Your New Star Sign - Part Two

Article

The twelve equal zones that resulted from the Babylonian astronomers dividing the ecliptic (the path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year), are known as - the twelve star signs of the zodiac. However, over the last few years, what has come to light is that the Babylonians also deliberately omitted a thirteenth constellation, named – Ophiuchus.

The astrology world has not only had to contend with the controversy created by precession (the gradual shift in the orientation of Earth’s axis of rotation) causing star sign fans to wonder if in fact they have actually been the star sign they have thought all their lives, but apparently, ‘wait – there’s more…’!

Ophiuchus the Serpent Bearer is, and has always been, the 13th constellation on the zodiac belt; but apparently nobody has ever initiated his sign as a member of the Zodiac. One possible explanation is that it would have meant that it would not have been a convenient; one constellation for each of the twelve months of the solar calendar year - although it would have fitted in the 13 month lunar year very nicely.

Another explanation has been said to be that the constellation Ophiuchus was never added to the chart because astrologers believed the Sun went straight from Scorpius (Scorpio) into Sagittarius, even though the Sun travelled through Ophiuchus for nineteen days before entering Sagittarius. Whatever, the reason for the omission, let’s focus on the information available about this long overlooked constellation and star sign.

Ophiuchus – the 13^th Sign of the Zodiac:

• Prounounced : O – fee- U - cuss
• named by his relationship to the archetypal being called the Serpent
• commonly represented as a man grasping the snake that is represented by the constellation Serpens, and formerly referred to as Serpentarius
• one of the 48 constellations listed by the second-century astronomer Ptolemy,  and remaining as one of the 88 modern constellations
• the only constellation named after a real human
• honoured for bringing the art of healing to mankind

.

Although the stars of this region have been seen as a serpent for thousands of years, their symbolic meaning still remains uncertain. It is believed that the Serpent and its bearer Ophiuchus are related to the Greek healer-god Asclepius. The Greeks believed that the serpents of Asclepius could cure diseases and so belong a long association between serpents and medicine that continues to our own time.

According to the Greek tale, Asclepius was given to the medicine half-man Chiron by his father to care for. He grew up learning the crafts of the medicine man. After having discovered the potency of those herbal remedies from the snakes he then went on to use it on other mortals.

Apparently this didn’t go well with Zeus, the grand master of ‘ruling overlords’. Zeus went to war with Asclepius; striking him down with a thunderbolt. Even though this is a common response from Zeus, he displays some compassion, turning over the constellation of Optics to the care of Asclepius. So humanity once again remains the servants of Zeus the grand master, and Asclepius becomes an immortal.

The 13 Zodiac Signs :

FOR PEOPLE BORN BEFORE 1990 (INCLUDES PRECESSION)

(Sidereal Astrology)

Aries	Apr 19	May 13
Taurus	May 14	June 19
Gemini	June 20	July 20
Cancer	July 21	Aug 9
Leo	Aug 10	Sept 15
Virgo	Sept 16	Oct 30
Libra	Oct 31	Nov 22
Scorpio	Nov 23	Nov 29
Ophiuchus	Nov 30	Dec 17
Sagittarius	Dec 18	Jan18
Capricorn	Jan 19	Feb 15
Aquarius	Feb 16	Mar 11
Pisces	Mar 12	April 18

The (Traditional) 12 Zodiac Signs:

PRIOR TO PRECESSION and ADDING OPHIUCHUS

(Tropical Astrology)

Aries	Mar 21	Apr 20
Taurus	Apr 21	May 21
Gemini	May 22	June 21
Cancer	June 22	Jul 22
Leo	Jul 23	Aug 23
Virgo	Aug 24	Sep 22
Libra	Sept 23	Oct 23
Scorpio	Oct 24	Nov 22
Sagittarius	Nov 23	Dec 21
Capricorn	Dec 22	Jan 20
Aquarius	Jan 21	Feb 18
Pisces	Feb 19	Mar 20

Note: Some astrology dates vary according to whether astrologers use tropical or sidereal astrology.

Previous and Continued Posts: 

Your New Star Sign - Part One

Your New Star Sign - Part Three

© Copyright J M Lennox. All Rights Reserved.