South Node in Capricorn or The Tenth House

The SN in Capricorn is evolving from strict personal law and order to an understanding of human flaw, frailty, and failure, as they journey from aloofness to intimacy in their lifetimes. Worldly achievement is ready to be exchanged for home and personal connection as the main base of operations. Status no longer offers the reward it once did as the rigid boundaries of self are relaxing into fluid exchange and merging with other human beings outside of hierarchical structure. The outer world of ambition is moving to the inner world of feeling.

Authority. The SN Capricorns know all there is to know about those in power. They've seen the best and the worst and now have no reason to please people in high places in order to reach the top of a ladder they've fundamentally lost interest in. Yet they often keep trying, placing themselves in stances of authority and wondering why it fails to satisfy. They witness abuses that enrage them, yet realize they have no means within their grasp to put an end to the cruel interactions. They have nothing left to do but walk away leaving others who need to learn these hard lessons in the positions they now want to relinquish. The cold calculated business world of obedience, humiliation and intimidation becomes difficult to bear when they realize that close personal interaction is just as important to the well-being and functioning of society. The clinging to the need for superior stance hampers the real connection they seek.

Achievement. SN Caps are often brought up to value prestigious placements and the social climbing necessary to get there. They wonder why all the struggles, degrees, and years of training don't bring the satisfaction they thought it would. They develop great expertise and somehow find it largely useless. Sometimes they move from organization to organization, seeking the fit that never materializes. Some, however, completely avoid the system against the desires of their families.

Status. This node remembers the circles of wealth and power and the hard road up from nothing to reach them. While once the glitter of elegance and money were ambrosia to these people, they now see the superficiality and ultimate emptiness of the lives of the rich. The yachts, the jewels, the multi-mansions around the world, and all the social games that are required are ready to be exchanged for a cozy bungalow on a simple tree-lined street in a comfortable hometown, if not in reality, then metaphorically. The recognition of kindness from the corner grocer is worth more than the millions and the nod from the CEO as these natives long for relaxation and human touch, gladly relieved from the relentless push through the political system.

Born old. Capricorn SNs fear immaturity and seem to have been forced to grow up too early never fully enjoying the carefree days of childhood. Some had troubled families with no one in control and adults who were unable to parent them properly. They often missed the normal comforting of mothers, or perhaps were unable to receive it, and carry a fear of intimacy into later life. Recognition from authority is frequently used as a replacement until they fully realize the limitations of these relationships and start the journey back home to recapture their lost innocence.

Management. Cap SNs are forever trying to maintain a grip on control, feeling the need to manage everything around them. This creates a relentless tension they are terrified of relinquishing, believing that everything will descend into chaos if they let down their guard. The fluid relationship with circumstance eludes them while they maintain a separation that leaves them cold and unhappy, disappointed with the outcomes they so assiduously pursue. They long to leave the power to others but lack the confidence in themselves to give up the strictness, stiffness, and formality, and trust people as intimates.

Pride, respect, and recognition. The memory of pride in achievement is so strong that these nodeholders fear being without important jobs and the daily struggle to get ahead, waiting for every nod from above to verify their existences. They no longer feel the pride they once did in the tasks they perform so well for their superiors. The awards ceremonies have become empty rituals and they wonder just what is so great about these achievements after all. Someone else can develop the best technique to remove tumors from the brain, while they relax at home in comfort letting the world go by.

Depression and pessimism. One of the hardest parts of possessing the SN in Capricorn is the deep loneliness and depression of spirits so commonly felt. Where once the isolation helped them win favor from those in authority, now the loss of oneness with the human family leaves them with a well of sadness that no amount of material gain can fill. The depression can color everything and they sometimes doubt that life will be good and that things will work out well. They remember age old sorrows, many in the family, and assume that the future will be more of the same. They are frequently pessimistic about their personal destinies and the prospects for mankind. The expectation of disappointment can be all inclusive and some refuse help being unaccustomed to caring and nurturing. This increases their isolation until a cold, stark, and empty dwelling becomes home rather than the cozy, warm cottage awaiting them at the NN.

Guilt and punishment. Self flagellation is common with the SN in Capricorn along with austerity, denial of pleasure, and monk-like asceticism in some cases. They have guilts that have no label or origin and often don't understand why they were singled out for such abuse while others enjoy simple pleasures and go on their merry paths. They don't know exactly what they did wrong and why justice hasn't come around to them yet to absolve them, redeem them, and free them from their confines. They miss the fact that they are already free and waiting for human connection to verify their goodness, while releasing the need for cruel and unusual punishment. They are better than they realize, kinder than they know, and more caring than they recognize.

Perfectionism and discipline. These SNs often have a morbid dread of making mistakes and being seen as flawed. In the memories of achievement in cutthroat environments, failure was not possible. Everything in perfect order, spit polished to immaculate shines, no hanging threads, no spots, no tears in the fabric. Every move is calculated until they are merely moving parts in an unfeeling machine, oiled and running smoothly to nothing. Relaxing and falling apart is their real goal.

Materialism. No one is more weary of the chase for material goods than the SN in Capricorn. Not that they want to do without, but they are ready to give up the intense, sometimes obsessive work it takes to acquire these things. They are learning economy and how to get value for less effort. Overworking, trying too hard for all they get, has finally exhausted them, coming to realize that commodities are not an end in themselves and that a person can never be measured by what he owns. The Mercedez is being traded in for an old Chevy with rust spots and maybe even a tiny crack in the windshield.

Bridging distance and showing need. A near impossibility. Revealing dependency and being seen as not on top of things is frightening. Showing weakness or too much bend was not allowed in the boss-man, and forgiving was done outside the workplace. Asking for emotional aid is what they really want instead of the balance sheets on their desks exactly on time, no errors. Sometimes they offer intimacy briefly then quickly close the door. Now they're ready to make mistakes and invest in others for emotional gain, abandoning the professional separation they've habitually tried to maintain.

Judgement and justice. The Capricorn SNs know we live in an unjust world but they no longer want to be the judges and the administrators of punishment. The realm of crime and abuse has run its course in their lives and they are eager to walk away from the struggle and build a personal dimension of goodness from the memory of society's cruelty. They've done all they can and now are completely ineffective as supervisors of the system. The failures of the outside world are becoming the successes of the inside one, where imaginary realms can grow out of the cold and harsh realities they're leaving behind. The comfortable place they truly want to inhabit.

The sphere of feeling. There is no one more capable of human closeness and sensitivity than SN in Capricorn. The pain of human isolation is as strong a memory as people can have and these SNs are completely prepared for human warmth and embrace. Reality is no longer an icy cold unforgiving entity they are trapped in as the inner realm of fantasy opens up and invites them in unconditionally. Circumstance is what they make it and is entirely open to their creativity, no questions asked, and no higher power to approve or disapprove of their accomplishments, if they need to accomplish anything at all. Living life in the moment just for the pure sensation is their birthright. No one can stop them when they realize how free they really are to touch life and trust it to care for them completely, the world's children finally.
Eye: M.C. Escher