exchange) is a term sometimes used to refer to dom/sub relationships in which the submissive, or slave, hands over complete control to the dominant partner, or master, even outside the bedroom. Decision-making, scheduling, major life choices, etc., are made for the submissive.
What makes this different from plain old misogyny or bullying is that the exchange is completely consensual…everybody openly agrees to it, and derives long-term satisfaction from it.
I’m glad you all enjoyed this one! I could go on forever about Capricorn/Saturn; this is such a fundamental psychological and sexual influence, like the bedrock you hit behind the layers of the Libran/Venusian wine-and-roses, the Scorpio/Pluto mystique, the Gemini/Mercury sweet talk, etc….
At the risk of pathologizing, the psychologist in me wonders even what consensual means. I am not saying that all people in the BDSM scene have histories of sexual abuse — because I honestly believe that some of this is pure archetypal drive that is deeper than personal history — but if, say, someone has a strong history in which beatings during childhood were eroticized, and this person “chooses” to be in a relationship in which they are a sub, part of me thinks she is simply replaying her original abuse, just running the record player over and over, not really transcending, but rather re-enacting.
Well noted, Jeff, and I have some of the exact same concerns and questions…these are ongoing, so I may change my mind at some point
The difference between reenacting and transcending has to do with learning and inner personal transformation. When engaged in a sexual activity that touches an old wound, there’s this deep pleasure/pain feeling– it hurts, and it dredges up all kinds of inner tension, but it’s also highly pleasurable. It’s like scratching a cut.
Finding that spot of pleasure/pain is Step One. Step Two is acknowledging that spot, and exploring it fully with courage and an open mind. Few make it to Step Two; it’s so much easier to just sweep these things under the rug and live a half-life of “proper behavior,” or denial, or self-deception of all kinds.
Unfortunately, some people never move beyond Step Two, either, because the activities involved in Step Two can be addictive, seductive, delicious; they can also simply become habitual, and people give up, out of fatigue or complacency or smugness or whatever. And there’s where your endless reenactment comes in.
To get mythological (sorry) Step Two is just the descent, the pre-initiation. Step Three, the actual first initiation, often involves something like walking away from one of these pleasure/pain-giving situations, or taking on a reversed role, or something similar, depending upon the situation in question. If you try to move into initiation before you’ve learned everything you needed to learn, you can’t pass. The doorway guardian (whatever that is for you) is too big, kicks your as*, and you get sucked right back in.
Step Three is the bigger pain and loneliness of the initiation itself (which can last years.) It’s a raw time, in which all your psychosexual nightmares and closet skeletons are laid bare, to yourself and, appallingly, to others. It’s not fun anymore; the layers of sexy mystique are gone, and all you’re left with is your wound, your “defect.” It’s no wonder we all stop here and retreat at least once or twice, sometimes indefinitely!!
Step Four? And Five and etc.? I’d use the word “integration” rather than “transcendance,” myself, but I think we’re saying the same thing. Somehow you have to bring what you’ve learned back into the world, use it for something productive, something for the good of the community and the world as a whole. You never, ever get rid of those things that led you into the initiation process in the first place– this is like the discussions we’ve had on forum about hard aspects– but you can integrate them and use them in a more conscious manner, for something other than mere personal gratification.
Working through universal lessons through sexuality is tough. I’d say that it’s one of the toughest paths there is; suicide and substance abuse is pretty common among folks along this particular learning curve. In a way, we’re all on it, but it’s also definitely a distinct path; it’s a legitimate one, too, but unfortunately not one that we, as a society, acknowledge as legitimate.
That’s too bad, because the lack of legitimacy and acceptance leads to the lack of ready help and guidance– all you get is moralizing, condescension, and denigration. Imagine someone whose learning curve lies in the political sphere– think of all the support, mentorship, and readily available intitiation guidance for this person, in comparison to someone on a sexual learning curve. This is changing somewhat for the better, though, and I for one am glad to see it.
Sorry that got so long-winded…!
your long answer is much appreciated. It does indeed seem quite difficult to jump off the hamster wheel and figure out why we even do what we do, let alone feel what’s driving us.
I’m not sure we can know what drives us, not until much later, anyway. This is where I think our expectations of talk therapies sometimes break down; you can intellectually know all the answers, the reasons, the trails through the psychological layers, but until you actually step forward and live your own experience, it doesn’t count.
And that’s why I’m so pro-sex and pro-identity-freedom, lol….
Oh my, I don’t stop by for a day or two and look at what I miss.
Laura answered the TPE question, so I don’t have to address that, but I do want to kick on on what Jeffrey said.
Psychology for me is a hobby, not a profession, and I admittedly don’t have a great deal of book learning on the subject, but I’m a student of life, like the rest of us, and I like to think I pay attention.
In the kink community, of which I have been kicking around in for quite a long time, I’ve observed a lot. My friend, the Cap, who likes to be a slave is from a perfectly loving and caring family. There were no beatings in her life, and her childhood was perfectly fine. I run across many people in the BDSM community that had non-violent, average, "normal" chilhoods, and they are just there to have fun. They like it. It gets them off. That's it. There are some that were never hit as a child ever, who have spanking fetishes. Maybe they feel like they missed out on something their friends got? Who knows.
Then there are the broken. There are the ones that learned that love came with pain, or after. There were those that don't know any different. There are those that are so messed up they reach for TPE as a living death, a place where they simply go through the motions dictated by another, and thereby relinquish any responsibility for their self-proclaimed pathetic existence. There are those to varying degrees ALL OVER the kink community. Others actually "regrow" themselves with their surrogate parents help and it is cathartic. Midori (google her) professes that humiliation play can be used to get over issues if done correctly.
There are those that are lonely, with poor self-esteem searching for comradery and a sense of belonging. Those are the types that call other subs "sister" and hug a lot. Rather than finding their own strength, they meld into the group. They were not necessarily beaten or neglected, those kind of things can be much more subtle than that.
So Jeffrey, the kink community, once you hang around long enough and meet enough people starts to look exactly like any random sampling of the population. The commonality is that they like BDSM type things, the rest, well – they're as good, bad, and ugly as people who have "vanilla" sex.
There are so many things that are "not for me" in that world, including domination and submission. I prefer good old S&M, a fun adrenaline pumping (endorphin raising) experience with a good dose of anticipation and surprise. Like, say, a kidnapping role play. My childhood wasn't great, but I wasn't anyone's (regular) punching bag, and I'm definitely not "living what I learned" or anything of the sort. Just having fun, living a regular life otherwise, and feeling like I'm getting the most out of my sexual experience.
Laura, I really appreciated what you had to say, though I think I've droned on long enough. I have nothing to add and no points to argue, but I wanted to thank you for contributing what you did. It's a subject that is near and dear to me too.
thank you, Valkyrie, for correcting my assumptions.
I agree- with Capricorn Sun, &Cap Asc. as often being into B and D or S & M.
I was involved wiht a Cap Sun who also had Cap ascendant.
AndI also had 2 best friend Capricons too.All were ..interesting in their tastes.
Most do switch back and forth (in my experience of course.)
Jeffrey, when you said Capricorn "happens to be one of the most pivotal" I laughed–because, it's my own experience that they're the most *kinky*.
(and btw, I have a Cap ascendant)
As for the thoughts and theories that perhaps there are underlying issues re: true abuse that motivate such predilections–I have found that to be true.
Yes, I definitely agree with Valkrie, that it's not always true. Of course not.
It's sometimes just about release from pressure and repsonsibility etc.
But really?I'd be very surprised if even some of those aren't a bit twisted down inside too.
It's my professional and personal experience that it doesn't always show, isn't always even *conscious*.
It's not a black and white matter, either where some people are just having fun, and some are just miserably going along wiht their partner's demands as they did in childhood with an abusive parent or teacher.
Many people who like "kink" like all kinds of sex too–but have difficult ambivalent relationships (to say the least) with their opposite sex parent , and most have some history of abuse–why do you think it turns them(us) on in the 1st place?
It's not always a need to be to be made into a total slave,or to be a dominant either.
But as Jeff said–some verbal or physical abuse was eroticized, and/or was connected less obviously, to an older person who shamed and abused them (in *some* fashion).
There is also, I've observed a lot of things that people more women than men, but men also, will do to get attention, or appear open or cool.A girl may not be depressed and going along wiht her bf's abusive demands–but she *may* be trying to act overly excited by what she thinks *he* likes.
Another interesting trivia point I want to add is something I learned many yrs ago– that's that apparently, S&M/B&D lovers are usually higher-up on the IQ charts too.
or who knows…maybe a Capricorn statistician made that up.;-)
THIS IS VERY TRUE I LOVE SEX AND I LOVE BEING IN CONTROL… I LUV TO TEACH AND TRAIN MY PARTNER WHAT IT IS THAT I LIKE AND LIKE TO PLEASE HIM AS WELL AS TEACH HIM TO PLEASE HIS SELF… MY QUESTION IS WHO IS CAPS MOST COMPATIBLE SEX PARTNER?
@Laura and/or Jeffrey: heyyyyy…so why does every other sign have an astroloy kink thing except aquarius? i’m a tad upset; i’ve been told we’re the most innovative sign in bed (big fat duuuuh) =P
laura
@ Laura: Aquarius should have an article…lemme hunt for the link…http://sasstrology.com/2008/10/astrology-of-kink-aquarian-experience.html
Try that, and I hope you enjoy
@ Capricorn Girl: Traditionally, Capricorns are said to be most compatible with Taurus and Virgo (the other Earth signs) though Pisces and sometimes Cancer can work. Judging compatibility based on Sun signs alone is tricky, though! It’s best to check out a few more factors as well, such as Moon sign compatibility, Mars & Venus aspects, and Ascendant matchups. Good luck!
Caspricorn Girl, I think Caps are more sexual compatible with Scorpios, leos, aries and other caps. From my experience though scorpios have been the best.
This is True, I’m cap sun, moon, venus etc and I am definitely drawn to the darker side of sex, I’m a switch, I like being submissive more though, but being dominant is a lot of fun. I like edge play, I’m into s&m, can be very masochistic, I also have a sadistic streak sometimes. I think Capricorn and Scorpio are best compatible sexually, the intensity is amazing. They help us try things we want to do sexually but are afraid of trying. The darker taboo type things.
Very interesting, must add your link to my site.
What would you say about a female with sun, moon, mercury and venus in Capricorn? Ascendant of Cancer.
SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! there is a scopio guy(capricorn raising) who i knows like me but wont approach me. I see him everyday and i catch him staring but when i look he turns away like he wasn’t lookin’. Even know we don’t talk i feel a incrediable connection with him. When i look into to his eyes i feel the surge(not just in a sexual way). am i crazy or does he feel the same too. ADVICE ANYONE. it might be my last chance because i’m leaving in a week.
I agree with Capricorn and Scorpio being the best sex mates. Both most likely would bring out each other’s kinky fantasies.
Question: How sexually compatible are caps and sags?
Haha! YESSSS!!! Cappy are by far the ones who love being submissive in bed!!
My boyfriend is a Cappy and Im a Pieces and sometimes although the sex is so intense and liberating.. sometimes i cant even keep up with his kinky streak!! He loves being in total submission, blind-folded, calling me his Dominatrix and even fantasises out load of me being with other men.. the pure thought of it just turns him on.. i know its only a fantasy tho but this makes him all the more quirky which i adore. Yes ladies… these Cappy men love 2 be dominant in life and look after u but love the switch in role-play in the bedroom! 
Its like 2 different personality melding together to make this Cappy an explosive rollercoaster of a ride!! WHOA!! Watch out girls!! 
xxx
I loved this article. I am a Capricorn and a very submissive person in my relationships. I am currently looking for a master to have a 24/7TPE with. I always thought that the traits of a Capricorn made him/her dominant. So I wondered why I was a submissive. Thank you for this article.
@DIVASAG
im a cap man
i think caps and sags make good hot flings and one night stands,………. if you are into that sought of thing.
i dated a sag girl once, i liked her because she knew how to have fun taught me new things. the sex was hot and flirty. no real commitment,
after an argument one day she said “im tired of you and i think we need to see other people” I WAS CRUSHED ON THE INSIDE, so i said okay.
did not show one drop of emotion and walked out. went home and cried like a baby, damn she hurt me. after a month she was called me, she wanted to hook up i said would meet her but i never showed up.
I couldnt because i had gotten over it and did not want to open up like that again.
ooooooh….I’d love to be with a Capricorn man……..Is it really true, do Cap guys really get that dominant ? Do they like submissive partners or is it fun to wrestle first? What exactly does turn on a Capricorn man?
Mr Goat,
I dont blame you for standing her up. She wan’nt fair. I hate it when people hurt you and then expect you to forgive them without any effort to make it up….Its sad, but youll have the sattisfaction of knowing that women get this done to them too, many many times….Its a cold world
@ LibraLady
you know u live learn, i was young. the funny about that relationship was i knew going into it we where not meant to be, but i started catchn felins and i got caught slippn.
I know that feeling but it doesn’t stop a person from trying. We all do it, stay in a relationship just hoping that things will change, or they will….
I’m a cancer with a cap male. The sex we have is incredible. He loves to be dominated at first and I almost always have to initiate the foreplay. But when we hit the bed he likes to dominate and get on top. It’s perfect for me as I like the secure feeling I get from him on top but the kinky side of him is a real turn on as well. He can go for long periods and never fails to give me multiple o’s/ On occasion he has dominated and initiated the foreplay and anytime he does my heart races… I wish he would do it more often. At this rate I will never think of any other lover and if he leaves you better believe I will find another cap.
oh yay and i have capricron in my chart right along with my scorpio traits
idk if this is good or not.
Pheonix/Scorpio
I think it just means your serious and more focussed….