Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/178

118 The emblem of the cornucopia is a masonic emblem, and corroborates the fact that the major part of masonic symbolism has an astronomical significance.

Capricornus is connected in Egyptian astronomy with "the god of waters," and is associated, as the star Sirius is, with the inundation of the Nile. It was also known as the goat-god "Mendes," in the Egyptian zodiac.

Dr. Seiss claims that the Sea Goat represents a symbol of sacrifice and atonement. Csesius called it "Azazel," "the Scapegoat," and "Simon Zelotis," "the Apostle."

Capricornus marked the 22d Hindu lunar station, "Abhikit," meaning "conquering," and Flammarion asserts that there is a Chinese record of 2449 which locates among the stars of Capricornus a conjunction of the five planets. There was an early prediction made, that when all the planets met in this sign the world would be destroyed by a great conflagration.

Capricornus has also borne the strange title "the Double Ship," a name that bears out its maritime character appropriately enough, as we find the Sea Goat in that region of the heavens known to the ancients as "the Sea," and surrounded by other creatures of the deep.

Allen states that the symbol of this constellation,, is thought to be , the initial letters of the Greek meaning "Goat," but Lalande claims that it represents the twisted tail of the creature. Capricornus figures on an ancient Egyptian mirror. The mirror was emblematic of life, and there may be a connection here between the emblem of life, and the new life established by souls passing through these stars to the life eternal.

The Peruvian year, says Hagar, probably began at the December solstice with the celebration of the most important of their festivals, known as "the festival of the beard." During this month the sun is passing through our sign of Capricornus. The corresponding Peruvian constellation is called "Nuccu," meaning "the