The Thirteenth Sign
To Ophiuchus or not to Ophiuchus
Much has been made of the ‘discovery’ of a thirteenth sign, Ophiuchus; the Snake Bearer. This amazing discovery was old news, very old news, and came from astronomers who I am sure are excellent astronomers but pretty poor astrologers and therein lies the problem, comparing astrology and astronomy is a nonsense. Astrologers have been well aware of Ophiuchus for a long time, some use it in their charts but more of that later.
Astrology is sometimes seen as a science, it must be as it uses the planets and their relationships with each other and as mathematics are involved it’s science; right? Possibly not. Is Numerology a science, the numbered cards in Tarot or the numbers of the Sephiroth on the Tree of life and what about sacred Geometry? What astrology is for me is a divination technique and the plotting of an astrological chart draws me in, invites me to use my intuition prompted by the relationships of the signs and planets and a chart for me is an energetic expression of the individual or situation I am looking at.
The system I use is based on the Tropical zodiac and whilst it recognizes the planets in relation to the earth it’s starting point is always the Spring Equinox, the day when perfect balance exists between day and night and is the day that Aries begins, the start of the wheel and the seasons. A circle has to have a beginning if it’s to make sense, but the argument begins when sidereal (relating to the stars) time comes into the fray.
The precession of the equinoxes tells us that the view of the Sun from Earth changes throughout the centuries so it’s position changes and yes, the Sun may not actually be in Aries when Tropical astrology says it is. Sidereal astrologers will incorporate that into their charts and make use of Ophiuchus and will use different dates for the signs, but they are in the minority, which doesn’t make them wrong in any way shape or form before anyone writes in, my point is simply that it’s a different system and a complicated one at that.
The signs of the zodiac are not the same as the constellations, they are part of a system but one of the main things I have had e-mails and letters about are about the changing of signs and how some of you never felt you were ever a true Gemini, Aries or whatever sign you are. This probably has more to do with the way Sun sign astrology is used. Sun sign astrology is broken into the twelve signs and as a Sun sign astrologer it’s my job to look at what will affect most of you. You’re not just your Sun sign.
You may be a Capricorn, but you could have many planets in Aquarius as well as Aquarius as your rising sign, which would explain why you feel more Aquarian? Having your natal chart done by a good astrologer will help you understand your chart and the way astrology works.
Don’t give away your Leo mug, pay for that Scorpio tattoo to be erased or panic about suddenly becoming another sign; you’re not!