Stubborn like a Capricorn

I was born on Christmas. Stubborn, in true Capricorn fashion, I wanted to be the center of celebrations. Perhaps, I was looking to live up to the hype conferred to me by my sign. Or maybe I just got fed up waiting for the new year as my sister had nine years before me. So, we still share a sign, but mark two distinct celebrations.

I have read that Capricorns were usually grounded and that is absolutely true. I know who I am, where I want to go, and probably can tell you approximately how I will get there, but since I am also realistic, I have to have a plan B. I will not call myself a pessimist though, just someone who's been bit by the snake and therefore avoids ropes that may turn into snakes or nooses. Yes, my sense of humor can be noir sometimes. I hold myself to very high standards and lucky for my friends, I have learned to relax and accept that others will not live up to them, so I can only control what's given to me. Or maybe I should say: lucky for me... Because, why would my friends consider themselves lucky if I turn into the judgmental teenager I was 20+ years ago?

When looking up Capricorn characteristics, the first to pop up are: hardworking, ambitious, and responsible... On a good day, these sound like a jackpot if you're looking to hire someone with this Zodiac sign, but not necessarily if you are looking to date them or have fun. From personal experience, hardworking typically becomes work-obsessed or workaholic... I am sure my children will get scarred if I continue down that rabbit hole. My being responsible is not helping either as I seem to only know what fun is from distant childhood memories. Or maybe becoming this serious comes with the territory once one has children? Who knows? Either way, I sure am a classic case of Capricorn.

My core is made of loyalty and reliability. Maybe that's one reason why my friendships do not typically encounter conflict, and on the few occasions they do, they emerge mostly unscathed, if not stronger.

In love, my ever practical side takes over as well. Maybe that is one reason why my classically Lion-esque ex husband and I had to part ways. He wanted to remain the center of all attention and not even involve himself with menials tasks such as caring for children, while my practical and loyal side put the children first. I was and remain assured of the righteousness and rectitude of my choices, but that could also be in part due to my stubborn nature. Meanwhile, he felt our marriage was lacking passion once the children became front and center. Note to self: Do not date/marry a Leo next time!

In retrospect, it makes sense. My Leo ex-husband was the cockiest person I have ever encountered. It irked me, but being confident in my skin, I assumed I would get over that hated trait. Boy was I wrong! And let's face it, Capricorns are rumored as being traditional in their views. While, as a feminist, devout to equality, I never expected much from men and relied on myself for most things, I assumed my spouse would be a provider of affection, attention, and breaks. He, on the other hand, assumed I would be truly traditional and be a mother hen, all-the-while working full time and caring for his every need. Talk about a mismatch!

I remain fiercely loyal to the idea of what I thought I had with my ex, and if I am honest with myself, I am still loyal to him, as a friend... Because, stubborn or not, Capricorns are not big on grudges, we move on and even pray for those who hurt us.