Capricorn in the DruidCraft Minor Arcana: The Two of Pentacles

Of all the cards in the tarot that have associations with Capricorn (in the system of correspondences that I follow), the one that seems most appropriate for my last blog of 2014 is the Two of Pentacles, linked to the first ten days of Capricorn. Why? Because the astrological association I use is that of Jupiter in Capricorn.  Big, expansive, benevolent Jupiter – in the cardinal, initiating, down-to-earth, practical sign of the sea-goat... 

Jupiter in Capricorn, astrologically, is looking to expand and grow through hard work. Self-discipline will be required in order make progress – which will be steady but sure.  There’s plenty of optimism around, as long as the Saturnian side of Capricorn (remember this sign is ruled by Saturn) isn’t allowed to constrict that expansive faith and confidence by becoming too serious or fearful.  The faith and optimism of Jupiter here is rooted in reality and experience – while the opportunities for change and development come through reliability, sense of responsibility, and patience.

DruidCraft Tarot (trimmed)

So how might this play out in the Two of Pentacles, and does it work in the DruidCraft Tarot?  In this deck, we see a young woman juggling two pentacles.  In the background are two ships, representing fortune (Jupiter also being associated with luck and fortune), holding their own through the storm – the waves are rough and choppy but not life-threatening.  

Jupiter was the god of the sky, and of thunder, so he’s certainly represented in this image! The young woman’s effort to keep the pentacles in the air represents the hard-working Capricorn.

We need to keep things balanced, allowing for change and fluctuation, but it helps if we can approach this with Jupiterian playfulness, rather than with too much Saturnian caution.  Keeping things up in the air can be stressful, there’s no doubt – trying to balance work and home, for instance, the material, Earthy, Capricornian realm of the Pentacles.  We need to draw on the optimism of Jupiter – to ‘let the fun in’ – but also to have, as the creators of the deck write, “trust in the dance of life” (Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, The DruidCraft Tarot, published by Connections, 2004), so that we can bring about the changes (Capricorn is the cardinal Earth sign, remember) we need in our work, our home, our lives.

So yes, I do see, in the DruidCraft, the boundless optimism of Jupiter initiating change for the better - good fortune, health, stability, and harmony ... a great message as we move into the new year! 

Druidcraft Tarot created by Philip Carr-Gomm and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington, published by Connections 2004