Why Ophiuchus is excluded from the Zodiac.
Recently, an astrological controversy erupted online after it was suggested that the dates that determine the Zodiac signs had shifted by about a month, throwing millions of believers into self-doubt and panic.
This also supposedly re-introduced a sign discarded by the Babylonians, who determined the dates of the Zodiac: Ophiuchus, alternatively called Serpentarius.
The Thirteenth Sign?
Ophiuchus, also referred to as Serpentarius (the Greek for Ophiuchus means ‘serpent-bearer’) is sometimes added as the thirteenth sign in addition to the twelve signs of the traditional Zodiac.
The problem of Ophiuchus is very old: at least nineteen hundred years old, if not more. It dates back to at least the time of Claudius Ptolemy, the Classical father of astrology (c 130 — 170 AD).
Ophiuchus, the sign of the Serpent Bearer, is in fact the 10th Sun-sign of the Real Solar Zodiac (i.e. the Sun can be seen against the stars of Ophiuchus between 30th November and 17th December each year).
However, although it lies on the Ecliptic it is not one of the signs of either the Tropical Zodiac of standard Western Astrology, or the Sidereal Zodiac of standard Vedic astrology.
But why?
Ophiuchus is an Ancient Greek constellation. The Serpent Bearer is one of the original Ptolemy constellations. So why isn’t Ophiuchus a member of the standard astrological zodiac — the Tropical Zodiac?
Capricorn - Jan 20 to Feb 15
Aquarius - Feb 16 to Mar 10
Pisces - Mar 11 to Apr 17
Aries - Apr 18 to May 12
Taurus - May 13 to Jun 20
Gemini - Jun 21 to Jul 19
Cancer - Jul 20 to Aug 9
Leo - Aug 10 to Sep 15
Virgo - Sep 16 to Oct 29
Libra - Oct 30 to Nov 22
Scorpius - Nov 23 to Nov 28
Ophiuchus - Nov 29 to Dec 16
Sagittarius - Dec 17 to Jan 20
I want to have more sex, travel more, drink more wine, love life, and have someone film me pooping.
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| — | Zoe Saldana (via -keron) |
