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The 13th Zodiac Sign Debate: Ophiuchus and Does it Affect Astrology?
Is the so called constellation Ophiuchus REALLY a forgotten zodiac sign our ancestors forgot to count?
For as long as we can remember we’ve been familiar with only twelve zodiac signs, each associated with a constellation and a time of year. They have been the cornerstones to shaping the fundamentals of astrology through horoscopes, personality profiling, relationship guidance, and more. But some people for a while now have been wondering about the so called 13th sign Ophiuchus, The Serpent Bearer. This constellation is lively debated in the world of astrology and many are curious as to whether or not the astrology community will officially include it as a 13th sign.
Ophiuchus: The Mythical 13th Sign
Ophiuchus is nothing new. It has been known for thousands of years but was never recognized as zodiac sign. If part of the astrological zodiac system, it would fall between Scorpio and Sagittarius. It’s named after Asclepius, the Greek god of healing and is often depicted holding a serpent in a stance of defense. Had it been established as a zodiac sign, Ophiuchus season would range from November 29th to December 17th.
While this idea of a 13th sign has been around for quite sometime, the topic resurfaced in 2011 when NASA released information on how the Earth’s axis shifts over the millennia. This “precession of the equinoxes” as they called it, slightly alters the positions of constellations over time. In lay terms, the constellations do not align precisely with the twelve signs used in astrology.
The Arguments For Ophiuchus
Astronomical Accuracy
One of the strongest arguments for Ophiuchus comes from astronomers (whom might I point out, are usually NOT believers of astrology to begin with) point out that the twelve-sign system does not align with actual celestial events. The sun’s passing through the zodiac makes its way through thirteen constellations, not twelve. The argument is that acknowledging Ophiuchus might make the zodiac more scientifically accurate. Some believe astrology should reflect the true scientific arrangement of the stars.
Expanded Humanistic Insights
Supporters argue that adding Ophiuchus can offer a broader and potentially more nuanced approach to astrology. The “Serpent Bearer” is often associated with themes of healing, wisdom, and transformation. This actually shares similar characteristics with its potential neighboring signs, Scorpio and Sagittarius. This is true for every sign of the zodiac. Neighboring signs share just as much commonalties as differences in comparison to one another. The traits of Ophiuchus can back up this idea of incorporating it as an official sign of the astrological system.
A Natural Evolution of Astrology
As technology improves with each decade, so does astrology. The ancient Babylonians used 18 signs before the ancient Egyptians adapted them into twelve to make them coincide with each individual calendar month. Pro Ophiuchus arguments state that astrology should continue to evolve with new astronomical discoveries. They claim that this can help maintain relevancy and that by acknowledging time and new explorations we can have a more complete and accurate system of celestial study.
The Arguments Against Ophiuchus
Astrology and Astronomy Are Different Fields of Application
Critics of the Ophiuchus inclusion argue that astrology is not meant to mirror the scientific findings of astronomy. Modern Western astrology, the most widely used branch of astrology is based on the Tropical Zodiac System. This zodiac ties itself to the 4 seasons of Earth, not the positions of the stars. The twelve-sign structure aligns with the four seasons and the twelve calendar months in a calendar year, each representing archetypes of seasonal themes. Adding Ophiuchus would disrupt the symbolic harmony of one sign per month.
Astrological Consistency Could Be Disrupted
Many are not in favor of including a new sign for it would disrupt the long-established zodiac calendar. Changing the dates for each existing sign and forcing millions of people to reconsider parts of their identity under a new sign. This astrological disruption has many astrologers arguing that these archetypes have been refined and observed since the beginning of time and each sign symbolizes a universal aspect of the human experience that many people find resonance with.
Intentional Historical Exclusion
Some traditionalists point out that ancient astrologers were in fact aware of Ophiuchus, but they chose to exclude it for a reason. The twelve-sign system isn’t arbitrary; it’s a balance based on specific mathematical and metaphysical principles. Introducing a 13th sign could undermine the system’s original foundations, making it harder for astrologers to offer coherent interpretations.
What Would Ophiuchus Represent?
If Ophiuchus were adopted, it would be symbolized with the Greek god of medicine and healing, Asclepius holding a snake. This sign can most descriptively be described as embodying Scorpionic qualities of transformation and rebirth, as well as Sagittariuan wisdom and propensity for divination. In Greek mythology, Asclepius held the power to resurrect the dead with his healing powers, heralding him as a deity worthy of great respect and worship.
Where Does This Leave Astrology?
The official zodiac remains a twelve-sign system, and Ophiuchus has no plans to be adopted into the astrological system by practicing astrologers. This is because astrology is a metaphysical practice that has been shaped by centuries of human observation and belief. New discoveries about the sky above us are made everyday, but that doesn’t change what’s been taught to us over the centuries.
Professional astrologers don’t consider Ophiuchus as a zodiac sign since the work they do is spiritual and not based on the mathematical accuracy of continuing astronomical discoveries. The foundations of astrology lies in symbolism and identifying the gifts and internal blocks within their clients according to their astrological blueprint and how the positions of celestial bodies may externally affect them over the course of their life.
So try not to worry too much next time someone tries to invalidate astrology’s validity when they prompt you about the “forgotten” sign. To be fair, NASA itself never officially coined it as an astrological zodiac and there’s a lot of misinformation out there about Ophiuchus and who said what about it. But hopefully this article cleared up some stuff and you’ve been assuaged that nothing about your birth chart has changed!