One astrological writer summed up the two types of Capricorn by describing the two types of goat, the griddy mountain goat, stepping neatly from crag to crag, always moving on to nibble greener grass further up the mountain, and the domestic goat restricted to the small patch of grass within the circle allowed by a post and chain.

Generally speaking, Capriconians are ambitious, always looking out for promotion or a raise in salary. They do not have to keep up with the people next door, they either are the people next door, or are already ahead of them, They are splendid businessmen and women, and the positive Capricornian will surely make the grade if she sets out to do so.

Capricornian wives will do their fair share of pushing their husbands (and themselves) up the social ladder. So much for the mountain goat. The domestic goat, stuck in the valley, is sad indeed. She too has ambition, but try as she may - and she will try - the burdens of competition will simply be too much for her.

If she is wise, she will find her own quiet, safe level in a simple job she can do quietly, unruffled, in her own way, in her own time. One of the most delightful Capricornian traits is their sense of humour. Capricornians are basically people of few words, but their dry, somewhat dour comments can be extremely funny. Often their smile is a smile in reverse - a turning down of the corners of the mouth, sometimes accompanied by a deep grunt! Capricornians are reliable, patient, and cautious - perhaps to a fault - and can bear considerable hardship if circumstances demand it.

They tend to be conventional, and find it particularly difficult to identify with the emotional freedom and permissiveness of their young contemporaries. Generally speaking, the Capricornian is a self-contained person, and because so much of her energy is geared towards her career interests and prestige, she may tend to miss some of the more human elements of life. Her sense of discipline and purpose need not dehumanize her, though this can happen in extreme cases.