A square mango wood box with the sign of Capricorn. Its base measures 10 × 10 cm and its height 6 cm. In the cream circle at the centre of the dark blue lid is a gold goat’s head with long, sweeping horns and flowers beneath its chin. Twelve sections around it hold the zodiac constellations, with gold dots around the edge of the circle. Two tiny hinges sit at the back and a metal clasp at the front. Open, the lid stands on its hinges. Made in India; you receive one box.
The sea goat
On old star maps Capricorn is an odd creature, a goat in front with a fish’s tail behind. According to the Roman writer Hyginus, the god Pan leapt into the Nile to escape the monster Typhon and turned half into a fish. The sign runs roughly from 22 December to 19 January.
Capricorns are said to be patient and persistent, and to finish whatever they start.
An earth sign at the start of winter
Capricorn is an earth sign, together with Taurus and Virgo, and astrology links it to Saturn. The Sun enters it at the winter solstice, when the nights are longest.
Stones and incense cones
An earth sign deserves a box of stones, such as a few raw crystals or a handful of pebbles. A small supply of incense cones fits too, but light them outside the box, in a heat-proof holder. If you would rather keep jewellery in it, rings and bracelets have plenty of room. A dry, soft cloth is enough for cleaning; keep the box off radiators.
A Capricorn birthday often falls around Christmas and New Year. With this box you can give them something that is theirs alone, with their own sign on it.