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                               CAPRICORN  &  HEALTH                       
                                 December 22 to January 19                                                

Ruling Planet:   Saturn***Element:   Earth***Modality:  Cardinal***Sign:   Feminine

     The sun is weak in this sign, but Capricorn does tend toward longevity unless afflicted by Moon or Saturn. Being earth and ruled  Saturn, natives of this sign tend to be inflexible to new ideas and dislike changes in their life. They love their habits and routines. This inflexibility can be harmful since their bones are as rigid as their personality. They normally suffer from insecurity and anxiety in youth but blossom under Saturn in the later years. Capricorns fear that they will be judged by society and found lacking, so they are usually first to arrive on the job and the last to leave, forever climbing that ladder to success.  They worry a lot which is responsible for the "frown lines" on their faces and for periods of depression which become overwhelming from time to time. Depression and feelings of hopelessness can be as debilitating as physical illness. Worry and anguish can result in health problems like heart attacks if they are not careful to relieve their stress with proper exercise.

     Parts of the body ruled by Capricorn include knees, bones, skin, gums and teeth. Its ruling planet, Saturn governs the entire skeletal system. Capricorns are prone to diseases that affect the joints, bones, knees, patella, and the skeletal system such as osteoarthritis, rheumatism,  and in the case of women, osteoporosis.

     Once the process of bone  loss begins, the skeletal system becomes fragile, inches are lost from the body, and the risk of loosing  ones balance and falling resulting in hip, spine, wrist and other bone fractures increases drastically. Calcium is the most important mineral for strengthening the bones. A calcium rich diet prior to age 35 may help to prevent the onset of osteoporosis at a later age. Foods rich in calcium are skimmed milk, low-fat cheese, yogurt, tofu, salmon, sardines, oranges, broccoli, kale, spinach, and tomatoes.

     If diet alone is not sufficient, you may purchase calcium carbonated tablets-an over-the-counter supplement. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for post-menopausal women is 1,200 to l,400 milligrams. Vitamin D readily obtained from milk and sunlight, is necessary for the absorption of calcium. Silica, an herb obtained in tea or capsules, will help the body to absorb calcium as will alfalfa, cohosh, wild yam, and comfrey.

     Weightlifting, under the supervision of a fitness professional, can increase bone density. Other forms of exercise which strengthen bones include bike riding, running, swimming, and even walking. Walking 2 miles  a day can improve your overall health as well as fortify the skeletal system. Use stairs instead of elevator or escalator whenever possible.

     Hormone replacement therapy can compensate but not completely substitute for loss of bone density. Study the pros and cons of an estrogen replacement plan, consult your physician, and then decide whether it is for you.

     One of the most painful and debilitating diseases to which Capricorns are prone is arthritis, which can encompass many disorders affecting the joints. A chronic ailment with no known cause or cure, arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints which produces a variety of symptoms from mild aches and stiffness to severe pain and crippling deformity.

     Message is a therapeutic means of relaxation which can be used to loosen the joints. Learn how to message your fingers, elbows, and knees and to work the muscles that are attached to the tendons leading to your painful joints.  Acupuncture is also recommended. Studies have found that those who have undergone acupuncture treatments have far less discomfort than those who have not.

     A healthy and balanced diet strengthens the immune system, which limits the inflammation in the body and in joints. It is recommended that, zucchini, tomatoes, green peppers, eggplant and white potatoes, be eliminated from the diet due to their high acid content. These foods are believed to deposit acid in the joints, exacerbating arthritis pain. Animal protein should also be cut since it contains both arachidonic acid and phosphorus which prevents calcium absorption.  Capricorns need also to increase their intake of antioxidants such as Vitamin C, E, and Beta Carotine, along with the  B-Vitamins which help the cartilage grow. Native American healers swear by the two herbs, yucca and alfalfa, for soothing the pain of arthritis. Both are available in capsules. If continued indefinitely, these two herbs can keep redness and pain of inflammation from flaring up.

    Excess pounds also cause more rapid deterioration of joints and cartilage  Aerobic exercise and weight loss can help alleviate further inflammation, swelling, and arthritic pain. Stretching exercises and yoga asanas which target the affected joints are also beneficial. 

     Herbs which may alleviate arthritic pain include willow bark and meadow sweet leaves. Sarsaparilla, a great-tasting tea, can relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplement, taken as directed on the bottle,  are also beneficial. Dandelion is a remarkable herb and is recommended to arthritis sufferers since it is said to breakup acid deposits in the joints. It also purifies the blood. Critical to joint health are the substances glucosamine and chrondroitin and chrondroitin sulfate. They help water retention in the cartilage of your joints, which is necessary for shock absorption. Take as directed on the bottle and in 8 weeks it should give you pain relief comparable to iboprofin, but without side-effects.

     Some theorists say that pain is exacerbated by a deficiency of copper and recommend that arthritis patients wear a copper bracelet so that the copper can enter into the body since there is no other method of getting it. It's worth a try, for a few months!.

     Capricorn rulership of the skeletal system also extends to the teeth and gums. Gingivitis, a condition characterized by bleeding, puffy, red gums, is the precursor to periodontal disease and main reason why adults lose their teeth.  For those who already have this disease, the best advice is to continue to brush and floss after each meal, and visit a dental hygienist  or periodontist four times a year.

     Capricorn skin problems are usually due to allergies, nervousness and hypersensitivity.  Because the skin becomes dry, chapped, and itchy in the winter, it is important for Capricorns to us moisturizing cream or lotion on their hands, feet, neck, and face. Common nonchemical lubricants such as petroleum jelly, vitamin E-oil, and aloe vera should be applied after bathing, before going outdoors, and prior to bed.

     The mineral related to Capricorn is calcium phosphate which is needed to build strong bones and teeth as well . It is also needed to maintain blood vessels and digestive fluids. Foods rich in calcium phosphate include cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, figs, plums, strawberries, almonds, lentils, whole wheat barley, rye, fish, and milk.

     If you were born between December 21 and  December 31, your birthstone is the turquoise, a blue-green semi-precious stone found throughout the American Southwest. If you were born between January 1 and  January 19, your birthstone is the garnet, a dark red semi-precious stone associated with the sun and energy. Garnets strengthen vitality, increase optimism, and can lighten Capricorn's dark moods. Metal ruling Capricorn is silver and your stones should be set in that metal.

     The colors associated with Saturn, Capricorn's ruling planet, are black and dark blue. Dark stones to which you respond include onyx, black sapphire, marcasite and lapis lazuli.  

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