Monday 17 January 2011

Ophiuchus - new star sign or old news?

Professional astronomer Parke Kunkle of Minnesota who doesn’t even believe in astrology, provoked confusion and anger for many zodiac followers last weekend when he said during an interview that the 12 zodiac signs are inaccurate as the sun has been passing through thirteen constellations for a long time now, due to scientific explanations I admit I don’t really understand (a gravitational shift thing). The 13th sign is called Ophiuchus represented in astrology by the symbol of a serpent bearer.

Since these comments and uproar, many astrologers and astronomers have been interviewed for their opinions concluding this is old news; there have been many murmurings about this since the 1970s and even second century astronomer Ptolemy listed Ophiuchus as one of 88 constellations, so they are not going to be changing their popular newspaper and magazine horoscope system.

In case you are interested the ‘new’ zodiac signs are:

Capricorn:  January 20 – February 16
Aquarius:  February 16 – March 11
Pisces:  March 11 – April 18
Aries:  April 18 – May 13
Taurus:  May 13 – June 21
Gemini:  June 21 – July 20
Cancer:  July 20 – August 10
Leo:  August 10 – September 16
Virgo:  September 16 – October 30
Libra:  October 30 – November 23
Scorpio:  November 23 – November 29
Ophiuchus:  November 29 – December 17
Sagittarius:  December 17 – January 20

General Ophiuchus personality traits are said to be wise people, seekers of peace who are fortunate but consequently can attract jealousy, interpreter of dreams, far seeking, philosophical, optimistic  (with the specific association  ‘wearer of plaid’ which is amusing, of course), flamboyant, magnetic, with a thirst for knowledge.

For any one in the astro know these are typical Sagittarius traits, so not a big change. Some people from forum comments I've read have made statements like ‘great I’ve gone from a courageous lion to a moody crab’ 'or now my scorpio tattoo is wrong'. But Leos are a fixed sign with a propensity for moodiness too. So people would be wise to stop categorizing and appreciate the big picture.

Personally, I have never been a fan of sun sign horoscope astrology; it is far too general. The sun represents just a small part of the natal and transitory picture.  The combination of the inner and outer planets and specific, personal areas of our charts that have strong clusters and planetary aspects are far more powerful and significant. We are multi faceted.

A link to an interesting article on Ophiuchus.
http://blog.californiapsychics.com/blog/2011/02/is-ophiuchus-important-in-your-chart.html/

2 comments:

  1. That would be a storm in a teacup, then. I did have a small chuckle at some of the people they quoted in the news articles. "But, BUT, what am I going to DO tomorrow?!? I don't even know who I am anymore!!" Good thing we have you to sort us out. :)

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  2. Lol. Thanks for your great comment Kate :) Yes, I can imagine how unsettled some avid horoscope followers must be feeling. Best rule of thumb (astrology or otherwise is to try and follow one's heart, mind and soul. 'To thine own self be true'.

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